Sell it to me...

**Hector** · 05-15-2008, 14:03

This is a simple one. For many people, sleeping in a hammock is more comfortable -- MUCH more comfortable -- than sleeping on the ground. An Amazonas Traveller hammock is cheap -- less than $20. Grab one and set it up in the back yard or at a park, take a nap. If you are one of those "many people" above, then buy a camping hammock suitable to the use to which you'll put it. Don't forget a good tarp. There's enough info on the pros and cons of the various manufacturers in threads on this site for you to make an informed decision once you take that nap -- and sell yourself (or not).

**Ramblinrev** · 05-15-2008, 14:07

I haven't had my hammock out on my bike yet. But just getting rid of the stinkin' tent poles will make packing my panniers so much easier.

**Schneiderlein** · 05-15-2008, 14:16

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

The Claytor I linked above is double layered, and would elminate the need for an SPE.

Wouldn't you still need an SPE to make the pad wider around the shoulders, even with a double-bottom?

**FanaticFringer** · 05-15-2008, 14:59

Originally Posted by Schneiderlein

Wouldn't you still need an SPE to make the pad wider around the shoulders, even with a double-bottom?

I was thinking the same thing. How wide is the double bottom? I'd think it would need to accept at least a 24" pad.

**FanaticFringer** · 05-15-2008, 15:01

Originally Posted by Mike Brown

6 ft even, 165 lbs.
It's a MTB, not a motorcycle. I'll be doing 500-plus miles of MTBing loaded, so weight is part of my concern- trying to keep total package including food but not water below 25 lbs.
Pad is a standard 1.5 inch Thermarest- I have a system using compression straps that makes it MUCH smaller than you'd think.
I'm open to other pad suggestions.

JRB bridge should work well for you.

**angrysparrow** · 05-15-2008, 15:03

Originally Posted by Schneiderlein

Wouldn't you still need an SPE to make the pad wider around the shoulders, even with a double-bottom?

Not necessarily, but that depends on the pad used. I use just a pad (Speer 24" wide) with an overquilt in my DL hammock, and it's fine.

**Mike Brown** · 05-15-2008, 20:09

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm going to go for the Claytor- my shoulder are REALLY narrow, if you know anything about bike fit, a professional fit technician put me on a 38cm road bar, standard for a guy my size would be 43 or 44. I also am 98% certain I'll be able to use either a homemade tarp thing-y I already "own" or the rain fly off my existing touring tent. That makes the cost cheap enough to not worry if it doesn't work. Looks like a nice product anyway.
Thanks again.
Mike

**Narwhalin** · 05-15-2008, 20:41

Awesome! I am glad you decided to go with it! If you have any questions about hammocking please come back and search or ask if you cannot find the answer. We are happy to help!

**schrochem** · 05-15-2008, 21:40

Hey Mike, are you doing the Colorado Trail Race?
If so, another forum member, sherpaxc, is also.
He converted over to a hammock as well and knows about your requirements.
Send him a PM.
I went and dug up a link to his blog if you are curious.

**Mike Brown** · 05-15-2008, 22:52

Originally Posted by schrochem

Hey Mike, are you doing the Colorado Trail Race?
If so, another forum member, sherpaxc, is also.
He converted over to a hammock as well and knows about your requirements.
Send him a PM.
I went and dug up a link to his blog if you are curious.

Sherpa's the person who sent me here from the MTBR endurance racing forums .
Not the race- although I am a "racer." This is intentionally more of a tour, with lots of opportunity to enjoy space and time.