Motocamping ~ Is It For You?
Some people love it, some hate it, and some just tolerate it. Which are you? No matter which one is your preference it’s correct. If you don’t enjoy camping why ruin a good ride by ending the day on an uncomfortable note?
When I started Motocamping back in the late ‘70s and I was a lot younger it was the only way I could afford to travel. I started motocamping out of necessity but learned rapidly how much I enjoyed it.
Over the years so much has changed with the availability of camping gear and amenities available at campgrounds. The difference in camping gear varies from super low budget and quality to super high quality and very expensive. How motocamping is entered changes from person to person. Campgrounds vary and can provide just about anything a person is looking for from basic sites to campgrounds with camping cabins. Then there are the free campsites on public lands that are not in campgrounds.
As we move into spring I will provide you with more information on how I set up for motocamping and select campgrounds or sites. Not everyone does it the same and that’s one of the things that make it fun for me.
What kind of motocamper are you?
What kind would you like to be?
* Camp to ride? Pack minimally, just a place to sleep.
* Ride to camp? Pack more and enjoy the camping experience.
* Somewhere in between? A little more than just sleeping but not cooking in camp.
Where do you want to camp?
* Campgrounds with amenities like showers and electricity?
* Campgrounds with water and bathrooms or vault toilets?
* Dispersed Camping with vault toilets nearby?
* Primitive camping without amenities, pack it in, pack it out?
What Do Riders Like and Dislike
Wondering what people like and dislike about motocamping I did a little research. It seems like the basics for the likes are about the same with the people that like to motocamp and the dislike are about the same dislikes with that group.
I didn’t find a lot of motorcyclists that admitted they don’t like to camp but I found a lot that are staying in motels. There is nothing wrong with staying in motels, to each their own. Enjoy the experience whatever it might be.
Fifteen Reasons Motorcycle Riders Enjoy Motocamping
1. It adds to the adventure.
2. Being out in Nature. There have been studies showing how camping is good for our health.
3. Doing something you don’t do in your day-to-day life.
4. Learning new things like cooking in camp.
5. Stargazing on clear nights.
6. Campfire and visiting with friends or alone.
7. Camaraderie or solitude whichever you choose.
8. If you are riding in National Forests your campsite opportunities are endless with dispersed camping.
9. No need to make it to a town for the night.
10. Much less expensive than motels especially if you camp for free in a dispersed camping area.
11. Quiet time at night without traffic noise, loud neighbors, etc.
12. Your motorcycle is safe and probably right next to your tent.
13. Waking up to beautiful scenery and fresh air.
14. Watching sunsets and sunrises from camp and/or your tent.
15. It’s what memories are made of.
Eleven Reasons Some Riders Don’t Enjoy Motocamping
1. The need to carry extra weight and bulk on the motorcycle.
2. Smelly outhouses, or public bathrooms.
3. The nighttime bathroom calls are dark, probably cold, and not handy.
4. Lack of showers and if there are showers they are public.
5. Dirty: Camping isn’t squeaky clean. Your hands will get dirty, your clothes will smell like a campfire if you have one and if there is a lack of showers there just might be body odor.
6. Sleeping on the ground: Even with a good pad it’s not like your bed at home and for some people, it’s difficult to get back up off the ground.
7. More work: Setting up and taking down camp is work and even worse in the rain.
8. No temperature control: You get what you get, you can’t turn up the heat or the air conditioning.
9. Bugs: There are bugs out there, especially mosquitoes in most places and they bite.
10. Food: You have to either eat before getting to camp or bring food and cook in camp. This adds to the more work thing and it’s not always convenient.
11. Critters: There might be critters around stirring in the night and they get into things that aren’t put away. And in some areas, there are bear out in the woods.
What did I Miss?
Did I miss anything in the Enjoy or Don’t Enjoy lists? More information about motorcamping will be coming soon . . .
