Camping Seminar + RTE ???

[Mellow]

I'm trying to gauge some interest here.

There are many that think about camping however, just don't think it's for them
or have tried in the past but had a bad experience.

Over at www.MotoCampers.com we are going to do some local camping seminars.

Nothing scheduled just yet but wanted to see what kind of interest
ST-Owners might have in this.

So, if you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, would you be willing to go to a
city park in Carrollton, TX and attend a camping seminar held by yours truly?

Now, this is nothing extravagant, I'll just bring what I bring when I camp. Set
it up, show some misc items I bring and answer any questions then take
camp down and show how easy it is to pack up. Then, head to the Hard
Eight BBQ in Coppell for lunch.

For many here, this is a no brainer and won't see any benifit in such an event
but, for some, it will be just what they needed to give them a foot in the
door and begin MotoCamping.

I'm thinking the 2nd week in Jan....

Any thoughts? Obviously, anyone experienced in camping could do the same
event in their area and post here or at MotoCampers .

[Mark]

Careful Joe,

This looks like it is going to require more than your traditional 10 mins of planning for an event! :eek:!

lol

Mark

[Mellow]

I think I can get away with 30 mins on this one.

[STony G]

Just for the record...
There are a few of us (ok, me), who, would be interested in a motorcycle camping seminar.

Any possibility of making this a regional event? :D

[Mark]

STony,

You've got Mac in SoCal right now! :)

If you can wait come on out to SeaSTOC next year.
There were enough people there that you could get a good idea on what you need vs. what you want... and all points in between.

Mark

[Mellow]

Sure, anyone that camps on a regular basis, would be a great source of income.

If anyone in Southern CA wants to step up... just shout, no reason this has to
be sourced from motocampers either, that's not important, what is important is
the proper info get out there so people, like me, that can't afford hotels AND
gas can still tour without going broke.

[Mellow]

STony,

You've got Mac in SoCal right now! :)

Mark

Mac DID NOT BRING ANY CAMPING GEAR ON THIS TRIP... He is in violation of the motocampers creed... and a letter of correction has been sent.:doh1:

[Mark]

Mac DID NOT BRING ANY CAMPING GEAR ON THIS TRIP... He is in violation of the motocampers creed... and a letter of correction has been sent.:doh1:

The shame of it all!
:)

Mark

[Mellow]

Yep, he might have to hand in his hatchet.

[STony G]

My post was more of a tougue in cheek kind of thing, but, you all did come up with some good ideas....thank you.

[uptoblackwood]

I think I can get away with 30 mins on this one.
ahhhh...he's always packed and ready to go...

I'd be interested in attending and helping out too.

Forest

[uptoblackwood]

Mac DID NOT BRING ANY CAMPING GEAR ON THIS TRIP... He is in violation of the motocampers creed... and a letter of correction has been sent.:doh1:
Mac probably added sleigh bells and garland and is going to play Santa...no room for camping equipment on a "toy run"....

Forest

[Vtwin]

I'm in Plano and am definitely interested but will be in the Big Bend area Jan 10-13th. I can make it pretty much any other time. I've done some bike camping in the past but never felt like I was particularly organized and the eating side of it was always a chore rather than a fun experience. (It was alway easier to find the nearest Burger King!). Plus I'd be interested in tips on loading up all the gear on the ST. Cheers Howard

[uptoblackwood]

I'm in Plano and am definitely interested but will be in the Big Bend area Jan 10-13th. I can make it pretty much any other time. I've done some bike camping in the past but never felt like I was particularly organized and the eating side of it was always a chore rather than a fun experience. (It was alway easier to find the nearest Burger King!). Plus I'd be interested in tips on loading up all the gear on the ST. Cheers Howard
Well....after Joe's camping seminar....you'll be changing your eating habits. It will be DQ instead of Burger King!!!

Forest

PS...you can roast just about anything on the fires he builds.

[Mellow]

Howard, if you miss this, we can always arrange to get together on the weekend sometime and I'll show you what I take and how I pack, it's not much different than when I had the ST. Just a different shaped bag.

I rarely bring food, just too much of a hassle for me. Once in a while I'll bring some but we usually eat in town and pick up snacks for sitting around the campfire.

[Mellow]

Well....after Joe's camping seminar....you'll be changing your eating habits. It will be DQ instead of Burger King!!!

Forest

PS...you can roast just about anything on the fires he builds.

LOL... I think Mac has the campfire award.. although we almost burnt town Yellowstone a couple years ago..

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58337373-M.jpg

[motomac]

But I did bring a spare tire!!!!!

[Mellow]

My post was more of a tougue in cheek kind of thing, but, you all did come up with some good ideas....thank you.

I'm not as sharp as Mark looks... okay, maybe that's a good thing.

[Finewest]

Camping Seminar, huh? Interesting, interesting. You don't mean to charge for it do you?

I come from a serious nature loving camping hippy family. Grew up in the San Gabriel mountains, Little Santa Anita Canyon to be exact, also known as "Sierra Madre Canyon" to local folks. I've backpacked for 10 plus years during the sixties and seventies; a lot of it solo. I've been bike camping several times. I qualify. If there is an interest in this we can do another overnighter bike camp trip to the desert where it is warmer than the mountains right now. Such as the Anza Borrego State Park, or even the Salton Sea again. Of course one of the great secrets of California is that beach camping is best done during the winter. No fog, clear skies, less wind then the summer and best of all no crowds. Jalama Beach near Lompoc California comes to mind. And there is a little store with cafe there.

I agree with Joe that packing food on a bike camp trip can be troublesome, but possible. Gotta have that morning cup of coffee though.

Kickin' it around...

[tommyboy]

What about John Diego? he had the most farkled machine (for camping) I have ever seen. I would love to set up my STeed for some camping trips. Count me in for a Southern or Northern California seminar.

[sirepair]

I would be interested! I'm hoping to get into this type of recreation and this would be a BIG help in learning what you NEED vs what you want, etc

Since I'm in OH, I'll just have to wait till MAC gets back into the area! Of course I could shoot on down to the lone star state just to check it out!!

"Honey, I'll be back in 3 or 4 days, gonna go learn how to camp on the STeed...."

Hmmm, what should I pack for the trip?

[Finewest]

What about John Diego? he had the most farkled machine (for camping) I have ever seen. I would love to set up my STeed for some camping trips. Count me in for a Southern or Northern California seminar.

Diego is bike-down currently. I was thinking about Keith R. (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/member.php?u=1992) Now there is a camping dude! I was very very impressed with his setup on his BMW at SeaSTOC.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=24767&d=1193624125

That's Keith on the left standing next to Motorcycle Larry. Keith would be a great bike camp instructor! I even think he said he was writing some bike camping articles for the BMW crowd. Very impressive!

[Mellow]

I'm calling these 'seminars' but they will be free. The intent is to get those that
have thought about camping a little push. If they don't like it, hey, they'll be
some new gear in the classifieds section that us campers can get cheap.. he he he

If anyone wants to step up and schedule a seminar, just shout. I've posted
this over at twtex.com and a wing site as well so there may be a variety of
folks that show up. That being said, I would like the seminars to focus on
those that have never camped before. Therefore, showing up with a
bunkhouse may be too much for some (yeah, I'm talking about Mac, LOL) .

I'd like it to be a minimalist approach to camping, remember your 1st trip and
how you changed things on subsequent trips before you honed it down to
what works best for you. Everyone is different, some think thermorest is the
best mattress made but others, like me, hate them with a passion mostly
because they don't pack well, IMO.

Anyway, I'm not going to tell anyone what to present at the seminars, and if
anyone wants my opinion on how / what to present you know I'll provide it so
be careful what you ask for. Many here like George, Mark and others have
camped more years than I've been alive and have advise that's better
than mine so, speak up if you want to be a seminar-guy/gal.

[Trekker]

I'd like to volunteer.... but it might be a couple months before the actual seminar happens! :snow1:

[motomac]

Mac probably added sleigh bells and garland and is going to play Santa...no room for camping equipment on a "toy run"....

Forest

Actually when I left Ohio I had a big red bow taped to the front cowling, but the Toad Strangler leaving Texarkana removed the tape and the bow became litter somewhere west of Texarkana.

[Mellow]

I'd like to volunteer.... but it might be a couple months before the actual seminar happens! :snow1:

Not a problem, that should be just in time to get people thinking about it and ready for CampSTOC later on. Thank you sir!

Heck, I even know a guy in CT with his own campground that might provide
a spot for demonstrations. :popcorn

[Mellow]

Actually when I left Ohio I had a big red bow taped to the front cowling, but the Toad Strangler leaving Texarkana removed the tape and the bow became litter somewhere west of Texarkana.

Some of that tape was still on the bike, I saw it an was afraid to pull it off, wasn't sure what part of the bike it was supposed to be holding together.. LOL

Baaaah Humbug!

[KrazyKooter]

If it's on the 12th, I would love to make it. I don't think I have any plans that day, but I'll check with my wife just to be sure.

I've camped a couple of times on my sportster several years ago. I know there are better ways of doing it than what I was doing. Love to hear more info.

[Mellow]

A big kudos to Squeaky from twtex.com passing an idea by me.

Most of the items on the motocampers site that we review come from Cabelas.

I gave them a call and they are very interested in hosting the seminar inside their store. Obviously, it's good for business as everything we show and review will be available at the store ..

They have weekly meetings on the seminars they typically provide and they will be back with me... so, it's not a definite, but sounds very promising, they also like the fact that they don't have to pay someone to do the seminar.

When I know more I'll post but looks like this would cover the Dallas / Fort Worth area. Trailace is looking into a similar arrangement with REI.

[ChipSTer]

Let me know when you make the 'circuit' to BassPro Shop in Prattville, AL.... (Dang it!!!) :banghead:
:cool:

[STony G]

This thing really has got me even more interested in motor camping.

I called Bonelli Park ,Raging Waters in Dan Dimas, this morning to find out if they would have a problem with us "biker types" having this type of event.

The first impression was not very positive, until I told her that we ride a "police" type of bike. We don't drink and ride, so on and so forth. It would have taken too much time to explain our ride. Anyway, we could set up a couple of tents, if we wanted, to see whats what.

This park is pretty busy in the spring and summer months. And Feb and March is their busy season for private parties.

If there is any interest in having a camping seminar here, let me know and I'll get more information from the park. The only fee would be $8.00 entry per bike/car.

[VFR]

I am at the moment trying to gather as much info as possible on mc camping, so I am very interested. Last time I did it was in the early '70s. We just strapped a bag to the sissy bar & that was it. Usually we were blithered & sometimes even got into the bag before passing out....

I am planning to camp at DesertSTOC so it would be very handy to know what to bring. Also plan to do Big Bend, CO & maybe Montana next year.

Fred, what about So. Carlsbad State Beach or that one below San Onofre? I think I have seen bikes there. Both have lots of tent campers. I really wanted to pass by you guys at SeaSTOC but was in CO at the time.

[Finewest]

Both Carlsbad State Beach and San Onofre State Park have camping. San Onofre is really a open area with little to no shade. If you guys want to do a camping trip mixed in with a senimar that's one thing, or just show up at a local park and check out what other guys use for bike camping that's something else. Joe has been contacting his local sporting good stores for senimar space and accomedations. That sounds like a great idea! That way we have access to room and gear! And they get new customers and sales.

[ST1300 Alicia]

Hey Joe!
Can I come in my WHEELCHAIR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

[Mellow]

Hey Joe!
Can I come in my WHEELCHAIR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

I don't think anyone will ever stop YOU from doing anything. :clap2:

[Finewest]

Hey Joe!
Can I come in my WHEELCHAIR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!

I'll wheel ya in myself! :D

[NoBull]

Ive done some camping off a bike before, but can always use some pointers. Jan would have to be a "snow camping" seminar however for some of us. I planned on checking out the campers at westoc anyway...

[krush]

Were any dates ever set for this seminar? I am relatively new to the site an looked the best I couldand didn't find anything. Thanks!

[Mellow]

Were any dates ever set for this seminar? I am relatively new to the site an looked the best I couldand didn't find anything. Thanks!

Not yet, still working out some details.. there is, however, an overnight camping event at lake tawakoni in north TX which would be a good opportunity to go over a presentation.

Here's that link. (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33517)

[AzDesertRider]

STony,

You've got Mac in SoCal right now! :)

If you can wait come on out to SeaSTOC next year.
There were enough people there that you could get a good idea on what you need vs. what you want... and all points in between.

Mark

Yup, after last years SeaSToc I found out I "Had to have" a new stove, lantern, Kermit chair, tent, waterproof duffel....etc... Matter of fact I'm gonna go try out all that stuff this weekend..:D

Also found lots of great ideas over at MotoCampers.com.

[dmulk]

Yup, after last years SeaSToc I found out I "Had to have" a new stove, lantern, Kermit chair, tent, waterproof duffel....etc... Matter of fact I'm gonna go try out all that stuff this weekend..:D

Also found lots of great ideas over at MotoCampers.com.

Please take some photos of your site setup! I love looking at other people's camp site configurations....there is just something comforting about a tent setup next to a bike. :)



<D>

[ChucksKLRST]

Keep me posted. Might make for a nice ride from W.F.

[Mellow]

Keep me posted. Might make for a nice ride from W.F.

Not sure if you saw THIS (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=360651&postcount=39) post but a camping event will occur either way. Lake Tawakoni would be a nice easy ride from W.F. I wouldn't be surprised if you got there before I did.

[uptoblackwood]

I'm going to try and make this! I'll bring both tents that I use while camping on the bike so that folks can compare....
Stove, bags, pads, etc....

I will have to leave early on Sunday...opera matinee.....

Forest

[Mellow]

I'm going to try and make this! I'll bring both tents that I use while camping on the bike so that folks can compare....
Stove, bags, pads, etc....

I will have to leave early on Sunday...opera matinee.....

Forest

Thanks Forest, should be fun even if it's not much of a riding event. Guess I could go to Houston first, LOL.

[uptoblackwood]

Or.....ride over to look at the "cobwebs" of the cobwebs!!!!

[ChucksKLRST]

Not sure if you saw THIS (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=360651&postcount=39) post but a camping event will occur either way. Lake Tawakoni would be a nice easy ride from W.F. I wouldn't be surprised if you got there before I did.


This was the last time I was Moto camping. Down at Brownwood Lake.

Attached Thumbnailshttp://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21599&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1188862373 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21599&d=1187534203) http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21600&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1188862373 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21600&d=1187534246) http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21601&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1188862373 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=21601&d=1187534440)

[ChucksKLRST]

Not sure if you saw THIS (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showpost.php?p=360651&postcount=39) post but a camping event will occur either way. Lake Tawakoni would be a nice easy ride from W.F. I wouldn't be surprised if you got there before I did.


Can I bring my KLR? The KLR is my Camping bike and the ST is my Motel bike.:D

[Mellow]

Can I bring my KLR? The KLR is my Camping bike and the ST is my Motel bike.:D

Sure, that's even better.. a smaller bike shows people you can camp on any size bike.. Heck, you probably pack more than I do.

[ChucksKLRST]

Sure, that's even better.. a smaller bike shows people you can camp on any size bike.. Heck, you probably pack more than I do.


What I don't do well, is the food STuff on a bike. 1. I am not a cook and 2. Hauling food stuff and cooking gear takes up alot of room. Russ Locke and I took a Motorcycle trip to Inuvike, Canada, North West Territories back in 1996. Camped for 21 days. I found that eating at cheap hole in the wall places was better than cooking. I will be most interested to see how the food STuff is done.

Attached Thumbnailshttp://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8444&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1188853694 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8444&d=1143630734) http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8445&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1188853694 (http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8445&d=1143630734)

[Mellow]

I agree, food is too much of a hassle for me. I may bring a small stove and pan to boil water but even then, I stop at a town and get a pack of dogs or whatever looks good and take it back.. or, more often, eat in town and bring some chips back to the fire.

[Finewest]

I agree with Joe. Unlike backpacking where you have to bring everything with ya, or camping in remote areas where no "hole-n-walls" are available, it is easier to just go into town and chow down. Of couse if you find youself in a campsite far from a town (you didn't check the map did you!? LOL) there are some easy to "cook" items such as MRE's, hey if the military can eat 'em, you can eat 'em! And freeze-dry products. All just require hot water and no cooking pot required, except for heating water. Of course some MRE's come with a water-activated heater. All these are light-weight and small enough to carry a few.

Then again there is always granola and jerky! :eek:

I also bring a small stove and pot. I gotta have my morning coffee!

[VFR]

The thing I'm noticing here is that the campgrounds for a couple of events seem to be a long ways from towns. But then I suppose the idea of camping is to get away.... I'm a little jaded from being in SoCal where the campgrounds are local.

The one for DesertSTOC is not that far, but the one for WesSTOC looks like it is on the other side of the mountain from the activities. Probably a good idea to have a little something to heat up just in case. I never paid much attention to the campground locations since I haven't done this before.

[STScott]

I am very interested in this seminar....however I won't have weekends off until the end of Feb.

[Mellow]

I am very interested in this seminar....however I won't have weekends off until the end of Feb.

Hopefully, I'll be more organized by then but in the meantime, I'll do the 2/2 lake tawakoni event (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=912) and maybe one every other month in the DFW area. Not hard to do for me if I don't have to schedule vacation.

If I get an REI or Cabelas type seminar going, I'll post it.

[STScott]

Hopefully, I'll be more organized by then but in the meantime, I'll do the 2/2 lake tawakoni event (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=912) and maybe one every other month in the DFW area. Not hard to do for me if I don't have to schedule vacation.

If I get an REI or Cabelas type seminar going, I'll post it.


Great!! I have committed to a Hill Country camping trip in April with some folks from Two Wheeled Texans. I already have a tent....now just need help figuring out what to get along with it....I know I need a sleeping bag...but what kind? What about a sleeping pad? Questions like that.

[dmulk]

I also bring a small stove and pot.....

And let me tell you....Fred's pot is GREAT!


<D>

[lesjohns]

Scott,
I try to be comfortable.
Stove (a little backpacking stove that fits in its own pot + plus a small wok I have had for years. All cooking stuff fits inside the small wok, its about 8" across. If you have this an a fire you can cook most anything. I have made cakes, donuts, all kinds of egg dishes, several oriental dishes, Mexican stuff from scratch, Italian dishes, and hamburgers.... The key to food and space is the water. Most of what we eat has a LOT of water so take it away and you can pack small. 20 years of teaching scouts how to cook the the great outdoors and indoors too..
Sleeping. I use a middle weight bag that works in the summer, then I take a fleece bag for laying around the house in and put it in the middle weight bag during colder weather. if you take along a space blanket and 3 or 4 clothes pins you can put the space blanket around the outside of the bag and be toastie.
I use a simple single bed air mattress with a battery powered blow up unit. 1. it gets me off the ground and these old bones can't take the self inflating on the hard ground any more.
tent water proof, easy to set up and folds small. I have a light weight that is actually big enough for 4 and nearly head room. Have used it for about 20 years. Have to re-string the poles about every five years and spray with water proofing every spring (there are several brands out there). All this and food and clothes for a week will fit in my backpack, or easily on the ST.
except for the poles a small roll pack and the bags on my ST will hold everything.

[STimpa]

[QUOTE=Mellow;353148]A big kudos to Squeaky from twtex.com passing an idea by me.

Most of the items on the motocampers site that we review come from Cabelas.

I gave them a call and they are very interested in hosting the seminar inside their store. Obviously, it's good for business as everything we show and review will be available at the store ..

They have weekly meetings on the seminars they typically provide and they will be back with me... so, it's not a definite, but sounds very promising, they also like the fact that they don't have to pay someone to do the seminar.

----------------------------------------------

Mellow, Let me know how this goes with Cabelas... I am a training manager at Cabelas in Post Falls,ID. I would be happy to get something similar going in our store, in fact most if not all Cabelas would work motocampers wanting to hold a seminar... shared passion and good for business:)

[STScott]

Scott,
I try to be comfortable.
Stove (a little backpacking stove that fits in its own pot + plus a small wok I have had for years. All cooking stuff fits inside the small wok, its about 8" across. If you have this an a fire you can cook most anything. I have made cakes, donuts, all kinds of egg dishes, several oriental dishes, Mexican stuff from scratch, Italian dishes, and hamburgers.... The key to food and space is the water. Most of what we eat has a LOT of water so take it away and you can pack small. 20 years of teaching scouts how to cook the the great outdoors and indoors too..
Sleeping. I use a middle weight bag that works in the summer, then I take a fleece bag for laying around the house in and put it in the middle weight bag during colder weather. if you take along a space blanket and 3 or 4 clothes pins you can put the space blanket around the outside of the bag and be toastie.
I use a simple single bed air mattress with a battery powered blow up unit. 1. it gets me off the ground and these old bones can't take the self inflating on the hard ground any more.
tent water proof, easy to set up and folds small. I have a light weight that is actually big enough for 4 and nearly head room. Have used it for about 20 years. Have to re-string the poles about every five years and spray with water proofing every spring (there are several brands out there). All this and food and clothes for a week will fit in my backpack, or easily on the ST.
except for the poles a small roll pack and the bags on my ST will hold everything.

Thanks for sharing your set up with me.:tent3:

[Mellow]

[QUOTE=Mellow;353148]A big kudos to Squeaky from twtex.com passing an idea by me.

Most of the items on the motocampers site that we review come from Cabelas.

I gave them a call and they are very interested in hosting the seminar inside their store. Obviously, it's good for business as everything we show and review will be available at the store ..

They have weekly meetings on the seminars they typically provide and they will be back with me... so, it's not a definite, but sounds very promising, they also like the fact that they don't have to pay someone to do the seminar.

----------------------------------------------

Mellow, Let me know how this goes with Cabelas... I am a training manager at Cabelas in Post Falls,ID. I would be happy to get something similar going in our store, in fact most if not all Cabelas would work motocampers wanting to hold a seminar... shared passion and good for business:)

Tim, that's great to know. I've been pretty busy at work and haven't had a chance to touch base with them again but I'll try next week. They sounded very interested when I first contacted them but it was during the holidays and I would imagine my inquiry fell between the cracks.

I'll let you know what they say.

[VFR]

Joe, your post brings up a good point. Since they have a BIG store in Glendale AZ & none in SoCal, maybe one of the AZ guys could see about having them do a seminar there. I'd ride over for that one and perhaps others would as well.

[Mellow]

Joe, your post brings up a good point. Since they have a BIG store in Glendale AZ & none in SoCal, maybe one of the AZ guys could see about having them do a seminar there. I'd ride over for that one and perhaps others would as well.

Hmmm.. Arizona.... hmmm.. who's in AZ that camps.. hmmm... :popcorn

[Mark]

Hmmm.. Arizona.... hmmm.. who's in AZ that camps.. hmmm... :popcorn

I know Bob, Bryan, Raven and George camp out!
:)
:popcorn