Camping off your bike

Hey Chris, good to see you are posting on the forum again and still riding. There are a lot of folks doing what you are talking about. You know UncleJohn and I camped just about everywhere we went. I got a lot of pics of places where we camped together. It's a great way to see the country. I don't know if you have started making your plans for the spring yet, but I would think about going to the Texas Red Neck Ride In, in Navasota TX the last weekend in April. It's one of the two annual events that John and I never miss. That was the last place we camped together last May. There is already a bunch of riders coming next year that are camping on the lawn. It's a really great event and the best Texas BBQ you will find anywhere. Be some other Buckeyes there as well. Check out the link and hope to see ya there.
Texas Red Neck RTE 2023

Camping is a cool way to travel. I started back in college for a cheap way to get off campus for the weekend but then didn't do it for over 25 years. I got back into it around 2012 when a M&G came up in Iowa where everyone was going to be camping. Quick trip to Dicks Sporting Goods and bought a cheap tent and sleeping bag not really considering the whole packing on a bike. It worked but after that, I took some time to research stuff better designed for compact camping. Also what I really needed and didn't. I was able to fit pretty much everything in the trunk of my GL1500.





I used this for a couple different trips including going to Tellico Plains, TN as well as a trip down to Arkansas with a overnight stopover in state park in Missouri.

After a riding buddy picked up an Aspen Classic tent trailer, I began to realize that I was getting older and it wasnt as much fun getting up the next morning after sleeping on the ground. I picked up my own Aspen Classic and have gone out west as far as Cody, WY, out east all the way to Acadia National Park in Maine as well as back down to Tennessee.







This has served me very well for many years. I have switched up trips with sometimes camping and sometimes motel/hotelling it. I ended up getting new tent installed about 2 years ago but have only made 1 trip with Aspen since then.



I still have it and plan on still using but have since picked up a toy hauler for longer trips when I take my son with. I enjoy the long rides but many times have to go through hours of not so interesting roads and I know the little guy would get bored. By using toyhauler, he can do many different activities to keep him occupied.



I still have many more places to see sometimes solo, sometimes with my son. Camping is an enjoyable way to do it whether with the Aspen or with some more conveniences that's the toy hauler gives. Only downside with toy hauler is that it ends up being more expensive that traveling with Aspen as I have to use my truck and then avg only about 10mpg...

Love camping off the bike! Each year I hit a few motocross nationals and do a week long trip somewhere. I've gotten pretty efficient with my camping gear and packing setup.

Cherry Ridge Campground in Charles E Baker State Forest, upstate NY.


Summer, one night only, setup: Tent lays flat under the roll bag. Micro camping chair on top with mini soft cooler in pillion spot. Freeze a couple bottles of water and place around a few beers for best results.


I look forward to this one every year! Unadilla MX, camped next to an old cemetery across from the track.


Cold weather & multi-day setup: waterproof bags holding large winter sleeping bag and 'real' pillow, plus clothing for the week long trip (Cabot Trail Nova Scotia).


High Point MX in the background. This place is all hills... difficult to find level ground for the tent.


Camping with friends is always a good time!

Tahquamenon Falls State Park MI



Michigan U.P.


Lima, Ohio


Spearfish, South Dakota