Tarp shelters for unicycle touring

I am looking into getting a nice Tarp Shelter for solo self supported
unicycle touring. I am thinking it will be nicer than a bivvy bag and
give me more freedom to move around in and cook. Does anyone have any
recommendations for a nice lightweight tarp shelter?

I have my dividend money from REI and a 20% coupon, so I was thinking
about getting this:
http://www.rei.com/product/655941

To tie the tarp to trees or structures I was going to use this
guyline:
http://www.rei.com/product/617569

Any thoughts??

I am thinking that carrying a tarp will be a lot nicer than carrying a
tent for touring. The weight will only be a little over a pound and
won't take up much space in my backpack.


--
siafirede

'DCuni' (http://www.dcuni.com/blog) - my blog about Unicycling in
Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland

James = my name
'This' (http://www.myspace.com/clawsout) = my myspace
------------------------------------------------------------------------
siafirede's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/6057
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

do you need trees to tie that thing to? after my failed atempt at the
south downs way carrying a three man tent i'm interested in finding a
light weigth solution, but it's terribly barren and often there's
nothign to pitch to for miles.


--
kington99

Dave

- what a thoroughly post-modern subversion of the cycling genre -
------------------------------------------------------------------------
kington99's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/9417
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I use tarps for backpacking/camping around Colorado exclusively.
I have had a lot of luck with my homemade version. Very light and
amazingly easy to set up.

I use a 2 Mil Plastic Painter's tarp. I use duct tape to secure a
parachute cord around the parimeter and then I use a thin Bunji type
cord for the stake guys. Due to the elastic cords it sets up in under a
minute and holds up to 60 MPH wind gusts (Maybe more, but that is the
most I have experienced)

I can cook under this tarp and the clear plastic makes sitting out
rain-storms much more pleasurable and cheery. You can read and see to
play cards or whatever.
[image: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-.../FH000009.jpg]

[image: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-.../FH000011.jpg]


--
Bondo

colorado's radio personality of the year 2007
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bondo's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15716
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

Tarps are okay as long as you're not somewhere where it will be damp.

If it is damp, you still need a bivvy bag to keep your sleeping bag
dry, assuming you're using a down sleeping bag, which is probably worth
doing for the massive weight savings.

Also, insects, depending on where you are and what season it is, you
might want insect protection too.

Once you've done that you're heading close to the weight of a
lightweight tent.

I have to say, I've got a tarp, quite a posh one, that I picked up free
once, and I've never yet found an occasion to use it, I'll always bivvy
if it's lightweight, or use the tent otherwise.

If you had all the money in the world, the perfect thing for people who
don't want to bivvy would probably be something like this
http://tinyurl.com/3xvs2v
or this
http://tinyurl.com/2cozw7

Joe


--
joemarshall

my pics http://gallery.unicyclist.com/albuq44
------------------------------------------------------------------------
joemarshall's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/1545
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I don't think moisture will be an issue. If it is really damp outside,
my bag should be fine b/c most bags(that aren't down) come with pretty
good liners/shells nowadays anyway. I am actually thinking of NOT
going the down-fill route even though most people seem to recommend
down bags. I have found that down bags don't handle moisture well at
all...even ones that are said to have water resistant shells. The
smell of damp down is horrible. I was using a really nice down bag a
few times while camping inside a tent, and the moisture in the tent
somehow got through the water resistant shell to make the bag damp and
smelly. I have never had that problem with my synthetic bag. I don't
mind sacrificing 10 ounces of weight and a few degrees temperature
rating to not have to deal with that on a unicycle tour.

I am still looking into bags, but so far I haven't found a down bag
that feels like it has a decent enough shell. I am looking into this
bag:
http://www.rei.com/product/747873

or maybe the 15 degree version.


--
siafirede

'DCuni' (http://www.dcuni.com/blog) - my blog about Unicycling in
Washington DC, Virginia, Maryland

James = my name
'This' (http://www.myspace.com/clawsout) = my myspace
------------------------------------------------------------------------
siafirede's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/6057
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

yeah, down and damp = bad. I've got that Macpac Epic SF bag/bivvi
combined (you've seen it) that is proper waterproof, but it is *very*
expensive. It's definitely waterproof - airtight even, you have to be
careful when you pack it, if you get a bubble it won't fit into the
stuff sack.

Joe


--
joemarshall

my pics http://gallery.unicyclist.com/albuq44
------------------------------------------------------------------------
joemarshall's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/1545
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

ive got a tiny little 2 person tent, tiny because it folds up so small,
a couple problems with it tho, my cat clawed the roof so it leaks, and
its bright pink lol. a small tarp and a good sleeping bag sounds good
enough though, better in good weather though.


--
1-wheeled-grape

Scott,

Chris-"james is naming your unicycle a girls name replacement for
girlfriends?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-wheeled-grape's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/15877
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

I spent a summer once in Roosevelt National Forest living off the land a
long time ago. I used a super lightweight hammock that didn't have
wooden supports on the ends and it could be wadded up so tight I
carried it in my pocket. To keep the rain off me, I used a poncho for a
rain fly that was tied between the two trees that the hammock hung
from. It was comfortable, really portable and kept me off the ground
which was nice cause the tent worms were really bad that summer. What
little stuff I carried I stored on the ground under the hammock/ rain
fly.


--
Nimbusnut
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nimbusnut's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16642
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

siafirede wrote:
I am looking into getting a nice Tarp Shelter for solo self supported
unicycle touring. I am thinking it will be nicer than a bivvy bag and
give me more freedom to move around in and cook. Does anyone have any
recommendations for a nice lightweight tarp shelter?

I have my dividend money from REI and a 20% coupon, so I was thinking
about getting this:
http://www.rei.com/product/655941

To tie the tarp to trees or structures I was going to use this
guyline:
http://www.rei.com/product/617569

Any thoughts??

I am thinking that carrying a tarp will be a lot nicer than carrying a
tent for touring. The weight will only be a little over a pound and
won't take up much space in my backpack.



you should be able to get a very good tarp for less than that,
gossamergear also has an amazing tarptent that is also very light, but
will work better in more extreme weather and has a removable floor.
will you be using a sleeping pad? a closed cell pad only weighs a pound
or less, and provides a good barrier to insulate you from cold/ wet/
rocky ground.
personally, my setup is an ultralight hammock that i find much more
comfortable. hammock and tarp weigh 2 pounds w/ silnylon tarp. even in
pouring rain, i have been warm and dry. another plus is that you can
set it up anywhere you have trees- no need to find a perfectly flat
campsite! if i am forced to the ground for lack of trees, i am already
carrying a ultralight tarp that can be used independantly of my
hammock. gtg for now, (back to work) but if you shoot me a message, and
tell me what youre looking for, i can help you find great gear for less
money to suit your needs!


--
OneWheelLess

Seriously, the other wheel just fell off one day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OneWheelLess's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16793
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com

(My other hobby is ultralight hiking, and I've recently been helping a
cousin put together a gear list for a SoCal to Maine bike ride he's
doing this summer)


--
OneWheelLess

Seriously, the other wheel just fell off one day.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
OneWheelLess's Profile: http://www.unicyclist.com/profile/16793
View this thread: http://www.unicyclist.com/thread/68707


Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com