Ride across the USA

[Frulk_imp]

From left to right:


Mexican blanket: good for using under you neck or knees for support while sleeping on the ground either on a Thermarest or other pad while in a tent. Also good as a ground cover for laying in sand. Get up in the AM, shake it out and you're good to go. Provides an additional few degrees of insulation on top of your sleeping bag. That shouldn't be a consideration for your trip in June as it will be plenty hot in most parts of the US. Can pick these up for $15 (for Chinese knock offs) and up in a lot of places out west...road side vendor...truck stops and so forth. Somewhat bulky and have to consider rain proofing it while on bike

Melvins Heyzeuz beer can is for scale ( $1.66)

Klymit Inflatable pillow in front of beer can: $20.00. Provides a lot of sleeping comfort (for me at least). Takes up almost no space on bike

Klymit (Utah company) non-insulated inflatable mat. For summer use when cold temps aren't a concern. ($59.00 I think). Light/very compact to carry on a bike. Provides a lot of sleeping comfort.

Thermarest insulated inflatable mat. This version was $200. A bit bulkier than the Klymit but not by much and still able to carry on a bike without it taking up much space. Provides a lot of sleeping comfort.

Basic Thermarest Z (egg-crate) pad: Best to use under an inflatable mat to help prevent punctures. Also provides some insulation on cold nights from the ground. Provides no sleeping comfort. Can be used under your knees or as a pseudo pillow with something like a sweater on it. Bulky on bike but is impervious to weather.


Sleeping on the 'ground' is different for everybody and is a misnomer since almost everyone uses a mat of some type. As long as I have something to support my neck I can (and have) slept on rock, sandstone etc. not the best nights sleep but I've done it. There are people who have valid, physical limitations that make sleeping on the ground something to dread and endure. I'm not one of those folks.

This pic demonstrates the difference. On the left is my bud's back country set set up. A basic Z pad and a pillow. On the right is my $200 Thermarest and somewhere buried in there is my pillow. He does yoga, stretches, and works out year round and keeps his body fat somewhere close to 10%. I show up at the Trailhead with a 12 pack of beer and my body hardens to the effort over the next few days. Not for everyone but that routine works for me.



Django, I wouldn't overthink this camping thing. Out west you have the option on public land to camp if you find a spot that you like towards the end of the day Or, you can roll into a town, get a motel or a KOA spot and pitch your tent there. have some ear plugs at the KOA. You'll be fine.