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A Tale Of Two Tents
By spokesman | April 22, 2010
The weight of the supplies that a bicycle tourist carries is very important and cyclists strive to reduce the weight as much as possible. A bike tourist who is camping will be carrying a tent, sleeping bag, ground tarp and maybe a camping stove. All of these items add weight and bulk. I recently came across two tents that are at opposite ends of the weight spectrum. The Nemo Meta 1 tent is made for backpackers and requires a trekking pole to pitch it. However a cyclist can easily carry a collapsible trekking pole in order to use this tent. The combined weight of the tent and pole would be extremely light. The tent weights only about 1.9 pounds. The mesh netting provides good circulation (to allow in cool air and prevent build up of condensation) and bug protection. The design also provides protection from the rain. While this is not the least expensive tent on the market, it is one of the lightest.
Nemo Equipment Meta 1 Tent
Bushtrekker Bicycle Shelter
At the other extreme is the Bushtrekker Bicycle Shelter. It was not designed by a serious bicycle tourist. It weights 45 pounds. I have one friend that is so weight obsessed that he even cut the handle off of his toothbrush to save weight. Although most cyclists don’t go to that extreme to save weight, I don’t imagine that you will see many of these Bushtrekkers on the road. A cyclist can easily carry a free standing dome tent with a full rain fly that would be as comfortable, as easy to set up and weigh far less than the Bushtrekker. The Bushtrekker would also cause problems when you had to lift your bike or squeeze through a narrow space. I have been on many tours where I had to carry my bike across a closed bridge, over a curb, up a flight of steps or squeeze by other cyclists or pedestrians on a narrow shoulder. Any of these maneuvers with Bushtrekker trailer would be much harder.
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Topics: Touring Tips |