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1  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Looking for a tent/shelter recommendation on: June 05, 2013, 02:59:02 PM
Again, I appreciate all of the responses.  I ended up finding an MSR Carbon Reflex 1 on eBay for a decent price.  It's lightweight and sets up easy (though it does rely on stakes), but I do have to carry ~16" poles.

On the beach, I did have to use long sticks pounded deep into the sand, as the stakes that came with it didn't hold in the wind.  On firm ground at a campsite, though, the stakes and tent held up to some pretty nasty winds off Lake Superior.  Packs up the size of a cantaloupe (except for the poles, of course).

In general, I don't love it, but it kept me dry and carried well for a reasonable cost.
2  Forums / Question and Answer / Creating an Annotated Route Map on: June 05, 2013, 02:43:54 PM
Just returned from a fat-bikepacking trip that I recorded on my Garmin Edge 200.  I'd like to post the GPS route online, along with annotated points of interest (e.g., here's where we camped, here's where a bear ate a member of our party, etc.).

What's the best way of doing this?
3  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Looking for a tent/shelter recommendation on: February 28, 2013, 01:23:57 PM
Thanks for all of the responses.  I'll admit to being a little torn right now, and trying to decide between the Contrail or an MSR Hubba I can get a deal on.  The Contrail's weight and packability sound great, and the many, many reviews I've found online are almost unanimously positive.  I tend to be more of a set-it-and-forget-it guy, though, and often find myself in sites where the ground isn't great for holding stakes, so the idea of a free-standing tent is tempting.
4  Forums / Question and Answer / Re: Looking for a tent/shelter recommendation on: February 25, 2013, 08:34:16 PM
I have a Tarptent Contrail. Roomy, lite, well made and not to expensive. http://www.tarptent.com/contrail.html


I've seen the Tarptents mentioned, but I'm not clear on how they're different from regular tents.  What's the advantage versus a tent?  What are the drawbacks versus a tent?  Also, are they waterproof?  The web site seems to indicate that they need to be seam-sealed first.
5  Forums / Question and Answer / Looking for a tent/shelter recommendation on: February 25, 2013, 07:45:02 PM
I'm putting together a bikepacking setup, and since I've done some backwoods camping, unsupported day-long rides and adventure racing, I've actually got quite a bit of what I need already.  The main chink in the armor, though, might be my tent.  It's an REI Half Dome 2, and it weighs in at 5.5 pounds.  That's quite a bit heavier than I want to carry.

I know a lot of riders go with bivys, hammocks or just tarps, but I'm not interested in those for a few reasons:  I am a stomach sleeper and don't sleep well on my back, I get slightly claustrophobic in some circumstances, I want room for me and my pack(s), and I plan on camping in very buggy areas.

I've spent a fair amount of money on bike bags lately, so I'd like to not spend a ton of money on a tent.  Less than $200, definitely.

Any suggestions would be very welcome.
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