Where the heck to stow a ccf sleeping pad?

[WalksOn2Wheels]

Looking at UL sleep options and while comfort would be lacking, it's hard to beat the weight, simplicity, and durability of something like a Thermarest Z-lite pad. But it's also ridiculously bulky. How are people carrying these? There was another mention of blue foam pads in the Ultra Racing forum, but not many responders there. I figured this was a more appropriate subforum.

I have an older BA Insulated air pad, but the thought of just pitching a tarp, throwing down a foam pad, and jumping in the bag sounds nice if you're looking at ultra racing type events.

[Sparkyga]

A lot of racers just carry car shades. Extremely light, cheap durable and can be stuffed anywhere. Slightly more comfy than nothing and shockingly warm to sleep on. Also useful for sitting on when the ground is too hot/wet/cold/having a picnic... And they can protect your inflatable mattress too from sharp objects

Another option is a self inflatable air mattress. Couple puffs of air and your good to go.

[offroute]

Good question. Some of us like foam pads versus anything else.

First, I use a well-used pad so it's not as thick. Then I cut it down to a length that will just protect shoulder thru hips. Radius cut the corners, and think about narrowing the width. Mine rolls up to fit in a front drybag along with a 1p tent, and still room for other gear in it.

I think trimming down the overall load will get ya there. Go spare enough that clothing and other items which might have been in the drybag get offloaded to other packs.

I don't care for wearing a pack, but If I do, lashing the pad outside of it works fine if no technical riding.

I haven't tried, but I'm pretty sure a pad could be lashed to a fork leg successfully.

[WalksOn2Wheels]

Thanks for the feedback. I think the car sunshade might be just a touch extreme for me. Haha!

I was also looking at the torso length vs. full length issue, so I'm glad you brought it up. Do your calves/feet just not get as cold? Or do you tend to throw a bag underneath your legs? My other concern would be the ground. Part of the simplicity of a foam sleeping pad is not worrying about a ground cloth. I mostly intend to use it in conjunction with a bivy bag, but it would be nice to not tear up the bivy bag.

Thinking about it and digging through google image searches, it looks like it's possible to lash it to the bottom of the seat bag, provided you have the clearance. If not, probably under the front roll, but only if using flat or really wide drop bars, which would be highly likely for these types of events.

[Adam Alphabet]

For the CTR and AZT last year I used a cut down 1/8" thick 'napping pad' that rolled up tight and tucked under my bar roll/bar pouch straps. Pretty thin but enough to take the sting out of the hip and shoulder for outhouse naps.

For touring I use an inflatable klymit pad as it's tiny and will sacrifice the pad quality for ride quality and less bulk. Sleeping pads no matter what are bulky and occupy a lot of space.

Look at what Joe Cruz did for an Arizona Trip, wrapping his pad around a cuben stuff sack and into a harness. That's an idea.

The accordion style z-mats are bulky no matter where they go. Fork leg...? possibly, I personally wouldn't.  Upsizing your backpack to accommodate is an option if you're not averse to backpacks. But as others have mentioned trimming it down as lean as reasonably possible will help a bunch.