{"id":7767,"date":"2015-09-30T15:38:34","date_gmt":"2015-09-30T15:38:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=7767"},"modified":"2022-11-07T16:08:42","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T05:38:42","slug":"trail-bike-adventures-swags-tents-bivvies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/trail-bike-adventures-swags-tents-bivvies\/","title":{"rendered":"Trail Bike Adventures – Swags, Tents & Bivvies"},"content":{"rendered":"

The key to avoiding fatigue on any trail bike adventure is a good nights rest. So it goes without saying that sleeping arrangements are important!<\/p>\n

The climate your adventure bike riding takes you into will depict your choice of bedding, and more preparation is required if you haven’t planned to arrive at campsites each night.<\/p>\n

If road and track conditions are affected by weather, or you are held up by mechanical failures, you may need to set up a roadside camp.<\/p>\n

So what options are available for those of us that are adventure bound on two wheels?<\/p>\n

Sleeping bag<\/h2>\n

For starters, you’ll need a sleeping bag. My sleeping bag choice is weather dependent, below 0\u00b0C rated sleeping bag<\/a> for the cold, and above 0\u00b0C rating<\/a> when it’s warm.<\/p>\n

The clothes you wear, what you eat and what you are sleeping on all affect your comfort levels in a sleeping bag. If you’re confused by all the ratings, this guide to Understanding Sleeping Bag Temperature Ratings<\/a> may help.<\/p>\n

The ever-reliable swag<\/h2>\n

A Swag is a great choice for most weather conditions. The Darche Urban Ranger Solo Swag<\/a> is perfect for adventure bike riding, it’s compact and at 7kg is easy to manage on the back of a road or dirt bike.<\/p>\n

\"Oztrail<\/p>\n

For an even lighter weight option, check out the Oztrail Biker Swag<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

A hiking tent<\/h2>\n

A lightweight tent comes in very handy not only to sleep in but also as shelter for cooking.<\/p>\n

But if sleeping out in the open is not your thing, a lightweight compact dome tent with an air mattress and sleeping bag is the way to go.<\/p>\n

Most late model bikes come with a cigarette accessory plug so you can carry a compact pump to inflate your mat, and with the right pump, you can also inflate your tyres.<\/p>\n

For older model bikes these 12V accessory plugs are very easy to install, the guys at Electric Bug<\/a> can help.<\/p>\n

Black Wolf make a fantastic range of lightweight tents<\/a>. The Mantis I at just 2.2kg is great on the motorbike and doubles up for use hiking, kayaking and mountain biking, a great choice if you’re an all-around adventurer like myself.<\/p>\n

An ultra-compact bivvy<\/h2>\n

I first heard the term Bivouac when I watched Charlie Boorman Riding in the Race to Dakar. A bivouac is “a temporary shelter or camp for sleeping outdoors, that is not a tent”<\/em>… I fell in love with this term.<\/p>\n

A bivvy is a little more than this, it’s more of a minimalist tent. The Black Wolf Cocoon Bivy<\/a> weighs in at just 1.3kg, packs down small and is a must-have on any adventure bike packing list.<\/p>\n

Mother Nature doesn’t always go to plan, but you can make adventure bike riding comfortable, no matter the climate, with the right gear and your own plan.<\/p>\n

For more information on sleeping choices for your trail bike adventures, check out this article – Motorcycle Camping – Swags vs Tents<\/a><\/p>\n

Check in with Bianca for any advice you want on rail bike adventures by asking a question in the comments section below.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n