April, 2013:

MISSISSAUGA, ON — Touring by bicycle and “stealth” camping probably epitomizes the essence of self-sufficient, low-cost travel for many HPV adventurers today.

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To this end, MODS enhancing the touring capabilities of “Mia Bella” would be incomplete without a quick, efficient and comfortable “stealth” camping option (see My DIY 50 ¢ent solutions: Getting the job done without breaking the bank).

Experienced campers know that a tarp is the “Swiss Army Knife” of shelters which can be configured many different ways for protection against the elements, e.g. as an emergency roof in a downpour, shelter from the sun, an awning, ground sheet, lean-to, etc.

Despite this versatility and ease of use, one critical limitation when using a tarp for shelter in some situations is the absence of mosquito netting.

Fortunately, today’s lightweight bivouac sacs provide a ready-made solution — in addition to the bivy’s attractive “plein air” sleeping options.

Without at least two points of attachment for a ridge-pole, line or some form of “tent” pole(s), the absence of a self-supporting structure can also limit the use of a tarp in open areas.

By utilizing the parked and strut-stabilized recumbent itself as the “ridge-pole” and optionally attaching a pair of segmented, flexible, FG tent poles perpendicular thereto, a stable and roomy tarp shelter is quick and easy to set up.

A suitable “camouflage” tarp enhances the shelter’s “stealth” quality.

This configuration has an approximate 10×10 feet footprint.

This tarp shelter protects (and hides) the bike while providing access to the panniers. NOTE: When cooking, etc. and outside the bivy sac, a bug hat/jacket will be useful in black-fly/mosquito country.

Adjusting left/right spacing provides ample room for storage and a second sleeping area.

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Thank you to the many people who contribute their time and expertise to improve the cycling experience for those who follow.

Here are a couple of links to the resources I used to get up to speed on the world of “bent” riding:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com
http://www.bentrideronline.com

Upgrades that CAN break the bank …

MISSISSAUGA, ON — Spring is struggling to make an appearance and so it is time for fine-tuning some of the concepts developed during my research into ways to enhance the touring capabilities of “Mia Bella” — my Bacchetta “Bella” ATT LWB recumbent.

In contrast to my previous MODS, the equipment upgrades are anything but “DIY 50 ¢ent solutions” – they involved some rather pricey accessories in the form of a new set of front and rear panniers plus handle bar bag on account of zippers giving out on my 1984-vintage Rhode Gear set (see My DIY 50 ¢ent solutions: Getting the job done without breaking the bank).

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Although I was seriously tempted by some recumbent-specific rear and under-seat panniers, cost and dual-use considerations on my DF road and MTB bikes logically pointed to a more common configuration – in this case Arkel GT18 (front) and GT54 (rear) models – while sticking with my DIY duffle bag MOD for the under-seat pannier (see MOD 9: Under-Seat Panniers).

Arkel’s quick-release mounting system is a welcome improvement over the aluminium hooks on the old Rhode Gear panniers which necessitated extra tying- or strapping-down to prevent them from jumping off the rack on bumpy terrain. With tent-poles stored in the right under-seat pannier, the tent/pole tube has been removed and the rear panniers reversed front to back.

Mounting the new handle bar bag on the seat back involved threading a rubber hose “shim” over the seat cross-bar for clamping the brackets and using the vertical hold-down strap to help keep the brackets from rotating and the bag from sagging (see MOD 8: DFB Handle Bar Bag Mounted On Seat Back).

MOD 11: Steering Lock & Parking Brake

A bungee cord serves as a simple, quick and effective steering “lock” to hold the handle bars steady in addition to functioning as a parking brake when hooked over the brake levers to keep the bike from rolling away.

MOD 12: Strut Stands

A pair of telescopic Nordic Walking Poles with the hand straps looped under and attached to the handle bar bag brackets so that the straps carry the weight can be used as “struts” to stabilize the recumbent on both sides when parked.

While light-weight telescopic Nordic Walking Poles are expensive, they are an ideal form of low-impact exercise and can be used for added balance and power on walks and hikes off the bike.

*********************************

Thank you to the many people who contribute their time and expertise to improve the cycling experience for those who follow.

Here are a couple of links to the resources I used to get up to speed on the world of “bent” riding:

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com
http://www.bentrideronline.com