It sounds like you are traveling solo as opposed to the above posters. If you aren't camping in the most expensive country of your journey, I don't think you will be doing much camping in Central America. I have met many solo travelers who ended up sending their camping gear home after hitting Guatemala where guesthouses are 10 bucks a night or less. It totally depends on your mentality I suppose. Some are solo travelers by choice and enjoy sleeping under the stars and the peace and quiet. Other people enjoy the company of others and don't mind staying in guest houses or couch surfing.

I am a minimalist and take the essentials for camping. Bivy bag, small down bag in a compression sack and the sheepskin on the bike seat for a pad, riding jacket for a pillow. I ride small bikes and don't have the space for anything else. I like knowing that I can sleep out if I have to, so I don't recommend sending all your stuff home. I don't like camping in the rain so gave up packing a tent long ago.

I used the sleeping bag a couple of times on the way to Panama and back when it was cold in the mountains but only camped out twice. Inexpensive guest houses and hostels are easy to find throughout Central America. After traveling all day it is nice to stop in at an inexpensive place where you can wheel your bike into the lobby or courtyard. Especially while traveling solo. Take a cool shower, chat with other travelers about the road ahead, check e-mail or ask questions on HU like you are doing now on the free wi-fi, that sort of thing.

I can't speak to South America as I haven't been yet. But I hear that camping makes sense in Chile and Argentina where accomadation prices are higher.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

Bush camping in Central America is a little sparse. Very difficult to camp stealthily since people are literally everywhere.

However....... once you hit South America I couldnt imagine not camping. I camped some in Colombia all through Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Brazil has great camping as does Venezuela as well.

If you dont want to carry the gear all the way, you could always start off with just a hammock through Mexico and Central America, then buy camping gear in Colombia.

I wouldnt hit South America without a tent and sleeping bag. Amazing camping all through the continent, especially in the Andes and altiplano.

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http://www.southontwowheels.com

The dilemma persists but I must go and install some peg lowering brackets before getting fixated again.

Cheers!

Sprint -

But important...

I haven't got around to writing about this on my blog yet but I'd seriously thing twice about fitting a peg lowering kit.

Why? When I bought my DR from 'Man Mountain' it was fitted with a peg lowering kit. It wasn't until I went to remove them that I discovered the r/h one had been hit so hard it had pushed the frame mounting into the frame tube meaning the mounting bolts were no longer aligned with one another. This A: tilted the footrest forward & upward slighty and B: Put stress on the bolts - one of which snapped on a trail in Peru recently.

The lowering kit drops the mountings below the bash plate making them very vulnerable. There are VERY few people I would trust to repair the frame after this damage, hence I've put up with it.

Adam

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ShortWayRound - OTR RTW since 2006

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Decades ago in my backpacking traveler days I started off around the world with a huge pack filled with stuff. Nine months later by the time I hit India I was down to a daypack with a toothbrush and some flip-flops. The thing is, I don't regret taking all the stuff I did. It was what I felt comfortable leaving on a long journey with. As time went by I became tired of carrying an MSR stove and nesting pots I rarely used and mailed it home. When the weather got cold in New Zealand I headed to Singapore and got rid of my camping stuff. By the time I hit Thailand I gave the big empty pack to a very thankful Thai fellow. It was a natural progression. Figuring out how to travel light so I didn't have to throw a pack on top of a bus and risk losing it. Buying clothes as I went. When it got chilly in Nepal, time to buy a hand knit sweater from a Tibetan refugee. When it gets hot in Goa give it away and buy a Kurta shirt from the local tailor for cheap.

Look at your journey as research and development. Take a lot of stuff you may not need. It won't kill the bike. You don't have to carry it on your back. The stuff you don't find useful, send home or donate to a local. And make sure to report back on what worked for you and what didn't so that others who follow in your footsteps can decide for themselves if it applies to them.

Many people love to cook and have a cuppa tea in the morning. I am not one of them. If you are, then take a stove. I find it just as cheap to eat in roadside stalls and buy fruit on the side of the road and groceries in the local tienda. I rarely eat in sit down restaurants as they are more expensive. I would take a water purifier pump before a stove (and matches, spare fuel bottle, wind break, spare jet, nesting pots, spork, etc.) as you will save more by not buying bottled water than by cooking your own meals.

Cheers,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

It's really up to you. What do you want out of your trip? Why not cross the border with it. You could send it back at any time.

HostelWorld will give you some hostel descriptions and locations. Maybe put a dot on your map at the cities where some are located. Then prior to passing though that city you could research them online. HostelWorld also has a app to use with an iPad, iTouch or iPhone.

Hostels Worldwide - Online Hostel Bookings, Ratings and Reviews

http://www.vagabondjourney.com/travel-tips/

daryl

After struggling with the issue of bringing camping gear I have decided to leave it in Des Moines with the option of either having it shipped when I reach Colombia or simply buying what I need there.

There's just too much stuff and I really want to be in a position to enjoy some off-road riding and not be too burdened down.

I may very well regret this but I can envision being pissed off carrying all the stuff as far as South America and not using it. Then again I'll be equally pissed when opportunities present themselves and I don't have the gear.

So there you go. Thanks to everyone for the valuable input. If I could comfortably bring it I would but that's not turning out to be the case.

Cheers all. Hope to see some of you on the road to wherever.

Greg

Greg,

I think that John is the sagest of all, and you followed his lead! Great decision!

I grew up over seas (Peru), so I didn't have to go thru the progression John talks about.... I just looked at the indigenous guy ahead of me on the trail thru the jungle.. Absolute essentials: a weapon (in order to eat), some salt, a machete (to build a lean-to each night), and shoes (usually carried unless traversing a sticker palm patch). That's it!

Of course, I am American so I take a few more things like a spare tube of each size, 1/2 lb tools, one change of clothes, a raincoat, a small camera, some cash and my ATM card, and a mini solid state laptop. All fits in a narrow backpack I put on my back or strap to my tank. No paniers, no rear rack pack, nothing.

The adventure IS the adventure! Don't ruin it with being prepared for any and every possible discomfort. The people you meet will rise to the challenge! The scenery is great, but the people of CA and SA (and almost anywhere in the world) will change your life! That's really what your whole trip is about, isn't it!

Enjoy! Toby

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http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'

Now I feel sheepish (and not because of my Scottish heritage). Aren't decisions made with a built-in caveat regarding last minutes changes? At this last minute I packed the camp gear without cook stuff. The thought of some of those magnificent camping opportunities in SA and me without gear wasn't something I was comfortable with.

I've done the backpacking reduction thing, especially in warmer climes and I don't take much for those. This is different, sort of. Today I rode from 74 degrees in Des Moine to 46 degrees in Denver. Need different clothes for that I gotta tell ya, as I thaw out.

It'll take some time but I'll get stuff sorted into what I use often and what I don't. Not there yet.

There are plenty of sage contributors on this forum and I agree with you Toby that the adventure is the adventure. It has begun.

I'm in a similar situation riding a DR650. I brought camping gear that all fit into a pretty small bag. I used it initially in Mexico, but have chosen to stay in hostels and hotels mostly. I hope to use it a little more in the future. It think that it will come in handy along the coast. While camping in warm climates that turn a little cold at night I will leave my riding gear near my side and use it as a cover instead of a sleeping bag.

You can check out my gear list on my website if you'd like. The Adventure Begins

I feel like I have too many electronics and will probably be sending some back home or trade it in for lighter gear.

I wish I had a water filter or a steripen.

Just don't skimp on your riding gear.

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Troy
www.theadventurebegins.tv

We´ve been in Chile and Argentina for a few weeks and will be travelling for several months. We´ve bought our camping gear and have enjoyed using it thus far. It is a little cheaper (not heaps) but its been a good experience as you´re meeting interesting people at the campsites. Plus you can get out to some pretty amazing spots in National Parks.

I´ll let you know how it goes as we´re heading down to Pätagonia and want to do a bit of camping there. Our gear is very basic so we usually try do no more than 2 nights before then going to a hostel