The Pedalshift Project 083: Tips for Dealing with a Wet Tent

Jun 15, 2017

On this week's pod, tips for dealing with a wet tent on bicycle tour... from how to pack a wet tent to drying the tent out, and more.

 

Hey it's the direct download link for The Pedalshift Project 083: Tips for Dealing with a Wet Tent (mp3)

Subscribe to The Pedalshift Project:
RSS – iTunes – Overcast – Android

Reach out to the show via email, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don't forget to join the newsletter too.

Have some bike touring or overnight stories to share? Send your pics, audio or a quick tweet - all welcome. Email the show at [e-mail] or call the lightly-used Pedalshift voicemail line at [phone].

Gear Talk: Wet Tent Edition

 If you camp, you probably camp in the rain at some point. But how do you deal with a wet tent on tour? I have tips, many tips... English tips. (late 80s movie reference)

 

- Make sure the tent is properly waterproofed to begin with. Seam seal that tent and tarp if it's older than a few seasons. Some do it every year.

- Choose where you pitch if you can. Under trees seems like a good idea at first, but a rain shower that ends overnight continues to drip on you under trees. Ditto if the spot you're in will have a foggy morning!

- Scenario 1 - it's not raining in the morning and you're in no rush. Shake off as much wetness as you can. If you have a camp towel (you should! they're great!) wipe down the surfaces. Take the tarp off and angle the tent under as much sun and wind as you can get. Put it on its side if necessary. Dry it totally and throughly. If you can't, roll it up with the wet side out and bungee to the rack so it can dry as you pedal. Pack it up when you get a break and the tent is dry.

- Scenario 2 - It's raining still. Hard to shake off that much wet, but do what you can. Segregate the wet tent from other things as much as possible. It's best not to pack a wet tent in a waterproof bag, even in the rain. Exception: If the inside of the tent is still dry and there's steady rain that would make it wetter if carried outside. Roll the tent up so the dry side touches the dry and the wet touches wet. Keep the dry on the outside if going in a bag, on the inside if there's dry weather coming that day and you have a shot of airing it out as you ride.

 

Hammock person? You probably have it easier... pack up under the fly and keep it dry. Worry about the tarp after you shake it out.

 

More tips from ultralight hikers.

Pedalshift Society

Help support the show and join the Pedalshift Society with monthly or one-shot contributions!
Ethan Georgi
Kimberly Wilson
Caleb Jenkinson
Cameron Lien
Andrew MacGregor
Michael Hart
Josiah Matthews
Keith Nagel
Brock Dittus
Thomas Skadow
Seth Krieger
Marco Lo
Terrance Manson
Noah Schroer
Harry Telgadas
John Sikorski
Richard Killian
Chris Barron
Scott Taylor
Brian Hren
Mark Van Raam
Brad Hipwell
Paul Mulvey
Stuart Buchan
Todd Stutz
Mr. T
Roxy Arning
Nathan Poulton
Harry Hugel
Ferguson Meek
Stephen Dickerson
Vince LoGreco

And all anonymous and past contributors for helping make this show happen!

Music

You've been hearing about Jason Kent and his music for 79 fine episodes. I got news for ya. New. Sunfields. Album. This August.