Don't forget the toilet paper

If you’re excited about daylight savings then you’re probably itching for the upcoming weekend camping trips. I’m talking about filling the coffee mug after work then rapidly packing the car and heading out of town. But 15 minutes after you leave your house, you find yourself back at home putting your bike on the rack. Hopefully, after another walk through the house, the garage and the bathroom, you find yourself, your friends and your bike firmly attached to the transport mechanism. Another 15 minutes passes, while you are driving, you become worried that you forgot something. However, this time, you’re not going back. You’re not even going to voice concern. Quietly, you slip into a meditative state and drive. Meanwhile, you mountain bike shoes lie on the top of your car.

Surely, this has happened to you! It has happened, repeatedly, to me. But, like all problems, us humans find a work-around. We create systems to negate the effects of bad camp packing.

I’m a serious car camper, which means I pack just about everything I own. In order to minimize leaving the most necessary items at home, I’ve come up with a couple of useful boxes to make sure I don’t forget much of anything.

1) Camping box:
a. This has to be one of the most useful tools. It is a big box full of the necessary camping supplies – matches, paper towels, toilet paper, saw, eating utensils, bowls, coffee cup, French press, scissors, etc. These items never leave the box. It is always ready to go!
2) Food box:
a. Typically, the food box is a cooler. I don’t think I have to list the items one would put inside the food box, as this is a matter of personal opinion. There are, however, a couple of standard items that should remain in the box – two cans of soup (or chili), one bar of chocolate, dried fruit, Clif bars (or some other performance bar) and peppermints (you just might forget to brush your teeth).
3) Gear box:
a. The gear box is the one thing saving your mountain bike from certain disaster. The items in this box will be removed. However, you’ll need to promptly replace them! These items include: tubes, extra chain, brake pads, tire patches, multi-tool, chain lube, shock pump, flash light and extra cables.

As for me, I’ve already hit the road a couple of times. I plan on getting out even more! I would love to see you in your neck of the woods. So, please, if you’re from the East coast or Central states tell me what I should bring while camping – I’m sure bug spray will be one thing not to forget!