I have an old cloth-based sleeping bag that is bulky and not for cold weather. I’m concerned about the space vs weight. I normally don’t camp and don’t want to spend money on a new sleeping bag. So, I’m considering bringing a light blanket and sheet. BTW…I’m using a charter and they are hauling my gear to my tent so weight is not as much a factor as if I was biking the gear. I’n other words I don’t need an ultra-light bag. For those with experience, I would like your thoughts on using a light blanket and sheet vs a bag.
July 20 - 27, 2024
Login
Bike Shops
Charter Services
Friends of RAGBRAI
31 Replies
bring a pair of cycling tights just in case..a down bag is the lightest but it must stay dry.
In 2009 I brought my sleeping bag and a small fleece blanket. There were nights where I used both, mostly because it was a cool, rainy year.
“Same temperature as the face of the sun”. I love that word picture!!! If I may….I will use that phrase at the first opportunity. Probably Glenwood. Well said GB.
RIDE RIGHT (I am long time bent and brought another one over to the Dark Side just this week, he has a grin that will not quit after 44 miles today and 35 yesterday)
On topic, long ago I bought a silk top and bottom (long undies) which goes with me nearly everywhere. The longies augment my light weight sleeping bag when necessary and they weigh next to nothing. They have also seen service in an all day cold rain.
If you are going to be sleeping on an air mattress I would strongly suggest a sleeping bag. Unlike a regular bed, an air mattress stays cool underneath your body. On cool nights a blanket over the top of you won’t be enough. I have spent a few uncomfortable nights on air mattresses when there was no sleeping bag or second blanket (to go underneath) available.
Looking at the forcast on the weather channel for the week of Ragbrai they are predicting Mid to high 80’s daytime and mid 60’s at night. that is the way it will be it will be a good sleeping temps all week.
If I bring a sleeping bag, the night temps will be warm. If I don’t bring a sleeping bag the night temps will be cool, that’s proven science!
My sleeping bag is light weight (about 100 pounds) and we will celebrate 29 years of bliss, love and happiness the last day of July. She gives me support some years, some years she is my stoker and some years she stays home!
We have someone haul our gear so weight and space is not a problem. Our group all uses air mattresses for comfort and put a fitted sheet on it and a top sheet, on nights when it is cooler we use a lightweight fleece blanket as backup. you can always slip on a pair of sweatpants or sweatshirt if it gets real rainy and cool. I always worry that a sleeping bag will not be flexible enough if it is really hot.
What will happen if you bring both? The sun will supernova or this dimension will implode?
I fully approve of the usage! And good job spreading the gospel of ‘bent. When I first bought mine I felt like a kid again…and the feeling hasn’t stopped.
I’ve roasted and froze. Now I bring a down sleeping bag along with a lightweight bag. At worst I sleep with the lightweight bag around me on top of the down bag. And if it turns cool or damp, the down bag keeps me warm. Remember, cotton kills. A cotton sheet will trap body moisture and leave you clammy and cold in the morning. Silk is the way to go.
Having just finished another ride across a state, including a charter service and air mattress…I’m still debating on what to bring to Ragbrai. For BAK, I took a fitted sheet. Daytime highs were over 100 degrees. Nightime lows, however, varied from 62 to 76. Anything below 70, I froze. No joke. Anything above 70, I slept on top of the covers. Apparently, the human body sucks at regulating night time heat. The temps (according to Accuweather) are projected to be 97 degrees on Saturday and Sunday with lows around 73. We’ll have to keep watching. I WILL be taking tights and a light long-sleeve shirt again. I slipped them on at BAK and they sort of helped a little, but a fleece blanket would have been better.
I’m like Samske. I bring my lightweight sleeping bag and a sheet. If it’s really hot, I use the sheet on top of the bag. If it’s cold I use the bag.
I should say I am cold blooded though. My worst case scenario, I threw my poncho over my head and slept the best I could with the police driving around for hours telling me to “seek shelter”. I woke the next day dry and comfy even though my inflatable matress was acting as a flotation device.
I use a Coleman air mattress with a felt finish along with a US ARMY poncho liner. The poncho liner is light, packs small and is cozy. If it gets really cool, I put on the sweat shirt and sweat pants I brought for just that occasion.