Tarpology assistance please...

[pedalhead]

Hi guys. I'm trying to come up with the ideal shape, size and pitching method for a 1 person + gear tarp. I don't have much experience with tarps & have just been messing about with my small (5' 5" square) dog tarp in the garden to get a feel for what's possible. If I can work out the perfect size & shape I'm tempted to have one made...unless of course something custom isn't required and a regular off-the-shelf shape is good enough.

I'm thinking it needs to be big enough for 1 person + a bit of gear, able to be pitched preferably without poles (although carrying one lightweight pole on the bike wouldn't be a big deal), and also be flexible enough to be pitched close down to the ground in bad weather, or higher up for the occasional non-rainy trip. Bonus points for using wheels and/or bike for supports.

Here are a couple of attempts. Once I used the yellow guylines to steady the bike the first one was fairly solid, and the one using both wheels was surprisingly solid, though I'm not sure I'd trust either in high winds.

(see the full pics here...http://pedalhead.net/2012/03/23/gallery ... &gallery=7 )









Any thoughts? Cheers!

[Taylor]

I have a slightly longer tarp but set it up like the last picture.

It may make an appearance next weekend.

[pedalhead]

Cheers. How do you find it holds up against the wind?

[Taylor]

It's fine so long as you pitch the back to the wind.

I leave the rear wheel in the bike too.

Ian had a tarp pitched the same way a couple of years back. He's got a pic somewhere.

Here,

[pedalhead]

That looks excellent, especially with those end panels. Does yours have those? Good idea leaving the back wheel attached, no oily fingers.

[Taylor]

No end panels on mine sadly, just rectangle.
I would rather like a tarp with ends though.