Who has one? Any ideas on making a home under one?

There are at least two approaches using the bike as a frame Here's how I do mine:


Integral Siltarp by ianbarrington, on Flickr


Siltarp set up by ianbarrington, on Flickr

Pro's: fairly quick to erect, good stability in moderate wind, good protection from two directions

Con's: low height so can't sit up, not good protection from two directions, access through wheels "porthole" not for the larger gentleman.

Anthony has a Siltarp1 too, but he sets his up differently.

I actually wonder if it's too small for me using a bike frame

The limiting factor will probably be those little wheels you've got

The frame is so big, I've climbed smaller gates :) Anyway, I'm trying hard not to go buy something with big wheels, off to look at some later this week, which may be fatal.

Anyway, been shopping for tarp bits, add to basket! I reckon if I can get this tarp figured out it will survive Terrenhendre Pt. 2

I need to figure out a method to get it pitched and fit a Bugabivy under it, more strange looks in the park.

I need to figure out a method to get it pitched and fit a Bugabivy under it, more strange looks in the park.

Get a pole from backpackinglight for the front, use your wheel for the rear and set it up as an 'A' frame ... loads of room for a bug bivvy under that.

Do you know what I've ordered

Played around many different times trying different shapes, but still always keep coming back to this one-



You don't need all the guys, I was just experimenting.

Great rain coverage, plenty of room and nicely stable when fully tensioned. Works as well in either 26or29".

Anthony - are you using a pole at the front or rear wheel? Can't quite see. I have one but not found best option yet.

I've gone with a pole one end with wheel on the other and eight guys with msr cam rings and 8 cyclone pegs! It's pretty solid, I can get the Integral Designs solo groundsheet under it and a Bugabivy no problem. Pitching it in anything but perfect conditions though may be fun!

Kevin, it's attatched to the bike. A guy runs around the wheel, down over the fork crown and pegged into the ground just in front of the stem. The advantage being that as the bike is perpendicular to the opening, it makes in nice and easy to get in and out.

I have also pitched it with the bike the correct way up but parallel which requires a longer guy, but does mean access into a frame bag is not such a headache! Pitching in the wind is also easier as the guy doesn't slip off the wheel (once 2 main ridge guys are in it's fine though as the string is trapped in the tread of the tyre).

Thanks Anthony, need to play around with mine a bit more.

Anthony - is the ridge line thicker than your standard guy lines?

is the ridge line thicker than your standard guy lines?

Dan, I wouldn't have thought there was a full length ridge line on there ... just the end guy lines.

How much weather do you think a tarp setup, similar to Anthony's could withstand? Or should I take the plunge get a mid? Basically I'm looking for something that can take on the Alps.

Gear kicking around currently;
Laser Comp with or without Fastpack
PHD Water Resistant sleeping bag cover
Int. Designs Solo Groundsheet & SilTarp1
Vaude Bivy

I'm not thinking bug bivvy, midges wouldn't be an issue.

So, tarpists, what would you take? Tent, stripped tent, bivvy & tarp or something made from Cuben and different?

Yup no ridge line as such, it just relies on the guy points. No issues to date and has been used a fair bit.

DNF, in serious winds I'd be happier to pitch it lengthways with the wind coming in from the feet. Ok it'll be draughty but is less likely to torn appart and there is plenty of length for driven rain not to be an issue.

My biggest bugbear is having to crawl in, then crawl into a sleeping bag inside a bivvybag all trying to keep off wet ground. For minimal, fast trips is a great set-up for me. It served me perfectly on last years 4 night solo C2C.

In all honesty though for a longer trip or where nasty weather may be more prone I have since invested in a Photon1 tent. Ok, it has about 300g on the tarp/bivvy but the extra comfort it offers is worth it. Pack size is considerably smaller than the Laser Comp that it replaced.

For tarps in poor weather I have to say the more specific cuts, like Stuart's, Ian's et al look to be a much more viable tent alternative.

That's my thought, I reckon 2 weeks plus would be pushing it under a tarp hoping for nice weather! If I replace the laser comp, would have to stump up for the Ultra, although just got a directory of loads of US cottage industries specialising in tarp shelters.

That's my thought, I reckon 2 weeks plus would be pushing it under a tarp hoping for nice weather! If I replace the laser comp, would have to stump up for the Ultra, although just got a directory of loads of US cottage industries specialising in tarp shelters.

didnothingfatal wrote:How much weather do you think a tarp setup, similar to Anthony's could withstand? Or should I take the plunge get a mid? Basically I'm looking for something that can take on the Alps.

it's useful reading this as you've got the same criteria as me (for my Alps trip) and so it'll be interesting to see what you end up using.

i've got a 3.3m x 1.5m silnylon tarp (bought from Stuart) which i've played around with (using the same set-up as Anthony above) and i'm yet to be convinced that it'd stand up to bad alpine weather but if conditions were to stay 'normal' then it's a great light-weight system.

The alpine weather I've experienced is always matched with high winds, my current feeling is going down the Vaude bivvy route, it's low profile and takes a storm. Weighs a little less than the laser comp too. The route other than a few high passes isn't above the snow line.

what've you got planned for the Alps???

Swiss Alpine Trail 1, 666 km of east to west across the country, then head down to Chamonix to stay, and hopefully get some climbing done :) Taking the summer off, work is overrated!

That's why I've been scanning maps, and trying to figure stuff out. The only maps you can get are 1:100000, and the guidebook isn't too great on details. In fact for a national route very little seems written on it.

Oooh nice!

I looked at that route when I first started researching my trip but got put off by reading quite a few negative reviews of it - mostly people saying it was a bit technically simple and often busy with walkers (also, apparently, not very remote/wild for large sections and so possibly tricksy for bivi-ing).

I can't remember where I read all of that and so I'll have a look around and will pass on the links if I can find them.

I thought it looked like a doozy of a route myself but I've only ever ridden little snippets in Switzerland and so can't really comment.

I keep being tempted by the idea of abandoning my existing July Trans-Alp plans and instead doing something using Les Chemin du Soleil as I've ridden bits of it and there's some stunning riding to be had.

Sil Tarp 1 is great, even after seeing Ian's cuben fibre jobby.

I may get fed up of a tarp after a few nights though

I think the tourists will be around the Grindelwald area, does make me smile, the French have a 850km trial 5-7days, the Swiss reckon on 16 days. Sleeping out should be easy, the riding in the East is fairly remote, I know the Bernese area quite well, shouldn't pose too many issues, the west, well I'll figure it.

Thanks for the link, that starts near to where I'll finish and I need a way to get to Chamonix, that could be the first part.