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Tom/Kelly, I'd be very interested in tagging along if the timing works. I have never attempted to pack my KTM 500 for an overnighter. I think I may have to look for something smaller than my REI 4 man tent:) Anyway, I agree with Oct 22/23 as a date. Earlier may be too early for some. But the 29/30 butts into the GEICO rally which starts the next Thursday. My husband antennae tells me we should all have at least one wife weekend between moto silliness (read: nature bonding).

My first tips for anyone interested: If you don't already have a couple ROK Straps, get some. https://www.amazon.com/ROK-Straps-ROK-10025-Black-Motorcycle/dp/B00SXJLLBW/ref=sr_1_12?crid=O11Y9OBU81PJ&keywords=rok+strap&qid=1663883109&sprefix=rok+strap%2Caps%2C852&sr=8-12 If you like to cook in camp, Walmart camping section had some nice little camp stoves and cook kits. Their website isn't the most friendly, but if you want to get stuff online here's an idea. Lots of different options out there. I use something very similar, have had it for a long time and it's always worked. https://www.amazon.com/Odoland-Camping-Cookware-Lightweight-Backpacking/dp/B07Q5WCNDJ/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1876TYCCYG8I5&keywords=camp+cook+kit+with+stove&qid=1663883538&sprefix=camp+cook+kit+with+stov%2Caps%2C258&sr=8-9 Combine tools if your can to reduce the stuff you take. I'm big on being able to take care of myself if needed, and I also am that helper guy that enjoys being able to take care of others so I carry too much stuff.....but I can say "Do as I say, not as I do". Here's an example of a way to reduce tools, a tire iron with an axle wrench. Make sure you get the right size, even if you're not great at doing tire/tube repair if you can't get the wheel off nobody can help you. https://www.amazon.com/Tusk-Aluminum-Tire-Iron-Wrench/dp/B01MR72QT6/ref=sr_1_4?crid=26ZIGJKSWYAHS&keywords=tire%2Biron%2Bwith%2B24mm%2Baxle%2Bwrench&qid=1663883736&sprefix=Tire%2Biron%2Bwi%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-4&th=1 Sleep comfortably. I have tried several different sleep systems, from foam mats to cots. Some people like the hammock systems, I have never tried that. Anyway, this is what I currently use but there are infinite choices out there. I slept about 90 days of the year a few years back on this pad, it works for me. https://www.amazon.com/Insulated-Sleeping-Lightweight-Backpacking-Inflatable/dp/B07YP8TFJB/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2T7DCQAOE3DG3&keywords=klymit+static+v&qid=1663883987&sprefix=klymit+%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSDdENzZRR1BVUUkxJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzU1NjYyMllSNFdXVEtSTTJTMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTY2NDI4MjVWUk9aVkRYWERBUyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Absolutely. I'll chime in where needed.

Following. I'll be riding Nevada BDR 10/19 to 10/26ish...so I'll be gone that 1st-weekend option. Possible for the 29th/30th....but since I'll just be getting home from a week trip camping off the bike, I'm probably unlikely, so don't arrange anything around me.

congrats! Great pics too, and such a great way to self evaluate.

Yes, I was also thinking about getting some “pretty good, yet pretty cheap” links for first timers with a budget or not fully committed. It’s how I started backpacking. My pack was heavier than my friend’s was, but my bank account was also heavier. I upgraded a bit at a time, but without my first kit I wouldn’t have gone out.

These "intro to motocamping" rides always seem to be a lot of fun. There's a journey, just like our journey through moto life where we learn more skills, buy better farkles, or bikes, go more places, etc. Ones gear list for camping evolves over time as well. I'm sure @oracle isn't the only one with a bunch of accumulated gear. If this comes together we should open a separate gear thread posting requests for gear, and offering both for sale or for loaning. It can be expensive to start camping if you are starting from scratch.

I led a club overnight ride for noobs a few years ago to Santa Rosa (Tom, weren't you on it?). Everyone had a blast. And quite a few learned some valuable lessons on setup, gear, luggage, etc. One guy had a yard sale of gear, sorry can't remember who it was, for about a mile down a trail because he tied everything down with bungee cords. Bungee cords don't work for what we do. We fixed him up and got back on the road and everyone had a laugh over it. God, who was it??? Anyway, these types of rides are an excellent resource for noobs to learn. I've ridden thousand and thousand of miles off road in remote areas camping off my bike and am constantly learning and changing things up. I think I have three full sets of bags, tents, gear, etc, that I went through before I got a pretty good grasp on the way I wanted to do it. Here's a pic from the top of Santa Rosa

misc shots

The small (biggest I'll do!!) double sequence. 1st lap rolled it, jumped it on every lap after.

Trying to remain calm in good form. Sequence is good for self training study