Your first point, about contacting the local authorities, can be hit or miss. When I was cycling the Ohio-to-Erie trail, I stayed at a public park in Milford, OH, that was marked in the literature as being safe for camping, with the caveat to contact the mayor first. I got in after the mayor's office was closed, and tried to reach out to the police, since y'know, theoretically they'd have someone working late. The cell connection was spotty, and I could only get a few words in with the folks on the other end. But, since I knew I'd be out by dawn, I figured it wouldn't be a problem, set up my hammock, and went to sleep. At 3AM, I was awakened by a bright flashlight shone in my face by a local cop. They asked me what I was doing, and I explained that I was biking the OTET, and that this park was listed as a safe place to camp along the trail. The officer informed me that that was only with prior permission, and was not eligible in the off season (I was biking in late October). He then took my info, and told me that they'd let me stay the night as long as I was out by dawn, and if they caught me in town again, I'd be placed under arrest. So, yeah, I'm not planning to go back to Milford OH any time soon. Later on that same trip, I contacted the police about staying at the Bridge of Dreams, which had had camping options in the past - but they informed me that a new campground, free to cyclists, had just opened in the town I'd already passed through, and so the Bridge park wasn't open anymore. But because it was late, they told me to stay where I was, and be off in the morning, and there'd be no trouble. It's true, there wasn't police trouble - but I was awakened by a horse-and-buggy blaring techno (of all things!) and flashing multicolored lights in all directions. I guess, late at night, some of the young Amish kids let loose in interesting ways! I just wish I could've captured the technobuggy on camera, but it was so unexpected, I didn't grab the camera in time.
@@lisecsheehan for the OTET, there is a good set of maps and information put out by the trail association. A number of rail-to-trails have similar things - the Katy trail in MO, the GAP and C&O trails, and so on. It's good to check for pamphlets and maps for exactly that info! For other routes in the USA, the adventure cycling association has a great map collection and associated app, with notes and info.
If the land is unimproved and not posted "no trespassing," then you aren't trespassing until you've been asked to leave, and you don't. look for old, faded, for-sale signs and overgrown entrance roads. It means no one goes there. Power line cuts are good, too. Or up on the top of a road cut through a hill. I like to play this game when driving: try to find a place where you could stealth camp.
In 1981 when I rode across the US I got into Santa Barbara CA after dark, so I headed up State Street to what I thought was a nice old deserted building with some covered walkways around it, put my sleeping bag on the ground and had a good night's rest until I heard footsteps in the middle of the night, then saw a pair of shoes stop next to me for a short while then walk away. Next morning I realized I had camped in the Mission, one of California's chain of 18th-century Catholic missions along the coast. Oops. A few years ago I was riding west out of Albuquerque NM but ran out of daylight in the Laguna Pueblo where camping is prohibited on Indian land, so I hid behind a large emergency generator next to a fancy-looking big new building that had people inside it all night, got a few hours fitful sleep there, left at dawn the next morning, and when I rode away as surreptitiously as possible I realized it was the Indian tribal police HQ. Apart from those two cockups all my other stealth camping has been good!
For overnight ventures, a water tight bivy gives a low profile that is more difficult to see from a distance. They are not as comfy for multi-day trips as is a tent, but they are warm and take up less space. I keep one in my car, too. Don't be afraid to ask small business owners if you can stay on the corner of their lot. I had good luck with this once when it was pouring down rain. My camping approach is early to bed (before sun down), and then I get up just before sun rise. I figure that if I get kicked out before morning, I will at least have had some rest. This approach usually gets a bulk of the hard riding finished by early afternoon. It also allows for any "unforseen adventures" of all types. Then it's beer and pizza for happy hour!!!
Ok, So looking for a spot near Spokane Washington I spotted some tall grass behind a gas station. Worked perfectly as the grass was tall enough to hide me in my sleeping bag, no tent and my bike laid down. It was a warm summer night. I was just nodding off when I heard someone tramping through the tall grass towards me. I suddenly sat up when I heard the thrashing. I had a good sleep the rest of the night but the guy crossing the field, well he nearly jumped higher than the tall grass and might not sleep securely again. Love that you are still rocking that Single Track.
I'm planning to do this with a motorcycle. My primary plan is to do church properties. Thanks, you've confirmed my planning thoughts. Going to check out your other videos, mainly looking for food ideas. Great video.
I've found that a physical state atlas usually contain a lot of information that Google maps doesn't have such as boat ramps, public lands etc. Counties also have info and what land is publicly owned
Yep, a paper atlas works. Nobody patrols a boat ramp at night. Most places, I just wake up at first light and collapse my tent. People just see an old guy with a bike. Everybody happy, especially the children who think my Brompton folding bike is a kid's bike.
Great video Sam! When you ask someone to camp on their land, how do you address the urination/defecation question. I'm a man on the high side of my 70s and I get up several times a night to urinate.
Great advice! I’m a long time backpacker who is currently getting into cycling. As a fellow Bostonian - what are your favorite bike baths in the greater Boston area?
I’m in Victoria been on warmshowers for over a decade and hosted a dozen people unfortunately for me not one put a review which hurt me when I toured and got no replies back. I no longer host.
Would never camp near a school in the USA you get a bad cop catching you taking a piss you get arrested for indecent exposure near a school and end up on a register.
I was also going to comment to something of that nature too, Darren Alff aka Bicycle Touring Pro spoke about and done stealth camping for many years and for the past 15 or more years captured it all on video, problem is that Darren mostly travelled in Europe and Scandinavia whereas Sam Westby is mostly talking about and Touring the USA which Darren didn't show too much of. On a side note if you're interested, Darren took his channel and business back after the guy who took it over failed to produce content, I contacted Darren about 6 Months or so ago and he said that he's considering to get the business back up and running again in 2025. So lets hope so but I'm glad I found Sam's channel and will subscribe too as he has god some great subjects to talk about.
Yes, Darren rode mostly in Europe. I like his videos a lot and learn from them. The new BTP has been terrible! Maybe one video? And just a few emails. I am glad Darren is considering getting BTP back. I’d welcome it.
I am or would be more concerned about wild life like bears, how do you consider dealing with such wild life ? I remember seeing a video of tour divide, and you showed a bear.. I'd be so frightened.
The big thing is scents. Keep anything scented - food, deodorant, toothpaste - 100+ meters away from your tent (ideally in a bear bag). If they don’t smell anything, then they don’t care about you. I would also keep bear spray next to me in bear country.
@@SamWestby Is their other wild life, and dogs that you have ever had bad experiences with ? Dogs are the other pain in the are for me. I used to ride this road all the time, now a house as this German Shepard and he stands with paws on the railing of the deck, barking. scary af.
@@JitinMisra Yep dogs are tough. Zipping by them. Squirting them with water. Spraying with pepper spray are all some options. But in Boy Scouts they taught me that most animals will leave you alone / are more scared of you. The toughest animal are camp is rodents. They will chew through fabric to get to your food. That's why it's important to hang your food at night
I've met bears in their not-hibernating-yet season. I just let them have the food. I can get more. None of those bears wanted me. Maybe I don't smell like food. Ditto mountain lions.
![How I Biked Across the U.S. [COMPLETE GUIDE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QmynR8N8lNE/mqdefault.jpg)
Dude just walking away from his bike for so long gives me anxiety
Your first point, about contacting the local authorities, can be hit or miss. When I was cycling the Ohio-to-Erie trail, I stayed at a public park in Milford, OH, that was marked in the literature as being safe for camping, with the caveat to contact the mayor first. I got in after the mayor's office was closed, and tried to reach out to the police, since y'know, theoretically they'd have someone working late. The cell connection was spotty, and I could only get a few words in with the folks on the other end. But, since I knew I'd be out by dawn, I figured it wouldn't be a problem, set up my hammock, and went to sleep.
At 3AM, I was awakened by a bright flashlight shone in my face by a local cop. They asked me what I was doing, and I explained that I was biking the OTET, and that this park was listed as a safe place to camp along the trail. The officer informed me that that was only with prior permission, and was not eligible in the off season (I was biking in late October). He then took my info, and told me that they'd let me stay the night as long as I was out by dawn, and if they caught me in town again, I'd be placed under arrest. So, yeah, I'm not planning to go back to Milford OH any time soon.
Later on that same trip, I contacted the police about staying at the Bridge of Dreams, which had had camping options in the past - but they informed me that a new campground, free to cyclists, had just opened in the town I'd already passed through, and so the Bridge park wasn't open anymore. But because it was late, they told me to stay where I was, and be off in the morning, and there'd be no trouble. It's true, there wasn't police trouble - but I was awakened by a horse-and-buggy blaring techno (of all things!) and flashing multicolored lights in all directions. I guess, late at night, some of the young Amish kids let loose in interesting ways! I just wish I could've captured the technobuggy on camera, but it was so unexpected, I didn't grab the camera in time.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s helpful to know about the the ways things can go wrong
Hi, where can I find this information about these places and who to contact? Thanks.
@@lisecsheehan for the OTET, there is a good set of maps and information put out by the trail association. A number of rail-to-trails have similar things - the Katy trail in MO, the GAP and C&O trails, and so on. It's good to check for pamphlets and maps for exactly that info!
For other routes in the USA, the adventure cycling association has a great map collection and associated app, with notes and info.
If the land is unimproved and not posted "no trespassing," then you aren't trespassing until you've been asked to leave, and you don't. look for old, faded, for-sale signs and overgrown entrance roads. It means no one goes there. Power line cuts are good, too. Or up on the top of a road cut through a hill. I like to play this game when driving: try to find a place where you could stealth camp.
Awesome info!
In 1981 when I rode across the US I got into Santa Barbara CA after dark, so I headed up State Street to what I thought was a nice old deserted building with some covered walkways around it, put my sleeping bag on the ground and had a good night's rest until I heard footsteps in the middle of the night, then saw a pair of shoes stop next to me for a short while then walk away. Next morning I realized I had camped in the Mission, one of California's chain of 18th-century Catholic missions along the coast. Oops. A few years ago I was riding west out of Albuquerque NM but ran out of daylight in the Laguna Pueblo where camping is prohibited on Indian land, so I hid behind a large emergency generator next to a fancy-looking big new building that had people inside it all night, got a few hours fitful sleep there, left at dawn the next morning, and when I rode away as surreptitiously as possible I realized it was the Indian tribal police HQ. Apart from those two cockups all my other stealth camping has been good!
For overnight ventures, a water tight bivy gives a low profile that is more difficult to see from a distance. They are not as comfy for multi-day trips as is a tent, but they are warm and take up less space. I keep one in my car, too. Don't be afraid to ask small business owners if you can stay on the corner of their lot. I had good luck with this once when it was pouring down rain.
My camping approach is early to bed (before sun down), and then I get up just before sun rise. I figure that if I get kicked out before morning, I will at least have had some rest. This approach usually gets a bulk of the hard riding finished by early afternoon. It also allows for any "unforseen adventures" of all types. Then it's beer and pizza for happy hour!!!
Ok, So looking for a spot near Spokane Washington I spotted some tall grass behind a gas station. Worked perfectly as the grass was tall enough to hide me in my sleeping bag, no tent and my bike laid down. It was a warm summer night. I was just nodding off when I heard someone tramping through the tall grass towards me. I suddenly sat up when I heard the thrashing. I had a good sleep the rest of the night but the guy crossing the field, well he nearly jumped higher than the tall grass and might not sleep securely again. Love that you are still rocking that Single Track.
I know you've got some pretty nice rigs, but I'm loving the 90's MTB! Cheers from Jamaica Plain.
I'm planning to do this with a motorcycle. My primary plan is to do church properties. Thanks, you've confirmed my planning thoughts. Going to check out your other videos, mainly looking for food ideas. Great video.
Sam! This is exactly the perspective I wanted to hear. I’ve been nervous about stealth camping on the bike even though I did it in a Van for months.
Glad you came to TH-cam! Stealth Camping terrifies me, and is the best!!!
I've found that a physical state atlas usually contain a lot of information that Google maps doesn't have such as boat ramps, public lands etc. Counties also have info and what land is publicly owned
Yep, a paper atlas works. Nobody patrols a boat ramp at night. Most places, I just wake up at first light and collapse my tent. People just see an old guy with a bike. Everybody happy, especially the children who think my Brompton folding bike is a kid's bike.
I am super anxious about always finding a campground, but this video helped. Thanks for the great tips!
it sounds like you need a Steve Wallis stealth camping collab video
Steve is the man! I love his channel
I liked the google maps hack.
liked and subscribed.
ciao from Venice, Italy
My favorite topic of all time
Great video Sam! When you ask someone to camp on their land, how do you address the urination/defecation question. I'm a man on the high side of my 70s and I get up several times a night to urinate.
Excellent tips, especially with google maps satellite
Watch out for those damn DOG WALKING (Karens’)‼️ ….. But thank you for your insights and sharing your experience good job on your channel.
Great advice! I’m a long time backpacker who is currently getting into cycling. As a fellow Bostonian - what are your favorite bike baths in the greater Boston area?
Thanks mate. Some good info. I see Warm Showers is even is Australia.
I’m in Victoria been on warmshowers for over a decade and hosted a dozen people unfortunately for me not one put a review which hurt me when I toured and got no replies back. I no longer host.
@@splashpit ah is that how it works? sort of a tit for tat credit thing.. Sucks that they didn't leave feedback.
I'm in Vic, out near Hurstbridge.
Would never camp near a school in the USA you get a bad cop catching you taking a piss you get arrested for indecent exposure near a school and end up on a register.
Wow, superb video! Also relevant to me as a European.
I always stealth camp
Away from the trail. Arrive late, leave early, leave on trace.
Thank you for your good advices
I like your videos. I solo bike tour. You familiar with Bicycle Touring Pro? You are the updated version!
I was also going to comment to something of that nature too, Darren Alff aka Bicycle Touring Pro spoke about and done stealth camping for many years and for the past 15 or more years captured it all on video, problem is that Darren mostly travelled in Europe and Scandinavia whereas Sam Westby is mostly talking about and Touring the USA which Darren didn't show too much of. On a side note if you're interested, Darren took his channel and business back after the guy who took it over failed to produce content, I contacted Darren about 6 Months or so ago and he said that he's considering to get the business back up and running again in 2025. So lets hope so but I'm glad I found Sam's channel and will subscribe too as he has god some great subjects to talk about.
Yes, Darren rode mostly in Europe. I like his videos a lot and learn from them. The new BTP has been terrible! Maybe one video? And just a few emails. I am glad Darren is considering getting BTP back. I’d welcome it.
Too bad I can only give one like per video. So much good information in this one!
I appreciate that!
Awesome
Holy moly more videos!!!!! I love it!!! I still like your shorts, but prefer the vids!
Thanks! I want to make more educational videos like this
I am or would be more concerned about wild life like bears, how do you consider dealing with such wild life ? I remember seeing a video of tour divide, and you showed a bear.. I'd be so frightened.
The big thing is scents. Keep anything scented - food, deodorant, toothpaste - 100+ meters away from your tent (ideally in a bear bag). If they don’t smell anything, then they don’t care about you. I would also keep bear spray next to me in bear country.
@@SamWestby Is their other wild life, and dogs that you have ever had bad experiences with ? Dogs are the other pain in the are for me. I used to ride this road all the time, now a house as this German Shepard and he stands with paws on the railing of the deck, barking. scary af.
@@JitinMisra Yep dogs are tough. Zipping by them. Squirting them with water. Spraying with pepper spray are all some options. But in Boy Scouts they taught me that most animals will leave you alone / are more scared of you. The toughest animal are camp is rodents. They will chew through fabric to get to your food. That's why it's important to hang your food at night
As with any risk, I look at the odds, bears can be dangerous but so far ,automobiles kill more people than bears.
I've met bears in their not-hibernating-yet season. I just let them have the food. I can get more. None of those bears wanted me. Maybe I don't smell like food. Ditto mountain lions.
Camp fires and stealth camping/ leave no trace are totally incompatible.