laws on sleeping outside?

[AteamNM]

My wife has accepted that I'm going, but still doesn't get why I want to do it. I'm having a hard time articulating it myself. Mid-life crisis? Maybe. Feels more like mid-life-now-I-can-afford-the-time-and-toys. Sitting still seems more risky.

Haha, I'm in the same boat as you. I left Wednesday morning, bought a bike in Richmond Virginia and on my way to New Mexico. Thursday night I camped in a major storm. Way up in the Appalachia's on the WVA/VA border on highway 250 at 3000 feet and found a small road leading into a dead end road. The paved road about 100 yards away curved away from me so no cars could really see. I was in a good spot minus mega rain. Behind churches, barns out in pastures and hell yea cemeteries are all good.

[Twilight Error]

Originally Posted by dukedinner

Sorry. Just can't get too enthusiastic about this one. We will all be sleeping there soon enough....

Check out the AdvRider list here, or other bike-freindly sites..lots on Inmates will let you crash in their yard for a night.

The neighbors are quiet and you're either the least of their troubles, or no trouble at all...

[Supahflid]

Originally Posted by Twilight Error

The neighbors are quiet and you're either the least of their troubles, or no trouble at all...

My grandfather would always say to me when we passed a cemetery, "You know how many dead people are buried there?" Of course, I would indulge him, "No. How many?" "All of them!" he would say and laugh and laugh.

[DCMC]

Originally Posted by dadridesagain

Spent today prepping: off with the shorty screen, on with the Aztec spacers, toll tag lashed to mirror, bags stuffed with clothing, food, rain suit and bivy sack. All devices charged and I picked up a nifty USB charger for $30 to keep everything juiced up.

Leaving Boston before dawn, hope to hit NYC after rush hour. I may be delusional about making Lexington, KY by dusk. I did a 9-hour day around Quebec and felt pretty fresh, but I don't know about 15-hours straight through, I'm still new to long-distance touring. If the brain gets foggy, I'll definitely pull over.

My wife has accepted that I'm going, but still doesn't get why I want to do it. I'm having a hard time articulating it myself. Mid-life crisis? Maybe. Feels more like mid-life-now-I-can-afford-the-time-and-toys. Sitting still seems more risky.

OK turning in early, hope I can sleep!

You're out and about now, but this is a great reference thread for small bike camping. I use the same bivy sack with a 6x8 cheapo tarp.

[DockingPilot]

This is how my buddies rich and walter roll – on the way back to NJ from their divide ride – walter is a sissy and needed the air mattress on the picnic table while Rich was much more hard core.” And no hassle from anyone

[ChadHahn]

This is probably too late for the OP but in the Great Plains states there are often camping sites in town parks. Every small town has a little park with a few camping spots. The price is either free or a few bucks. I don't know about back East but maybe their is the same thing.

Chad

[Merlin III]

I have done it all in my younger days. The best spot is in the woods away from everyone, but even there I was once awakened in So. Cal by sheriffs deputies with guns drawn in the middle of the night and not treated very well.

Today the situation has changed dramatically for the worse IMHO. Just about everywhere there is zero tolerance for being on someone's private property without permission. I would fully expect to be confronted by someone with a gun or a LEO who will arrest me, if I get caught.

I think you would be much better off to just ask some local if they knew of a place where you could pitch a tent for the night. Out in some rural areas many people will let you camp on their woodlots etc.

[bones_708]

Originally Posted by Merlin III

I have done it all in my younger days. The best spot is in the woods away from everyone, but even there I was once awakened in So. Cal by sheriffs deputies with guns drawn in the middle of the night and not treated very well.

Today the situation has changed dramatically for the worse IMHO. Just about everywhere there is zero tolerance for being on someone's private property without permission. I would fully expect to be confronted by someone with a gun or a LEO who will arrest me, if I get caught.

I think you would be much better off to just ask some local if they knew of a place where you could pitch a tent for the night. Out in some rural areas many people will let you camp on their woodlots etc.

It is worthy of note that to trespass one must be given notice not to be on a property. If there is no fencing or sign saying not to do something then you cannot be charged with trespassing. If there is a sign on private property prohibiting some action, say camping, and you camp anyway some jurisdictions will take that as "notice" and you can be charged. If the area is not fenced and there is no signage you cannot be arrested for trespass on private land. If you are not acting like you did something wrong, by that I mean hiding, then it is easy to assert your rights and less likely to make people think you are of concern.

[bones_708]

I would also say there are exceptions tho I doubt it would come up. Never camp in a field with a crop. Never camp in a plot of land that contains a residence (this is out in the country of course) without approval. Never camp inside any enclosed structure. Don't go over, thru, or around fences or gates because even without signage fencing itself can be considered "notice". There is also the possibility that a city may have a no camping ordinance which might prohibit any camping, even that on private property. You also should be aware of state specific no trespassing notices. In Texas painting a purple stripe on a post or tree indicated the area is posted. Other states may vary. On indian reservations any camping without permit is considered trespass.

[aftCG]

Originally Posted by Jamie Z

Most rest stops that I've seen do have signs which say "No Overnight Camping," which seems to fit what you're asking. That said, if you're not bothering anyone, you'd probably be fine.

But rest stops are probably not a very good place to sleep. They're one of the very few places that tend to attract criminal activities. That's speaking of rest areas located along major routes. I've safely camped at many small country rest areas, as are common in Texas and in a few other states. Many of them are practically abandoned.

Jamie

The "no overnight camping" rule is usually also accompanied by "limit stay to 8 hours". If you need some shut eye, that is the very reason the rest stop exists - just don't pitch a tent and get out lawn chairs.

That said, the craziest, most desperate people I've EVER come across in my 48 years have been at rest stops on major freeways.

My rule is to be the most (potentially) dangerous person there. I'm polite and I keep to myself, but I will not be a victim.

[Sjoerd Bakker]

Cemeteries are quite okay, the residents never complain.

Did have a close call once though ,camped right against the fence of one in Montana.
Nearing dawn I awoke hearing some clicking and hissing noises. Turned out to be the automatic lawn sprinkler system had kicked into working mode. Now THAT would have been fun had I pitched the tent or only unrolled a sleeping bag among ,or on top, of those .

Check for buried sprinklers always!

[pjm204]

I've camped at cemeteries, college campuses, parks, all kinds of places. I will echo something stated several times, come in just before/after dark, and leave early. Don't leave any traces, don't make noise, don't make a fire. If you don't bother anyone, likely no one will bother you. I also will sometimes follow powerline trails if I am on the right bike and camp when I find a flat spot.

[sieg]

Originally Posted by bones_708

It is worthy of note that to trespass one must be given notice not to be on a property. If there is no fencing or sign saying not to do something then you cannot be charged with trespassing. If there is a sign on private property prohibiting some action, say camping, and you camp anyway some jurisdictions will take that as "notice" and you can be charged. If the area is not fenced and there is no signage you cannot be arrested for trespass on private land. If you are not acting like you did something wrong, by that I mean hiding, then it is easy to assert your rights and less likely to make people think you are of concern.

Signs at "normal" entrances (driveways, field roads, logging roads, etc.) is all that is necessary in Illinois. You don’t need a fence or purple paint perimeter. If someone is on your property without asking they are trespassing. Also I was told that it is illegal to be in a cemetery after dark in Illinois. ? And yes, I know Illinois is eff’d up!

[falcn]

Originally Posted by GoGoGavin41

This isn't a terrible contingency plan.

Just wanted to reiterate this one...

What the link points to is a list of ADVRider Inmates that have offered sleeping space in their yards or houses for other inmates on their journeys across the county/world.

I wish I was a more active member here and knew about it when my wife and I rode from Pittsburgh to SD and back (no not for Sturgis) last year. You sometimes get to sleep inside and get home cooked meals and hot showers!

[Wlfman]

Power Lines. Most have a road/trail of some sort with woods on each side. Ride back a ways and pitch your tent.