Are you postponing a tour to 2021?

[Ty0604]

Are you seeing lots of RVs out there?

RV's are out there, but basic tent sites are being filled up quickly by folks with large Coleman tents. One KOA manager said tent sites was the largest increase in his business.

Good to see tent sites filling up.

While planning for my trip this fall two campgrounds turned me away. They’re not allowing tents right now.

[SwampYankee]

I see RV sales lots are empty as well.... somebody is buying renting them I would assume.

[hikerjer]

"I put off my plans for this year and am not optimistic about 2021."

I posted once before on this topic but guess I will again. Boy, I hear you loud and clear on all accounts, stpaehpj1.  I postponed my cross country trip again this year (last time it was family issues) and it's pretty disappointing but that's just the way things are. Like you, the high peaks and fast rivers haven't the call they used to although I still enjoy backpacking, canoeing milder waters and bicycling - more no racing though.  I've got a couple of years on you and I guess we just have to realize that time takes it's toll on everyone. I'm still hopeful that I can take the x-country tour next year as I feel right now I'm in good enough physical shape and hopefully will be next year but  who knows.  I know I'm getting to the point that I can't keep saying next year. Still things could be worse. I mean I haven't had to get up and go to work every morning for a number of years and that's a definite plus. There are still many simple pleasures to partake in.-  easy day hikes, long bicycle rides, morning walks with my dog and road trips even if they are limited these days. I tell myself (so does my wife) that I've got to be thankful for what you've got and hope for the best in the future. No sense in worry about it.  There are many that have it far worse than us.

Hope things work out for you in the future.

[staehpj1]

I'm still hopeful that I can take the x-country tour next year as I feel right now I'm in good enough physical shape and hopefully will be next year but  who knows.  I know I'm getting to the point that I can't keep saying next year. Still things could be worse. I mean I haven't had to get up and go to work every morning for a number of years and that's a definite plus. There are still many simple pleasures to partake in.-  easy day hikes, long bicycle rides, morning walks with my dog and road trips even if they are limited these days. I tell myself (so does my wife) that I've got to be thankful for what you've got and hope for the best in the future. No sense in worry about it.  There are many that have it far worse than us.

Yes we need to be thankful that we are still able to do a lot of good stuff.  Not sure how old you are or what your limitations are, but folks do manage to ride across the US at pretty advanced ages, so hopefully the pandemic won't stop you, but will only delay you.

Hope things work out for you in the future.

Thanks.

[hikerjer]

71 and still feeling pretty good. Fortunately, I'm to the point that time is not a factor, my financial resources are pretty good and I can go as slow as I like.

[LouMelini]

With hikerjer at 71 and staehpji and I at 69 with could start a new topic on old guys and bike touring

[staehpj1]

I haven't been riding enough lately to be super fit, but I pretty sure I could still make decent mileage on a long tour if I either trained a little or rode into shape on the tour.  That could be true for another ten plus years or I could be falling apart soon.  Dad was still riding daily in his late 70s and managed 100 mile days once in a while, right up until he died of a stroke at 79,  You just never know.  In any case the lost time does make me think about it.

[hikerjer]

Ya gotta move.

[hikerjer]

While planning for my trip this fall two campgrounds turned me away. They’re not allowing tents right now."
[/quote]

Is this in reference national park or state park campgrounds?  If so, it surprises me. I've never been turned away from a hiker/biker site at a state or national while touring even at the height of the season and even when they were overfull. They always made room for me and my bike.

[rhody]

My son & I were refused tent camping at a KOA in New York and had to pay $135 for a cabin because they had to keep the wash rooms closed.

[hikerjer]

That would KOA alright. They will gouge you every chance they get.  I would not deal with them for whatever reason and their headquarters is in my hometown. They  are not a particularly honorable company or good neighbor,  IMO. Of course, a lot depends on the local franchise owner but generally, I'd rather set my tent  up in the middle of downtown Detroit.

As for getting turned away at hiker/biker sites,I don't think any state or federal cps would do that.  Private,  I wouldn't be surprised.

[LouMelini]

I agree with hikerjer. I was turned away only in campgrounds without hiker.biker sites. I stayed at 2 hiker/biker sites in Yellowstone and Teton NP. However at Colter Bay in Teton NP, there were 3 vehicles using the hiker/biker campsites when I woke up in the morning. They must have come in after sunset when I was asleep. I have heard this is happening frequently around the country due to increased demand for campsites.

[SwampYankee]

I think the thread on old guys and bike touring is a GREAT idea.... go for it Hikerjer and Loumellini

[driftlessregion]

I just finished a 12 day tour in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan camping at state parks, town parks, and a national forest campground. Michigan regs say they can't turn away cyclists (Wisconsin too) and we had to remind them of that once. Our main problem was restaurants that did not have outdoor seating and though Michigan has an order to wear masks not everyone did. I got tested this week and was negative. Our group consisted of ages 68 (me), 66, 63, 58, and 36. We postponed a tour in Montana until next year.

[hikerjer]

With hikerjer at 71 and staehpji and I at 69 with could start a new topic on old guys and bike touring

Great idea.  I'll be sure to join in when I get old.