Let’s Camp

by John Stumpner

Summer is here, and while some of us spend most of the year outdoors, now is when a lot of people like to get out and do outdoor activities. One of the more popular outdoor activities in the summer is camping. Wisconsin has a huge number of public and private campgrounds available, many within easy driving distance of some of the larger urban areas.

The feeling of being outside while traveling attracts some people to motorcycling. Some bikers refer to cars as “cages,” because they see people in cars as being in cages while traveling. So, it is only natural that many bikers like to camp out. Since most bikers have an adventurous spirit, camping allows them to explore out of the way places.
Camping can be a solitary experience or a social event. Some of today’s bike rallies and events started out when a group of bikers decided to go camping for a weekend. They liked it so much, the camp out became a regular annual event. ABATE of Wisconsin’s Summer Hummer and Family Camp Out are two examples of getting together with friends while camping. The great thing about these types of camp outs is that all you have to do is show up and you’ll find everyone is friendly.

One of the challenges you will find someday when you go camping on your motorcycle is space for gear. You obviously have more space in a cage (automobile) for stuff than on the back of a motorcycle. Many bikers will pull a small trailer or a special motorcycle camping trailer. Others will just go with small essential equipment like a backpacker would carry. (When I first started traveling with my motorcycle, I fit my wife, tent, blankets/bedroll, cooking/eating utensils, stove, extra clothes, personal care items and fishing pole on a Harley Davidson Sportster; one of the smaller motorcycles Harley makes. We traveled all over Wisconsin and Missouri this way).

Enjoy camping out this summer when you go, especially if one of the bikers in your life gives you a ride on their motorcycle. As ABATE of Wisconsin Junior Patriots, you are obviously not yet of legal driving age, but you can plan and look forward to the day when you will be able to ride your motorcycle to go on a camp out. As long as you and the rest of ABATE of Wisconsin work to preserve our freedoms, we will always be able to travel wherever and whenever we want.

Remember, our Jr. Patriot and Family Campout is planned for August 13th, 14th, and 15th this summer. It is a great time to visit ABATE Acres and have some fun. See you there.

John