I notice that there are a few hotels available for the half way point. Can some previous riders please share their pro's and con's to camping out right at Mohawk with the group? This will be my first year riding and originally I thought that camping out would be exciting but now I am wondering if getting a good nights sleep and having a hot shower would make day 2 easier to manage. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you
First of all, hot showers are not an issue. This was the great surprise when I did my first ride. There a lots of showers and lots of hot water.
This is my 4th year riding and my 4th year at camp. I've never had trouble sleeping. Camp activities shutdown at 9pm and the camp ground is pretty quiet by 10 - except for the sound of snorers. By 6 am the camp is getting quite active.
My brother (10 years older) had a different experience in the year he rode, saying he didn't sleep at all. He will be opting to sleep at home in Brantford this year.
I would recommend giving camp a try. Chances are you'll have spent enough energy to ensure a good night's sleep. If you don't like it you can hotel it when you ride in 2013.
This will also be my first year in the Ride as well, and I think part of this whole experience is the camping and sharing the experience with other riders. But I enjoy camping throughout the summer. I say give the camping a shot, and if it isnt for you, then you will know for next year. Personally I want to experience the entire atomosphere!
I loved the camping - you're too tired to care after day one, anyways! I actually wanted someone to snore (and said so). I'm so used to it, that I couldn't sleep without it!
I have camped once for each the Ride to Conquer Cancer and the Weekend to End Womens Cancers...and for me, once we enough. Had it been my choice I would never have camped for the Ride but my team wanted to give it a try.
Both years that I camped I found that I did not sleep well - between the noises of camp (snorers, porta potty doors slamming, generators running, etc) and trying to fit me, my tentmate and all our stuff in a tent just did not make it an enjoyable or worthwhile experience.
You have to make the decision for yourself - for me, it is having a comfortable place to sit down and unwind for a while, a bathroom mere steps away (rather then out a tent and through camp), and a hot tub / whirlpool. I get the added bonus about being able to charge cameras, phones, GPS, etc. I find with staying at a hotel there is far less to pack and carry - I dont have to worry about a sleeping bag, pillow, mattress, towels, etc.
We usually hang around camp for a bit, enjoy the atmosphere and the energy - and then catch a cab to the hotel! And then order pizza! HA
Again, decide for yourself but decide quickly - hotels are hard to come by the closer to the event we get!
Like, SSM, I have camped when I walked in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. For the Ride, I've always slept off camp - for a number of reasons. The #1 reason is that my daughter lives in Hamilton and I stay at her place - she picks me up Saturday evening from camp & drops me back the next morning.
I agree with SSM, it is really your decision. I think it's different if your a woman as opposed to a man. Women seem to need to bring so much more with them. Also, your age could factor into it. I'm a grandmother - that's another reason I stay at my daughters. I get to see my grandchildren. If your "up there", you might feel more comfortable at a hotel - and your body will thank you for that (LOL).
No matter what you decide, you can stay at camp as long as you want & then grab that taxi that SSM talked about. (There is lots of taxi just waiting for someone to grab them.) I don't find that I miss anything by not staying at camp. But, if your part of a team, you might feel your missing something by not being with them.
I think everyone has given you a very good breakdown of the pros & cons. It really is your decision and where you'll feel most comfortable. There is no right or wrong decison on this one. Good luck.
Thank you for all your valuable feedback. As a survivor I have decided to camp out this year for the experience. There were many times while laying in the hospital that I would have loved to be outdoors camping. This year I am camping because I can :)
