Check it out, fellow Adventure Motorcyclist David Parkinson wrote this review about hammock camping and about the Hennessy Deep Jungle XL Hammock for TheAdventureBegins.tv.

See the video

About Hammock Camping
After a long day of riding a motorcycle in a foreign country... you’re tired... you’re exhausted. When the sun starts to set, the last thing you want to think about is finding a flat and dry place to set up your camp shelter - setting up your tent, moving your gear inside and inflating your air pad. Over the last twenty months of riding my motorcycle from Seattle, Washington to Buenos Aires Argentina, I’ve spent many nights camping underneath the stars, mostly ‘stealth camping’. For the uninitiated, that means camping where there is no official campground. While I love stealth camping, it can get tiring, especially when you’re spending 20 minutes to setup and another 20 minutes to break down. After 20 months of packing and unpacking, I admit I don’t particularly enjoy the shelter setup or breakdown process.

(Eno DoubleNest Hammock)

But when I left the States, I didn’t just have a tent, I had a hammock! The motto of the Boy Scouts is “Be Prepared.” So, with that in mind, before I left the US I bought a Eno Doublenest Hammock and an accompanying Eno Guardian Bug Net. During 20 months on the road, I spent about 20 nights in this setup. While the setup process differed from that of setting up my tent, I didn’t notice significant time savings, nor did I have a good fly for the hammock, which meant I got rained on a few times. Also, adjusting the hammock was a pain as I had to tie and re-tie knots with webbing each time. When I lost some of my better webbing, I bought inferior nylon webbing, which resulted in me being dumped forcibly on the ground more than once. Also, it was difficult to get the knots out of my webbing once the hammock had been loaded. I cannot recommend these for the motorcycling traveler.

I needed a better solution. I’m currently plotting a motorcycle trip from Buenos Aires, Argentina through Brazil and Venezuela. I did a lot of research on the perfect hammock at hammockforums.net. The two best brands discussed most often were Hennessy and Warbonnet. What sets these two brands apart from the rest, other than their inherent quality, is that they each have a bug net integrated with the hammock. This means no separate bug net at setup/breakdown time. I decided to go with the Hennessy Deep Jungle XL for two reasons: At the time of my writing, 1. The Warbonnet hammocks required a 3-4 week lead time to purchase and receive a hammock, and one must buy a tarp separately. 2. The Hennessy hammocks were readily available and ship with a tarp.

(Hennessy Deep Jungle XL Hammock)

Here are my initial thoughts on the Hennessy Deep Jungle XL Hammock. I will also post a follow-up review after I’ve used it more extensively along the beaches and jungles of Brazil and Venezuela.

Features and Functions
Pack size/weight: I think I can scrunch the whole setup to the size of a football... and this package includes the fly as well! It weighs in at 2 pounds 13 ounces, less than one half of the weight of my REI Half Dome 2 Plus tent!

Pouch in the hammock: You can hang gear like your keys, tablet and head lamp in the integrated movable pouch that hangs on the ridgeline of your hammock.

SnakeSkins (integrated stuff sack): These are basically nylon stuff sacks that you place on your hammock line that make packing the hammock a simple matter of sliding them over the hammock.

Bubble Asym Pad: The hammock ships with an integrated bubble pad for cold weather camping. I plan on using my hammock in hot or tropic environments so I can’t comment on this.

Integrated Bug Net: This saves an incredible amount of time with setup. Two zippers allow you to seal yourself in, or open the bug net and drape it. Before, I had to run a ridge line, then run clips, then hang the bug net. In addition, my previous hammock took up more space in my motorcycle panniers because the bug net was separate.


Double Layer Hammock Material: Mosquitos are a pesky bunch and, believe it or not, they can actually bite through a single layer of material. When buying a hammock, I recommend you purchase a double layered hammock.

Fly Included: There is a rain fly included so you have a complete sleeping system. If weight and size are not an issue, many people opt to use a hex tarp.

Fast Setup/Breakdown with Single Ring Suspension: When it comes to hanging the Hennessy, the generally accepted model is their figure 8 lashing, which keeps their cord brand new. The only downside to this method is that it is not adjustable. I wanted something that’s easy to tie, easy to un-tie and adjustable for those times when one end of the hammock hangs too low or too high. You can read more about this dilemma here. This suspension system has made setup of the hammock no more than a few minutes. Hennesey doesn’t recommend this system as it can lead to cord damage.


Pros

Fast setup and breakdown
Integrated bug net
Great nights sleep! (I spent last night in the hammock here in the hot muggy weather of Kansas, I’m hoping it was a good test for Brazil)
Complete out of the box: comes with everything you need out of the box... nothing else required

Cons
Lacks the footbox feature of the Warbonnet hammocks. Warbonnet hammocks feature extra material for your feet to make you lay flatter. That being said; I slept very well in the Hennessy.
Cost: it’s a bit expensive at $339.95, but the good news is there are Hennessy models starting at $99 (The Scout) I just happen to be 6’6” and needed a longer hammock. If you compare the price of the Deep Jungle XL compared to the Warbonnet + the tarp you must purchase (if you don’t want to get rained on); these top of the line hammocks are very comparable in price.

Closing Thoughts
I'm excited to take this gear to South America. I'll follow up from Brazil!

- David Parkinson

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I enjoy watching films of all genres. But I must admit that I especially enjoy watching films about motorcycles and motorcycle travel. Over the next few weeks I'll be screening some of my favorite motorcycle movies. Check it out...

On Any Sunday is a classic film and perhaps one of the most nostalgic motorcycle movies of all time. The film is a documentary about the various forms of motorcycling as the sport was emerging in the 1970's. Malcolm Smith, Bert Lawwill and Steve McQueen star in many of the scenes. My favorite segment is with Malcolm Smith riding the International Six Day Trial in Spain. While the style and cinematography of the film is perhaps a bit dated, I think that the humor is timeless.

The complete film is now available for viewing on YouTube or click right here. (1:36 minutes)

If you have not already joined my blog or facebook page for TheAdventureBegins.tv, why not?
https://www.facebook.com/pages/TheAd...98783000136160

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Unfortunately YouTube has removed this video.

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Unfortunately YouTube has removed this video.

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A long, but pretty decent video documenting an introductory course by RawHyde Adventure on basic adventure motorcycle riding.

Click to see the video

The video covers off-road riding position, balance, acceleration, clutching, turning, breaking and picking up a dropped motorcycle. (1:40 hour)

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Vice.com shared this short documentary about a group of adventurers who traveled by motorcycle through North Korea and South Korea. Their choice of motorcycle was the Suzuki DR650. The group of five New Zealanders include Joanne Morgan, Gareth Morgan, Dave Wallace, Brendan Keogh and Tony Armstrong.

The real journey began years ago, when they decided they wanted to ride the Baekdudaegan, a mountain range that stretches the length of North and South Korea's shared peninsula. After countless hours of negotiation and coordination with both governments, they were granted permission. It was, the Morgans believe, the first time anyone's ever traveled through both countries like that since the partitioning of Korea in 1945.

During the entire journey they were escorted by North Korean security. Joanne and Gareth shot the entirety of their trip.

By making the trip they hoped to demonstrate how Koreans can come together over what they have in common. To symbolize this, the group took some stones from Paektu, a holy mountain in the North, and brought them to Hallasan, a similarly sacred peak in the South.

It's a view few foreigners have seen, and even if planning the road trip straight through the Demilitarized Zone required working within parameters set by the highly choreographed and restricted confines of North-South Korean diplomacy, this was a journey worth documenting from start to finish.

Check out the video (16:16 minutes)

Source Vice.com

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It is almost time for the 2014 Dakar Rally!

The rally starts on January 5th in Rosario, Argentina, then passes through Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, finishing on January 18th in Valparaiso, Chile.

When I was motorcycling through South America I passed by some of the same cities and over some of the same terrain… although at a much slower pace. I can guarantee that the scenery will be incredible.

Check out this video of the Backroads of Bolivia.

Whether you are a fan of the motorcycles...

the quads...

the cars...

or the trucks… the Dakar Rally is the most amazing motor rally in the world.

I will try to post updates as the competitors move through the various stages, so stay tuned.

For more info check out the website for the Dakar Rally.

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The Dakar Rally… 6 days and counting down!

Check out this preview which captures a little bit of the landscape, the vehicles and the passion. video

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5 days and counting down!

Check out the official teaser with some great beauty shots. video

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Marc Coma is a three time winner of the Dakar Rally. He rides a KTM 450. The KTM motorcycles have dominated the Dakar, winning the event for the last 13 years. He is definitely one of the favorites to win this year.

Check out this interview with Coma about the 2014 Dakar Rally and his ride. video

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Cyril Despres is a five time winner of the Dakar Rally. Despres won the 2013 Dakar riding a KTM 450 motorcycle, but decided to try his luck this year riding a Yamaha 450. He is considered the top rider in the world, but will he be able to deliver a victory with his new motorcycle?

Check out this interview with Despres about the 2014 Dakar Rally and his new ride. video

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Helder Rodrigues has never won a Dakar Rally. However he is hoping that his luck will change. He is riding a newly designed motorcycle by Honda Racing Corp. (HRC), the Honda CRF 450. The 2013 Rally of Morocco was recently won on a Honda CRF 450 with all five of the HRC team members finishing in the top 10. Will the newly designed motorcycle carry an HRC rider to the podium?

Check out this interview with Rodrigues talking about the 2014 Dakar Rally and his ride. video

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Day 1 of the Dakar Rally traveled from Rosario to San Luis in Argentina.

The terrain profile.

Check out the stage summary video

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Day 2 of the Dakar Rally moves from San Luis to San Rafael in Argentina

The terrain profile. The riders pass through wine country and hit the first of the sand dunes.

Check out the stage summary video.

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Day 3 of the Dakar Rally directed the riders from San Juan to Chilecito, Argentina.

The terrain profile indicates that it was an up and down day. The riders passed over one of the highest points ever traveled during a Dakar at over 4300 meters (14,100 feet).

Check out the stage summary video.

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