Thanks for the tip about folding the shock corded poles, I didn't think of that. I always roll them in the tent but I keep my pegs seperate as I use those big 9" nails with plastic tops which are heavy but superb.

From experience, don't leave your bike keys in the pocket of your tent when you pack it away!

Luckily, I used my spares and found them the next night, much to my delight.

Some sound advice, but I seem to remember Thermarest's self inflating mat instructions advise against inflating their mats by blowing into them, something about the damp air from your breath degrading the sponge inside over time.
I'm often tempted to just blow them up rather than wait, especially after they have been packed for a few days.

FlyingDoctor cheers. That was a tip given to me on one of my first expeditions. It particularly applies to those ventureing into sub zero temperature areas, the shock cords in the poles get cold and can become more brittle.

With regards to pegs, that is true, if you are rolling them into your tent make sure they are in a good tough peg bag and not going to poke a hole in your tent.

The 6" nail type pegs are great for hard stone ground, though I prefer the exped v stakes, as I have not managed to bend one yet, despite having to resort to large stones as hammers.. but the main trick is to have some.

As for leaving bike keys in the tent.. yep done that one once I have to admit.

Also packing away and jumping on the bike to remember at the last minute i still had a chain and disc lock attached.

Oh and another tip for the first time bike trippers.. make sure you have a "puck" or similar item easy to hand for when you pull up on the campsite and swing the side stand down, I always seem to find a soft spot and a fully loaded GS does seem to go over quickly. I carry one attached to a length of string in a little bag on my handle bars.. i stop, toss it out, tuck it under the side stand with my foot and rest the bike. Pop the other end of the string over the mirror for safe keeping. When I have loaded up and mounted up, I just right the bike, swing the side stand in and then pull the puck up by the string, wrap the string around the puck and tuck it away. If you put your bike up on a centre stand, consider carrying two..

Other wise, popular mod on the GS's is to buy an ice hockey puck and drill and bolt it onto the end of the side stand. There are also aftermarket side stand extenders made by various companies too.

Oh and if your leaving your bike on its side stand, do check on it from time to time. Side stands can often settle into the ground over time especially if its soft, a puck or extension piece can prevent this, but its still wise to check.

Bill :Your right indeed some air mats allow for infaltion by breath, some not, some like exped down mats come with a pump sack to inflate them. What ever you do, if you want your kit to last then read the instructions.
Anyone with an exped down mat, definitely don't blow into it as the moisture will certainly damage the goose down fill material (its treated against mildew, but will degrade and clump eventually if you inflate them by breath), and the pump sacks work a treat.

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safe riding and hope to see you out on the road. .. John..

Fab piece of kit
Great nights sleep
but I only wish there was a way of attaching the bag to the valve properly and not just a 'push-on'.
As you have to use the bag to inflate it, it is maddening the number of times it slips off the end of the nozzle as you pump it up...
EXPED...hope U R reading this and make a mod! (please? !)

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I do not list my vehicles or the places I have travelled to nor do I live my life seeking validation from others.

Hi Bert,
I have not had that problem with mine and not had any of my customers mentioning it either.
How I inflate mine is to open the valve fully, ensuring its been turned anti clock wise to the stop point, when facing the valve. Then place fore finger and index finger either side of the valve with palm of my hand away from the mat, i then push on the pump sack valve, and make sure its fully fitted, then use my left hand to open the pump sac and roll it close to trap the air. Then push it down and squeeze the bag in toward the mat, not straight down.
Can only recall having the pump unplug when I have not had it pushed on far enough.

If thats not the cause and you still have a reciept then might be worth contacting exped directly or your retailer as they are warrentied and seeing if maybe a new pump sack might solve it.

Whem you push the pump sack on it should be a nice tight snug fit and the valve go in about 1.5 to 2cm..

I have recently been considering a poss adapter to allow me to use my electric tyre pump, with a light push fit, to ensure it doesnt damage the mat by over inflation. But thats a work in progress.

For me, the down mats and the comfort foam mats really are the best out there. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

I have some notes I put togather for an expedition group recently about petrol stoves,which I will try to post up shortly too. Might help people with their stove choices.

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safe riding and hope to see you out on the road. .. John..

For our Exped sleeping pads we use a 12 v. air pump designed for air mattresses. It won't pump to over 4 lbs. no matter how long it runs. And this is just right for sleeping, firm enough to not hit bottom, soft enough to contour for hips and shoulders. And it only takes about 20 seconds to do it!

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Our Favorite Roads, until the next trip!
Bob & Kathy
The adventures of Lemonade

Talking of the Downmat - take a look at this....

EXPED Downmat 7 dlx » Journey To Russia

I've just bought one of the Exped airbags with the mat tube - I now inflate my 7DLX in three pumps rather than 15... so much easier!

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If you look closely you'll see a bit of red above my right side saddlebag. That is my tent poles. I find keeping them separate makes packing the tent easier as well. I can throw my tent in a compression sack and crank all the air out of it, but when the two were packed together that wasn't possible. Also the spot where the saddlebag and seat meet are a great place to fit something long and thin. It takes up next to no room, so win-win situation.

Another tip for strapping down is that I use boating straps. The nylon belts with the metal spring loaded closures. Pull and go. Work like a charm and are super durable.

Thanks JohnW, some great tips in there. The puck on a string idea is one I think I might just use.

Better than the puck on a string is to weld on a larger foot plate to your sidestand (if it's not a casting). Remember to totally disconnect your battery!!!!!!!! Then the bike wont sink and you wont need all the hooha of strings etc.