By Gail Marsh
Friends of ours are avid bicyclists. When they arrive at a campground, they set up a bike storage tent and house their expensive bicycles inside. My husband and I are more casual bikers. Our bikes are probably 20 years old and while we keep them in good condition, we’ve never had a bicycle tent. “Why would we get a bike tent?” my husband wanted to know. So, I told him about the uncommon ways RVers can use the tents. Perhaps some of these tips can help you, too.
Bike tent
Bicycle enthusiasts purchase bike tents to protect their bicycles from dust, rain, insects, and fading from the sun. I was surprised to find that most of Amazon’s listings were priced around $45.
Many tents have lockable zippers to keep your belongings safe. Most bike tents are waterproof and have an integrated floor. While most bike tent models feature one door, this one has two! Bike tents come in different sizes and configurations. Order the size that works best for your chosen use.
Bicycle tents come with stakes to hold them securely in place. Depending on where you will camp, you may want to purchase longer or more durable stakes.
Tips and hacks
Here are some of the uncommon ways RVers can use bike tents:
• Pet shade. Tether your dog near the bike tent and place her dog bed inside. Keep the door flaps open to provide air circulation and let the tent provide shade for your pup!
• Cook station. Store your grill inside the bike tent along with a side table and grilling essentials. The tent will protect your prep station from dew, rain, tree seeds, bird droppings, and insects. When it’s time to prepare your meal, move the grill and supplies to an open area and get cooking!
• Games. A bicycle tent can also house your outdoor games and sports equipment. Corral soccer balls, jump ropes, bike helmets, and other favorite children’s play equipment inside a large tub or clothesbasket. The bocce ball set and pickleball set can also stay protected from the elements inside your bike tent.
• Lemonade stand. Enterprising youth can use a family bike tent as a campground lemonade stand. A table can hold cups, money jar, and a pitcher of lemonade. There’s even enough space for kids to sit behind the table to host.
• Snack station. A bike tent may help keep children (and adults) from constantly running in and out of the RV while camping. Put a cooler inside the tent. Fill the cooler with ice pops, bottled water, and fruit. A collapsible unit can hold individually packaged snacks, sunscreen, and insect spray. You might also put scavenger hunt list/bags on the shelf, along with sidewalk chalk, books, and other items. (Tip: Teach your children proper campground etiquette and monitor their activities.)
• Campfire. On those chilly autumn nights, your bike tent can shield you from the wind and keep you warm at the campfire. Just place your chairs inside and comfortably relax.
• Remote work. A large bike tent can accommodate a table and chair. Why not sit outside to work on your laptop? You’ll be shielded from the sun and enjoy working outside for a change.
• Kids’ tent. Little ones may like using a bicycle tent as a mini tent of their very own. Add sleeping bags and a battery-operated lamp and let them enjoy viewing the stars from their own little space. You can always bring them inside once they fall asleep.
• Concert shelter. If you attend an outdoor concert, a bike tent can protect you from the elements and keep you warmer as the evening cools.
• Changing space. Use the bicycle tent as a private changing room before and after a trip to the campground pool. Zip the opening partially closed to allow light inside and also provide privacy.
Your ideas?
I hope these suggestions have inspired you to think of additional uncommon ways for RVers to use bicycle tents. Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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RVDT2713
I’ve done the beach change role. As a scuba diver, our group has done shore dives from many locations with no change facilities. The location might be (semi)public or the divers co-ed. Small popup tents are the go-to tool.
However, know the rules before raising the tent. Most RV parks have rules about location. Many beaches also have rules.
No stinking way we’d store our $7000 each bikes in a bike tent. Everyday after riding they go back on the 1up rack on the back of our RV, get locked with both wheel locks and cable locks, then get covered with our 2 bike Formosa cover.
Same here. Every day our bikes go back on the rack and locked up. We’ve already had one bike stolen at a campground, and we are not taking chances again.
We enjoyed our bike tent until the Florida wind decimated it. Now we just use the motorcycle cover over them if it’s going to rain.
Thank you for the suggestions, Gail! You are so creative! I bet that when you taught that your classroom bulletin boards were the standard for the whole school. 🙂 Have a great day and safe travels!
If you have 2 portable gas generators it keeps them and you dry when filling them up.
We are mostly stationary. We use a bike tent for our monthly trips to Costco/BJ’s.
We also store our storage totes until we’re on the move again