California | Sierra Nevada Mountains Tarp Camping in the Gentle Rain 

When Sterling starts the beginning narration with "Well, good morning... what a beautiful place", I just started laughing. With his gentle demeanor and slim physique he reminded me of Mr. Rodgers. Love your vids, Sterling!

“Simon a bloke in the woods” has great videos on the different ways to set up a tarp.

Stunning cinematography, especially the drone shot of the bridge.

I almost spit out my coffee when he threw in the “…somebody cutting wood in the distance with a chainsaw” right off the hop. Love the content.

A tip for inflating the air pad is to use a large garbage/compactor bag. Literally scoop up a bag full of air, hold it over the nozzle and squeeeeeze.

I am a land surveyor. i use a drone several times a week for aerial photography. So, I really pay attention to the drone footage. Very good stuff and very time consuming. Love the bridge/reservoir crossing shot. Thanks.

The rider at 04:20 really made me smile! Thanks Sterling!

Without a doubt some of the best content I've enjoyed on RU-vid. I'm pretty sure everyone at the BMW dealership is watching. We will be talking about it. Thanks Sterling.

Great video thank you very well done thanks for taking us along cheers to ya.

6:39 The Rain Fly. And the Fly. You are good! :D

du machst echt schöne Touren. Und nur das ansehen deiner Videos macht lust auf Reisen. Danke für das Mitnehmen. 👍

Thank you Sterling ..

Tarp and hammock is the way to go for motocamping. Thanks for the content.

Dear Sterling thank you very much for shareing. I really enjoy your videos. It is very clear the effeort you put into your videos. It is very professional and always wanting to watch more. This takes time I know and that is why I thank you. Keep em comming. Best regards from Uruguay.

You are very good at making art along the way.

That's it motocamping here I come

I'm really enjoying this series! You're getting more relaxed and smooth on each trip, and it makes for a very friendly and conversational narration. Very much looking forward to the rest!

im so relieved everytime im watching your video

I always change the RU-vid selected resolution to HD, because these gorgeous videos demand it. Hey Sterling. You're getting old enough to appreciate a lay flat hammock. They're awesome. I bought a Hennessy hammock probably a decade ago and love it. It has a rain fly and mosquito netting, if desired. A highly regarded recent product is the Haven hammock that can also be pitched as a tent when motorcycle camping on the plains, in the desert, above the tree line, on the beach, or any other time that two trees aren't available. I modified my Hennessy to also pitch as a tent as needed but it's not optimal. Water Filter Tip: Hang the bag of unfiltered water for 30 minutes, then drain a few ounces of water from the bottom of the bag to eliminate the heavier particulates that clog the pre-filter stage. Only filtering the fine suspended particles will reduce the need for back flushing the filter and will extend the life of the filter cartridge. I back flush every time I use the filter, shake the excess water out and allow the filter to dry as much as possible between uses. The Sierra Nevada mountains are gorgeous and there's no better way to see them on the computer than through Sterling's lenses and his artist's eye.

Always so nice and cool a night motorcycle camp. Super. Peace and quiet 🤫

I’d love to just pick two points on a map and take whatever route and whatever time to get there.

Stay at the Jonquil. It’s an institution and support their work. Bisbee is also worth a fee day s as a base for exploring.

You know what my friend, we both have the same philosophy about motorcycling…just letting time take its time and admire fully this beautiful nature and landscape. Thanks for these wonderful moments with you! Marc, Quebec 🏍😉🥶

reminds me of my time (many years ago) camping and mountain biking in Crested Butte. Coming from sea level, i didn't ride a ton, but enjoyed sitting around the tent at night reading. only problem was, white pages in lamp light attracted every flying insect in the State. still, i miss those days.

Heaven on wheels!

Great video Sterling. I enjoy camping form my cycle . One of the things I do is to carry my Bose blue tooth speaker, and in the evening kick back, watch the sun go down or approaching clouds, and listen to an Audible book. I enjoy reading, but in a camp site I can listen to my book and watch nature at the same time. Part of what I enjoy about your videos, is the ideas for your camping experience that you convey. It's like having someone to brainstorm with and share tips and ideas for making the experience in the campsite more enjoyable.

always enjoyable thanks for sharing

Such a beautiful country , I have travelled Europe etc and you never really feel lost you are Always 20 minutes away from a supermarket.

Mal wieder ein sehr schöner Reisebericht. Die Landschaft bei Dir in den USA ist wirklich schön. Viele Grüße aus good old Germany.

Simultaneously living vicariously and taking notes on your master class in motovlogging.

The Sierra Nevada mountain roads have got to be a national treasure. So spectacular.

Another great video, living the dream. I rode a K75S from Perth Western Australia to Sydney NSW. I used to put the bike on the center stand and drape the tarp over the bike and panniers making a triangle, then I put my self inflating mattress in the tarp and sleeping bag and mattress and bag a few zzzs. I was comfortable and it saved time setting up a tent and taking it down again. Great video, loved it.

Glad the hammock is working out! A longer one will be much more comfortable, something to experiment with later.

Awesome....Thank you again! All the best from CANADA!

Your cinematography is tops!

The AeroPress go, well played. Best coffee on the trail!

Life on the road. It's made of a few small things. Nice

These videos are truly spectacular. So relaxing, so inspiring, and such beautiful videography. For those of us who want to make trips like this but can’t, living the adventure vicariously through Sterling’s eyes is priceless.

So gorgeous…awesome photography and narration. Thank you.

The sound is great and the drone work, butter smooth!

Another great video! I love the Sierras, I climbed, backpacked and skied for 20 years. I have lived in Idaho for 20 years now and I would never go back to CA

Greetings/Sawasdee from Thailand...enjoy your work... Miss CA...

I am lying in my hammock right now and really love this new series of videos. Thanks for all the hard work and the great content

That bridge shot is epic!

Great vid, so fun to watch. Thanx.

If it keeps you dry then you've done it right . . .

Thanks Sterling, your videos are just the right length 👍

I can summarized this video in one word: "OUTSTANDING"

“Art”. That is truly what you produce Sterling. Thanks again for taking us along for the adventure.

Awesome camp set up. Can’t wait to see the next video in the series.gonna start calling you Mr. Sterling….. lol. ‘bacbladerunner’ Mr. Rogers reference….

youve just reminded me to take my tarp, for the first time as well. riding around NZ sth island

One of my fav channels.. Those efforts you put on your video verry inspired me. What a good motorcycle documentary video. Fascinating 👍🏻❤️

Loving this trip Sterling. We had the fortune to live in California for 6 years. Some of the best riding in the world on both sides of the coastal range and Sierra Nevada range. Best to you.

Wow!! Really enjoying your adventures. Another great vid. Thanks from Seattle.

It's Very Enjoy Able And Informatic Vlog . Thanks From Pakistan .

has the resources for motocamping and is using it.. -2person tent better to store gear -sideboxes are great as more convenient than softbags (and huge capacity too) also lower center of gravity -I always bring a tarp (goes over tent or hammock) -great softbag water system, gravity draws waters into the filter then bottle.. -that foldable table looks so so rock solid 👌

Exelentes videos. Cómo siempre. Saludos desde Patagonia 🇦🇷

Another GREAT video, Sterling!! Thanks!!

Always like your camping video. Very educational. Stay safe.

Great use of the rain fly,keep up the good work!

Loving these short movies. your channel is the best on You Tube

Magnifique ! Merci beaucoup pour le partage 👍👍👍

really enjoying the series! After a few tarp mishaps on trips, I learned from mistakes and have practiced tarps a lot. I now have the same tarp you have in the video and setting it up is one of the first things I do whenever reaching a campsite regardless of weather. Looks like you’re doing a ridge line + prusik tensioners with wooden toggles. I did the same for several years. Eventually tied the prusiks to the tarp, eliminating the need for toggles and making an A frame set up really fast. Rarely any need for a centre pole unless in a heavy downpour. I usually have 6 guylines (4 corners + ridgeline) and use a tautline hitch to tension the guylines to trees/ground/motorcycles. For the corners, the guylines are only about 6’ long but I keep a few extra 6’ lengths in case I need to extend or add extra anchors. This makes quick customization without having excess line where it isn’t needed. Cheers from Canada!

Another Great video! Thank you Sterling! 🙂

Can't wait to get out and motorcycle camp !! thanks for the tips !! I'm in Reno Nevada

I tend to use my tarp as a base for my tent, but keep bungees and nylon cord on board. I need to practice this more. Great images and perspectives on the gold rush country! I have family around Sutter Creek, and the roads are so well maintained. I need to ride up again, time to plan those rides! 🌻

Great photography. Hwy 88 that you took brought back great memories. If you are in the area again try hwy 4 and stop at the BIG TREES. Be ready for some tight riding when you get to the east section of the road where there is just enough room for a vehicle and a motorcycle to pass.

Love these motorcycle camping video's...the cinematography is first rate as is your narration.

Another great video Sterling. Thank you

Thanks for the idea on the camera pole for the bike , already started to set mine up for my trips , keep up the great work . Pete Western Australia

Very well done, sir. This is on my bucket list.

You're living my dream, can't wait to get out there and do stuff like this!

I use what is caller a Bug-free-zone tarp and it works wonders!

USA the land of contrasts, desert and now mountains with some rain and greenery, seems ideal, getting out into the wilderness, great video, look forward to the next one.

Looks like Mormon Emigrant Trail. Massive fire (Caldor fire) in 2021. Very sad to drive thru now. But great episode. Sierras are very beautiful with tons to explore.

Great vid the other day mentioning your icebreaker base layer. I invested in 260gm top and bottom at duty free and with some other good laying maintained good core heat. Didn’t even breakout the heated gear. Such a difference.

Sterling, can you do a video on how you setup that tarp that you used in Episode 7? Looks like a good tarp and setup.

Sterling Beautiful footage, beautiful roads and a gorgeous camp site. Yes, a tarp is always worth having with you. They are great in the rain and in the sun they make shade to cool off. They also weigh next to nothing. April is not going to come soon enough!! See you soon. 👍👍

Fabulous!

This series so far has been absolutely incredible. Great scenery and great tips for people to enjoy. Keep up the great work. Be safe. Jonathan 🇬🇧

Man you do nice work!!! I really enjoy your videos!

Another great episode Sterling. I need to recommend a Giga Pump 3.0 rechargeable air pump. It'll come in handy to inflate that air mattress, and also when starting fires (when you can). Really handy little air pump.

Thanks for this episode. Gets me into the rhythm of travelling. I'm starting next week for offroad Romania, getting things done like downloading the tracks on Garmin and mobile phone. No camping though this time. All the best, Günter/Nürnberg

I saw in a previous video that you live near Bisbee. I'll be heading south from san tan valley to ride the crooked raven scramble at the end of april.

I am a new follower of your channel Greetings from Sweden

Tarps are nearly an essential item for comfortable camping. So versatile. A couple rolls of paracord and one can rig a very protective shelter. Drop the tarp down in the back to the ground and have a wind break, raise or lower the front as needed. Light and handy. Have ran that area many years back, drove and flown it as well. It's beautiful. Yes, Tahoe is a cold place even in mid summer. Enjoying your vids.

lovin' the series. Thanks

Sierra Nevadas look Squachy 😆. Careful on picking your campsite up there, at the minimum… bear activity increases with the smell of fresh trash.. thanks for the update Sterling

Your videography is next level! What tent are you using? I want one! Thanks!

Love it!

So peaceful there. Jealous. I don't know how long I can really go without enough people interaction.

Capturing those ripples on the water "awesome", the macro pollens and stigmas of a flower, the veins and crystals in the granite rocks, and great sound makes wonderfull and unique veiwing.. Great Video.

I like the tarp, wondering why I never tried one..best get my shit together!

Nice!!

You are correct on the tarp, and I like how you are getting into using them more. In the Pacific North West having a tarp is the best way to go if you're going to camp anytime of the year, as it rains A LOT here!

Everything about that is fantastic, you Sterling are the top of the pile at this game, love it.

Episodes 6 and 7 have been wonderful. We used to live in NorCal and we rode these exact roads and camped along the way.

I love these so much. Just went back and re-watched the other 6000 mile solo trip. My camping style is basically a clone of yours, carry almost the exact same things. Tent, hammock, tarp. Isobutane stove and and firebox cooking when I can. Chair and and table. Monopod for light. Gravity water filter. A saw and even a small hatchet. Try a Nemo pillow! Way better than a puffy. 🤙🏻😁🏍️🏔️🌲🔥 Ride safe Sterling. Looking forward to the next series and loving this one!

Another great series. I am particularly interested in the use of the tarp. I purchased a tarp for that extra shelter while camping off the motorcycle with a tent. I have not used it yet, so I am learning too.

I’m starting to enjoy the commercials only a minute and a half into the video