S24O Bike Camping: The Overnight Adventure Guide (2025)

The best bike adventures aren’t always the three-week cross-country epics. Sometimes they’re the ones that fit between Friday dinner and Sunday breakfast.

That’s the beauty of the S24O, a term coined by Grant Peterson at Rivendell that stands for Sub-24-hour Overnight. It’s bike camping compressed into a single night. You leave after work, ride somewhere pleasant, sleep under stars or in a tent, wake up, and ride home. Total time commitment: less than 24 hours.

I’ve done multi-week tours and I’ve done S24Os. The multi-week trips require planning, vacation days, and complete mental commitment. The S24Os just require deciding to go. That difference matters enormously.

Why This Works When “Real” Tours Don’t

You ride five days a week commuting. You know how to carry gear on your bike. You’ve thought about bike touring but the logistics always stop you. Taking a week off work. Coordinating schedules. Packing for every contingency. The complexity grows until you never actually go.

The S24O solves this by removing nearly all barriers. One night means you can forget half your gear and it’s merely inconvenient, not catastrophic. You’re never more than a few hours from home if something goes wrong. The financial commitment is minimal because you’re not eating restaurant meals for days on end.

If your commuter bike already has a rack and panniers, you’re basically ready. Two rear panniers and a saddle bag hold everything needed for one night. No front panniers required. Grant Peterson’s suggested kit for a S24O fits in remarkably little space. Sleeping bag. Pad. Minimal clothing. Food. Water. Basic tools. That’s essentially it.

The family-friendly aspect matters too. You’re not covering 80-mile days that leave everyone exhausted and miserable. A 20-30 mile ride to a pleasant campsite works for varied fitness levels. Kids can manage these distances. Partners who aren’t hardcore cyclists can participate without suffering.

Finding Places to Actually Go

Location selection presents the main challenge, but options exist in surprising places. I live in Long Beach, which isn’t exactly wilderness. Yet within reasonable riding distance, I’ve found state beaches, foothill camping, and coastal sites that work perfectly for overnight trips.

State parks with hiker-biker sites are ideal. These designated camping spots for non-motorized travelers typically cost $5-10 per night. The brilliant part: campgrounds that turn away RVs because they’re full will still have hiker-biker space available. You roll up on your bike and they find room.

California offers beach camping at Doheny, Refugio, El Capitan, Cardiff, and others. The central coast has Morro Bay. Further north, Marin County provides endless options. Each region has its accessible camping if you look.

For solo riders comfortable with discretion, stealth camping in local foothills or mountains works. This requires more judgment and carries risk, but it’s how many people started bike camping before they discovered official sites.

Combining trains with cycling expands possibilities dramatically. I can take Amtrak with my bike to the central coast or mountains north of Pasadena, ride to a campsite, and return the next day. The train eliminates the less-interesting riding through urban areas and drops you in better terrain.

East Coast riders have different but equally viable options. The C&O Canal towpath offers campsites every 5-10 miles from DC to Cumberland, Maryland. Fort Getty in Rhode Island provides island camping accessible by ferry. Wompatuck State Park in Massachusetts has excellent facilities within riding distance of Boston.

The pattern holds everywhere: research reveals more options than you’d expect. Urban areas have surprising green spaces. Rail trails connect to camping. State forests welcome cyclists. The spots exist. You just need to find them.

What You Actually Need

The packing list for a S24O is refreshingly short:

Shelter: Lightweight tent or bivy sack. Tarp if you’re minimalist.

Sleep system: Sleeping bag rated for expected temperatures. Sleeping pad for insulation and comfort.

Clothing: One change of clothes. Extra socks. Layer for warmth. Rain protection if weather threatens.

Food: Dinner, breakfast, snacks. Camp stove if you want hot meals. I often just bring food that doesn’t require cooking to simplify.

Water: Carry capacity or purification if your destination lacks reliable water sources.

Light: Headlamp for camp tasks after dark.

Basic tools and repair kit: What you’d carry on any long ride. The trip is short enough that catastrophic mechanicals are unlikely.

Toiletries: Minimal. Toothbrush, small soap, toilet paper.

That’s genuinely it. Compare this to packing for a week-long tour where you’re calculating every ounce and stressing about whether you have enough spare tubes. The S24O liberates you from that anxiety.

How It Actually Feels

The first S24O feels slightly absurd. You’re riding to a campsite that’s maybe 20 miles away. You could easily ride home if you wanted. Why are you carrying camping gear?

Then you arrive, set up camp, and the mental shift happens. You’re not going home tonight. The commitment, however small, creates separation from daily life. You watch sunset from somewhere different. You sleep somewhere new. Morning arrives with unfamiliar sounds and light.

The ride home the next day completes the loop physically but you’ve created a psychological break that feels far longer than the actual time involved. This is the magic of the S24O. Twenty-four hours provides genuine adventure and reset without requiring significant life disruption.

I’ve done S24Os that were objectively less impressive than many of my daily commutes in terms of distance and difficulty. But the camping component transformed routine riding into something that felt like proper adventure. That transformation is worth far more than the modest effort required.

The B&B Alternative

Not everyone wants to sleep on the ground. Fair enough. The S24O concept works equally well with bed and breakfasts, small hotels, or other accommodation.

Find a pleasant place 30-50 miles from home. Ride there Saturday. Check into a B&B. Explore the area by bike. Enjoy a good dinner. Sleep in an actual bed. Have breakfast. Ride home Sunday. You’ve accomplished the same mental break while sleeping more comfortably.

The cost increases but you’re saving gas money anyway. After a solid day of riding, arriving at a swimming pool and comfortable room feels earned. The hangover Sunday morning is optional but traditional.

Coastal California has numerous bike-friendly B&Bs within perfect S24O distance. Florida offers similar options for riders who’ve had enough of camping in heat and humidity with bugs and alligators. The UK has country inns scattered at ideal intervals. Every region has accommodation options if you prefer that approach.

The purists might argue this isn’t a “real” S24O, but Grant Peterson’s original concept was about accessible overnight bike adventures. How you sleep is less important than the fact that you went.

What Changed Since 2008

The S24O concept emerged when bike touring still felt intimidating to most cyclists. The term provided permission to try overnight riding without committing to major expeditions.

Since then, bikepacking exploded as a category. Lightweight bags attach to frames, seat posts, and handlebars without traditional racks. This gear makes S24Os even more accessible because you can use bikes that don’t have rack mounts.

The “microadventure” movement (popularized by Alastair Humphreys and others) embraced the same philosophy: small adventures that fit into normal life rather than requiring epic commitments. The S24O was microadventuring before the term existed.

Apps and digital tools simplified route planning and campsite finding. In 2008, you researched with paper maps and websites. Now you can locate hiker-biker campsites, read recent reviews, and map routes entirely on your phone.

E-bikes removed some of the fitness barriers. Riders who couldn’t manage 30-40 miles loaded can now do S24Os with electric assist. This expanded who can participate while maintaining the spirit of the adventure.

The pandemic created renewed interest in local outdoor recreation. People who previously flew to distant destinations discovered the camping and riding available close to home. S24Os fit this perfectly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overpacking: The temptation is bringing everything “just in case.” Resist. The trip is one night. You’ll survive without your full kitchen setup and backup tent stakes.

Choosing destinations too far: Fifty miles each way sounds achievable until you’re grinding through hour four with camping gear and you still have 20 miles to go. Pick closer destinations for your first few trips.

Ignoring weather forecasts: Summer thunderstorms or unexpected cold fronts make camping miserable. Check the forecast and adjust plans accordingly. There’s no shame in postponing when weather looks terrible.

Skipping the shakedown: If you haven’t camped recently, set up your tent in the backyard first. Discovering broken poles or missing stakes at dusk in an unfamiliar campground is frustrating.

Forgetting to secure campsite availability: Popular sites fill up, especially on summer weekends. Call ahead or check reservation systems. Arriving at a full campground after a long ride tests your problem-solving skills in unwelcome ways.

Who This Is For

S24Os work for almost anyone who rides regularly:

Commuters who know how to carry gear and want to use those skills for adventure rather than just groceries.

Touring-curious riders who want to test overnight riding before committing to longer trips.

Families seeking outdoor adventures that kids can manage without misery.

Time-constrained adults who can’t take week-long vacations but can spare a weekend.

Budget-conscious cyclists who want adventure without airline tickets and hotel chains.

The main requirement is basic cycling fitness and willingness to sleep somewhere different. Everything else is details.

Start Planning Your Escape

The S24O removes excuses. You don’t need three weeks off. You don’t need perfect gear. You don’t need supreme fitness. You just need a bike, basic camping equipment, and the decision to go.

Pick a Saturday. Find a campsite or B&B within reasonable distance. Pack light. Ride there. Sleep. Ride home. The adventure is that simple.

The memories from these modest overnight trips often outlast recollections from far more ambitious expeditions. Something about the accessibility and spontaneity makes them stick. You’re not training for months or saving for years. You’re just going.

That immediacy is liberating. Stop planning the perfect bike tour someday and do a S24O this weekend instead. The perfect tour can wait. The S24O is happening now.

FAQs S24O Bike Camping

Question: How far should you ride for a S24O bike camping trip?

Short answer: Aim for 20-40 miles to your campsite depending on fitness level, terrain, and how much you’re carrying.

Expanded answer: The ideal S24O distance balances challenge with enjoyment. First-time overnight riders should consider 20-25 miles as a conservative target that leaves energy for setting up camp and actually enjoying the destination. Experienced cyclists comfortable with loaded riding can push 40-50 miles without difficulty.

Remember you’re riding back the next day, so total mileage is double your one-way distance. Hilly terrain, heavy loads, or riding with less-fit partners argues for shorter distances. The goal is arriving at camp relaxed enough to enjoy the evening, not collapsed in exhaustion. Start conservative and increase distance on subsequent trips once you know your capabilities with camping gear.

Question: What camping gear do you actually need for an overnight bike trip?

Short answer: Lightweight tent or bivy, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, one change of clothes, food for dinner and breakfast, water, and headlamp cover the essentials.

Expanded answer: The S24O packing list is remarkably minimal because you’re only out one night. Shelter can be a lightweight backpacking tent, bivy sack, or even just a tarp if weather cooperates. Sleeping bag should match expected temperatures. A sleeping pad provides insulation and comfort (inflatable pads pack smaller than foam). Clothing needs are minimal: one clean outfit, extra socks, a warm layer, and rain gear.

Food doesn’t require elaborate cooking since you can bring sandwiches, trail mix, and items requiring no preparation. A small camp stove adds comfort but isn’t essential. Basic bike tools and repair kit match what you’d carry on any long ride. The beauty of S24Os is that forgetting something isn’t catastrophic since you’re home the next day.

Question: Can you do a S24O without traditional camping?

Short answer: Yes, staying at bed and breakfasts, small hotels, or even with friends transforms the S24O from camping trip to comfortable overnight bike adventure.

Expanded answer: Grant Peterson’s original S24O concept focused on camping because it’s inexpensive and accessible, but the core idea is overnight bike adventure, not specifically sleeping on the ground. Riding to a pleasant B&B or small hotel 30-50 miles away accomplishes the same mental break while offering hot showers, comfortable beds, and often excellent breakfasts.

This approach costs more but eliminates concerns about weather, ground comfort, and camping logistics. Many riders find the B&B version more appealing, especially in regions with challenging camping conditions (extreme heat, bugs, limited public land access). The important elements are riding somewhere overnight and creating separation from daily routine. How you sleep matters less than the fact that you went.

Question: Where can you find S24O camping spots near cities?

Short answer: State parks with hiker-biker sites, coastal campgrounds, rail-trail campsites, and public lands within 20-50 miles of most urban areas provide S24O opportunities.

Expanded answer: Even major metropolitan areas have surprisingly accessible camping within S24O distance. State parks typically offer dedicated hiker-biker sites for $5-10 that remain available when motorized camping is full. Coastal states have beach camping options. Rail trails often feature campgrounds at strategic intervals. National forests and Bureau of Land Management lands allow dispersed camping for riders comfortable with stealth approaches.

Using transit (trains or buses that accommodate bikes) dramatically expands options by letting you skip urban riding and start from better locations. Resources like state park websites, bikepacking route databases, and local cycling club knowledge reveal more options than you’d expect. Start with official campgrounds for your first trips, then explore less-obvious options as you gain experience and confidence.

Question: Do you need special bike equipment for S24O trips?

Short answer: If your bike has a rear rack and panniers for commuting, you’re already equipped for S24Os without additional purchases.

Expanded answer: S24Os work with the same cargo-carrying setup used for bike commuting. Rear panniers, a trunk bag, or even a large backpack suffices for one night’s gear. Front panniers aren’t necessary for such light loads. Bikepacking bags (frame bags, seat packs, handlebar rolls) offer an alternative to traditional racks and work on bikes without rack mounts, though they’re not required. Your regular commuting bike handles S24Os perfectly well.

Road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, and touring bikes all work. The bike you already own is fine. Comfort matters more than bike type since you’ll be riding loaded, so a bike that fits well and feels good unladen will work better than theoretically optimal geometry that doesn’t fit you properly.

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