Cycle tour: Whether mountain bike, gravel or trekking bike: for many bikers, a thirst for adventure is part of it when they are out and about by bike. Not only since the pandemic did many cyclists discover camping for themselves - and vice versa. By car to the "Yakima Skyrise Village" and from there on two wheels into the off-road adventure. This is what the dream holiday for many bikers should look like these days.
But camping is not camping: mobile home, caravan, tent - the range of different accommodations is huge. Roof tents are particularly practical: They turn almost any car into an ideal base camp for new adventures.
The only requirement for going on tour with the roof tent is a car with roof rails, a roof rack and a corresponding roof load. The roof tent can then be mounted on it and nothing stands in the way of your journey into adventure. It doesn't matter whether it's on a luxury campsite or a lonely mountain meadow between Alpine peaks.
Yakima Skyrise Village – The ideal base camp
Together with RAM Trucks, Yakima has built a virtually perfect base camp. Yakima may not be a well-known name in Europe, but the Washington-based company has over 40 years of experience installing recreational equipment and other vehicle add-ons, from kayaks and bicycles to rooftop sleepover tents. RAM Trucks or also known as Dodge RAM should also be known to many. The robust pick-ups are particularly popular in North America, but are also finding more and more fans in Europe. The Rebel and TRX models are primarily aimed at adventurous off-road fans. The TRX offers the highlight here with huge off-road shoes, 702 hp and 30 centimeters of ground clearance. With these key data, even the most remote places can be reached.
But Truck alone still makes a Basecamp. This is where Yakima equipment comes into play. A robust carrier is mounted on the loading area, on which in turn the Yakima Skyrise roof tent. This can be easily opened and when you look inside you will see: everything is ready! The mattress is already integrated and you can leave the bedding or sleeping bag directly in the tent. Unfold and fall asleep in minutes. You can also stretch a rain cover over the tent to withstand adverse weather conditions. The sides and roof can be opened on a warm summer night.
The roof tent can be expanded with additional accessories such as bags, storage compartments or an awning. You can also mount a shower or bike washing system with a water tank on the carrier on the loading area. The bikes are simply packed onto the loading area of the pick-up. These can be firmly mounted on the side wall protection.
You don't necessarily need a pickup for a good base camp, although of course it looks good. A roof tent can be mounted on most cars and the bikes can also be put on a suitable bike carrier on the trailer hitch, Yakima has the right solution here too.
How does it sleep in the roof tent?
If you are considering buying a roof tent but are still unsure, you can now test it in the Yakima Skyrise Villa in the Sesto Caravan Park and get an impression of the roof tent experience. A total of five roof tents were erected on a wooden platform above the stream with a view of the Sexten Dolomites. Anyone can book these roof tents - depending on availability - to spend one or more nights in the roof tent. We have already been able to test it and spend a night in the Skyrise tent.
Access to the tent is via a ladder through a hatch in the platform. Compared to a classic tent, the elevation of the roof tent is a great advantage, as you escape from one or the other little animals or the moisture on the ground after rain. Getting into the tent is easy and you land almost directly on the mattress.
In the Skyrise Village, the tents are equipped with bedding, as you are used to from a hotel. The sleeping area, which is designed for two adults, is correspondingly comfortable. The sound of the brook right next door will lull you to sleep. Due to the elevated position, it can get a bit drafty on cool nights, but with the side panels closed you can also cope with lower temperatures. Of course, you can also enjoy all the advantages of the Caravan Park Sesto in the Yakima Skyrise Village, such as the great sanitary facilities. The delivery service directly to the tent is also extremely practical. Food and drink can be ordered via the app. As an extra, we would definitely recommend the great breakfast and the top wellness area to make the "glamping" experience perfect.
Sexten as base camp
Sexten in South Tyrol in the middle of the Dolomites is an ideal base camp for all kinds of adventures. Not only climbers or hikers get their money's worth here. There are also many different options for bikers. Whether it's a leisurely family tour on gravel roads to the alpine pastures on the mountain or trail fun on the Erla Trail from the Stiergarten mountain station (2.100 m) to Sesto, everyone should find the right thing for themselves here. Anyone looking for a special challenge can tackle the Stoneman from Sesto. The route was designed by MTB professional and World Cup winner Roland Stauder and is a tour of 120 km and 4.560 vertical meters in partly high alpine terrain, which can be completed in 1, 2 or 3 days. Great hut stops included, of course.
Website
Caravanpark Sexten (booking of the Skyrise Village)
Information about the Yakima Skyrise roof tent