I would like some insight as to the pros and cons of indoor vs outdoor camping? I selected indoor for weather and charging purposes, but i am fearful of missing out on the fun and/or my personal belongings being left behind?
Welcome to a well-run event if COVID permits it this year. Let's hope so. We sure missed out last year.
I have ridden CNC events since 1999 and have done the spring ride many times. I have done indoor and outdoor camping.
I have never had anything missing while indoor or outdoor camping. I do suggest bringing a bike lock in case bikes are not permitted indoors or you sleep outdoors in a tent. The host city maintains a low key presence to ensure CNC participants are welcomed properly, ie, the Po-Po keeps an eye on stuff. Usually folks in the host city (Washington this year) like to come out and check us out because we are a happening. The local folks are nice and helpful to us. They staff an information table with info about restaurants and motels. Very good.
Weather is more of an issue if tent camping. In 2019, we had high winds and a strong thunderstorm alert about lunchtime one day so we went to eat lunch indoors while the winds and rains came and went. Get used to the tent ruffling in the wind because it is spring and you are in the flat country. If you are an experienced tent camper you have seen it before.
Good social experiences indoor and outdoor. Folks gather in the evenings to chat with cycle friends we may not have seen since the last ride. CNC puts on a meal usually Saturday night. Come and make new friends.
I lean towards indoors because no wet tent to put up at the end of the ride, less stuff to tote to the ride, simpler, and can be drier. But my cycling buds prefer tent camping so I camp with them so we can catch up. This COVID junk has messed up getting together so that will be a priority if we have a spring ride this year. Let's hope so!
