Had I been able to stay for the whole weekend rather than just stopping by one evening, I would have probably pitched a tent (set up...not thrown away). But I dare say I might have gotten a bit chilly. From what I heard, there was a good frost Saturday morning. But the historic average temperatures for the 3rd week of October are lows in the mid 40s and highs near 70. I'd consider those very good conditions for both riding and camping.
Going back to STAR when it was in Nashville, IN, we had a big contingent of tent campers, and it was a was a wonderful social experience. I was so taken with the idea, I decided to camp the next year in Avon (1995). That was a little different situation, and I think I was the only person camping that year.
I had checked the box on the registration form that I wanted camping info, but it never came. When I checked in at the event registration, I asked about camping. I remember the person at registration looking at me rather wide-eyed and in total disbelief. That person sent me to a hotel staffer who recommended going to the National Forest Service office in Vail which is 10 miles east of Avon. There, I got info about camping and I went to Gore Creek which was another 5 miles east (total of just over 15 miles from Avon). It was the nearest campground but turned out to be a delightful experience of a different kind from Nashville, IN. I said I was the only person at STAR camping, and I was nearly the only person camping at that campground as well. There was one other site taken my first night, but they left the next day leaving the campground completely to me for the rest of the week. There was a wonderful rushing creek running through the campground (Gore Creek I'd venture), and I went to sleep each night to the white noise sound of water rushing from the melting snowy mountain tops downwards towards the Colorado River.
Every morning I rubbed the frost off the seat of the bike and rode the 15 chilly miles to Avon to potentially meet other riders. I mostly rode by myself that week, but fellow Tennessean Trey Hall was kind enough to offer me his room to shower with hot water (not available at the campground).
Those 2 events were quite different experiences, but I enjoyed both. I've been moto-camping ever since and enjoying the heck out of it.
