desert cold ???

Depends on the time of year a bit if it will get to freezing or not. I was camping in the Sahara last April, and it was around 40 during the day, dropped down quite a bit at night, but more just pleasantly cool than freezing. I know that during Jan/Feb that area gets to freezing at night though.

I would guess that with your gear/time of year you will be fine - it will probably be Tibet that will be cooler.

I think part of the reason for the big swings is related to things like not being close to the ocean - that acts as a great temperature controlling device, absorbing heat during the day, releasing it at night. Also probably something to do with the lack of plants holding the heat.

This search turns up a few answers, related to what I've said above.

Lack of cloud cover is also a big factor.

combination of clear skies and low humidity. Also, higher elevations mean the air is thinner and holds less heat. A thermarest will make a big difference.

Thanks guys and hey northlandboy, we're hot on your heels. We're in Vienna and making good time towards Istanbul.

Take care all.

considering i use a simliar set up for high altitude winter camping (ie lots of snow) here in montana, i would hope and assume that would be sufficient for the desert. though your specific area i know nothing about.

As you have seen from recent posts, we Americans are all categorized as war mongering hate monsters that are hated by the entire world. Forget we spend 50 Billion a year helping underdeveloped coutries etc. As a USMC in Vietnam in 1968 we did learn to keep warm. In the Areas around Da Nang, we were subject to 125 F or more in the day and 30 F when the Monsoons came; and they were relentless. The best we could do was to layer with the crude stuff we had. Double underware inside, middle clothing and then our outer garments. Then we would put on our Ponchos etc. The outcome was a most contented Marine. Of course if we had it we would have a shelter half and whatever to add to our comfort. Bottom line, this got me by for 13 months in 1968. I regret that it would not do well against the bullets which eventually got me back to the USA. Trust me this is not the ideal way to return. I have layed out in -10 degrees F condition and felt warm in the recent years. LAYER, LAYER, LAYER and you can succeed in any condition.

I've said a lot and need to close my old mouth now, but I know how to keep warm. If you want to talk about ground foilage etc and really keep warm let me know. For tonight, I will take the suggestion of my granddaughter and sleep in my "Dora" pj's.
Good luck

Gidcomb.

your advice regarding layering is valid. Our problem as bicycle travellers is always how little we can get away with carrying before we freeze to death.

Sleep well

Vienna already! I'm back on the road now, up on the Black Sea coast. Think I'll be out of Turkey ahead of you, may well catch up in Uzbekistan. Will be there in June - authorization numbers just came through for Uzbek and Iran visas - now as long as the Turkmen process goes well in Tehran, I'll be all good with visas!

You could probably access somewhat accurate temperatures for night. Is it going to be 0degreesC or less. If zero, you should be fine.

If less, you'd want a better sleeping bag.
Have you got good quality clothing? These days you can do better than mere layering. There's not much point layering cotton to keep warm. Wool is better. And there are all different qualities of wool so it becomes a question of you get what you pay for. I also prefer wool to synthetic fibres, though a combination of both might get the best result. I guess its too late for you to be buying new clothing so hopefully you invested in the good stuff before you left home.

You can always try to pick up a space blanket which should keep more heat in. Have you got a good sleeping matt. Lots of heat is lost under your body.

If you are still cold, wear a woollen beanie to bed. 40% of heat is lost through the head. Keep your torso well rugged up and your extremities will pretty much take their of themselves. (but obviously you have to keep them in the bag).

If you are still cold, and you can't buy more gear, see if you can make a sort of hotwater bottle or buy one even and boil some water up to take to bed with you. Wrap your bottle in a wool garment to prevent burning and make sure its strong enough not to break and that the lid is well secured.