A
comment from a reader about motorcycle trip preparation was such a great
question that it had me putting fingers to the keyboard again. Thank you to MarvinLWright
for taking time to read and comment of my most recent post. Marvin wants to
know how we survive long road trips and what type of gear we bring. Surviving
takes planning and that is only one of the steps in the process for any great
trip. You have already made some great moves in immersing yourself in a
motorcycle vacation adventure, and that is to read everything you can on the
subject. Here are some of the major points to consider when planning any trip
on two wheels.
Prepare.
Preparation is key to any successful trip. I like making lists, and I check
them off as I go along. I double check
them before departure, read them aloud to my riding partner, who then may have
an item or two to add. There are many
great books about long distance travel, and magazines galore focused entirely
on the subject. Not only is the content useful and informative, some of the ads
associated with the articles can sometimes offer useful items for purchase.
Deciding
on a destination is just the beginning of your adventure. Read more about the
location and sightseeing opportunities along the way in the area you plan to
visit. Check online for tourist information offered by the state you plan to
visit. They can send brochures at no cost to you that offer a wealth of
information. Of course these will be for the general traveler, so once you know
where you want to go, do some search of motorcycle destinations in the area as
well. This will result in tips on great motorcycling roads. With this information in hand you can begin
your route planning.
Mapping
out your trip is important. Sometimes we plan ours with strict limitations in
mind, especially if there are time constraints. At other times our routes will
be more flexible. It’s whatever you need, but don’t skip it. If you have a GPS use
it and the software. Segment your route by days on the road. Understand where
you plan to stop each night and research lodging so you are not trapped into
traveling another 100 miles because you didn’t realize there were no places to
stay in the area. (This usually happens in the middle part of the country but
has happened to us in upstate NY.) Some people like to make reservations. I
personally don’t like being tied that tightly into a schedule. I’ve never had
much of a problem finding decent lodging on the fly. With today’s technology
such as smart phones and GPS, it’s easy to find a place to stay or a place to
eat as well as where the nearest gas station is located.
How far you want to travel from
home all depends on your endurance ability.
Only you know your limits. If you want to increase your daily saddle
time, start long before your travel date. Take extended weekend trips that
involve overnight stays. Not only does this help you understand where your
endurance levels are, but the learning experience helps build confidence in
your ability to plan successful adventures. Know the laws in each state in
regard to motorcycle law. This will keep you out of trouble.
Comfort is paramount if you are
going to be putting on the miles. If during your extended weekend excursions
you discover that your backside can’t take another minute after 100 miles this
is a serious concern. I have an
after-market saddle I like very much. There are several makes available. Read the reviews and decide
which is best for you. If you don’t want the expense, you can purchase a saddle
seat pad. My husband uses a sheepskin gel pad he likes very much and so does
his own backside. You also will want to
pay attention to such things as foot pegs versus floorboards, and handlebars
adjustment. You may even want to consider handlebar risers. You need to keep
the stress out of your shoulders and back if you want comfort on long distance
riding.
While we are covering motorcycle
comfort, don’t forget to prepare the mechanics of the bike for road worthiness.
Get a tune up, change the oil and filter. Check the tires for wear. Take time to check every nut and bolt to make
sure they are tight and snug. Even after
all this, things vibrate loose, so don’t forget to pack the tools. Add a flashlight too, as these things never
happen under the best of circumstances. The small LED type are great and don’t
take up much room.
I have
adequate saddle bags which I find very useful on long trips. I keep one
strictly for emergency items, and the other for items I want to access quickly
while on the road. In the emergency bag for instance, I keep a tire pump, along
with patch kit. This is only good if you have tubeless tires. A first aid kit
is a must, but something I hope you never need. Although I keep pain relieve in
there too, and that can come in handy anytime. Again, don’t forget tools.
Something always seems to wiggle loose on long road trips. I haven’t had a trip
yet when I didn’t pull out the tools. Other items in no particular order that I
use consistently in this saddle bag are, windshield bug cleaner, bungee cords,
extra gloves, rain gear and a long sleeved shirt for the sudden chill and
something for the neck. The neck items are important. If it gets too hot, soak
a bandana and wrap around you, if it’s cold, pull the neck fleece out. Layers
are your friend.
In the
every-day quick access bag I keep chargers for my electronics to charge on the
road if need be. The cell phone for instance can drain if you are in a poor
reception area and the phone is searching for the nearest tower. If you don’t
have an accessory to charge items on the bike, install one. You can plug your tire pump into this too. If
traveling during times of weather fluctuation I may have a warm weather jacket
that I swap for the cold weather jacket during the day. This bag is for
whatever is needed quickly. Some women keep their purse here. I’ve recently
dispensed with the purse and wear a hip bag. This also helps me learn how to
travel light.
I have
successfully packed enough clean clothing in a tour pack to get me through an
entire week. Many hotels have guest laundry so that is never a problem. Even
then it’s more my persnicketiness that takes over where cleanliness is
concerned. One never needs more than a couple changes of riding pants. Shirts
are another matter for me personally. I like changing daily along with socks
and underwear. Roll these instead of folding for the tour pack and you will
find enough room left for wants, like your laptop. As an added precaution, I
roll and put into zip lock bags. Then if it rains, I have dry clothing to
change into. Don’t forget the toiletries, but remember you don’t need the
family size toothpaste. In all things think small.
And
speaking of clothing let’s not forget the riding gear. There are all types of riders
out there, from “all gear all the time” to no gear at all beyond that required
by law. I fall into the conservative range. Jacket, gloves, boots and helmet
always, with denim jeans preferred. I have a pair of Kevlar liners (long john
type) but these tend to make me feel overheated. They are great in the spring
and fall as they add warmth plus are not bulky under the jeans. Or try Kevlar
enforced riding jeans. I have worn these, but again, if it’s hot out you will
be too. With riding gear is all a matter of preference in my opinion. With that said, plan for the area you are visiting
and adjust accordingly.
Now for
a word or two about items that aren’t necessary but help make trips more
enjoyable over all; electronics. I don’t go anywhere without my GPS. I have a
terrible sense of direction. My husband could sail us across the sea using only
his finger in the air, but my comfort level is better when I can see he is
right. If you don’t have a smartphone, you are missing a lot of handy
information. The smartphone lets us keep tabs on the weather, quick need to
know information like where the nearest gas station is located. The GPS can do
this too, but the smartphone is always up-to-date. It can substitute nicely for
your camera and makes one less thing you need to bring. You can find and then
call all the area hotels and get the best rate. The uses for the smartphone are
infinite.
My
husband and I like keeping connected so we communicate with bike to bike
communication. We will be updating this equipment soon as it is so essential
for us. The type we are looking into has
Bluetooth capabilities so listening to music, taking a call (is that is what
you would do on a bike) or just exchanging information between bikes is all
wrapped up in one unit. Some folks have electronic cold weather gear such as
heated vest and gloves. I do not have any of these, but it is something to
consider if you would like to extend your riding season. A 12V Power Socket Adapter is handy if you
want electronics along on your trip. If you don’t have one, they are easy to
install.
If you
plan to travel with more than a spouse or significant other, I strongly urge
you to take these people along on your extended weekends. This will allow you
and them to experience all the idiosyncrasies one might have. If they still
like you at the end of the weekend excursions, you’re golden. When planning the
vacation assure you are all on board with every aspect of the trip. Don’t
discount the small stuff either, because these are the very things that can
suddenly loom large. For instance, my husband can get on the motorcycle and ride
until the sun goes down, while I like the sun still above the horizon and some
relaxation time before bed. If something comes up that no one anticipated, talk
about it and compromise. There are a million ways to say things right, but it
only takes one bad way to ruin friendships. Choose your words carefully. Often
things work out better than you anticipated. The worst thing you can do is leave
something unsaid.
I had
fun reliving some memories while outlining some motorcycle travel tips. While
these are broad generalizations, I always welcome feedback. Not only does it
help me, but other readers too. In closing, above all else ride safely and with
constant alertness. Take brakes, drink
lots of fluids, and have fun. If you’ve prepared well, the only thing left is
to have a great time!
