There is simply a drive within me that makes me need to be on the road. It just eats at me when summer is approaching and I have not yet thought of somewhere that would make a special road trip, whether it is to see friends, maybe a bike event, or some other unusual event.  There are plenty of great places to see and explore, and many times it is simply fun to revisit region of the country (especially when I can show it to friends).

But traveling by motorcycle isn’t like jumping in the car. There is very limited space, and you need to be able to carry everything you need. Of course, there are things you can buy at your destination that you will be buying anyway, like t-shirts. Just make sure you have room to put it safely on the bike, and get it home in good condition.  When I will be riding for several consecutive days, I don’t mind wearing the same t-shirt and jeans for a few days at a time; although I usually save another set for wearing each evening after a shower. But for being on the bike all day, there is an advantage of being in the open air on a bike is that no one is close by.  Just plan to find a laundromat every four or five days and save the space for other stuff.

As much room as you have is as much room as you will use. I generally end up packing too much stuff, and forget leave room for souvenirs.

Plan to carry some of the basic tools: A couple sizes of screwdrivers, allen wrenches, wrenches. Also, a siphon hose packs easily and can help (many people will offer some from their tank, perhaps for a fee). Carry more tools as possible, and as reasonable. You probably aren’t going to change the engine on the side of the road, no matter what tools you have. Have a credit card handy for emergencies. There’s more on getting the bike ready a little later.

Camping?

If you are tent camping, things you should consider include a tent appropriate for where you will be staying. A lightweight sleeping bag may be good in warm climates, but if there is a chance it is going to be cold, have a heavier bag. If you can take both, you can use the other one for a mat under the sleeping bag you are in. See why I never have extra room?

I always travel with a folding lawn chair (the type with 4 posts that collapse well), and bungee it to the bike. Comes in handy when camping, and has been used while stuck on the side of the road. Sure makes sitting more comfortable than the ground or picnic table.

For white-water rafting, they may rubber ‘dry-bags’. These fold in such a way as to keep almost all of the contents nice and dry. They make them in a great variety of sizes at any outdoors store. You can put lots of small things in them, and not worry about strapping them each to the bike (I have seen folks with a bungee for each item, and an item for each bungee, often with one bungee flying freely in the breeze). In case of rain, the contents of these bags stays dry. Still, I pack something that can absorb some moisture at the top of the bag, just in case a few drops get in.

Use plastic bags to keep things dry. Grocery bags are OK, but also pack a ‘bag of bags’ with various sizes of zip-lock bags, as well as trash bags (they make barely useful rain gear in emergencies). Put electronics in small bags then several in a larger bag. Always use a resealable plastic bag for shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste. Nothing worse than having minty-fresh underwear.

Use good quality bungee cords. The $2 cords are probably only worth that. Always carry extra bungees, and protect them with your life. If you lose them, you will be stuck. Keep a few with the bike, but the ones you needed to get to your destination will be the ones you need to leave.

If you can carry a lantern with fully adjustable brightness, you will be glad you have it. Even if there are just two settings, it is handy to be able to adjust the level of light. A flashlight is a must, and the smaller it is, the easier to have with you when you need it.

Camp cooking can be fun, but there are many components you need to pack. Even if you are planning to cook on coal or wood, you will need a pan, skillet, cooking and eating utensils, and a plan to be able to clean them. If you need coffee, you also need a cup for drinking it. If you are traveling with others, perhaps everyone can take a few pieces, rather than each trying to take their own complete kit.

Preparing the Bike

General suggestions are going to depend on the distance of your trip. If you are heading to Yellowstone or the Black Hills, just assume you have the distance there and home, but also figure in about 200 miles per day while you are there. So, a pre-trip oil change or the 10,000-mile checkup at your mechanic is worth the extra money. You can get new tires before the trip, or you may plan to stop at a dealership along the way. Scheduling maintenance in advance and letting the dealership know what you will need can minimize unexpected delays.

If there’s a mechanical problem on the road, stay calm and take care of the priorities: 1) is everyone okay, 2) is everyone really okay, and 3) everything else. Determine if the problem is something you can fix on the side of the road. Don’t just tear the bike apart searching unless you can put it all back together. If needed, take photos with a camera or cellphone every so often so you will know how to reassemble the bike.

If you can’t fix it on the side of the road, don’t stress out. Perhaps the bike can be coaxed into getting to the next (or previous) exit, where there may be services. If there are several bikes in your group, perhaps you can send someone for assistance.

Many bike insurance policies and brand-based programs like the Harley Owners Group (HOG) also offer bike towing as a service. The super duper extra recreational AAA card will not help with a bike, although I have successfully coerced them into finding me someone who would tow the bike at my expense, since they have the listing of tow companies and I don’t.

Most dealers will will do their best to fit you in if you are quite a distance from home. Some organizations, like the Harley Owner’s Group (HOG), will sometimes pay for a motel room under some conditions. Dealerships can also suggest places you can stay, and they may even be willing to provide transportation.  Try to roll with it.  Give them some leeway, since you are screwing up their schedule, too.  Make the best of the down-time (do laundry, get lunch, or find a movie) and remember that this is just going to be a story to tell when you get home.  The more fun you can make of the bad situation, the better the story.

Preparing Yourself

Yes, you need some attention, too. It is very easy to get dehydrated during a bike trip. The sweat dries fast. I usually stop every 100 mile for gas (an hour and half is enough time in the saddle for me), and get a 20-ounce or larger beverage. Water, juice, and an occasional Gatorade are excellent choices. Soda and beer, unfortunately, are not great options. Sorry.

In very dry climates, you will want to have many more fluids than you would think. Especially for those people custom to humid climates. Nothing is more unsettling than riding across Arizona and feeling your entire body shrink. Very freaky.

If it’s dry and very hot, plan more frequent stops. Soak your shirt and/or hat in cold water. If you have a bandana, wrap some ice in it and soak it before putting it around your neck. Extreme heat has prevented me from reaching my destination more often than rain.

Try to carry water with you. If you should break down on side of the road, you will really appreciate having it.

Don’t overextend yourself. While some people do the 1000-mile ‘Iron Butt’ rides, plan for something much more modest. For the first trip, at least the first day, plan for about 350 miles. This lets you get settled in to the routine and figure out how often you will need to plan stops. On country roads, 200 miles can be very long day. You have to make more, longer, stops on a bike trip than by car. Allow 20-30 minutes per stop (especially with a group). A 500-mile or more day is not too hard to achieve if the weather is good and the stops are efficient. Snack often and eat well. Don’t forget to eat your vegetables (Mom, can you believe that I am saying that?)

Have fun, but also get plenty of rest. After arriving at Sturgis, from Ohio, I usually take a day without riding more than 20 miles from the camp. After 1300 miles, I need some time off the bike. If you are planning an extended trip, try to plan one non-riding (or minimal) day every 4 or 5 days, just to give yourself a chance to recharge. See the local sights and explore the history of the area.

The first few years I was doing long trips, there would be a night, within a few days of leaving, where I would have some rather nasty dreams of bad things that could happen. Don’t get freaked out by this. It is a normal reaction that our brain has to preparing for the trip. Acknowledge that bad things might happen, and do reasonable things to prepare, but our brain plays these ‘what if’ games to help keep you alert. If you go on the trip and those things don’t happen, then hopefully you will have a good trip. If the bad things should happen, well, hopefully the trip was memorable until that point. If you stay at home, you aren’t going on a trip and you may never have some of the wonderful experiences that you can only get from traveling.

Being far from home on a motorcycle is an exciting journey that many people only dream of doing. If the trip is good or bad, you can at least feel better than you aren’t at work. By traveling, I have learned that things do happen for reasons I cannot explain. When I have had bike breakdowns, I have made friends. The person who stops to help may know of a mechanic. Strange and wonderful things have come out of the bleakest circumstances. Just keep asking yourself, “So what’s the next part of this story going to be?”

ENJOY YOUR ADVENTURE!!

Ideas? Suggestions? Comments?

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