I love travelling around the country with my motorcycle. The days spent planning, the anticipation, getting out on the road exploring new places, meeting new people, and in the end – coming back home with amazing memories and new experiences. I truly love every second of it! Many people find the thought of touring the country on a bike frightening, but that does not involve us bikers. We are a special type of people – fearless adventurers always on the lookout for the perfect trip. If you’re reading this, chances are you too are planing to hit the road with your motorcycle. And since most of the time I’m in that state of mind too, I wanted to make it easier for you to get ready to do it in full power. Besides bringing your sense of adventure, here’s what else you’ll need.
All the Gear, All the Time!
So, what kind of equipment is essential? Let’s start with the most obvious one – the motorcycle. The right one for you will be the one that’s easy to improvise with, mainly off-road oriented, and of course, affordable. But the most crucial feature of a motorcycle is a tank with a large fuel range. When it comes to embarking on long trips, having your tank full will save you from constantly stopping on gas stations and from getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. After you’re done with the basics, the next step is buying proper motorbike security gear. A skid plate, headlight guard, engine crash bar, hand guards and folding mirrors are all protection parts you mustn’t skip as they will keep you safe from potential road dangers. Furthermore, you also need to think about your motorbike’s safety when you’re not riding it. The right motorbike security gear will protect it from being stolen while you are sleeping or exploring the beauty of nature by foot.
Plan the Destination
After you’ve made sure you have everything you need gear-wise, the next thing to do is think about how much time you have and where you want to go. Consider this: How many kilometres are you able to ride a day? How often do you need to stop for gas, food and rest? Have you ever had difficulties with certain roads? When you know the answers to these questions you can focus on picking the destination. People usually take trips to tourist attractions, but for some, the road itself is the attraction. After you’ve made up your mind about where and when you are going, focus on the weather report. Bring equipment and clothes that are suitable for that kind of weather. A navigator can be your best friend on this trip, but don’t underestimate the good old physical map just in case the navigator becomes unresponsive. Get informed about which gas stations, restaurants and motels are along the way. I’m not saying you need to stay in one, but you have to know the nearest places where you can find people to help you if you experience any problem. In any case, the most important piece of advice is to consider your own abilities and endurance. Don’t take on something which is too much for you.
Plan Your Lodging
Staying in a motel could kill the adventurous vibe that you’re after, but camping on the other hand, is what any true adventurer would certainly choose. For setting up a comfortable camp, you will need only a few things: a tent, a sleeping bag and some cooking tools. When choosing the tent, think about the area that you’ll place it on. Is the ground wet and cold? If yes, go for a thick water-proof material to provide you with the proper protection. When choosing a sleeping bag, pay attention to the temperature it’s designed for. A little tip when doing so: always choose a temperature rating that’s 10 degrees lower than the temperature of the area. For example, if it gets cold in the night up to -5 degrees in that particular area, pick a bag with a rating of -15. However, you can always choose to stay in a motel too, I just decided to skip the explanation about it because there really isn’t much to consider besides the fact that you should find one that suits your budget.
When you’re all ready and set, the only thing left to do is to have a good time and keep your mind and eyes on the road. Leave your problems and worries behind you in a cloud of dust. Or as the respected motorcycling author Dave Preston puts it: “When the helmet drops, the bullshit stops”.
