Traveling By Motorcycle
One of the best ways to truly see the United States is from the
saddle of a motorcycle. I have ridden through many states with
trips over six thousand miles in length including two solo trips
from New Jersey to the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota, and to
Pike's Peak in Colorado. I have found some tips and techniques
that have worked well for me and I'd like to share them with
you.
There are basically two ways to travel by motorcycle, probably
one of the more popular but less spiritual is what some call
"credit card camping" which is basically rolling from hotel to
motel for your sleeping accommodations and buying all your meals
on the road. I look forward to trying this method someday when
my writing starts raking in the big bucks. About the only
supplies you'd need for a trip like this (if your definition of
comfort is not too demanding)would be: - Rain
Gear
- Camera/Film/Batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Change of Clothes
- Sun block (for those of us not
clad in our riding jump suits)
- Sunglasses
- Map
Personally I look forward to trying a trip in this fashion with
only my jeans, T-shirt, and boots. I've been wet before and most
motels and hotels have some kind of laundry area and plenty of
towels to wrap up in. I might bring an extra pair of sock in a
zip lock bag though, dry feet are happy feet.
The other way to travel and personally my favorite is to camp
out between destinations, this is the cheapest and most
immersing way to travel. Like they say it's the journey not the
destination. All the equipment you would need can be found at
your local or online backpacking equipment supplier. In addition
to the above listed equipment, here is a list of what I usually
bring for a typical solo long distance, or overnight trip:
- One person backpacking tent
- Ground pad for
sleeping bag
- Sleeping bag
- Single burner
multi-fuel backpacking stove
- Fuel bottle with extra
fuel (can also be used for bike)
- Cooking kit (stove
usually fits inside pot with lid)
- Cup for tea or
coffee
- One meal for each days dinner and one energy or
protein meal replacement bar for breakfast (grab lunch on the
road)
- Two water bottles one with measuring increments
on it for cooking.
- Candle lantern with one candle for
each day of the trip
- Small LED headlamp for walking
around the site and digging through saddle bags
I chose backpacking/mountaineering equipment for two reasons, A:
I already owned a bunch of it since that's my other favorite way
to find inner peace, and B: backpacking/mountaineering equipment
packs down small withstands tremendous abuse and is usually
multi-use equipment ex: pot is used for bowl etc. Using a
multi-fuel stove has several advantages, you will never be
unable to prepare a hot meal because these stoves will burn just
about any liquid fuel like gas, kersosene, jet fuel, and even
dry cleaning fluid (if you can find that I don't think your far
from fast food:) If you run your stove on regular gas or stove
fuel you are in luck because your extra fuel bottle can also be
used to feed your bike in case your in a jam. E don't mean
enough my fellow travelers.
This may seem like roughing it to some people but it's luxury
travel for others. Starting out with a light breakfast like an
energy bar with some coffee or tea gives you a quick start on
the day and speaking for myself I generally don't like to have a
big breakfast before heading out for a days worth of riding, I'd
rather be looking for fun side destinations than a bathroom.
Stopping for lunch on the road allows you the luxury of not
having to unpack your stove, food etc. just to make one meal
(trust me if you do it, you'll only do it once) it's worth
parting with a few bucks just to not have to repack your bike.
Sleeping under the stars is not only relaxing but it can save
you a bunch of cash as well. The average motel or hotel near an
interstate, at least in the middle of the US averages about
sixty-five dollars a night whereas the average campground is
about ten dollars a night, on a week long trip that adds up to
quite a bit of souvenir money. If you are traveling in the
northeast US those same rooms can run your a hundred plus per
night the closer you get to New York City. Since I mentioned it,
in case you are wondering how to deal with souvenirs on the
road, just stop by your local post office or UPS store and ship
them to your home or to a friends house, so they can hold them
for you till you return. This is also a good way to deal with
exposed film from your camera and the not so rare event when you
find out you over packed again. The post office or other
shippers usually have everything you need to package your stuff
boxes, padding, tape etc. keeping those saddle bags light make
for a happy rider and better gas mileage too.
It does not matter what style or make of bike you ride as long
as you watch your weight distribution, the only major difference
you will experience between bikes will be in the way that you
pack for the trip. I have gone on trips on dual sport (on and
off road bikes) which are the equivalent of a giant dirt bike,
sport bikes, and full dress touring bikes. I have no trouble
packing all that gear into my Harley Electra Glide Classic these
days, but I also have some great memories of strapping firewood
to my Kawasaki KLR 650 and having kids and their parents
chuckling watching me try to get back on the bike with my
backpack on, so never let the style of bike you enjoy mess up
your travel plans. Planning the trip is sometimes just as much
fun as the trip itself, and it always make your travels go
smoother.