I Have to Go Somewhere!

If your name is Jay Leno, you can stop reading right now. Jay won't have any trouble with touring, given that he is rather well-known and has significant resources. If you are like me, not in possession of tons of money but having a dependable standard bike, let's take a little trip.

The planning phase of the tour changes based on where you intend to go. Sometimes that will be a familiar place within 100 miles, and you simply GO. If it turns into anything where you need to sleep before you turn around and come back, planning gets a bit more important.

Since my bike is nearly a vintage ride (it's a 1980 Honda), I can be certain that a tour will involve sore buns. That is not a new item on the menu; the seat is ill-suited for long-distance riding. At my age, so am I.

What I will need, then, is some idea where I will sleep tonight, coupled with a plan for communications, food, and my underwear. No matter what you ride, sit down with a pen and a piece of paper, and have your phone nearby.

I Will Need to Stop Sometime

You have a couple of good options. Are you traveling alone? Then take a small tent with you, find some unused grass, and wink out for the night. Just ensure that you park the bike really close to the tent, and have a cell phone with you. There are a few other things you might need, too.

When I rode out to Colorado Springs from Peoria in 2004, I packed a duffel bag (not fancy) with my clothing, my rain gear, and my shaving kit. Everything inside the bag was divided into classes (underwear, pants, shirts, socks, shoes) and placed in plastic trash bags in case I rode in the rain or rain came while I was sleeping. Here are some other things that are handy.

Unless you have a watch with an alarm, carry a travel alarm. You really should not spend half the day sleeping next to a farmer's field; the state police begin checking pretty early unless they see movement. It is also good to take a small flashlight or, like I do, an LED headband light. That way, my lighting is hands-free, and I can concentrate on nocturnal "duties" without fumbling the job.

Carry enough water with you to take a "bath" of sorts in the morning. You will also want to brush your teeth to remove the undergrowth that forms while you sleep. Do you have a favorite protein food in the cupboard? I took kippered herring and tuna with me to eat on the road, thus the need for water for brushing one's fishy teeth.

You might

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Guide to motorcycle touring?
We want to hear your view. Write now!