I’m committed to going. I bought my Amtrak ticket for the Auto train to get me out of Florida and into Virginia. For the price of the ticket it was worth not riding up over a two or three day period. Heck, its a lot of fun on that train too. I can get to my private sleeper car and take a shower, catch a little nap then head upstairs for dinner and a movie. Get a good nites rest and enjoy a breakfast while they upload my bike with the rest of the couple of hundred other vehicles. Biggest issue….what do I pack for this trip?
It’s no secret that there isn’t much “trunk” space on a motorcycle so packing can be a real challenge. I can say through experience from the last long trip that its more likely a person will pack too many things than not enough. Traveling by bike and keeping clean clothes isn’t really that difficult. All you need is a couple of pairs of pants, a few long and short sleeve t- shirts and probably cold weather underwear. One of the things that I did last time that I also do when traveling by car or plane: pack as many garments that are made of synthetics like cotton and spandex blend and think in layers.
Today’s synthetic clothing make it easy to wash them in your hotel room and hang them to dry overnight. This helps with the amount of items, especially underwear, that you need to pack. I make a habit of taking my synthetics into the shower with me and wash them out after the days ride( is that TMI?). By the next morning they are usually dry enough to wear again or pack away and use my second set instead. Synthetics also provide water wicking of sweat away from your skin for when its hot out, which helps keep you cooler. They also can provide heat retention when worn under outer layers without the bulk of sweatshirts or thermals. This makes for packing less seasonal clothing for a trip that may take you to colder areas such as the Rockies even during warmer seasons.
The thing about packing for a trip that is a month or so away, is that you spend so much time just thinking about it instead of just tossing everything in a bag and heading out. What I mean is you can’t pack everything and then leave it laying around the house in your saddle bags waiting for the day you head out. I’d like to do that and be done with it but I don’t think the wife would like to see all my stuff spread out over all the rooms in the small house that we have. I guess if I were single, this wouldn’t be an issue!
After I get that all figured out then I have to think about bringing tools and riding gear. One or two helmets, what wrenches would I possibly need in case of a repair on the side of the road. I have to say that having roadside assistance makes it easier to deal with a breakdown if it occurs, although it can be a major inconvenience and set back with making good time between destinations.
All in all its pretty exciting getting everything in place. Planning routes with paper and GPS maps, checking out all the YouTube videos about road trips, thinking about seeing all the country has to offer including meeting people of all kinds. And all the food! One of the best things about traveling the country is experiencing regional food.
Staying in hotels can become very expensive when traveling for a more than a week. Going on the road for a month or more can really cut into your budget but I found that their are fellow bikers all over the world that provide free lodging in their homes for traveling motorcyclists. So far I have found three groups that provide this service and have reached out to many of the hosts, to introduce myself with the idea of utilizing this service for parts of my journey.
So not only am I getting prepared a little more each day but my excitement level is climbing too! I’m just about at the point where I want to head out tomorrow instead of waiting on my train at the end of August, to get started.
Anticipation…hmmm like the ketchup commercial…is making me wait! More to come…
Thanks for following along
The Regular Guy!