Touring Logistics

[Pacific]

I'm thinking of heading off this summer on a semi-open-ended tour -- meaning a week or ten days, with my wife on the back, and covering between 500 and 2000 miles, round trip. If we find a place we like, we might visit there for a few days and not make all that many miles. On the other hand, if we fall into the rhythm of the road, we may do 250 or more miles a day. Dunno.

The country is the Canadian west. There are lots of open roads, but also thousands of alternate routes, with relatively sparse traffic on beautiful biking roads, which is why I'm uncertain of how far we'll go each day. The opportunity to run great roads will compete with my fascination for the stops along the way.

I'm favouring a longer trip, but with relaxed goals for miles/day (by the iron-assed standards of the board). I have an r1150r with system cases and a tank bag, and I'd be interested in hearing from experienced light tourers about the nitty-gritty logistics of such trips--meaning what you've learned about what to take and what to leave behind. We'll probably stay with friends here and there, and hit economy motels, which are pretty good in this part of the world, on the other nights.

How much in the way of clothing? Anyone got a system? What about indespensible items that the inexperienced might overlook?

Jay

[vintagemxr]

Old rule when packing the first time for a motorcycle trip:


Pick out the bare essentials that you will need.

Pile them on the livingroom floor.

Put half of them back in the closet.

About half of what's left will fit on the bike.


;)

Alternately, here's a pretty good website with good suggestions: Motorcycle Touring For Beginners (http://www.visi.com/~dalebor/)

[BobFV1]

Old rule when packing the first time for a motorcycle trip:

Pick out the bare essentials that you will need.
Pile them on the livingroom floor.
Put half of them back in the closet.
About half of what's left will fit on the bike.;)


That's about the best advice on motorcycle touring I've ever heard! At the end of the day - motorcycles don't have a lot of room on them!

You have picked a beautiful part of the world and a nice leisurely pace - I am sure you will have a great trip. Try not to burden yourself with too much crap - just the basics - tools, camera, a few clothes, that's it.

Ride safe!

[Bones]

Agreed...underpack and you will be happier. EXCEPT, make sure you take good quality rain gear for you and your honey. Why? Because if it rains, that will be the most valuable thing you will ever imagine. And if it doesn't, but you get cold,you have a layer that will really help retain heat and keep you comfy.

You can even wash out your underwear and socks in the sink of your motel, so you don't have to take as much as I always seem to. I still tend to over pack, despite my knowing better.

Also, I pirate's lair backrest for your wife might be a nice addition. They are made for the R and a back rest for your passenger on that bike in particular will make it easier for both of you.

Ride safe, takes pics and share them with us!

Jeff

[DarthRider]

One old trick is to take old sox & underwear and discard it as you use it.
Then buy more when you run out.
You're still hauling around tighty whities, sexy panties & monkey sox but you don't spend any time washing them.

Take Gold Bond Powder and apply liberally, "everywhere the sun don't shine!"

Take spare media card for the camera. Then a few more...digits are cheap!

[vintagemxr]

>snip<
Take Gold Bond Powder and apply liberally, "everywhere the sun don't shine!"


Speaking of Gold Bond Powder (good stuff!) here's a funny snippet from a thread over on Adventure Rider:

"2nd Funny which really entertained the couple camping next door. I had read that medicated powder was good for monkey butt. I had dashed into Wally World earlier for some powder and in my haste didn't read the label. Arising early in the morning for what was going to be 350-400 mile day exlporing Big Bend, I liberally applied powder to butt and to the twins as well since they were getting chafed. I managed to get my LD comfort riding shorts in position when I noticed the beginnings of a very unpleasant cool burning sensation that intensified 5 fold every minute. With a whoop of desparation, I rushed to the water spiquot and commenced to try and wash powder and and the accompanying caustic burning sensation away. Ever try to squat under a water faucet and flood your ass and the twins with ice cold water? It ain't easy but trust me it can be done! The couple next door were almost in tears and incapable of standing up.

The moral to the story: When purchasing powder to be used on inflamed tissue and mucous membranes read the label first. I had grabbed some Gold Bond Medicated FOOT power with 5% menthol. Nay! Nay! Not good for anything above the ankles. I did have however, the coolest nuts and butts in town for that particular day."

Full thread here (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=138743).

:037:

[DarthRider]

Man, *that's* good to know!!

[Bones]

Vintage......I did that once, too. HOLY COW! Like Altoids for your nether regions. And it doesn't go away quickly, either.

Darth......the use and toss trick would be fine, unless you ride with cycling shorts under your leather knickers. It is costly to have 6 pairs of cycling shorts, but "the boys and the buns" are a hell of a lot happier.

Jeff

[DarthRider]

"...Darth......the use and toss trick would be fine, unless you ride with cycling shorts under your leather knickers. It is costly to have 6 pairs of cycling shorts, but "the boys and the buns" are a hell of a lot happier..."
Yeah, I have MSR shorts like those...they have a chamois saddle inside that truly caresses the arsle & crotchal regions.

I thought "Altoids" were suppositories?!

[vintagemxr]

Vintage......I did that once, too. HOLY COW! Like Altoids for your nether regions. And it doesn't go away quickly, either.

Darth......the use and toss trick would be fine, unless you ride with cycling shorts under your leather knickers. It is costly to have 6 pairs of cycling shorts, but "the boys and the buns" are a hell of a lot happier.

Jeff

Yup, Jeff, yhe trick is to get the GOLD bottle that has the body talc in it. The BLUE one has the heavy duty foot stuff in it. I once, while getting ready for work one morning, used the blue one down there because I was out of the Gold stuff. Luckily, I didn't use much and some fast towel work saved me from what might have been permanent "shrinkage." :104:

Doug