{"id":11997,"date":"2009-08-01T00:00:52","date_gmt":"2009-08-01T04:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/?p=11997"},"modified":"2020-04-06T15:22:54","modified_gmt":"2020-04-06T19:22:54","slug":"long-tour-preparation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/2009\/08\/long-tour-preparation\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Tour Preparation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mom said, \u201cAlways wear clean underwear!\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

A \u201clong ride,\u201d in my mind, means lots of time and lots of road, a few weeks and a few thousand kilometres.<\/p>\n

I have completed a number of long tours: the Canadian Maritimes, the American Maritimes, the American Midwest, the Canadian west to the foothills of the Rockies: each ride about a month, each over 6000 km. Not the longest ever, but for me, long rides for sure.<\/p>\n

My worries? Enough underwear, enough pairs of jeans! As my mom always said, \u201cMake sure you wear clean underwear!\u201d That said, only partly in jest, I am less worried about the distance and duration on the road than proper planning and packing. Do I pack it or buy it on the road? What are the essentials? What\u2019s optional?<\/p>\n

I leave in less than one month on my next long tour. I will describe how I am preparing and you can choose what is applicable to you and your own long trip preparation.<\/p>\n

Based on my experience from previous rides, new advice from riders and updating from my web surfing, this new tour will take me from central Ontario, through the Canadian prairies, across the Rockies and around British Columbia including Vancouver Island. Whew, likely over 10,000 kilometres in about 2 months. Definitely a long ride!<\/p>\n

At the outset know this: I am not a camper. Riders who camp are an admirable bunch, lots of endurance, tons of tolerance and loads of rustic skills. I am not one of them. Being a grey haired sage in the saddle, I want the smell of freshly laundered sheets, the relaxation of a cold beer on a full-sized bar stool and the reassurance of a clean \u2018porcelain throne.\u2019<\/p>\n

My previous western tour was an adventure; the wilderness of the Lake Superior north shore, the island hopping and bridge crossings to link the Great Lakes, the endlessness of the flat prairies, and the majesty of the foothills to the Rockies. This time my ride will be more a dream, to be done once in a rider\u2019s lifetime.<\/p>\n

Preparation for such a motorcycle tour requires planning, imagining, reviewing, more reviewing and then reviewing again. The unexpected can happen, it rains and temperatures fluctuate, sometimes dramatically at higher altitudes. Therefore, I am preparing well in advance, planning meticulously and packing mentally over and over again, many times before actually doing it.<\/p>\n

PREPARING PHYSICALLY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Long rides demand stamina, endurance and fitness. I am taking stock of myself physically, a sincere and honest physical assessment. I am at the gym regularly, eating with more care, and doing increasingly longer rides from home to condition my body. Being more fit means a more enjoyable tour.<\/p>\n

PREPARING MENTALLY<\/strong><\/p>\n

A long ride needs more considerations than a Sunday jaunt near home. I will be on the road for many weeks, therefore much more has to be considered, like having an idea of where I\u2019m going.<\/p>\n

For my mapping issues, I use my CAA Plus membership by taking advantage of their unique \u2018Triptik Travel Planners\u2019, mini-booklets customized with routes, tourist sites, and advice relating to routes and associated destinations. Also, as CAA provides maps at no cost to members, I will get 2 for each of my destination regions, one for highlighting and note making, the other, kept clean for ease of consultation in the evening or for replacing the first if it gets too worn and tattered.<\/p>\n

Next, by surfing the Internet, I use map sites such as Google Maps and Mapquest. Google Map\u2019s highlighting feature, which can calculate distances and highlights the route for each day\u2019s travel, is really useful. I also do searches relating to \u2018tourist attractions in…\u2019, \u2018things to do in…\u2019, \u2018accommodation in…\u2019, \u2018service stations in…\u2019, \u2018bike dealerships in…\u2019 etc.<\/p>\n

I am averse to booking accommodation in advance and on-line. Long rides can have many reasons for delays including breakdowns, detours and I can tire sooner than expected. Booking a hotel room in person has real potential advantages: last minute discounts, upgrading, complimentary breakfast and tips about the area I am visiting. But be very aware, if you are riding in a very popular area during a prime tourist season, it may be advisable to book in advance. Try being in Calgary during the Stampede and you will know what I mean.<\/p>\n

Group riders are almost guaranteed discounts, as are members of associations such as the CAA or the Ontario Motorcycle Association.<\/p>\n

PREPARING FOR COMMUNICATION AND EMERGENCIES<\/strong><\/p>\n

Years ago I started using a GPS. These mapping gadgets are relatively inexpensive, easy to install and a boon to those who are easily directionally challenged. In the expanse of the Canadian west, the device may seem unnecessary, but for navigating in, about and out of the large cities, they are time savers and stress relievers. Additionally, they also can list locations of service stations, hotels\/motels and eateries.<\/p>\n

I also travel with a net book\u2014a small computer\u2014some are less than 20 cm in screen width with wireless capabilities. I am always surprised at how often a computer has enhanced my trip. I upload digital photos, I \u2018journal\u2019 my journey, web surf for information about the area I am in for accommodation, ferry schedules and rates, entrance fees to local attractions and even menus of local restaurants. I am careful to ask about internet connectivity at my hotel\/motel as some have it free in a lobby or bar area only and room connectivity is extra.<\/p>\n

Communication while on the road can be an easy matter, though dependent on the convenience or one\u2019s phone calling needs. Cell phone charges can escalate tremendously with roaming fees (with Bell Mobility approximately $3 per minute, yes, you read correctly), the cost for having telephone connectivity right in your hand anywhere in Canada and the USA which can be very sporadic or non-existent in sparsely populated areas. On the other hand, a GSM phone (Global System for Mobile communication) can be significantly less expensive and is available through the Rogers Network. I purchase a SIM card and pay a relatively small activation fee (about $40) and then I buy a pay-for-use card and I have the convenience of the cell phone at a much lower cost.<\/p>\n

Riding can mean surprises, accidents can happen, emergencies can occur. I keep my necessary documentation conveniently in one place. This tour I am creating two modifications: one, an emergency contact card listing information about myself, my emergency contact persons and phone numbers, and my medications; the other, a brightly coloured sheet of paper taped to the inside of my hard case with that same emergency information.<\/p>\n

As of June 1, 2009, you must now have your passport, or an enhanced drivers licence, in order to cross into the USA so be sure not to forget them. I would assume the new NEXUS card for Canadians entering the USA may also facilitate crossing.<\/p>\n

Lastly in this area of preparation, I prepare a mini-first aid kit, containing gauze, Band-Aids, anti-bacterial gel, insect repellent and insect bite ointment. The mosquito infestation in the Winnipeg area in the summer is absolutely indescribable.<\/p>\n

Now here\u2019s an idea, which sounds \u2018off the wall\u2019 at first glance but for a solo rider, it could be a lifesaver. Get the word \u201cHELP\u201d stitched or dyed in a bright colour on the inside of your jacket. If in trouble, take off your jacket and invert it showing the \u201cHELP\u201d to oncoming cars. An alternative idea to the jacket is to make a \u2018flag\u2019 with \u201cHELP\u201d on it. It beats waving by a long shot.<\/p>\n

PREPARING MY BIKE<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have my bike serviced before departure: fluids, lube, brakes, tires, and such. I also wash and polish it.<\/p>\n

My storage capacity is excellent for one rider, less so, obviously for when my spouse accompanies me. Here are the things I pack for my bike:<\/p>\n