Motorcycle Camping Vacation
A motorcycle camping vacation is a great way to enjoy motor
bikes and camping at the same time.
Anyone who saw the movie 'Easy Rider' when I was a lad will
remember the two guys on their custom choppers, cruising down
the highway with their sleeping bags fixed to their
handlebars.
It was a romantic image, and projected the youth and freedom
of the 1970s. But camping like that doesn't quite work in real
life. You need to have the right camping gear to be
comfortable, and you have to pack it in a system.
But motor cycling down the highway on a motorcycle vacation
is still a great feeling, and doing it with a friend is the way
to go. Two bikes means if one has problems the other can get
assistance, while having a pillion passenger means you're both
in it together. So you'd better be real close emotionally!
Your motorcycle vacation will be a lot more comfortable and
you'll be happier if you carry the minimum of camping gear.
Just a sleeping bag and a bivy bag, a hammock or a small tent -
plus a foam sleeping pad each. Toothbrush, soap, towel and a
couple of changes of socks and underwear, and maybe, just maybe
a small stove for making coffee, tea or hot soup when you got
to take a break miles from anywhere. Some people sleep in
hammocks, and the best one I know of is called the Hennessey
Hammock, and it has a waterproof tarp on top and an insect net
all sewn in. It's your safe, sleep cocoon. You just need to
find two poles to rope it to!
One thing to remember though, riding a motorcycle at highway
speeds is very tiring. You are buffeted by the wind
(slipstream) constantly, and the wind can even whistle through
your crash helmet and bother your ears. I forgot to bring ear
plugs once on a long ride, and I had lost my sense of balance
when by the time I pulled over for a rest. I tried to do a
U-turn slowly and safely, and I simply dropped the bike. (The
only thing damaged was my pride.) Happily a truck driver
stopped and helped me lift my loaded-up beast into an upright
position. On my own, I would have had to unload all my camping
gear before I could start to pick up that heavy bike. Ouch!
So because riding is so tiring, plan a nice enjoyable route
for your motorcycle vacation, with plenty of rest stops, and
pick places for the night where you can enjoy a nice hot shower
before you get some shut-eye. You'll be so glad you did!
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