getting the GIRL to go! Help me plan Trip and Gear!!!!

[roadkill0000]

Hello all! I am a new member of adv rider and would first like to say Hi. Second I need help planning my first Two-up camping experience with my girl. Heres the break down.

She is a city girl whose not a camping type. I'd really like to do a simple day or two day camping trip with her... I need help planning a camping trip that would be easy for first timers, and for someone who isnt much into camping, or even motorcycles.

my bike is a 650R ninja
-WHERE? We live in NYC. I think its best not to go further then anything within a 2 hour drive range. Less the better. I was thinking upstate New York, maybe Port Jervis. I want a nice spot with maybe a cute neighborhood nearby with some nice scenery to drive through.
-camping sport needs bathrooms
-I dont have much luggage capacity. I have saddlebags and a tank bag, neither are huge. Maybe I need a givi rack? Only need enough for 2 days.
- for gear I have a small propane cooking stove, ultralight sleeping bag ( thinking of buying a two person sleeping bag ), headlamp, nm else. Anything important comes to mind?
-thinking of getting bluetooth smh5 so we can talk.
-to make sure she is comfortable im thinking I may need a sleeping pad, but I dont have much room to pack it.
-for more comforts im thinking some simple good food and desert, wine. It might be better to eat out in town nearby, but I want to do a little bit of cooking. Maybe just breakfast.

Most important is I want her to be comfortable and to enjoy it. I know I will no matter what, she needs to enjoy it and want to do it again. I dont have the most comfortable bike or that much luggage, but I do want to actually go camping, and do some other activities that we can't living in a concrete jungle.

Any ideas, please share! Thanks!

[El Brad]

After reading your post looks to me like you have it pretty well figured out. Keep it short and easy, find a campground
that has restrooms maybe showers, make her comfortable, don't do anything scary and it should go well.

I two up ride and camp with my wife alot, she is the camping type, likes her restrooms and water, showers, pool,
hotsprings whatever, so I try and incorperate that stuff into where we go and it all goes well.

If it goes well try longer trips, if it goes really well think about a more comfortable two up with gear bike, plenty of
good sport touring/adv touring bikes out there like a Vstrom 650.

[D R]

Originally Posted by roadkill0000

Hello all! I am a new member of adv rider and would first like to say Hi. Second I need help planning my first Two-up camping experience with my girl. Heres the break down.

She is a city girl whose not a camping type. I'd really like to do a simple day or two day camping trip with her... I need help planning a camping trip that would be easy for first timers, and for someone who isnt much into camping, or even motorcycles.

my bike is a 650R ninja
-WHERE? We live in NYC. I think its best not to go further then anything within a 2 hour drive range. Less the better. I was thinking upstate New York, maybe Port Jervis. I want a nice spot with maybe a cute neighborhood nearby with some nice scenery to drive through.
-camping sport needs bathrooms
-I dont have much luggage capacity. I have saddlebags and a tank bag, neither are huge. Maybe I need a givi rack? Only need enough for 2 days.
- for gear I have a small propane cooking stove, ultralight sleeping bag ( thinking of buying a two person sleeping bag ), headlamp, nm else. Anything important comes to mind?
-thinking of getting bluetooth smh5 so we can talk.
-to make sure she is comfortable im thinking I may need a sleeping pad, but I dont have much room to pack it.
-for more comforts im thinking some simple good food and desert, wine. It might be better to eat out in town nearby, but I want to do a little bit of cooking. Maybe just breakfast.

Most important is I want her to be comfortable and to enjoy it. I know I will no matter what, she needs to enjoy it and want to do it again. I dont have the most comfortable bike or that much luggage, but I do want to actually go camping, and do some other activities that we can't living in a concrete jungle.

Any ideas, please share! Thanks!

If she's not the camping type, then for the first trip, keep it simple and avoid roughing it. Given your limited cargo capacity and the fact you've not gone motorcycle camping before, I would suggest looking at something like a State Park or a National Park which rent small cabins. The cabins will allow you to not have to pack sleeping gear and also help you ease your girl friend into the camping idea.

I have to disagree with your statement you will enjoy it "...no matter what." If your "non-camping" girl friend is not enjoying it, you will not be enjoying it.

If you want to make this something you would like to repeat, keep her happy..... go with a cabin the first time out.

[rodr]

Honestly... if she's not much into riding or camping I wouldn't spring both on her at once. When my wife and I go camping, somehow the car ends up completely stuffed with camping gear. Pick riding or camping and just do that.

[FatChance]

Originally Posted by rodr

Honestly... if she's not much into riding or camping I wouldn't spring both on her at once. When my wife and I go camping, somehow the car ends up completely stuffed with camping gear. Pick riding or camping and just do that.

+1

[roadkill0000]

good advice all. I will take the bike, and find a nice cabin or something somewhere. Will keep it low key the first time or 2 out. thanks

[azia]

I agree with the others - don't try both at once if you don't know if she'll like either. Or at least, make sure she wants to do this and isn't just trying to make you happy. Then if she hates it...well, it was her choice!
But on that note, how do you know she's not the "camping type"? Don't sell her short - she might end up really enjoying one or both.

1) If she's willing to wear a backpack, I don't think you need to spend a few bills for a rack and case. I would recommend a drybag backpack made of light windbreaker-type material and stuff your clothes in there since it's soft. Or put a couple hoodies at the bottom and fill the top with food....that way once it's eaten, it's a lighter load home. Then in your saddle bags go the camping equipment. In your tank bag go the little things.

2) DEFINITELY DEFINITELY DEFINITELY get communicators. I can't say this enough. She's going to be a lot happier being able to talk with you. Makes it more of an "us" journey to the destination. Plus, think of it as an investment into the future....I'll bet she'll be more likely to go on longer rides if you're enjoying the scenery together instead her sitting there stewing over how much her tailbone is starting to hurt.

3) I recommend first time don't cook dinner - go for a meal out in town, then come back to build a fire and roast some marshmallows to end (or start?) the evening....

4) Bring a pack of cards or some other form of entertainment if you're staying more than the night.
PS: Have you given thought to what she's bringing? You don't want to be surprised with a suitcase!

[roadkill0000]

good points. I will definitely be getting that communicator. i think im going to avoid the back pack thou. I have A GREAT one for motorcycling, the kriega 30 I think or something, its waterproof, but im gonna buy the dowco value sattlebags for super cheap and call it a day.

She isnt camping experienced, but im not selling her short. She is up for it. LETS say that we were going to actually go camping, and this is the 2nd time were doing a little long distance riding. What would be your advice be for camping? Bathrooms, Check. Cards ( good idea ), any other necessities or things you personally like?

[Vixen]

Originally Posted by roadkill0000

good points. I will definitely be getting that communicator. i think im going to avoid the back pack thou. I have A GREAT one for motorcycling, the kriega 30 I think or something, its waterproof, but im gonna buy the dowco value sattlebags for super cheap and call it a day.

She isnt camping experienced, but im not selling her short. She is up for it. LETS say that we were going to actually go camping, and this is the 2nd time were doing a little long distance riding. What would be your advice be for camping? Bathrooms, Check. Cards ( good idea ), any other necessities or things you personally like?

she sounds like a trooper...take her camping. IF you have the space, an air mattress and battery operated pump really adds to the comfort. Tell her to bring her own camera....it will give her something to do, and it will allow her to document what she sees and experiences on the trip.
Bug spray is a must. Be sure she has the right gear to wear, warm weather/cold temps. Comfort is key. And if she's a coffee drinker, make certain you have it close by in the morning.

Definitely get the communicators....you'll both enjoy being able to communicate during the ride. Our first ride was without it, great trip but the first thing we did when we got home was bought a pair of Scala's. Now we don't leave home without them..

Have fun!

[AdventurePoser]

great advice from everyone! KOA rocks very clean campsites with clean bathrooms, plenty of hot water too! For me, when camping two up, I've always passed on cooking in camp. Too much extra gear to bring, especially if you are traveling on a smaller bike...

You could bring a small stove to heat water for morning coffee or tea and eat at restaurants...

Make it an easy fun experience the first time out, and she may be hooked. Good luck!

Steve in So Cal

[stefer]

I think you've gotten pretty good advice here. Just hope she doesn't show up with a full sized suitcase.

[motoreiter]

Originally Posted by roadkill0000

good advice all. I will take the bike, and find a nice cabin or something somewhere. Will keep it low key the first time or 2 out. thanks

Definitely get a little cabin, camping and riding would be overload. Let us know how it goes!

[DeathWish]

I would definitely go with the Cabin. Make sure to do something that is themed around your girl loves and she will enjoy it.

[acejones]

DO NOT ask her to wear a back pack with clothes or food or gear in it. She will be uncomfortable and its not safe. Anything you carry needs to go on the bike.

[damasovi]

ASK HER ABOUT HER NEEDS!!!

simple right? That is what I tough then I was about to buy the chater boxs for her and me and I remember to ask and she said "NO I DO NOT WANT TO HEARD YOU.. THE ROAD IS WHAT I LIKE" so she save me some money there! Also, does she want to come? if the answer is yes tor no hen NO problem (you know what you have to do) but if she tells you maybe then amigo you have a problem... so have options for her.

Some of the options I give her are:
a) if you get tired of the bike, you can take the bus back home and I will ride behind the bus the hole way"
b) star simple and short, we are at 300 miles per day (and we have done only 1 day)
c) I know my wife and she needs water so I bring 2 liters of water and then refill, how do you do?
d) WC, 2-3 time more often with her than when alone.
e) We go home when you tell me.
f) check the weather, if it is too cold, she will hate you, if it is too hot even more hate! Rain? not nice!
This is not an actual option
g) I tell here, your stuff must fit here. and I give her a bag. The advantage I have is that I have a klr with big side cases and top case, how ever for a city girl that also can be too little, so make ir clear.

And like other have mention no double first times, camping first and then biking

Damasovi