Looking for advice for my first trip (May 2013)

[Thanantos]

Originally Posted by max384

A lot of good advice has already been given, but one thing I will add is to leave some extra room when you pack. What I mean is that you shouldn't pack your luggage completely full. The first time that you pack your bags while home will be your most efficient. On the road, you will roll your tent a bit looser, maybe you won't cinch down one of your stuff sacks as tight, etc. EVERY trip I've done, small or large (okay, I've never really done any really big trips), I've always found that my gear takes up more room after the first night. It's also nice to have some extra room for souvenirs, food, etc.

This too. Just finished a week long 2,000 mile trip where all 7 riders were packed to the hilt with their available luggage. SO, every night we had to make camp and THEN run for food rather than picking it up enroute.

It was an irritation for us, but at least we had people to stay back and protect our gear while we ran into town.

[d.burbach]

So glad you're doing it now, I'm probably just a few months older than you (26) married, with a son about a month away. I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I wish I'd done a big trip like that a few years ago. Strangely, I almost have the same bike too, a 2002 Honda Shadow 750 Spirit. I don't have much advice since I haven't done it (yet) but good luck and have fun!

Originally Posted by jackc1027

Hey everyone! I came across this forum while searching cross country motorcycle trips, and so glad I did. Looks like a lot of people have done so much more than just crossing the US on two wheels.

I am looking for advice on how to prepare for a long journey on a bike. I bought my first bike in May 2012, and put lots of work into it since I purchased it, in order to make it run properly. It is a 2005 Honda Shadow 750DC. I have wanted to travel the country for several years now, and I have made the decision that in April/May 2013 I will take off, and what better way than on a bike. I am planning on traveling the country for a month or two, then getting a temporary/seasonal position at a resort/tourist attraction (already working on/speaking with people who do these types of jobs now), then after that is up, move on to the next place, via motorcycle, staying up in the northern US in the summer, and headed down south for the winters.

A majority, if not all of my journey will be done via bike, and couch surfing for a place to stay, or camping. I did notice a tent thread on here, so I will have to check that out.

I know money will be tight for this trip, however I have wanted to leave my home for years now to travel, and I figure if I don't do this now, I may not do it ever. I will be 26 years old when I start this trip, and I am waiting until May so I can give myself some time to pay off some debts and save up some money in my current position before resigning. I don't have a final destination as of now; it really depends on what position I am offered to start in June/July 2013.

Any advice on what to bring, how to prepare, any advice at all would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

[OscarZ]

I agree that probably the best thing you can do now is start taking small 1-3 day trips as often as you can. This will really teach you what you use and what you can do without.
The basics that I think should always be on your ride are...

• A good tent, it doesn't have to be a Hilleberg just roomy enough for your gear and to hang out in for a day or two if necessary.
• A good mattress, Thermarest or similar, they may take up some space but few things are more important on the road than a good nights sleep.
• a small mess kit (including staple items like salt, pepper and oil) that you can cook in and eat out of, bonus points if it can hold your cookstove.
• a cookstove, because trail mix and hot dogs are only good for so long. I like to carry a stove that runs on gasoline because I can take fuel from the tank if necessary.
• tool kit. If you're staying in the states you don't need anything for a full tear down, but make sure you can do basic maintenance.
• multitool
• Headlamp. Keep it in your tankbag.
• A good knife (not the one in your multitool), one that can cut veggies and meat as well as look fairly intimidating.
• 2 (or more) disposable lighters, keep them in seperate areas of your pack.
• a beanie (knitted cap), a warm head is a happy head.
• fire starter sticks. They don't take up much room and are great to have in a damp campsite.
• a nalgene bottle or dromedary bag. No matter how much water you carry, at some point you're going to want more.
• one or two dehydrated meals.
• common sense and a flexible budget. Sometimes you're going to have to find a cheap room or hostel.

From there I think you move into luxury items (kermit chair, thermarest pillow, coolers, yadayadayada)

[Flashmo]

Read this:


http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315322

[jackc1027]

WOW! Thanks for all of the advice. I will be taking some weekend trips to get adjusted, and to learn what I really need to take with me. Looks like I have a lot of reading to get though, that link about quitting his job to travel is right up my alley, going to take a while to read through a few hundred pages.

[TwoShots]

Originally Posted by jackc1027

WOW! Thanks for all of the advice. I will be taking some weekend trips to get adjusted, and to learn what I really need to take with me. Looks like I have a lot of reading to get though, that link about quitting his job to travel is right up my alley, going to take a while to read through a few hundred pages.

And when stopped for gas or using a restroom, take a second to splash a little water on your face. It helps you stay fresh.

[Byron1]

Great advice already given... I'll add my tuppence worth by saying that you should also look into doing Help Exchange..

www.helpx.net on the website you can find people who are willing to put you up and provide food in return for a modest bit of work.

My girlfriend and I are currently on a RTW trip and have found it a great way of making the money go a bit further. Plus you get to meet more people and experience some cool stuff...

We are currently in Milwaukee, but will be heading down to Chicago at the weekend. If you fancy hooking up for a beer PM me and we can swing by to meet you.

[Blue Mule]

bumpin up...

can anyone point out more lists like OscarZ did?

[Hessian42]

Originally Posted by OscarZ

• A good tent, it doesn't have to be a Hilleberg just roomy enough for your gear and to hang out in for a day or two if necessary.
• A good mattress, Thermarest or similar, they may take up some space but few things are more important on the road than a good nights sleep.
• a small mess kit (including staple items like salt, pepper and oil) that you can cook in and eat out of, bonus points if it can hold your cookstove.
• a cookstove, because trail mix and hot dogs are only good for so long. I like to carry a stove that runs on gasoline because I can take fuel from the tank if necessary.
• tool kit. If you're staying in the states you don't need anything for a full tear down, but make sure you can do basic maintenance.
• multitool
• Headlamp. Keep it in your tankbag.
• A good knife (not the one in your multitool), one that can cut veggies and meat as well as look fairly intimidating.
• 2 (or more) disposable lighters, keep them in seperate areas of your pack.
• a beanie (knitted cap), a warm head is a happy head.
• fire starter sticks. They don't take up much room and are great to have in a damp campsite.
• a nalgene bottle or dromedary bag. No matter how much water you carry, at some point you're going to want more.
• one or two dehydrated meals.
• common sense and a flexible budget. Sometimes you're going to have to find a cheap room or hostel.

This is a really good list. i'd only add

-flat tire repair kit (patches, small pump like slime, fixaflat, plug kit, tire irons, proper size axle wrenches)
-decent first aid kit
-rain gear, either one piece or 2 piece, include gloves and booties
-dry bag to put all your stuff in. i use a 55L Ascend from basspro.
-ROK straps or bungees to tie your bag down along with a bungee net, they come in handy
-paracord or some kind of cordage
-folding saw for prepping fire wood, small axe works too but why add the weight
-hydration backpack or some way to carry water both for drinking and camp.
-water cleaning tabs or small filter. I use a sawyer sp122 hooks right up to a camelback bladder
-a firesteel for when the BICs get wet
-tarp million reasons to have one
-decent compass and maps of where you're riding or if you're high tech a gps or gps capable smart phone

don't skimp out on your sleep and shelter. get the best tent, sleeping bag and matress you can afford, skimp on everything else but those. Look at hammocks if you can't sleep on the floor. For knife i'd suggest a stainless steel Mora under $20 and will do just about anything. For flashlight don't look passed the new AA LED maglites cheap and reliable. get a decent headlamp for sure, walking around camp at night or trying to fix your bike with a flashlight in your mouth sucks. Check home depot for a Rayovac led headlamp called indestructible, it's $15 bucks water resistant and shock proof. most importantly go out and use all the above mentioned crap as often as you can.