What do you *do* on trips?

[NoDirt4Me]

Originally Posted by acejones

It started for me when my parents would say; "go get in the car". I never asked where we were going nor did I care. It was the going. I am now 64 and still have the wanderlust. The only difference now is the modes of transportation have been improved with motorcycles and airplanes and various boats and a few trains. There's no place too far. And I'll have fun when I get there; whereever "there" is.

"I was born under a wandering star"...

It would have been the summer of 1950 or so, when mom and dad stretched a canvas tarp over some hoops in the back of a pick-up bed, and we headed to New Jersey to visit the only father my dad knew.

The journey is the "do".

[RideAbout]

Just because some enjoy motorcycle touring does not mean everyone will. It can be a hardship, uncomfortable, lonely and even scary at times... all things I enjoy. I like my own company, I'm not a social butterfly at heart and have an inner cowboy that needs open/empty spaces.

If it's not fun, don't force it. Some folks love to spend the afternoon at the mall shopping, talking and eating at the food court... this kind of activity would have me looping my belt around a fire sprinkler and hanging myself... .

[Patrick46]

Originally Posted by RideAbout

Some folks love to spend the afternoon at the mall shopping, talking and eating at the food court... this kind of activity would have me looping my belt around a fire sprinkler and hanging myself... .

Hahaha....that's an awesome quote!!!! ^^^

[acejones]

Originally Posted by Okie Preacher

I hear you. Some times it is just about going...the simple act of putting as many miles between where I am and where I end up, as possible. (Then turning around and heading toward home.)

How many times have you asked "I wonder what is over that next rise?" and just kept asking.

Okie,
That is exactly my point. I've gone many miles; riding, walking, or driving, simply because I wondered what was around the next curve, hill, or even the next block. My wife has finally accepted it.

[hacksaw55]

For me it's all about the bike and the ride.I've been riding for 45 years went 9 years without a car in my 20's,and did more miles than probably all my friends combined.I also love to travel I've been the kind of traveler that moves to a place for a few years.My other passion is meeting new people,I've had friends that travel with me and said to me(do you have to talk to everyone)Yes yes I do.Now I do travel solo more but thats cool I'll meet someone,somewhere,some how most likely on the back of a motorcycle.

[lvscrvs]

Originally Posted by ReactorTrip

cables are great, I cable everything to the bike. Most people in a national park won't mess with your stuff. I fly fish off my bike all the time in the GSM and leave my stuff cabled to the bike without issue.

Get some boots you are comfortable to hike in and ride in. It may not be the *gasp* safest boots on the market for riding, but oh well.

BMW makes summer pants that unzip into shorts. They are awesome for stuff like this. I am sure other brands make something similar.

So basically that will leave you cabling your helmet and jacket to cable to the bike.

What he said.... ^^^

plus put a tankbag on your bike that you can easily convert to a backpack for when you want to hike a little bit away from the bike. I throw my electronic stuff in there in a few minutes and off i go.

When I tour I design routes on the best twisty roads, with some good scenery, that i can find. Mostly it's about the ride.

I ride most of the day and then it's time to set up camp or get a motel. A hot shower, a change of cloths and it's time to find a restaurant or get cooking. Then a book if I'm alone or conversation with friends.

I also find that strangers are much more likely to talk to you if you are alone, and I've had some great conversations this way. I think there's something deep in the primitive brain that responds to seeing a guy riding his bike all loaded up on a tour..... the inner cowboy in us ...

[BikePilot]

Links in the sig. For me its partly about the ride and partly about getting to wherever I'm going. The planning and techno-wizardry that some folks really enjoy doesn't appeal to me and I get by with as little of both as I can manage.

Also, have you ridden anything other than the 1200gt? I find that big 4cyl bikes with big fairings bore me a bit. The excitement of a cage with the practicality of a bike. Efficient mileage disposal units, but the smiles-per-mile factor tends to be scant. Of course preferences wrt the machine vary as much as do people's activities while on tour.

[tbirdsp]

The ride is the thing for me. My destinations are usually just places to sleep where there are good roads to ride the next day I have a hell of a time stopping to take pics. Like to enjoy the scenery from the saddle, but honestly working the bike on a twisty road is where it's at for me.
I have an "efficient mileage disposal unit", but also a Bonneville for the road less traveled and a KLR for the dirt road less traveled

[Patrick46]

Originally Posted by BikePilot

Also, have you ridden anything other than the 1200gt? I find that big 4cyl bikes with big fairings bore me a bit. The excitement of a cage with the practicality of a bike. Efficient mileage disposal units, but the smiles-per-mile factor tends to be scant.

We (the wifey & I ) used to ride a GoldWing. Beautiful bike, every option possibly available on it..............

only took us 2 1/2 months and we unloaded it.

[Scruffer]

I guess its like buying a Rolls Royce, If you have to ask how much, you can't afford it.

Riding any distance.......If you have to ask why, you shouldn't try.

It's not really getting back to nature in my mind, if it was then I guess I'd ride a mountain bike and sweat over everything. I've never really understood the compulsion fully. I just love doing it.

[rocker59]

Acquaintance of mine is a new rider. He's dating a riding buddy of mine who has been riding for five years. I guess she's motivated him to get on two wheels..

Anyway, he's one of those who "doesn't get it". We've shared our ride reports with him about all the campouts and things we've ridden to over the past year. And he just kind of has this blank look on his face.

Last week he asks me about this particular spot I ride to regularly. It's about 45 miles from my house. Sometimes, on the spur of a moment, I'll hop on a bike and ride to that store, turn around and ride back... 90 miles, gone less than two hours. Great way to work in an afternoon ride in the twisties.

He mentioned he might "try" riding down to the store one day. Asked me how many times I stopped along the way. Couldn't believe I'd knock out 45 miles in one whack!

I told him, "ride your own ride, stop if you want". Not sure if he'll actually risk it. We'll see...

[tbirdsp]

NW AR is wasted on that guy, rocker59

Hell, I did 175 miles from 1-4 pm last Friday on my Bonnie, then 225 on the KLR the next day. And that was in boring-ass Nebraska/Iowa

[Cowgirl]

It's about the ride for me too. It's like meditation for me - clear the mind, ease the stress, achieve zen All my worries melt away and I realize my day to day stresses are inconsequential in the big picture of life. You get to see places totally alien from your own surroundings and you can be struck silent and frozen in awe of the world around you.
Yeah, I don't get the question.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by tbirdsp

NW AR is wasted on that guy, rocker59

Hell, I did 175 miles from 1-4 pm last Friday on my Bonnie, then 225 on the KLR the next day. And that was in boring-ass Nebraska/Iowa

Yeah... Turners Bend is like something I do when I have a couple hours to kill. Sometimes I just turn around in the parkinglot and ride back to F'ville without stopping... A concept that left him speechless...

I thought he was going to be up to speed for some campouts this summer, but I think it's gonna be awhile. Will depend on how motivational his girl is, I suppose...


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[eakins]

i used to do alot of sport touring and would do it with a friend. we'd ride like hell all day long and check out new places. then at camp (camping is the key vrs hotel) drink beer, eat diner and BS with our neighbors. we'd get up and go somewhere new the next day.

what i found to really step up the excitement was to incorporate touring on with dirt roads. the level of engagement, excitement and places to see shot up 3 fold. now if a tour doesn't include atleast some dirt i'm not interested.

consider getting a 800gs since your a bmw man.

where do you live? cali? because you're going to DV?
you need to on as many twisty paved roads as possible.

ever consider your bike makes it too easy?