like packing for a trip. You are probably needing underwear,
socks and pants but end up packing toilet paper, light bulbs,
an extra tire, and three kinds of salsa, all the while forgetting
the pants. A good way to avoid this fiasco is to start making a
list of what you NEED a couple of weeks before the trip. Go
through everything you may want and need to take, and write
it all down. As the days pass, and the more you think on what
will be necessary, you can begin paring down and before you
know it you will have a solid and comprehensive list of what
will be NEEDED and not UNNECESSARY on the trip.
Line it out
By Dallas Hageman, Wild Ride Radio Host
www.WildRideRadio.com
Pack Like You Mean It
Motorcycles are great. We know this. In fact, the only thing
I would personally change on any of them is their storage
space. It is a battle I have dealt with for years and years and
this article has come from pain… lots and lots of pain; mostly
in the butt. Now, hopefully my pain can be your gain. The
techniques of packing seem to have baffled and confused
many heavy laden bikers for decades. If you carry a lot of
stuff and think you may need to pare it down (considering
the kitchen sink hanging off your loaded down scoot) this
article just might be your saving grace. I have traveled coast
to coast numerous times and have always found one thing to
be an annoying constant... I pack too much. WAY too much.
Focus First
Before a long road trip I am, shall we say “amped up”. I am
excited for what is planned, what I will see and where I will
go, and I do not wanting to miss a thing. This, as you might
imagine, is a bad time to start planning what you are going
to take. It is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach. You
go into the store only needing bread and milk and leave with
cookies, donuts, chips, eggs, more chips, Cheetos, gummy
bears, chili, and three kinds of salsa… all the while forgetting
the milk. Your mind is not focused on the important stuff; it is
looking for the fun and entertaining part of the venture, much
10 Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado
If you are going on a multi night road trip and plan on
carting your things to and from your campsite or hotel room,
make it easy on yourself and purchase some duffel bags that
fit nicely in your saddlebags. Some companies offer custom
fit bags that line your saddlebags perfectly but you can spend
far less at a sporting goods store and pack your things inside
the bag. This makes a road trip much more enjoyable when
you do not constantly have to bundle up your stained undies
and waltz through the lobby of a different hotel every night.
Everyone will thank you, believe me.
Double it up
Believe it or not, going on a four week road trip is almost
exactly like going on a one week road trip, clothing wise. After
packing a certain amount of shirts, pants and socks, you can
always reuse that same clothing. Pants and shirts can be
worn a couple of days at least and underwear can be reworn, if you are desperate enough, about four different times
(fold it inside out, backwards, forwards... you get the idea)
(Editor’s note: Are there any ladies out there actually ready
to reuse underwear for more than one day?!). One thing to
definitely remember to pack is laundry detergent. Stores do
offer single use liquid packets that work relatively well but I
like the dry detergent and just throw it in a clear baggie. It
saves a bunch of money and allows you to clean and use
minimal clothing without smelling like a caveman that fell into
a big pile of dinosaur vomit.
October 2016
www.thunderroadscolorado.com