Preparation Makes All the Difference

© Ken Bingenheimer / RumBum.com

On the road again. Here's hoping these bikers planned ahead.

Mythical is the idea of mounting your steed and riding off into the sunset. And when you make the myth a reality and find it's better than your dreams, you don't ever look back. You only look farther down the road. Welcome to motorcycle touring, a modern-day dream come true for many thousands of riders.

Where you go on your bike trip is largely dependent on the amount of time you have, where you're starting from, and what you're interested in. More universal are the elements that make a trip enjoyable and successful. Proper preparation and packing can make all the difference.

Planning for Your Bike Trip

Only a certain type of person – you know who you are – is going to be comfortable heading off to parts unknown without a clear destination and a place to stay when they get there. (If you're into camping, there are a world of different options, but that's an entirely different article.) For everyone else, it's all about reservations.

You don't need to have your entire trip mapped out beforehand but many people do. Another option is to decide each morning where you want to go and call ahead. Be aware that in small towns, a big wedding or a festival can fill up every motel room within miles. At least do some research if you're not going to nail things down in advance. You may find a blackberry festival that you've got to hit, even to the point of changing your plans to work it in – but make sure you have some place to stay when you get there.

The best laid plans being what they are, however, flexibility can be your best friend. Often, an inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered. Has road construction turned your planned route into the highway to Hell? An alternate route might be more miles but it might also be some gorgeous country you would otherwise miss, maybe the best of your trip. Nowhere to eat in this podunk town, except for that dumpy little bar? They may have a cook who will knock your socks off. There's no point to traveling if everything has to be just the same as it is at home.

What To Bring Along for the Ride

The following gear should be considered must-have:

• Rain gear – Rain happens. Sometimes convenient overpasses will offer shelter from the storm, but when you're 40 miles from anywhere and the skies open up you'd better have a Plan B. Continuing to ride with soaked clothing is an invitation to hypothermia.
• Helmet – It doesn't matter if you would rather ride without a helmet, you really must bring one simply because some states require it. Plus, raindrops smacking your face at highway speed sting like needles.
• Cell phone – Of course it's best to ensure that your bike is in top condition before you take off, minimizing the likelihood that you will need assistance. However, accidents, just like rain, do happen. Keep you cell phone on your person; it won't do you much good if it's on your bike and your injuries make it impossible to reach the bike.
• Flashlight – What might be a simple fix can become an impossibility if you can't see what you're doing. Plus, moonless nights can be incredibly dark out where there are no city lights. Of course, the flashlight can also be used to signal for help.
• Extra key – Losing your motorcycle key, or having it stolen, is guaranteed to be a major bummer – unless you have a spare safely stowed away. Find a secure spot.
• Water – Water is life; carry some with you. You never know when you'll need it.
• Cash – Some places don't take credit cards.
• Credit card – Some machines don't take cash.

Head Out on the Highway

Motorcycle touring is big and getting bigger. Fully 10 percent of the visitors to Montana this summer came on two wheels, according to the Institute of Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana. For anyone considering strapping on the bags and heading out for more than their usual afternoon ride, the time to plan for next summer is now.