Updated 24 April 2008

This is a work in progress.  I have ridden motorcycles for over 30 years so yes I'm an old fart but I have planned many adventures on my bike.  My first was an impulse trip to Paris from London in the 70's on a 250cc Harley two stroke (boy was that a steep learning curve!).  My most recent (hopefully NOT my last!!!) was a 29 States tour of the USA in 2003.  Along the way I have ridden to Australia and toured extensively in Europe, 24 hours to Lisbon from London in the snow; 15 Countries in 10 days through Europe (this year).  I may get around to writing about these adventures before I get too old to remember but in the mean time I thought it might be useful to jot down some of the essentials I have leant along the way.  What to pack, how to plan and how to get the maximum fun along the way.

General Planning

I think the essence of any trip is in the planning.  Sometimes the planning can be almost as much fun as the actual journey.  Well not really but it is fun in a different way.  I tend to over plan my trips rather than adopt a seat of the pants style.  Having said that I rarely stick to my plan but it’s there to allow me to know that my trip is "do-able".  The key to on any road trip has to be flexibility but it is good to minimise any unexpected surprises that might bring the trip to a rather unexpected or expensive conclusion.  Border crossings from example.  Turn up at a closed border or even a mountain pass

(the Col d'Iseran in France above being a good example).  Sometimes taking a chance and riding through an apparently closed pass can be amazing but BE CAREFUL.  They don’t close ‘em for nothing usually. 

We took the Col d’Iseran a year or so ago only to find the only reason it was closed was that they were making some surface repairs and were happy to let us through.  We had 40 miles of some of the best raods in France to ourselves and avoided a 250 miles detour.

The wrong documentation at an International border can be the end of the trip too so do your research.  Not so important now in Europe of course as border crossing are a non event unless you are visiting or leaving the UK or Eire.  EU residents can travel most anywhere with photo ID such as a drivers license (in theory at least).  Watch out to for local laws too.  Trying to arrive in the UK or depart for that matter, with a 1” lock knife about your person can cause you GREAT problems.  Lock blades of any type are illegal in the UK and this includes a locking bladed Leatherman!

Another temptation I find myself drawn to is that of trying to achieve too much (distance) on my trips.  There little point in visiting 20 countries in 10 days if they all merge into one another and you have no chance to actually take in the real atmosphere of the places you visit.  A great way to get in tune with a place is just to sit in a cafe or bar and watch the world go by for a while, you'll soon find if it's the sort of place you want to spend more time and if not, move on.  Accept the fact that you are going to stop in some dreary places too.  You can't always get it right and if you always try to pick the "best" spot you'll find that you spend too much time searching and not enough time discovering.  Sometimes the bad times make the good times sooooo much better!

Routes

Plan your route with care; do you really want to be riding 500 miles in a day? Maybe but how long will it take, are you going to motorway it in 6 hours or take the scenic route and enjoy lunch then search for fuel and end up riding from dawn to dusk?  Have a wet weather option too.  I try to avoid the motorways altogether but I always have a “fast” option if the rain won’t stop.  I’m very happy to bin the plan and head away from the clouds if possible.  I rarely pre-book hotels so detours or a complete change are not an issue but that is not for everyone.  Nor are the “no paint” roads I prefer, for a start they can take more than three times as long to ride whatever bike you’re on. 

In France there are plenty of good wide twisties where excellent progress can be made on most bikes but especially the sports tourers.    

Consider your bike too, an out and out sports bike can be a dream ride on a sunny Sunday for an hour or so but a nightmare hour after after hour on a long run.  Even quick breaks for fuel or a smoke or just to take pictures can relieve those vital parts of the anatomy that only 5 minutes before were screaming at you to stop.  Watch out for fatigue too it’ll creep up on you and it is a killer.  At best it’s no fun and after all that’s what touring on a bike is all about.  If you are taking a pillion a whole new set of “rules” will apply for them.  You might be loving the ride but if your partner is having a nightmare, uncomfortable or just plain bored you’ll pay for it soon or later!

Good map research will always pay dividends and even if you are taking a sat nav make sure you’ve identified the roads to want to visit before you leave.  Don’t be afraid to try the minor roads there really are some gems out there and avoid the towns if you want to make progress. Look on the Michelin Regional (Orange) maps and pick out the type of road you are looking for, a green border at the side of the road signifies a scenic route if you are after views and the panoramic view points are also shown, check the key.

I like to study the Michelin 1:200 000 maps and take the twisty minor roads bordered by green.  I allow an average speed of about 50 mph AT LEAST an hour fro lunch and plan an earlyish start to arrive by 4 or 5 PM.  That way I can ride for 4/5 hours before lunch an cover 200 to 300 miles if I want and then take a leisurely afternoon to take the days total anything up to 500 miles.  I generally like to take a rest day every three days too so if a place catches my fancy I can stay over a while.

Kit List

Don't pack the kitchen sink! 

I like to ride in Jeans but remember leathers are bulky if you are taking them but don't want to wear them in the heat.

GOOD water proofs are essential.  I prefer over trousers, boots and jackets as they pack real small. 

I usually pack a spare set of gloves too but then I like to ride in fingerless gloves on the Harley.

Depending on your bike a few tools well thought out and some spares are always a good idea, especially if you don’t want to wait at the roadside half the day for recovery/roadside repair.  I’ve always threatened to put that goo in my tyres too for punctures but then the only time I seem to get a puncture is when I’m not running enough tread!  Check your tyres will EASILY last the trip and bear in mind in the heat excitement of the ride you may not get as many miles in the South of France of Spain as home. Pressures will make a surprisingly BIG difference too.

I find T shirts will get you in most places on the continent (Europe) but it is sometimes worth packing a collared shirt for the odd night out on the town.

A decent pair of thongs (flip flops) is real useful too.  I get away with a stout pair of good boots for the bike and most other times off the bike too but you'll look daft on the beach in boots!

Take one of those universal sink plugs too if you're on a budget you wouldn't believe how many places don't have plugs at the bottom end of the accommodation market!

Make sure you take some visor clear too unless you have a good laminated visor.

I can't stand a filthy bike either so usually pack a chamois and small sponge, everything else you can get most places.

Don't skimp on bike security though and MAKE SURE your hotel has secure parking.  I pack a hefty chain and extension wire braid and a steel cargo net for my bags.  There's nothing worse than getting your essential kit ripped off