How To: Motorcycle Trips (For Women)

Isn't it always a problem that your man doesn't have enough room in the saddle bags or T- bag for all your things? Well ladies, here are some travel ideas that I've tried out with my husband while on biking trips that are sure to help your comfort level. Maybe you won't end up saying: "Hey I need that stuff!"

§ The most important thing to pack (especially in the South) is sun block. It should have at least a 70 SPF number. (Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Sun block is what we use). Before you set out, have your man cover you with sun block. The massage feels nice and the interaction is a great way to start a trip. It's not going to be a good trip if you burn on the first day; save that for the last day then go home wearing your sunburn with pride!

§ Be sure to put everything you can in good quality travel size bottles. Use a shampoo/ conditioner combo, and put all liquids and toothpastes in a zip lock bag so your clothes will stay dry

§ While packing, use any persuasion tactics available to get more of the essentials in HIS bag than in yours! It comes down to "Your Stuff" vs. "My Stuff" and he will always claim to have less. So the way I solved that was to remind HIM while he was packing... "Honey, pack the toothpaste and shampoo, I'm afraid I'll forget those!" Do this with all the items I mentioned...this technique is what my mother called "Southern Persuasion." You'll see the difference in the size bundle you have vs. his "stuff."

§ Put a trash bag in your T-Bag, open... then your jeans inside the bags first (hey make a pretty good base for the rest of your stuff), then your rolled up shirts. Roll your t-shirts up, as if you are in boot camp; tight! The reason you're putting it all in a trash bag inside of a bag, is you may get rained on. If there is no chance of rain, don't worry about this bag. Take three more trash bags with you! (More about these later.)

§ While packing aspirins or other tablet medications (don't take a full bottle with you), use the spare space in the bottle for toothpicks and Q-tips.

§ Pack one towel; its time to share... and always take ½ roll of toilet paper (it's smaller than a full roll).

§ Make sure you have one form of identification in your gear at all times and another form of I.D. on your person.

§ Make due with disposable cameras; don't risk your new digital camera since bike trips can be rough on them.

§ Take a couple of bungee cords just in case. (T-bags rip, etc...), or you could even bungee a smaller bag to the very top of your T-bag if it's not too heavy.

§ Take some bottled water, at least one bottle in your gear, and a baggie of saltine crackers with you on the road; you never know what you will encounter. Crackers are good for an upset stomach, or indigestion, and they help with your salt levels, which you need to watch if you're riding in the hot summer sun.

§ Take a small travel diary with you, to record each day's ride... it makes a wonderful memento to share with people when you get home, and you won't forget as much about the trip.

§ If you are going for a week, you should each pack three pairs of jeans. Wear each pair for two days in a row...or wear one pair for the "hard riding" and one pair for socializing. You can wear your socializing jeans two days in row, too; it's not going to hurt a thing!

§ Unless you want a sun burn on your scalp, always carry extra dew rags for both of you.

§ Be sweet to your safe driver, and scold him for being reckless.

§ Wear a fanny pack (on your side)...you can fit your money, I.D., gum, tums, ear plugs, mini-flashlight, and even a walkman in your fanny pack!

§ If your worried about where to put your blow dryer, don't...your hair will dry in ten minutes on the road. Then have your man pull over so you can do a quick fix to your hair (braiding, ponytails under a skullcap, etc). He'll be impressed you've made due without your blow-dryer! This is a nice way of saving room, and giving you a reason to stop and smell the fields...even kiss a bit if you're so inclined!

§ If you're in the South, push him to get up early and travel when the temperatures are bearable. Just get that in your mind now; you have to do it for your health. Highway temperatures can reach 120 + degrees on a hot day easily.

§ I don't advise traveling more than six hours a day; anything after that tends to start bruising the bottom. Praise your partner for his safe driving, but remind him that the sissy seat isn't as comfy... so either kick it up a notch, or find a hotel.

§ If you run into rain, and you just HAVE to keep going, (as many of us do), use the trash bags at this point to put over your T-bag; the other trash bags you slip over your heads and wear them like shirts. Trust me... it's better than being soaked to the bone in snowy rain!

§ On the 3^rd day out; its time to take all your gear to the post office! You can get a free Priority Box, Priority Tape, and labels from there. Go through your gear; chances are you've bought some souvenirs by then. Well, it's time to roll them up in your dirty clothes, for protection, and ship them home! Insure them, of course. I know what the Postal service is like in the back; if you want your stuff treated right, you have to insure it. Now you have a LOT more room for souvenirs, and new biker shirts!

§ Carry on with your vacation, stop and rest under an old tree, enjoy those giant valleys or rugged mountains...it's all alive and fresh on a bike! This is where I'm going to suggest getting a charm for your charm bracelet of the place you're visiting. If you don't have a charm bracelet, why don't you? It's a great way to collect your travels all into one keepsake that you can wear on the trip.

§ Now it's time to toughen up too; you've been riding for days, and it's getting to both of you a bit. Depending on the weather, stop and play in someone's sprinkler for awhile, or have a snowball fight... or maybe find a deserted meadow and take a nap.

§ On the 5th day... go ahead and ship other items home you won't need like more dirty clothes and keepsakes... even the sun block if you're ready for your burn. Then you'll have lots of room for those last minute shopping sprees, antiques and rocks! (Our last bike trip, I had a full load of antiques on the bike coming home from the Rockies. People sure stared at the antique fire extinguisher bungee- strapped onto the bike! Little did they know, our gear was also loaded down with antique lunchboxes and even a live rose bush I dug up by hand!)

If you follow these steps, then you should be in for a fun time. There is nothing like the feeling of the wind, the smells, and the senses so alive... and there's no reason you should have to sacrifice every comfort for the ride. Happy Trails, y'all!

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