Travelling by Motorcycle - Part 1: Planning

I get a lot of questions about how I plan and pack for trips, so I thought I’d talk about how I am prepping for an upcoming 12 day solo trip.

Lay out the framework

If I’m only travelling a few days, I generally don’t plan stops unless the area will be busy (lesson learned: never try to freestyle in VT during leaf peeper season!).

If I’m travelling by myself or for longer than a week outside of the Northeast, I make a rough itinerary (see below). The plan is always subject to change, but it gives me a starting point to find interesting things to do and see.

I also try to get an idea of the weather. That helps me decide what to pack (should I bring 3 pairs of waterproof gloves?), when to plan hotel stays (personal rule: I'll either ride in the rain or camp in the rain - I won't do both the same day), and when I need to really watch the weather patterns. 

See my note for Kansas below? The forecast is likely to change, but right now it is calling for unsettled weather that week. I'd rather not add a tornado to my life experiences, so I'll watch the weather closely.

If I am travelling through sparsely populated areas, I will make sure there is an affordable hotel or campground at my endpoint – I will also check the area out on Google Street view. 

I’ve been told that I’m overthinking it, that part of travelling on a motorcycle is winging it.

That’s well and good when in areas that have lots of towns...but everything changes when you are travelling in sparsely populated areas like the Dakotas, Wyoming, Montana, etc.

You DO NOT want to be in the middle of nowhere at 6pm and discover that the town you chose to stay in is super sketchy (or the motel is closed) and you need to ride another 2 hours at dusk to find a safe place to stay. (Been there – done that, didn’t end well!)

I'm often asked if I'm scared...

PLEASE NOTE: Fear is NOT the same thing as caution.  I am not fearful, but I am cautious.

The most common questions from women: Aren't you scared to travel by yourself?  Do you carry a weapon?  What happens if you break down?

1. No, I'm not scared to travel by myself.
2. Yes, I do carry a weapon - my instincts.
3. I am the Wrench Wench, so nothing changes if I break down when by myself. I have tools - if I can fix it, I ride on. If I can't, I call for a tow!

I have only felt the need for protection once - that situation was due to my making poor choices. I was tired, ready for the trip to be over...and I got complacent.

I'll have Part 2: Packing up soon.