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As a re-entry rider after a long hiatus to raise a family, my most pleasant surprise was that my wife, Long Suffering Susan (LSS) got as much into it as I did (nearly anyway). So long as the weather was not too bad, she is ready to go. We made several tours in the Southeast and finally headed west. Now we have toured several Western States such as Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. We have ridden in all the Eastern States except for Florida and have ridden in Minnesota and Wisconsin and a couple of Canadian Provinces. We expect to tour more out west as the years go by. We have been on several MTF rides and tours including the first Great White North Tour. I have attended every Summer Mountain Ride so far and LSS has made most of them. I ride about 20,000 miles a year between two bikes.

LSS and I are not Iron Butt riders by any means. Our self imposed two-up limit is about 600 miles a day. Though we have done more miles in a day, age and judgment seem to be lowering our daily target miles. We are in it for the trip, not the destination. We only make a general outline of a tour with no daily destinations or set agenda. We study an area, decide in general what we want to see and head that way. We usually take our big tour in early June before the Northern and Western schools are out. That way, we have never had a problem in June getting a room (we are strictly motel tourers).

Year before last is a typical example of how we plan and travel. We took back roads and stopped early the first night in Hot Springs, Arkansas to see the town. The next day we took back roads across the corner of Missouri and small state highways most of the way across Kansas (sure beat the interstate). LSS saw a sign for the world’s largest hand dug well and we decided to head north to see exactly how cold a Kansas well digger’s a** really is but he wasn’t there so we headed to Dodge City to see Marshall Dillon and Miss Kitty (they weren’t there either). The next morning we headed west in a hard rain and when the skies cleared, we saw a lot of cars and people in downtown Junta, Colorado so we stopped to find the Copper Kitchen Restaurant (we later learned that it has been on several travel shows) and got great food and lots of travel advice from the motorcycle riding owners and other locals. We were planning on covering Colorado in a counter clockwise route but changed our minds and headed south for a clockwise tour. See, no plans, just go where our impulses lead us. It was a great trip. We even got in the middle of a cattle drive, horses, cowboys and all, on a remote mountain road somewhere between Moab and Aspen (LSS just picked this road at an intersection, it was not planned). LSS picks other roads too. One was a really remote route from the Four Corners Area to Moab through an Indian Reservation. The road was rough, went up and over several buttes but gave us a look at life on the reservation.

As stated, we are strictly motel travelers. We can get everything we need in the saddlebags, trunk, tank bag and trunk bag. We load the heavy stuff low in the bottom of the saddlebags, use saddlebag liners for our clothes and essentials and keep toiletries and miscellaneous stuff, including a lap top, in the trunk. The trunk bag holds our rain and cold weather gear which is very light. We take clothes made of Cool Max because they pack very small and wash and dry quickly. We do laundry every 4 days or so at a motel. We travel in Draggin’ Jeans and mesh riding jackets with a set of Frogg Toggs each. We also carry our Gerbing electric jacket liners (it can get cold in June above 10,000 feet or around Lake Superior early and late in the day). We see no need for a trailer the way we travel. However, if we camped, I think a trailer would be necessary.

We usually take advantage of the motel breakfast and eat a light lunch unless we happen upon an irresistible local place. We try to find a motel close to a restaurant and other services, gas and check the bike and park it for the night. Then, we enjoy dinner and a walk through the area if it looks safe.

For those new to touring, I suggest that you get a bike you are comfortable with and that can safely carry you, your co-rider and your gear. Then ride it fully loaded locally as much as possible. Take a few overnight trips near home to test your packing and to learn what you must have and what you can do without. Remember, there are stores on the road where you can buy the things it turns out you really need so pack light and err on the side of taking less than more. We each take 3 or 4 extra Cool Max shirts, a pair of light slacks, a pair of comfortable walking shoes and Under Armour. LSS takes a light micro fiber dress for evenings we go out. We use our Frogg Togg jackets for evenings as needed. This way, we can wash every 4 days and always have clean clothes. With the synthetic fabrics, we have plenty of room in the bags and washing and drying at the motel takes only a few minutes.

Finally, make sure your bike is serviced and in perfect mechanical condition. If you have any questions about the mileage left in your tires, replace them before the trip. This is your vacation. The few dollars you will save by leaving on worn tires aren’t worth the worry and possible problems. Besides, buying tires on the road usually costs a lot of money and vacation time. Get a good motorcycle towing insurance policy and you are ready to go. If you can do a weekend trip comfortably, you are ready for the open road. And, hey, relax and enjoy. See the sights. Don’t get flustered or in a hurry. Keep your schedule loose and enjoy this time with your significant other. Rain is no big thing (you have rain suits). Besides, if the weather gets bad enough or you get road weary you can always “lay up” a day (see the prior sentence).

Life is good.

Just Bill

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