Solo Motorcycling Tips & Advice For Beginners
All alone on the road, only you and your bike, surrounded by nature, you’re looking for that beautiful horizon that awaits you, hearing only the engine humming… These are just a few things that will make you go for that solo trip on your motorcycle. Sometimes that isolation will help you learn more about yourself and help you focus on something that you might miss in this fast and crowded society we all live in.
Anyone who decided to go on that kind of a ride returned with some great stories to tell and a bunch of new experiences. As one of those people, I would like to share with you some helpful tips and tricks, facts that need to be taken seriously and ways to have the time of your life without too much trouble.
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It can be a bit tricky to travel alone since the first thing that pops into my mind is that if something happens you would like to have someone with you to help out, but if you prep accordingly, you lower the risk of getting in trouble to the bare minimum.
Before The Solo Motorcycling Trip
Let’s begin with the list of things you want to prepare before you start your journey.
Traveling plan
The essential thing you can start with is the plan. The best thing is to write down which roads to take and which countries to visit. But the most important thing is that you inform your friends and family so that they can keep the track of your whereabouts. Just in case, right? And of course, you’ll be helping your dear ones to be in touch with you, or contact you if something happens. All in all, you’ll ease their worry.
Check the motorcycle
This one is something we can’t put too much emphasis on. After all, this is your main transport vehicle. You can’t start a trip without going through the maintenance and additional check up of every piece of your bike. Having everything in order will keep you safe on the road and away from unnecessary setbacks.
Gear and clothing
Get the information you need before you need it. Know the weather conditions that await you on the road, and, using that info, suit up. Focus on the gear and clothing that are the best at regulating your own body temperature, just to be sure nothing will surprise you. You have a vast range of good bikers’ clothing that will help you on your trip. What I highly recommend is that you get some nice and comfy underwear and focus on the ones that will keep the moisture at bay (it is usually mentioned on the label). Depending on the season in which you are taking this trip, you’ll be either looking for some comfortable sweaters that will keep you warm or some thin shirts to protect you from the heat. Either way, what you need to look for is that this clothing is lightweight and that it doesn’t get in the way of your mobility.
Emergency information (contacts and medical info)
You must be prepared for any scenario. In the grimmest situation, people who will try to help you will need information about your medical condition. Usually, what turned to be the most efficient way is to have small bag/pouch on the side of your helmet because this way they won’t have to take off your helmet because in some cases, taking off the helmet can be fatal. The information you must include in this are: your medical condition; medication you are currently taking, if any; allergies (if you are allergic to something be specific); and, of course, your emergency contact person’s phone number.
During The Trip
Now let’s get to the things you want to be aware of while on your trip.
Food and drinks
To keep this one simple, without any additional complications eat and drink smart, keep yourself away from dehydration and also don’t stuff yourself with too much food in one go. Eating smart means that you take larger amounts of carbohydrates that will keep you body running and you won’t feel any fatigue. Also, eat smaller portions to avoid “after-meal sleepiness” and always have some small energy bars just in case. Try to avoid drinking too much coffee and focus on drinking pure water. It is true that a good cup of coffee will keep you awake, but the caffeine will make your metabolism work faster and therefore it will crave for additional water, resulting in much more stops for the toilet. And one more thing, STAY AWAY from energy drinks, in these trips that kind of sugar is not your friend.
Noise
It is well-known that helmets can be noisy, not to mention the wind blowing and the traffic. All that noise take you energy and can ruin your focus, especially after a couple of hours on the road without a break. My simple solution for that is earplugs. They are not something that will take your sense of sound, you will still be able to hear but the intensity won’t keep you distracted.
Navigation system
You can go old school style and use the map you had prepared before the start of the trip with the highlighted route or you can use GPS. Have in mind that all that should be calibrated before the trip so you can avoid the risk of taking your sight from the road to change or add another destination. But, if you really need to adjust something, be advised to take a break and avoid doing anything like that while driving.
The bottom line
To conclude everything, the better you prepare yourself the better road trip will be. Always think ahead and don’t risk anything. Hopefully, these tips will give you essential knowledge, but one thing that can beat any advice is the experience. Go out there, feel the road, ride and enjoy life. There are some things that you have to learn by yourself. And the stories you’ll be able to tell are something you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.
