Long Distance Planning to CO and Beyond

kawi-z · Motorcycle Enthusiast Joined: Jan 18, 2009 Posts: 26

Hi Ladies,
I know some of the SIS group is leaving soon to the National Convention in Colorado and now is the time to start prepping for the trip. Whether you are traveling to the beautiful state of Colorado or somewhere else, these tips can benefit all who enjoy the love of bikes and trikes.

First, make a plan. Check out the routes and choose one that will best fit your needs and your bike. Think about gas stations and the distances between them and how far you intend to travel off of the beaten path. Will your bike be able to go the distance between the fill ups? Will you be able to handle any difficulties you may encounter in extreme rural areas?

Second, once your plan is finalized, let someone who is not trekking with you know where you intend to go. Give that person an overview of the road names and cities you will be traveling on and through. If you are traveling by yourself, update that person at every fill up (this could be a simple text message). If you deviate from the plan, let that person know that too.

Third, if you are riding in a group, make your plan together and also talk about hand signals and ways to communicate to other riders days BEFORE you begin your ride. MSF has a great group riding video that gives basic tips and signals for things like: need gas, need food, debris, etc. Review the signals more than once and then review them again immediately before the ride. And of course it would be very helpful to review the route as well.

Fourth, check your cell phone coverage. Depending on where you travel you may not have coverage. Even if you have national coverage, sometimes the coverage does not work due to interference, weather etc. Pack snacks and water in the event you are stranded for a while or you just need a pick me up sometime during the day.

Fifth, research the route. One of the SIS members was so gracious to let everyone know about some of the wind conditions she came across through that same area. Check out the terrain, weather, and roadway conditions. Plan out how you would handle those situations if you encounter them. Don’t forget rain gear and a way to keep you warm or cool to counteract the extreme conditions. Going into the mountains can be very chilly even in the middle of summer and of course we all know what the desert is like.....

Last, be prepared for a breakdown or emergency. Pack a first aid kit and some basic tools. Look into towing services available within the areas you will be traveling, or look into things like AAA that offer those services and get the numbers ready in the event of a breakdown. Keep in mind that not all towing companies are equipped to handle motorcycles, so if you need to call for a bike pick-up, please let them know your vehicle of issue is a bike.

And of course, make sure your bike is ready for a long trek. Inspect it thoroughly to make sure the tires are in good shape, the brakes have enough pad left and the operation of the brakes work, there are no leaks, there are no cracks in the cables or hoses, all of your levers work (check them by squeezing or pressing on them) and that your throttle is not sticking (check that by twisting full throttle, letting go of the throttle and allowing it to snap back in place. If it is slow to return or does not return at all, there is a huge issue and it is not safe to ride.) Also if you are riding with bags or trunks, practice setting them in position, and ride a short ride to ensure they have even weight distribution and that they are not in the way of moving or hot parts.

I could write a book about preparing for a long trip, so hopefully I have given you the basics of what to think about when getting ready for one. If you would like further details, let me know! Have a safe ride!