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I’m totally addicted to motorcycle travel. During the “major” riding season (usually April through October for me) I almost always manage to get away every other weekend for an extended trip.
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Doing so on the smaller motorcycles I favor - most recently my Ducati Scrambler Classic - means that you need to become an expert in preparedness, as the limited space available for luggage forces you to really pare down to what is absolutely essential.
I’ve been an avid backpacker for most of my life, and that activity really has helped me in this regard over the years. Besides, I’ve grown very fond of a somewhat “minimalist” existence - while on the road.
These weekend trips are almost always travelled on back roads, I very rarely touch an interstate or even a major highway. The destination is usually unimportant, as it is the roads themselves which are my focus. I spend a ton of time finding and researching the best twisty rural roads that I can for any trip - and maintain a huge database of these for future use.
Lodging during these excursions is never at major hotel or chain. I almost always camp for the night in some forest (or stealthily just off the road) - only occasionally at some tiny motel that time has forgotten.
In this post, I will attempt to demonstrate my packing system utilized on trips such as these.
Minimal luggage - minimal everything - for maximum enjoyment. No burdening of the light and nimble machines I adore with anything unnecessary.
Please note: Included in this document, whenever possible, there are hyperlinks to the actual items discussed, for your further exploration.
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This is my “main bag”. A duffel that has a mere 12 liter capacity. It is only 8″ wide, 7″ tall and a short 16″ in length. It is totally waterproof, in fact its submersible to down to 16 feet. I had a local tailor sew on the “D” rings that are highlighted - these make attachment to the bike and my other packing options easier. It is manufactured by a company known as “Mad Water”, HERE is a link for those that are interested.
This is what it usually contains:
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It contains my single person tent with poles and stakes, camping chair, a saw & a collapsible fishing pole with a small open faced reel and tackle. It is no longer than the duffle which it is strapped to.
Both items fit nicely on the smallest of passenger seats, here is a photo of this setup on the back of my Scrambler…
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I also wear a small hydration pack that houses a 2-liter bladder, with spare room for storage of additional small items. My pack of choice is an Osprey Syncro - 15 liter version. This pack was designed with mountain bikers in mind, and I find it perfect for my use.
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It houses the following items…
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This is my favorite coffee in the world. It comes in these little single-serve packets and contains only three ingredients - instant coffee, non-dairy creamer and just a tiny bit of sugar. I prefer this over any coffee I’ve ever had - anywhere - and always pack along several dozen of these tiny packets.
So, what about food & water?
Well, there is no shortage of farmer’s markets along the scenic country roads I travel. Here, I usually stop and load up on some fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables, which are bagged and thrown under a net on the back of the bike for consumption later (with some fresh fish, if I get lucky). I do stop at little local cafes and such whenever the mood strikes - but never eat fast-food or at “chains”.
I never buy bottled water, this is a wasteful American invention - I think (much like pet food) - electing to fill my hydration bladder from the sinks at gas stations or afore-mentioned roadside cafes.
Hygiene?
Bathing is done in various restroom facilities, or more preferably in some wilderness lake or creek - the same goes for laundry.
Believe it or not, this setup can usually support me for not only weekend trips but also several weeks at a time.
On the road, less is definitely more…
What is your "system?
Originally appeared on my personal blog @ www.moto-graphic.com
Doing so on the smaller motorcycles I favor - most recently my Ducati Scrambler Classic - means that you need to become an expert in preparedness, as the limited space available for luggage forces you to really pare down to what is absolutely essential.
I’ve been an avid backpacker for most of my life, and that activity really has helped me in this regard over the years. Besides, I’ve grown very fond of a somewhat “minimalist” existence - while on the road.
These weekend trips are almost always travelled on back roads, I very rarely touch an interstate or even a major highway. The destination is usually unimportant, as it is the roads themselves which are my focus. I spend a ton of time finding and researching the best twisty rural roads that I can for any trip - and maintain a huge database of these for future use.
Lodging during these excursions is never at major hotel or chain. I almost always camp for the night in some forest (or stealthily just off the road) - only occasionally at some tiny motel that time has forgotten.
In this post, I will attempt to demonstrate my packing system utilized on trips such as these.
Minimal luggage - minimal everything - for maximum enjoyment. No burdening of the light and nimble machines I adore with anything unnecessary.
Please note: Included in this document, whenever possible, there are hyperlinks to the actual items discussed, for your further exploration.
This is my “main bag”. A duffel that has a mere 12 liter capacity. It is only 8″ wide, 7″ tall and a short 16″ in length. It is totally waterproof, in fact its submersible to down to 16 feet. I had a local tailor sew on the “D” rings that are highlighted - these make attachment to the bike and my other packing options easier. It is manufactured by a company known as “Mad Water”, HERE is a link for those that are interested.
This is what it usually contains:
- Portable Shortwave - AM/FM Radio - good for music and weather updates.
- Insulated Coffee Cup - Gotta have coffee on the road (more on this later)
- LED Lantern - Super bright and battery efficient, does double duty as a lantern and a flashlight.
- Down Sleeping Bag - Nothings packs as small, or is as warm as down.
- “Survival Kit” - This contains multiple items, such as waterproof matches a couple of cubes of fire-starter, a signal mirror, spare cordage, duct tape small sewing kit, tent repair kit - essential stuff like that, plus a mini water purifier.
- Tire Repair Kit - Contains four 16 gram CO2 cartridges with an inflator nozzle and tire ropes.
- Playing Cards - Gotta entertain yourselves, right?
- Guylines - For when the weather threatens to blow your tent into the next county.
- Titanium 600 ml Pot with Lid - Inside is a miniature stove burner and a gas cartridge.
- Tubes of Soap, Benadryl, Sunscreen & Hand Sanitizer
- Mini Tool Kit - Mini multi-meter, some spare wire, various (but minimal) hand tools.
- Pack Towel - Cleanliness is next to godliness
- Inflatable Sleeping Pad - Super light & small
- Grandpa’s Fire Fork - For the occasional stray trout (or hot dog)
- Inflatable Pillow - A luxury, but one I choose to never leave home without.
- Spare AA Batteries
It contains my single person tent with poles and stakes, camping chair, a saw & a collapsible fishing pole with a small open faced reel and tackle. It is no longer than the duffle which it is strapped to.
Both items fit nicely on the smallest of passenger seats, here is a photo of this setup on the back of my Scrambler…
I also wear a small hydration pack that houses a 2-liter bladder, with spare room for storage of additional small items. My pack of choice is an Osprey Syncro - 15 liter version. This pack was designed with mountain bikers in mind, and I find it perfect for my use.
It houses the following items…
- Toiletry Bag - Contains some “butt-wipes” in a plastic bag, spare contact lenses, various drugs, deodorant, comb, etc.
- Rain Pants
- Rain Jacket
- Dry Bag with Spare Clothes - Spares of each: undershirt, drawers, t-shirt, socks plus some long underwear.
- Lenovo 8″ Tablet - Running Full Windows 8, essential for interfacing with the GPS (runs full version of Garmin’s BasCamp), also makes a good e-reader.
- Cables for Tablet
- Spare Camera Battery
- Digital Camera - Model varies according to trip.
This is my favorite coffee in the world. It comes in these little single-serve packets and contains only three ingredients - instant coffee, non-dairy creamer and just a tiny bit of sugar. I prefer this over any coffee I’ve ever had - anywhere - and always pack along several dozen of these tiny packets.
So, what about food & water?
Well, there is no shortage of farmer’s markets along the scenic country roads I travel. Here, I usually stop and load up on some fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables, which are bagged and thrown under a net on the back of the bike for consumption later (with some fresh fish, if I get lucky). I do stop at little local cafes and such whenever the mood strikes - but never eat fast-food or at “chains”.
I never buy bottled water, this is a wasteful American invention - I think (much like pet food) - electing to fill my hydration bladder from the sinks at gas stations or afore-mentioned roadside cafes.
Hygiene?
Bathing is done in various restroom facilities, or more preferably in some wilderness lake or creek - the same goes for laundry.
Believe it or not, this setup can usually support me for not only weekend trips but also several weeks at a time.
On the road, less is definitely more…
What is your "system?
Originally appeared on my personal blog @ www.moto-graphic.com
