I’ve often heard it said you should treat every experience as a learning opportunity. If that is indeed the case, I’d like to share the things I’ve learned from my recent road trip.
Firstly, no matter how well you are packed when you set off, you will have room on the way back. At least, this is what it seemed to me. We started with Marina and I each having one pannier each with some sundries in a backpack she was carrying. My stuff was in a waterproof stuff sack so when it forecast some rain on day two, I repacked her clothing in with mine and we instantly gained at least a half pannier back because of the compression. By the end of the trip, we’d refined this process and gained space for several maps and brochures, a bottle each of wine and bourbon, some raspberry jelly and hot sauce, two new t-shirts and a rubber duck (don’t ask) and still had room to spare.
Secondly, no matter what you pack it’s too much. My plan was to wash clothing like underwear and socks every night, rotating in a spare pair, but I also couldn’t get past taking a couple of extra spare pairs of each. I didn’t need them. While there was one place where the laundry didn’t quite dry, a single spare pair would have been enough. Footwear was also a worry for me. I took riding boots, a pair of shoes and some sandals. Again, I didn’t need them. The sandals would have done it for me and that would also mean I didn’t need extra socks. And I have no idea what made me take a set of thermal underwear and two sweaters to the south of the US. I think I wore one sweater, once. Still, as it’s Merino wool, it’s at least thin and light.
Thirdly, I need a new seat. Yes, I honestly believed we’d be OK on the stock saddle. It’s now the next customization I will make. I’m still not sure if I should get an air cover or a full gel seat but it’s not important. Comfort is far more necessary than I’d realized.
Fourthly, you don’t need a GPS. We covered just short of 4100km (about 2800 miles or so) with just paper. After the GPS was stolen, I decided not to buy a new one, instead waiting to see what the iPhone could do for me. Not a lot right now, at least not with the battery life you get when GPS and 3G data is on. And that’s if you can get 3G which is far from certain. Even if I’d taken a GPS, I’d have picked the route ahead of time and just used the GPS to tell me when to turn. Printing it out and putting it in my tank bag made the route more visceral. Sure, I had to think a little more and pay attention to signs, but that also made me watch where I was. The names of towns, geographical features all became more visible to me. I think we got lost once, missing a turn that was badly signed, but we realized quickly and wound up talking to a local who sent us on a great alternate route. I still might buy a GPS for next time, but I’m definitely going to try not to use it.
Fifthly, you need some form of entertainment. Sure, where you are going there some great roads, but there’ll always be at least one stretch of road that’s really dull. This is where you need entertainment. I installed an Autocom rider to pillion system for Marina and I. While the iPod was great for those long stretches, time flew far more quickly when we talked. If you’re on your own, the iPod is still great but I’d definitely try some spoken word books too. For what it’s worth, the Autocom worked perfectly, but I’d recommend earplugs while your using it too. The only change I’d make is to wire in the loom so I can power it from the bike battery as I think we went through about nine PP3 batteries.
The last piece of leaning I have is pick your destinations wisely. While most the places we stayed were great, there were some that were not. For the most part, we just wanted a clean, comfy bed and most places do fit that description. However, when they are close to the highway or far from a decent place to eat, it can be a complete downer. Worse, some of the places we stayed were dry counties. While I’m certainly not a raging alcoholic, after a long days riding, I am often jonesing for a beer and I can honestly say raspberry iced tea, nice as it is, is no substitute.
Other minor points I found are:
* You really don’t need two pairs of riding gloves
* if you take rain gear, it doesn’t rain much. If you put it on, the rain stops
* You’ll forget to lube the chain at least one day and have to apply at a lunch stop
* You’ll never check the tires and on at least one occasion, think you are losing pressure
* Top boxes are a good idea
Tags: 5 Comments
5 responses so far ↓
Enjoyed following along, thanks for all the updates.
I grew up in Detroit (1961), have biked all over the U.S. and Canada…
Now live in Tennessee and was surprised you didn’t mention the Blue Ridge Parkway. Did you?
It is by far my favorite “sport” ride in the U.S. and Canada. Awesome ride.
All the best,
Mark
I have the opposite problem — my load always seems to expand while on the road. I’ve found that I shouldn’t leave home with my luggage stuffed completely full, so I’ll have a little room left over for touristy things like t-shirts or trinkets that I’ll pick up along the way.
I think you can get away with not packing off-season gloves or rain gear, but it’s always burned me. At least for me, the misery factor is very high when I guess wrong.
We didn’t actually ride the Blue Ridge. You may laugh but until I got down there, I’d never really heard of it. I tend to assume anything with the word parkway in it is some sort of “as fast as you can get there” road and light on the turns and the scenery, but I now understand this is somewhat different. I fully intend to return and would head down this road next time.
In my defense, I did meet one rider down there who told me it took him 4 days to do the 600 or so miles, mainly as it was very trafficked.
On no account would I advocate ever leaving rain gear – my Joe Rocket jacket is goretex (or their equivalent) and waterproof as it is. The matching pants have a waterproof liner which is always in the jacket back pocket.
I do however often leave behind all season gloves in favor or either a summer glove or my alpine stars GP. I’ve found that using a prophylactic glove for waterproofing and the heated grips can take me comfortably down to about 5-10C (about 40F I think). Anything colder and I’d want to use a heavier glove for sure. On this trip, while i had my GP gauntlets, I rode in summer gloves the whole time, even in the small amount of rain. The grips were however on.
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