Explore DC’s national parks with a new, free app

Heading to a Washington, DC, national park this Labor Day weekend? Download the free DC Area National Parks App in the Apple and Google Play stores to find, explore and learn about parks in the Washington, DC, area. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1465/explore-dc-s-national-parks-with-a-new-free-app.htm

The 6 areas to prepare for when planning your next Adventure Motorcycle trip.

The 6 areas to prepare for when planning your next Adventure Motorcycle trip.

. . . plus download a great free motorcycle checklist for your next adventure.

 

Planning for and adventure motorcycle camping trip, takes a little preparation, but is well worth the effort, for the experience you will receive in return. So getting a good grasp on what you need and how to plan for your next, or first, ADV motorcycle adventure is very useful to some riders who have yet to venture on multi-day trips. so we hope this info is informative and helpful to make you motorcycle camping trip a wonderful experience.

Well, adventure motorcycle riding is getting off the highways and exploring the less traveled back roads. For many the more remote and backroads and trails makes it all the more appealing. This obviously means hitting some dirt roads, even trails and of course, some challenges along the way to your camp. So when traveling adventure style on your motorcycle, you need to be smart, efficient, light and practical. Motorcycle camping is more on the basic side and definitely not glamping– if you don’t know what glamping is – please google it. : )

I like to think of adventure motorcycle traveling like backpacking on your motorcycle. The objective when backpacking is to keep things ultra light, so you can obviously carry more, go further, be less fatigued. This is similar with motorcycle camping too, but you do have an iron horse to carry your kit so you can be a little more liberal with your kit, or what you take on your trip. So with all things in life, balance is key. You may not want to spend an additional $150 on your tent to save an ounce. But I do keep things as light as possible while not going to the extreme. For example, I used to use a self inflating sleeping pad in my hammock tent – it was one of cheapest ones and was not that small rolled up. After a few trips, I decided a non self-inflating pad was much better choice- rolls up to size of large grapefruit and is about third the size of old one.

So here are some basics to consider before heading out on your bike. It is also useful to download or PDF “Pack List” which is a comprehensive pack list specifically for Adventure and overland motorcycle travelers. There just may be a few items, you wish you would have thought of and put in your MC travel kit.

You need to be prepared so here are the 7 segments in which I break my packing down.

Motorcycle Kit:
This includes everything from your jacket, gloves and helmet to your wrenches and sockets to do basic repairs on the side of the road.

Electronics Kit:
This means your GPS, with route loaded, if you roll that way, Your bluetooth headset and smart phone – you know you need tunes at some point. , camera equipment, if you like to take pics, and not just selfies with your phone.

Cooking and Food:
On the pavement you can eat out at your favorite eateries. But once to backroads and camp, you will need to be prepared and have the food, snacks, cookware one needs to eat well. Depending on how many of you are riding together or if solo venture, this will help figure out what you need, with a small group you can consolidate and  use economy of scale and share the food hauling and chores. We want you to enjoy your experience with a full belly especially if hiking around camp or mountains.

Personal:
This segment includes personal hygiene, toiletries, lightweight clothes– always think layers, and other personal items you may need when on your journey. Some things such as your headlamp, bug spray are key for enjoyable experience.

Camp Kit: 
Personally I think the best choice for Adventure riders is to pack like you are going on a a multi-day hike- light compact quality gear. (doesn’t mean expensive) a hammock tent, in my opinion is the best and I’ve had a lot. Well my popup is a little nicer but a pain to pull with my Yamaha, : )  an inflatable sleeping pad, sleeping bag, cook set and utensils. JetBoil or similar stove with fuel, and of course food and beer. * whiskey if its cold . . . ahhh who am I kidding, whiskey in any weather! I bring an ultralight camp chair too – love it – see review here. 

Miscellaneous Additional Gear:
This section depends on individual needs and things you will be doing on your trip. Some thing in my Miscellaneous section are secret money stash, a book, notepad and pen, etc. But you can fill in this section with your individual gear.

 

Remember to pack for the weather/season, even on questionable temperature days, I throw my heated vest in my kit. As I rather have it and not use it then be freezing and not enjoy my ride. Please take a look at my motorcycle camping checklist and see if you have anything that you would add or edit — please make sure you let me know in comments below so I can improve on my checklist.

 

Maiden Voyage: The Prequel to The Adventure of a Lifetime

Maiden Voyage: The Prequel to The Adventure of a Lifetime

 

The author Tim Notier is the real deal, riding his motorcycle around and living in the spirit of true adventure traveler. Now you can live vicariously through Tim while reading his book and enjoying the trials and tribulations.

Transitioning from a cruiser to an adventure bike brought about unique challenges. Tim and his fiancé, Marisa, tackle many cool places like the Arches in Utah and the Badlands in South Dakota on his ADV bike. Tim is a good writer and makes the read very interesting humorous and full of great information for riding in the beautiful  mid-western united states.

Below is the overall theme, back cover and a biography. Take a read.

From one rider to another – incredible job Tim– thanks for sharing your story!

Support Tim by purchasing his adventure book with the Amazon links provided on this page. 

 


 

Maiden Voyage:
The Prequel to the Adventure of a Lifetime. 

Overall theme:

Adventure can come in many forms. You may not have to cross oceans, or the borders of foreign lands to achieve a sense of accomplishment and wonder. Along the way you may find out a little more about yourself, and the ones you love. 

Back Cover:

When a couple from Chicago buy an adventure motorcycle and decide to take a trip around the Rocky Mountains on it, they have no idea how inspirational such a short trip could be. 

Their journey is humorously told with beautiful scenery, interesting characters met along the way, and countless uncomfortable situations (i.e. the traveling strippers they befriended, Tim’s almost accidental initiation into a gang, a devil child on the side of the road with wicked aim, and the several times where the most peaceful of locations almost lead to certain doom), all with a sprinkle of deep-seated inspiration. Written with sweeping descriptions of the landscape and a laugh-out-loud sense of humor, Maiden Voyage is an unforgettable journey into the western wilds of the United States for two people who are woefully unprepared, and yet their trials and mistakes will make you want to be right there with them, discovering for yourself what it is to truly have an adventure.

Biography

Tim Notier was born and raised just west of Chicago, Illinois. For the first 32 years of his life, he rarely explored more than an hour away from the hospital he was born in. But now things have changed. He has sold all of his possessions, and has traded his behind-the-desk job for a full time behind-the-handlebars adventure.

Tim Notier’s book ‘Maiden Voyage – The Prequel to The Adventure of a Lifetime’ express all of the frustrations, successes, nightmares, and victories that took place on his trip around the Rocky Mountains in a humorous tone. The book confirms that adventure can come in many forms. You may not have to cross oceans, or the borders of foreign lands to achieve a sense of accomplishment and wonder. Along the way you may find out a little more about yourself, and the ones you love.

 

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