Bike Trip Preparation

[verrucktaxe]

As i prepare for the haul to the Rockies in a couple weeks, i thought i'd share my list and see what anyone else does or packs to prepare for a trip. any suggestions for what i left out are appreciated.

FITNESS - i've been doing a 6 day rotation. quads (hip sled, but not squats for bad knees), hams (incl straight legged deadlifts to work lower back)&calves, running, shoulders (incl shrugs for holding head up), kickboxing, and chest/back/tri/bi/forearm (just so they don't get totally ignored). lots of stretching, higher reps, lower weights. eat my carbs in am, and before workouts, protein after, salad/light at night to lean out before trip.

BIKE PREP - installed attack rearsets for lower foot position to take some bend out of knees, will set suspension to softest, normal mechanical check, adjust clutch, etc. radar detector installed

HELMET PREP - painted to match bike of course. after riding a couple hours, new Shoei X12 seems to put pressure on the front of my ears, so will razor out a little foam like i did on the old icon. HARD installed.

OTHER GEAR - Boots straightforward, race leathers broken in, though considering just textile jacket and pants for the ride out as more pockets, easier to remove for pitstops, etc. debating whether to wear thick gloves or thin ones since leaving hot TX and getting to cool CO. bandana or neoprene guard for neck in case cool (riding at night).

LOGISTICS - since it'll be middle of the night, need to map out trip there for gas stations. need to check if an oil quart holds gas, should. take with just in case in a bag over shoulder. also need to map everything i can in denver-ft collins area, maybe 250 mi/day or so depending on how much is straight road. Confirm all states along trip reciprocate TX concealed weapon permit.

BRINGING - not much room, so tool kit, manual, tire repair kit, shield cleaner and rag, wallet, phone, mp3, glock (assuming it'll fit in leathers if i ride in them), gas(?)

SHIPPING - fortunately two sis's live there, one's hubby has a big garage with tools. will ship clothes to wear while there, phone/mp3 chargers, extra gloves, book promotional info, can buy chain lube out there and anything else i forget.

JUST IN CASE - will already written from heart surgery, so just in case i fly w/o a parachute...

anything i'm forgetting or missed the boat on?

[SteveB175]

You're taking a GUN on holiday??!!
Only in America...

[verrucktaxe]

like the book says, "Guns are like condoms and airbags, i'd rather have one and not need it than vice versa." So middle of BFE alone in the middle of the night on an expensive bike? dang right. Freedoms that aren't celebrated and defended get taken away.

[Dshred]

If you have room for it, I would take a small can of chain lube with you just incase you hit a lot of rain. It will save you from some unwanted rust.

Does your tire repair kit have some way of inflating the tire?

[AlienRunner]

Living in Montana, I might suggest a couple of thoughts too. Bring something warm for riding, electric vest or something that will go under your leathers. It is cool to cold after dark, and if you are not prepared that will shut you down fast! Warm gloves are your friend. Watch for deer, especially an hour and a half before and after dark! (Most likely you are aware of this, but should be said.) Gun is up to you, me I carry bear spray. I also camp out a bit so it has a dual possible use. If I spray a person, they might well wish I'd shot them!

[verrucktaxe]

chain lube, good idea. do they make small cans of that? s1k trunk is pretty dang limited. No way of inflating, but fixaflat won't fit in there. guess if i throw a bag over the shoulder with a qt of gas, i could put a fixaflat in there too.

i'm pretty surprised how warm the leather suit/underarmor keep me. i'm warmer riding in cold with just that than i was before with hooded sweatshirt under heavy leather. good point, i'll wear the thick gloves out there and ship the thin. i'll be leaving after 10 pm, so i'll avoid the dusk deer rush, but i see them plenty at 5-6 am too, so will definitely be looking out for bambi. just fixed raccoon damage, don't need to hit anything else.

no need for bear spray, don't plan on one of those catching me

added 'mosh pit at avenged sevenfold' to list of fitness prep last night. awesome show!

[clworkma]

Hows the battery life on your cell phone (also your radar or is it heardwired?)? I would head to Best Buy and buy one of those backup wireless chargers. In case of an emergency youll need your phone.

[RIQUE]

Position on long trips is demanding on this bike. I have noticed that push ups as a work out works wonders to strengthen the back muscles.

I would take a small tube of goop soap to clean hands and specially bugs on helmet visor.

[1000RR]

With all this stuff you need to take on your trip, you might want to think about just taking a truck!

Think about the averages of various things happening and go with your best bet in mitigating them. Maybe I'm naive (no comments please ), but when me and a couple friends take our Colorado trip in a month, I basically take something for the rain, some change of cloths, a fully charged cell phone, a fully charged backup battery for my cell phone, a charger, and my toothbrush/deodorant/etc. I make sure the chain is freshly cleaned and lubed before I go, etc. Keep in mind this is traveling w/another one or two friends, so there's a spare set of wheels there too just in case... that probably makes a little difference.

I think what you should do is instead of carrying all this crap, get some phone numbers from forum members that are along your route that don't mind a phone call if you get into trouble

[RIQUE]

1000RR is right. I read a saying that sais.

"Take less clothes n more money"