It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
Most of my trips away are arranged in such away that I have a destination booked, even if it's just a camp site, that I use as a base. I can then unload the bike and explore without the luggage.
I'm also learning to pack lighter, I invariably always take too much stuff!
My next potential big trip is Spain and Portugal. I've been invited to visit a friend there, I just need to pluck up the courage to say yes. I've never even driven in Europe before so quite nervous about driving on the "wrong" side of the road, especially travelling solo.
If I do go, I'm hoping to whittle the kit down to one larger top box and maybe a smaller tank bag for essentials I'd need to hand.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
The best way is Ferry to Bilbao or Santander .......I always find the long haul through France a bit of a schlepp unless you use the Peage routes which just get boring .....better to ride 'the long way round' on smaller roads in Spain.
I find a tank bag is a horrible obstruction ......use a little lightweight rucksack packed lightly for a few essentials ...if you keep the straps a bit loose it tends to sit on the pillion seat and is zero weight on your back plus nobody can nick it of steal from it when you stop for a bit of lunch etc
YouTube is great for getting some ideas of which roads to take - I usually have something on in the background while I'm working.
TeaPotOne and RedAng have some good footage of riding in Spain/Portugal, along with routes/roads. YT can be really useful at times.
Funny, I can't stand backpacks - I use one if I'm going to work but otherwise I feel like I have a monkey on my back if I'm riding for fun. Plus, depending what is in the backpack, it could become dangerous if you had an off.
I see the value if needing to stop somewhere - I already have three tank bags so am reticent to buy another (although buying Moto gear is almost as much fun as GASing for guitar gear) but I have seen a couple of tank bags that convert to a backpack - that would be best of both worlds.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
I don't have anything with panniers now since I sold the VRod, just use a small sailing / kayaking dry-bag bungeed to the back. Keep the bike in sight when you're stopped for a bite to eat, or just pull the bag off and throw it over your shoulder and you're away. Doubles up well as carry-on luggage for airplanes too btw.
I just love being on the open road, even with practically no mudguards, a jacket with a broken zip, and half a bottle of Sazerac Rye.
While it's nice to have lots of creature comforts, too many of them starts to take the fun and 'adventure' out of adventuring for me at least. Each to their own though - I'm not gatekeeping
If any of you fancy organising our own version next summer let me know, as I'm itching to get up Scotland on my bike and it might be more fun with a group rather than solo.
Don't suppose you fancy Spain/Portugal too, do you
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
Good call on the Highland Scramble though - I'd forgotten about them!
@Haych - potentially! When are you thinking? My lad starts school in September, so this is our last year of (relative) freedom before locking trips into school holiday seasons. That said, I've still got a fair bit of flexibility and would love to go back to Spain and on down to Portugal at some point
However, I reckon spending time with him, his missus and his mother in law is going to be fraught with awkwardness, and if I'm going to go that far I really don't want to be stuck in one place for very long. Plus, I'm sure Marvão is lovely but, if I'm going to go that far I think I'd rather see the mountains and the coast and not be stuck inland.
With that in mind, I was starting to wonder whether I ought to just make my own plans and go anyway. I mean, I can visit my mate and his wife anytime, it's not like I need to go to Portugal for that, he only live five miles up the road.
So, I am flexible I reckon.
There is no 'H' in Aych, you know that don't you? ~ Wife
Turns out there is an H in Haych! ~ Sporky
Bit of trading feedback here.
Right at the beginning we did try to pull a little trailer but that got ditched in Botswana owing to the weight.
Very happy days.