Some secrets of cruising

April 19, 2013 

 Quiet towns all over America transform into wild party spots as thousands and thousands of bikers roll in for not just the basics: beer, bikes, and boobs, but any type of debauchery that may spontaneously combust. Many show off in bike races, bike exhibitions, burnouts, and the girls, well mostly girls, in bikini contests. Bands from new local talent to legends of rock and roll, and country can be found jamming at many biker events. Some events last a day, some 3 or 4 days, and some a lot longer. Some events are 50 to 100 locals gathered together every Thursday night for camaraderie, wings and things. Some events are 500,000, to 800,000+ people from anywhere and everywhere, up for anything and everything.

Rallies, runs, weeks, and the numbers of riders in general have been growing for years. The secrets of cruising: wind in the hair, rumble in the ear, and some chromed horse power beneath you has become more and more available to, well, let’s say less traditional motorcycle enthusiast types. Anyway, it is in the nature of the secrets of riding, that this article is written: to help expert and newbie alike with some tips for bike trips:

Tip 1) Plan your route. Estimate how many miles you'll ride per day based on past experience and locate towns you might stop on your trip. If you've never taken a weekend road trip on your motorcycle, ask friends you regularly ride with how many daily miles they put in and use that to estimate.

Tip 2) Search for places to stay in those towns: campgrounds, motels, or inns. Make reservations ahead of time, even months to a year in some places, to guarantee yourself a place to stay on the way to an event, the bigger the event the greater the need to plan ahead. Waiting can often lead to higher prices and less than desirable accommodations. 

Tip 3) Rent a place to stay during the week using the official town, or event website. You can often find a campground, someone’s yard, or a private home you might rent from a local resident. Read about the atmosphere at different places to stay or play so you can find what you’re looking for.

Tip 4) Look over your bike before you ride, probably common sense, and the distance you’re going to travel might dictate different, but event after event, year after year, I see bikes like road kill on the side of the road way before they even get to the event:

T-CLOCS:     

T is for Tires!

C is for Controls!

O is for Oil and Other fluids!

C is for Chasis!

S is for Sidestand!              

                                                                                                      

Tip 5) Bikers can often do laundry in the host town, so I travel light, but typically bring extra footwear, and a rain slicker in case of bad weather, and some trip snacks. I’m a big homemade granola fan. Smaller meals with low glycemic index foods are a good choice for consistent, low energy use activities like riding. 

Many motorcycles are stolen during rallies so it’s a good idea to bring a good lock. Perhaps the most important thing to make sure you have is insurance and proof of it: your ID, insurance card or policy information; and a reasonable knowledge of any benefits therein, like roadside assistance. 

Be Safe! - MCM