INSURANCE
A really handy option for folks who are doing any sort of touring is MTS--Motorcycle Touring Service. This is a road-side emergency service designed for and run by riders. They guarantee help anywhere in the US with any sort of mechanical problem. I've had to deal with them on the road. They are good.
MTS breakdown insurance: $49/year 1-800-999-7064
WHY DO IT?
May 26, 1992 I was motoring along at about 5500 feet elevation in Utah. I came to one of those marvelous "scenic byways" that fill that state. I started up over a local mountain range. I left early summer and immediately hit late spring, then mid spring then early spring. Soon I was at the very first days of spring. The aspen were giving forth the leaves, that with the light from a setting sun glowing through them looks like they were all a fluorescent yellow-green. They were all waving in the gentle breeze as I headed up into winter. It was cold at 10,000+ feet. The road was lined with snow and I had everything I brought with me on and the heated grips on high and still felt the bite of the wind. After about 10 miles across the top, I started down the other side, once again greeting a new spring day, then mid spring. I camped in late spring next to a small stream and slept well.
I've seen the sun set from 9,600 feet in the Sierra Nevada's and watched the alpenglow in the Bitterroots.
If you gotta ask more, I'm not sure I can explain.
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Ride Free,
The fine Folks of WetLeather & GPNDG!
Bill Johns <rider> Fri, 06 Jan 95 10:13:07 PST
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This list was compiled by Vic Swan with input from rec.moto. It is
as big a list as I've seen, yet I doubt that it is necessarily
complete for _you_. There is no suggestion that each person take
everything on this list for each trip. This is a list of all the possible
things you may be interested in taking. It is formatted so that you
can print it off and use it as a check-list. I invariably will print off
the list and, working with the whole list, decide what I want to take.
Next I will prepare a smaller list and work with that as I pack.
If you'd rather work with a web tool to make your own list,
here's a ink to an online customizable version of this list.
Micapeak.com's checklist generator also offers tools to make
your own checklists of all kinds.
231
ITEM BIGGEST BIKE-CAMPING LIST EVER
The Categories of Items
CAMPING/SLEEPING EQUIPMENT
COOKING/EATING EQUIPMENT
CLOTHING
PERSONAL EFFECTS
BIKE PARAPHERNALIA
TOOLS
CAMPING/SLEEPING EQUIPMENT
___ air mattress
___ bivouac bag/sack
___ candle lantern
___ candle lantern candles (spares)
___ compass
___ ear plugs
___ feces shovel
___ flashlight
___ flashlights (magnilites (2))
___ flashlight batteries (spares)
___ ground tarps (1 per 2 days - split and trash 1/2 each day)
___ knife (Buck)
___ knife sharpener
___ nylon cord
___ pillow (travel)
___ poncho liner & stuff sack
___ sleeping bag
___ sleeping bag waterproof-bag
___ sleeping hood (hat)
___ sleeping pad (insulated)
___ sleeping pad chair/sling
___ sven saw
___ tent
___ tent rain fly
___ tent waterproof-bag
___ waterproofing spray and seamlock
COOKING/EATING EQUIPMENT
___ bags (plastic large garbage)
___ bags (plastic small trash, 1 for every 4-5 days)
___ can opener
___ cup & spoon
___ cup/beer stein
___ dish towel
___ food
___ coffee bags
___ coffee creamer
___ coffee mug (insulated)
___ coffee sugar
___ energy bars/raisins
___ soy (2-3 small boxes)
___ fork
___ jack knife
___ knife
___ match case
___ matches (farmers)
___ matches (in sealed plastic bag/bottle)
___ matches (waterproof)
___ napkins
___ paper towels
___ pepper
___ plate
___ pot gripper
___ pots
___ salt
___ soap/scrubber pads
___ spoon(s)
___ stove
___ stove gas (white gas)
___ stove wind screen
___ water bottle(s) (2)
___ water carrier (1 gallon)
CLOTHING
___ Riding Gear
___ boot sock liners
___ boots (canvas mukluks or rubber type)
___ chaps
___ gators
___ gauntlets
___ gloves (cold weather)
___ gloves (electric & wire harness)
___ gloves (hot weather)
___ gloves (rubber)
___ gloves (wool liners and dish washing rain gloves)
___ hat (wool)
___ helmet
___ jacket
___ jacket (polypro ski)
___ jacket (wind breaker)
___ jacket liner & stuff sack
___ neck warmer/long scarf
___ pants (leather)
___ pants for riding (Levis)
___ rain gear (boots, vest, etc.)
___ rain totes & stuff sack
___ rain suit
___ sailor hat for riding without a helmet on hot days
___ shirts (long-sleeve, turtle-neck T-shirts)
___ ski goggles for riding without a helmet
___ ski warm-ups
___ socks (cotton)
___ socks (neoprene)
___ socks (wool)
___ spandex shorts
___ sunglasses
___ sunglasses (spare)
___ underwear (insulated, long johns)
___ Camp Clothes
___ camp shoes/slippers
___ changes of clothes (3-5, rolled up)
___ down vest
___ jeans
___ jeans jacket
___ laundry soap
___ layers of clothing (like cross country skiing)
___ moosehead hat
___ pants
___ shorts
___ socks
___ sweat shirt
___ sweater
___ swimming suit
___ T-shirts
___ underwear
___ warm clothes for evenings/nights
___ washing shorts
___ wind breaker
PERSONAL EFFECTS
___ backpack (small)
___ book (paperback)
___ camera & film
___ campground guides
___ cellular phone
___ chapstick
___ cigarettes
___ contact lens stuff
___ DoD lighter & fluid
___ ear plugs
___ electric razor
___ fanny pack
___ first aid kit
___ fishing gear
___ grease pencil
___ hand cream
___ hand soap
___ hand/nail brush
___ hi-liter
___ insect repellent/bug spray
___ knife
___ maps & magnifier
___ prescription medicines
___ membership cards (AMA, VRC, RPAA, Parks, campgrounds, etc.)
___ negotiables
___ cash ($25-$30/day/person)
___ checkbook
___ credit cards (gas)
___ credit cards (MC/Visa/AmEx/Discover/etc.)
___ travellers checks
___ pen
___ pencil
___ post-it's
___ radios/tape players with mini speakers
___ radios/tape players batteries (extras)
___ reading glasses (if you are over 40)
___ sewing kit
___ shampoo
___ skin moisturizers
___ sun glasses
___ sun screen/block/lotion
___ tapes
___ toilet kit
___ toilet paper in sealed plastic bag
___ toiletries
___ tooth brush & paste
___ toothbrush
___ towel
___ visine
___ wash cloth
___ watch
___ weapon (optional)
___ weather radio
BIKE PARAPHERNALIA
___ anti-fogger (detergent)
___ bags (large ziplock garbage)
___ bike rain cover
___ bug rag
___ bungee cargo net
___ bungee cords
___ chain lock
___ chain lock key (extra)
___ chain lub
___ chain masterlink
___ chamois (to clean windshield)
___ cloth rags
___ communicators (bike-to-bike radios)
___ duct tape
___ emergency equipment
___ fork protectors
___ fuel bottle (backpacking type, 2-quart filled with extra gasoline)
___ glue (gorilla snot)
___ glue (super)
___ helmet face shield/visors (clear, tinted, & extras)
___ ignition key (extra)
___ insurance certificate (for Canadian travel)
___ insurance papers & info
___ lamp, headlight (spare No. ______)
___ lamp, instrument panel (spare No. ______)
___ lamp, taillight (spare No. ______)
___ lamp, turn signals (spare No. ______)
___ maps
___ padlocks & cables
___ radar detector & extra batteries
___ rain-x
___ saddlebag key (extra)
___ seatcover (sheep skin)
___ seat rain cover
___ shoe laces (leather -- loop at one end for strapping)
___ sidestand plates
___ stuff sacks (weather-proof)
___ tank bag
___ tarp (small reinforced or rain parka) (for gear during storms)
___ vehicle registration
___ windshield polish
TOOLS
___ duct tape (flatten the spool)
___ electrical system schematic
___ electrical tape
___ emergency blanket (Space Blanket)
___ emergency warning light (trouble light)
___ fuses (extra)
___ Leatherman Tool
___ multimeter
___ pliers (channel locks, aka water-pump pliers)
___ pliers (needle nose)
___ pliers (standard)
___ screwdrivers (assorted or set)
___ socket set
___ suspension adjustment tool
___ tire inflator
___ tire patch/plug kit
___ tire pressure gauge
___ tire pump (small hand/foot)
___ vise grips
___ wire & alligator clip
___ wrenches (combination)
___ wrenches (crescent 4" and 10"; good ones)
___ wrenches (metric Allen)
___ wrench (spark plug)
___ gas-fired soldering iron
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