Camping on a Motorcycle

Camping on a motorcycle can present a realnight's sleep.Just carry enough food (and water)
challenge, because you can't carry much weightto make a couple of hasty meals for when you're
or volume, and there are few places to storetired, cold and hungry and miles from a diner or a
your equipment on a motor bike.Most motorMcDonald's.Then include a change of clothing and
cycle riders use bags or panniers at the back ofextra socks and underwear. Toilet kit -
their machines to hold the camping gear. Thesetoothbrush, toothpaste or powder, half a bar of
have to be tough and waterproof - a bit like theirsoap (or a small cake or soap from a hotel), a
owners - to keep the camping equipment safesmall towel, comb, a few band aids, some asprin
from the weather. And you don't want anythingor Tylenol pain killers, and any feminine hygiene
coming loose and flying off either. It might causestuff or prescription medicines needed.Out in the
an accident and you could be held liable forcountry or on the interstate highways, the larger
damages - or worse.With a truck or angas stations that cater to truckers will have hot
automobile, you can put your camping gear onshowers as well. That can really refresh you if
the inside. But with a motorcycle, it's got to beyou've been camping away from the comforts of
fitted pretty much on the outside of yourhome for a few days. Buy a meal there as well,
machine. Some fancy fairings (wind breaks) haveto pay for the shower.For camp lighting carry a
small pockets, but they don't hold much campingsmall flashlight and / or a candle. Some will take a
gear at all.You can usually fit a large cube-shapedmechanic's 'trouble light' which has a long cord and
bag on the rear luggage rack or pillion seat, andruns of the motorcycle's 12 volt battery. If you're
maybe a tank bag on the motorcycle petrol tank,going to be in a campground with mains electricity,
and that's it.Some bikes may have a couple ofby all means carry a mains-powered 'trouble
large panniers at the back, like the leatherlight'.These are the things a mechanic uses when
saddlebags you see on some Harleys, or thecrawling under your auto to inspect it at the
stylish 'fat briefcase' types you see on a Germangarage.Your motorcycle should already have it's
BMW tourer. (I've always wanted one of those.)Allown small tool kit, but it could be wise to carry a
your camping gear has got to fit inside that limitedspare inner-tube and a pump. In case you get a
space, so camping on a motorcycles gives youflat tire 50 miles from nowhere. Here's where
the same kind of storage constraints as amembership of an auto club would be a good
backpacker, except you can travel a lot fasteridea, just as carrying a cell phone (mobile phone)
than on foot.Depending on whether you're ridingwould also be cheap insurance.The only other thing
the bike solo or two-up, you'll want a small tent,you need when camping on a motorcycle is a
sleeping bag (or bags), sleeping pad(s) betweensense of humor and a large helping of common
you and the ground, a small camp stove, cook kit,sense. You also need to show courtesy for other
plastic mugs, bowls, spoons and maybe knives &road users. Why? Because just about everything
forks as well.Have tea or coffee-making supplies,out there is bigger than you are! Ride your motor
including powdered milk in an airtight container orbike carefully, and stay safe and in one piece!The
sweetened condensed milk. (Anything else leaksauthor, David Harvey, has been camping since he
or spoils too easy in my experience.) As forwas a boy and riding motorbikes since 1967. He
myself, I love to sleep in a Hennessey Hammocknow lives in Australia where he still enjoys
it's perfect in the warmer weather and keeps thecamping and motor cycling.
mosquitos away from you, so you get a good