two low-grade travel tips:

[Daniel Kalal]

two low-grade travel tips:

for a simple, waterproof, small-as-possible, earplug holder, you can buy these flexible plastic things at any hobby shop (they're meant to hold beads and things) and cut them with a knife to the exact length.  The diameter is perfect.  You'll get six for two dollars.




If you're doing washing every night (as I do), it's annoying that some hotels have eliminated the possibility of stopping up the bathroom sink.  If you're lucky, the nearby wastecan will be water-tight; there you go.



As I said; low-grade tips.

[oldbike54]

 Maybe low grade , but useful . Like knowing that really light test monofilament fishing line makes good thread for repairing riding gear .

 Dusty

[mechanicsavant]

Being fond of “economical” touring tips these are gooduns. Hey someone oughta do a book, but it’d half to be free!! To get the “cheap tour “ types to get it .

[Cam3512]

two low-grade travel tips:

for a simple, waterproof, small-as-possible, earplug holder, you can buy these flexible plastic things at any hobby shop (they're meant to hold beads and things) and cut them with a knife to the exact length.  The diameter is perfect.  You'll get six for two dollars.




If you're doing washing every night (as I do), it's annoying that some hotels have eliminated the possibility of stopping up the bathroom sink.  If you're lucky, the nearby wastecan will be water-tight; there you go.



As I said; low-grade tips.

And THAT'S why you never use the ice bucket in a hotel room!

[Daniel Kalal]

The flat rubber things they sell to help you open jars make great drain stops.

Good point.  Hardware stores also sell on-purpose rubber disks for drain stops (which, I carry).  The problem is that on occasion you'll come across a fixed mushroom device (as in the photo) that prevents even the standard drain stopper disk from being used.

[Texas Turnip]

Daniel,
Are you buying a V85? You are the perfect rider to test one. Moto Guzzi should give you a big discount.

Texas Turnip

[Daniel Kalal]

Daniel,
Are you buying a V85? You are the perfect rider to test one. Moto Guzzi should give you a big discount.

Texas Turnip

Ken, not at this time.  I recently sat on one at Agostini (in Mandello), but didn't take their offer for a ride.  Something I hadn't realized is that instead of the simple seat-height adjustment block on the Stelvio, you need to replace the whole seat for the optional high/medium/low adjustment on the V85.  All they had was the "medium" seat--I'm not even sure if the tall seat is available, yet.  Even so, the bike isn't near as small feeling as I feared it might be.

[Daniel Kalal]

The diameter is large enough to seal a drain, even if it has the lump in the middle like your photo showed.

The Ace Hardware rubber disk stopper is 5" (see mine in the photo, below), but it'd take something the size of a frisbee to do the job over that mushroom.

Of course, then there's this style of drain (happens to be in France), which is elegant (I guess) but, hopeless for doing laundry:



..we're having a discussion of drain stoppers.

[SmithSwede]

And French drains

[Tusayan]

You can buy the ear plugs in a similar container, at least I did once.  I've been using the container for countless numbers disposable ear plugs ever since.  I also carry a small zip lock bag of new ones on a trip.

[Old Jock]

When I used too travel frequently with my job, it was often the case that the basin stopper was missing

I use to carry a squash ball, which worked with various drain diameters, they are squisable to an extent.

Won't help with those with a drain guard but thought I'd offer it up

John

[oldbike54]

 This a useful discussion , we like useful 

 Dusty

[kirby1923]

I usually call the valet and have them pick up my laundry items and they bring it to the room in the am w/my coffee... all folded.

:-)

[Gliderjohn]

Have an old white T-shirt along to slide over the seat when stopped. Keeps it much, much cooler in the sunlight when you climb back on.
Tip two, if windscreen is heavily bug covered drape a towel soaked in hot water over it for about 5 minutes, bugs will easily wipe off.
GliderJohn

[SeanF]

I like the earplug storage idea!

My travel laundry method:
A small dry (waterproof) bag works as a dirty clothes receptacle (separates your stinky dirty clothes from the clean.) It also works as a wash basin. Add some water, soap, seal it up & agitate. Let it sit for a while. Then replace the dirty wash water with clean rinse water. Agitate, rinse, repeat as needed.

In a pinch, a plastic shopping bag will work, if you can find one with no holes (and thy are legal in your jurisdiction!)

Remove laundry from the bag & carefully wring dry.
Lay out the extra hotel bath towel and spread your wet clean clothes in it. Roll it up and twist it and/or kneel on it. Then hang everything to dry.

[keener]

As long as my room has a shower , there is no problem washing clothes and your feet at the same time 

[Testarossa]

Digital technology has killed off the simple airtight 35mm film canister -- they were useful in so many ways.

[Guzzistajohn]

casino yahtzee

Digital technology has killed off the simple airtight 35mm film canister -- they were useful in so many ways.

I have a couple of those 

[sign216]

I usually call the valet and have them pick up my laundry items and they bring it to the room in the am w/my coffee... all folded.

:-)

And leave your shoes outside your door in the evening, so the staff can shine them for you in time for the morning.

[oldbike54]

I usually call the valet and have them pick up my laundry items and they bring it to the room in the am w/my coffee... all folded.

:-)

 How does one go about convincing the valet to wash and fold an Aerostich ? 

 Dusty

[kirby1923]

Well the valet is my preferred method and my 'stich hasn't been cleaned (tough job) in quite a while..I like it that way!

I only clean my undies on the road and sadly the places I stay in are  motel 6'ish and have no valet.

So Plan B is to throw away the dirty stuff when down to the "last" clean items stop at a dollar store or such along the way and renew my supply.

:-)

[oldbike54]

Well the valet is my preferred method and my 'stich hasn't been cleaned (tough job) in quite a while..I like it that way!

I only clean my undies on the road and sadly the places I stay in are  motel 6'ish and have no valet.

So Plan B is to throw away the dirty stuff when down to the "last" clean items stop at a dollar store or such along the way and renew my supply.

:-)

 Don't give Smithswede and ideas , he'll be asking for a valet in Cedar Vale 

 Dusty

[kirby1923]

Well...He's probably worth it.

:-)

[oldbike54]

Well...He's probably worth it.

:-)

 Dunno , he keeps asking for aroma therapy sessions , apparently the smell of cow isn't good enough 

 Dusty

[chuck peterson]

You could do the John Steinbeck thing with your wash bucket. Hang it from a rear rack to agitate...dump and rinse at lunch, hang your essentials out to dry all afternoon flapping in the breeze...

 

 

[Muzz]

For earplugs I use a small pill container, screw cap and just the right size.

NZ tends to have plugs in most places but especially overseas we carry a universal type plug, steel back with soft rubber underneath to seal.

Good tip about the waste bucket thanks Daniel.

[pebra]

Some related advice needed:
I use those disposable, squishy earplugs while riding. At times the ride is cold and wet, right? Well, when I take the gloves off, my fingers are numb and swollen, and I'm unable to pinch the earplugs to get them out. A bit of a bother, to put it mildly.
I assume some of you must have encountered the same problem  -  how do you solve this???

[Daniel Kalal]

Some related advice needed:
I use those disposable, squishy earplugs while riding. At times the ride is cold and wet, right? Well, when I take the gloves off, my fingers are numb and swollen, and I'm unable to pinch the earplugs to get them out. A bit of a bother, to put it mildly.
I assume some of you must have encountered the same problem  -  how do you solve this???

There's no need to put them in so deep. They'll still attenuate with a bit protruding.

[Daniel Kalal]

I'm not a fan of keeping ear plugs in a sealed container as it can act like a petri dish. I am a fan of disposable individually packaged pairs of ear plugs for sanitary reasons. Wear and throw away.

I start fresh nearly every morning, but I still remove them when I'm not riding...

[Rick in WNY]

I'm not a fan of keeping ear plugs in a sealed container as it can act like a petri dish. I am a fan of disposable individually packaged pairs of ear plugs for sanitary reasons. Wear and throw away.  I just bought a 200 count box of LaserLite individual packaged pairs of ear plugs for $23.00

Yes sir! I buy bulk-packs of these on Amazon. I wear them for one day and toss 'em because ear infections SUCK! Don't ask how I know...

Something else I do is carry paracord with me, because some hotels don't have convenient places you can hang laundry to dry. It also works just as well when camping. Oh, and learn to tie some basic knots... very helpful when working with paracord! The Boyscout handbook has a lot of good info on that subject, and there are many more.