Travel Preferences

[rjamesohio]

WHEN we get out of this pandemic I'm guessing there will be a lot of pent-up travel going on.

Zoom Zoom and I were discussing travel preferences and thought it would be intriguing to see what thoughts are out there for long distance motorcycle travel.

THIS TOPIC ASSUMES YOU WILL BE OUT FOR SEVERAL DAYS, even up to a month.

[kingoffleece]

After the experience for dozens of years I no longer sleep on the ground.  YMMV, as it should.

[rjamesohio]

After the experience for dozens of years I no longer sleep on the ground.  YMMV, as it should.

So we presume you did NOT answer "I will only camp" LOL

[oldbike54]

  Peter Egan's wife Barb told him in response to him having spent luxury money buying motorbikes so their plans of staying in nice motels during their retirement travels "Pete, I can't remember any suite or room we ever stayed in , but I remember every place we camped"

 I agree completely , if you really want to see a place it can't be done in a room on the television .

 Dusty
 

[Texas Turnip]

The Oleo Ranch (it's a cheap spread) has been open for campers, lodging, guzzi repairs, armadillo gumbo and bs for years. I've had visitors from Cal to NH and lots of states in the middle. I wish I would have marked on a US map of all the states represented here at my place.

Tex

[not-fishing]

After the experience for dozens of years I no longer sleep on the ground.  YMMV, as it should.

I can sleep on the ground but I sleep better on a cot.  My choice of sleeping conditions depends more on where I'm planning on spending the night.  At some locations the camping is poor so a motel is a better option.

These cots are pricey but work well and after sleeping one night in a downpour proved their worth.  Even though water was running through the tent I slept dry.  I got the lighter one for my youngest son who takes it backpacking and the middle weight for me because you could put feet on it to raise it.  Being older I find I have trouble getting up off the ground easily.  Now after losing 35 lbs I don't need the higher cot.  I only have another 50 or so pounds to go



https://helinox.com/products/cot-one-convertible?variant=16664581046342

[s1120]

At a "young" 55 [compared to a lot of you guys!] I dont mind camping...  and can get a good night sleep on a nice air mattress. [no ground for me] But really...  if its raining and I pull into a town at night im searching for hotel signs! As for groups...  I normally ride alone. That being said, if riding in groups ,4-5 seem to be a sweet spot. Not too many where its a pain keeping together, and just enough to have fun with a few other people.

[OldMojo]

I can sleep on the ground but I sleep better on a cot.  My choice of sleeping conditions depends more on where I'm planning on spending the night.  At some locations the camping is poor so a motel is a better option.

These cots are pricey but work well and after sleeping one night in a downpour proved their worth.  Even though water was running through the tent I slept dry.  I got the lighter one for my youngest son who takes it backpacking and the middle weight for me because you could put feet on it to raise it.  Being older I find I have trouble getting up off the ground easily.  Now after losing 35 lbs I don't need the higher cot.  I only have another 50 or so pounds to go



https://helinox.com/products/cot-one-convertible?variant=16664581046342

I've been taking a hard look at these.
Would welcome your opinions.

[skippy]

At a "young" 55 [compared to a lot of you guys!] I dont mind camping...  and can get a good night sleep on a nice air mattress. [no ground for me] But really...  if its raining and I pull into a town at night im searching for hotel signs! As for groups...  I normally ride alone. That being said, if riding in groups ,4-5 seem to be a sweet spot. Not too many where its a pain keeping together, and just enough to have fun with a few other people.

This is my exact sentiment. I always travel with my camping gear planning on a campfire dinner after a full days travel. But the first sign of rain as I travel in near my destination I will start looking for vacancy signs lit.

I do not enjoy large group rides but a small group of like skilled riders with similar abilities is perfectly fine. Especially if they are just as keen to sit around a campfire eating steak and drinking beer after a days travel.

Skippy

[larrys]

I don't travel on my bikes. If I and Mrs. larrys do travel when this debacle has passed I think we will go by train, and rent a car when we get to where we're going.
Larry

[kirkemon]

I took an 1,100 mile ride last month and felt safe as far as - concerns. Wear a mask when the helmet comes off, get food to go, or cook yourself. I was camping or staying at siblings. Use common sense. Enjoy tour travels.

[LowRyter]

camping.....roughin g it

[fotoguzzi]

I'm doing my travel by convertible or Forester. Don't plan on any bike trips so I didn't get to vote.

[Gliderjohn]

Motels and prefer to travel alone if traveling. Don't mind small group day rides with people I trust.
GliderJohn

[Dilliw]

I went on the big ol jet airliner a couple of weeks ago and that was an experience.  Aiken, SC is about 95% back to normal with masks being on the real indicator left.  When I got to Austin, however, they are a ways behind in their openness.  I just did my usual social distancing (I'm well versed in that anyway) and all was well, but it reminded me just how different society is working in different areas.

As for motorcycles I camped at least 5 weekends during the pandemic, and I think I stayed in a hotel at least once on another trip.  Camping is great; hotels are a little uneasy but doable. 

[Tom]

First leg of any trip for me out of state is a 2500 mile plane ride involving at least 2 planes.     Then and only then I can get on my motorcycle and take a ride.  Option 1)  Cal 1400 Touring or
2)  SP1000NT.  With Winter closing in and the 14 day quarantine when I come back home plus the added cost of pre-arrival testing.  I'm not going anywhere till Spring 2021.   

[kballowe]

My Wife travels with me, much of the time.  Her idea of camping is the Motel 6.   I camped a lot, when I was in the Military.  Since then, I've avoided camping, long hikes, and "C" rations.

We occasionally travel with groups of bikes, but mostly ride solo.  It's difficult to get more than a couple of riders together at one time, on a journey to the same place.

Historic Route 66 borders our back yard - and we've rescued more than a few stranded motorcyclists.  We have a garage and tools and a spare room for them.

[Ncdan]

-stay in hotels
- prefer 4 maximum riders
I’ve been thinking of something that would be really fun.
Someone start a trip around the country and make it known on the route. As the ride progresses
fellow board members can jump in and out of the ride as needed.
We would probably have a great reduction in conflicts here if we could actually meet one another in person🤔👍

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

 I agree completely , if you really want to see a place it can't be done in a room on the television .

 Dusty

One can't see anything when one is asleep. That's what the room is for - to sleep and be well rested for the next day's travel. I was never well rested when I camped, and without adequate rest, alertness and reaction time is decreased.

[oldbike54]

One can't see anything when one is asleep. That's what the room is for - to sleep and be well rested for the next day's travel. I was never well rested when I camped, and without adequate rest, alertness and reaction time is decreased.

 Some of us sleep better outside .

 Here has been my experience travelling in a very small group staying in motels . Everyone ends up either sitting in the parking lot or at a restaurant , or laying in bed watching television.

 Dusty

[Ncdan]

Some of us sleep better outside .

 Here has been my experience travelling in a very small group staying in motels . Everyone ends up either sitting in the parking lot or at a restaurant , or laying in bed watching television.

 Dusty

I’m for the lying in the bed watching TV😂

[guzziart]

FWIW, I went tent camping with son in law and grandson last weekend.  I gave up my self inflating thermarest years ago for a thermarest cot.

Anyway, for years my riding pals & I preferred tent camping because it was easier on our budgets.  However, our 2017 & 2019 trips consisted of lodging in KOA cabins & hotel/motels.  I guess as my buds & I have aged we have placed more value in our comfort over our pocket book.

We had a good time last weekend camping, fishing, campfire, smores & great weather.

Art

[oldbike54]

I’m for the lying in the bed watching TV😂

 Television is the same everywhere and never a match for Mother Nature . There is no greater pleasure than drinking coffee while sitting on the East side of the pavilion in Cedar Vale as the Sun comes up over the low ridge just to the East ,slowly burning off the morning dew .

 Dusty

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

I’ve never camped while on a bike. All the big trips I’ve taken we stay at hotels. Never reserve anything but the major stops. That way if we feel like pushing it for a big day, we can. OTOH, if we feel like taking it easy we do that as well. Our travel is from starting to sunset. I am fond of nice bathrooms and hot showers, especially after 500-700 miles. I’ve never traveled with more than two other guys. I don’t like the idea of larger group rides for more than a day. Too many people think their way is the best way. I’m content to let others do whatever they want, but when they start trying to modify my behavior I become recalcitrant! Lol. But I may try camping on the Quota next year up in North Georgia. I’ve been camping in tents since I was a wee lil un. Still haven’t camped in a camper.

[Ryan]

Started camping with a hammock and won't sleep on the ground again. Roles up small, comfy, and keeps critters from joining me. A second rope over me to hang a tarp if it is rainy or dewy, and I am good to go. Of course, you have to camp amongst the trees.

[Demar]

I'm looking forward to traveling again. Both by bike and by car. I bought a Jeep Wrangler last March and I'm adding a few bits to it. I have 3.5 years until retirement, 6 months until I can buy my lifetime National Park pass. I prefer to camp. For bike camping I have a tent and a cot as shown previously. For Jeep camping I'm saving over the next 3 years to get a Fort trailer to tow behind the Jeep.






lady beetle smileys

[Ncdan]

Television is the same everywhere and never a match for Mother Nature . There is no greater pleasure than drinking coffee while sitting on the East side of the pavilion in Cedar Vale as the Sun comes up over the low ridge just to the East ,slowly burning off the morning dew .

 Dusty

I hear ya buddy👍 But personally if I’m awake at at dawn I had to get up and pee for the 4th time🤣

[kballowe]

There is no greater pleasure than drinking coffee while sitting on the East side of the pavilion in Cedar Vale as the Sun comes up over the low ridge just to the East ,slowly burning off the morning dew .

 Dusty

Or the teamwork involved in morning tire changing at 38 degrees.......   

[rjamesohio]

So far it appears that most like to have a mix between hotels and camping, and most ride in groups.

We'll see if that trend continues....

[Jorg66]

I voted 'alone' ,well thats Me and the Wife, either planed in advance or just spure of the momnet on Weekends .Tent ,Coffee,Cooker,Airmattress always on Board.
Guess we like it this way ,but not /nore ever shying away from fellow Riders at Campgrounds/ Hotels.