Long trip packing

[SteveB]

Planning on a 9-day trip out west. Need some ideas on how to pack for two.

[jblue1555]

Don't fold roll your clothes. if you have old socks and underware don't repack throw them away.

[CMIKE]

Check this link out...

Good info here.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=30996

[dpage9040]

We have used those plastic bags that you put clothes in and roll out the air, condensing the clothes, works good..Always seem to pack more than we need.

[GeorgeS]

Most motels have washing machines, so, about 3 days worth of clothing should do it.

[SteveB]

We carry a small duffle bag in the rear trunk, and also one on the rear trunk rack. We have had to cover it with a plastic trash bag to keep it dry. Does anyone make a water proof bag to carry on the trunk?

 

Thanks for the tips so far.

[RPG]

Most motels have washing machines, so, about 3 days worth of clothing should do it.

Thats what we do.

[craigatcsi]

My wife and I, on one bike, did 10 days last summer from Omaha, down to the Dragon, to N. Carolina, up to D.C. across to Chicago, up into Wisconsin, then back thru Iowa to Omaha, 5000 miles in all.

 

We took 2 sets of clothes in the luggage and the one set on our backs. We stayed in hotels that had washers. We 'rolled packed' our clothes - why not? It worked well for us.

 

We are going west this summer, from Omaha, up thru Wyoming, Montana, Washington, down the coast thru Calif, to San Diego, to Vegas, then 66 east to Oklahoma City, then back up to Omaha.

 

I just bought the Venturedad hitch and plan to buy one of those racks that fit in the hitch to allow me to carry another days worth of clothing, or our leathers.

 

craigr

[Venturous Randy]

If you have reservations at a motel, call them and see if they will let you ship a box of stuff. When you get there, your stuff will be waiting and you can ship home what is dirty, etc.

RandyA

[Steve S]

Rule of thumb: If your pants dont stand up by themselves, THEY AINT DIRTY...

 

We try to wear our jeans two days if they dont get wet. But I gotta change everything else every day. But we can make it with 4 changes and a pair of shorts to wear while the clothes are washing.

[minnmac]

cabela,s sells a product called a compression bag in their camping section. it comes in 3 different sizes and you wouldn,t believe how much stuff you can get in there. i,m pretty sure it is waterproof but don,t quote me on that. i use the med. for 2 small pillows, 2 sheets and a queen size down blanket but so far not in the rain. have fun on your trip. that,s what the RSV,s are made for

[mini-muffin]

We carry a small duffle bag in the rear trunk, and also one on the rear trunk rack. We have had to cover it with a plastic trash bag to keep it dry. Does anyone make a water proof bag to carry on the trunk?

 

Thanks for the tips so far.

Kuryakyn makes a bag that has a waterproof cover sewn to it for rain. I'm pretty sure this is the one but they aren't showing a pic of it. http://www.kuryakyn.com/index.cfm/go/Home.ProductDetail/catID/20/scID/0/IMID/1362 I also use the squish bags. I get mine at walmart or kmart or wherever I can I get the space bags. Not too expensive and they keep out the weather. You can get plenty in there as well, plus they come in several sizes.

 

Margaret

[petekadish]

Not mine originally, but I thought it was pretty clever ...,

 

Make two piles. In one pile, put everything that you want to take. In the other pile, place all the money that you plan to spend.

 

Then, take away about 80% of the stuff you want to take, leaving only 20% of the stuff which you need to take. Then, triple the amount of money in your spending pile, and you should have it just about right.

 

Be Safe!

Pete.

[cowpuc]

Been doing cross country since wayyyy before cross country was cool.. Learned many great tricks over the years.. Bring two pair of undies, a pair of riding short (soft cotton is best) - if you are inclined to monkey butt get a pair of chamios lined riding shorts like we use for Harescrambled, 4 or five hooded sweat shirts, pair of jeans. I usually wear out 4 pair of shorts on a two monther but come home with my jeans still clean - I like to wear shorts in the desert heat.. Anyway, its easier to replace dirty clothes then wash them I have found.. Goodwill is always good for shorts for a buck and you cant even start a washer for that..

Get a small pop up tent, piece of thin foam rubber mat (hospitals use them) and as big as bike cover as you can find.. I usually sleep under my bike cover with the bike more then using the tent - especially on that awesome warm nights in the Desert with NO bugs..

Stay out of the motels, rough it - learn to enjoy the outdoors!

I always carry a gallon of water on my antenna and a bag of apples hung there too.. Eat real light - makes for a much more pleasent ride..

Carry a cheap digital camera with you - get one the uses SD Cards and Double A bats. When you drop the camera taking pics on the highway you can go back and remove the card and toss the rest! Go to walmart and buy another one...

Most important part is learning you bike, you should be able to come to a complete stop - dont touch ground - take back off.. Balance balance balance practice practice practice - this will increase your fun on a good cross country ride threefold...

'Puc

[StarQ]

I use one saddle bag for me, one for the passenger. I tell the passenger that they can bring what ever they want as long as it fits in the saddlebag.

 

I pack 3 changes of clothes in zip-loc bags, socks, underwear and shirt. I have another bag with a couple of pairs of pants. In the morning, all I need is one zip-loc and a toothbrush out of the saddlebag.

 

If camping, extra camping gear, water, etc. went in the trunk. Sleeping bags go in a large trashbag and packed one on each saddlebag, extra padding for the passenger. $1 store drop cloths for ground covering under the tent, also used to cover the externally packed items.

 

The more you can dual-purpose items, the less you need to bring.

[royalstarjac]

We have the full set of saddlebag liners, trunk liner and rack bag. Exact same as the yammie but half price. They come in real handy on trips.

http://www.bestemusa.com/index.php?cPath=8_71&osCsid=e2b0680edeb0a505f3688f05fc9006bd

[KiteSquid]

Go "comando" for the trip.....

[painterman67]

We carry a small duffle bag in the rear trunk, and also one on the rear trunk rack. We have had to cover it with a plastic trash bag to keep it dry. Does anyone make a water proof bag to carry on the trunk?

 

Thanks for the tips so far.

 

 

Yes there is a water proof bag and much cheaper than the kurykans. Go to any big box hunting /camping store. For me its Gander mountain. Go into the canoe and kyak section. They have several different sises and different price ranges to pic from.

 

 

The one we have has been down the Dan river dry more times than I can count and once wet when the canoe turned over on us. Everything inside was nice and dry.

 

 

 

David