Spring Touring Tips

It’s time to start getting ready for touring season, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere.  I know that if you have been touring for a while by now you’ve figured out what works for you and what does not.  A lot of these tips are for the rookie tourers not so much the veteran guys and gals, but if you read through this you might even find a new tip or twist to an old one.

I always take too much stuff, but in my defense, I always have what’s needed.  Maybe make a list…or have a better memory than I as I’ve been known to re-purchase things, often.  Here are a few things to think through when planning for what to take on your trip:

• Multi tool, great for so much

• Small pouches for miscellaneous charging cables, chargers, camera mounts, spare batteries, etc.

• Waterproof camera and a spare battery and charger.  They can be fun in the pool or any wet places to play

• Helmet speakers, bluetooth receiver, and a music source (I-pods come to mind)

• Wet wipes

• Disposable lens wipes, take more than you think you’ll need

• Tracker or other key ring tracking device and app on your phone. You can always leave one on your bike and/or luggage 

• A spork is always handy

• Aerostich bungee loops. These are so handy and can be mounted about anywhere. I use them on the front of my trunk

• Battery Tender and/or DIN plus to USB.

And my favorite one is something I started doing as kid going backpacking and is a natural for traveling. I save my socks,  undershorts, and t-shirts that I would normally toss, but wash them one more time and keep the in a separate bag so when I travel you just throw them out when you take them off for a shower.  This not only saves space but you have far less laundry to do when you get home.

To make things more interesting you can do what Bob and Kevin and I do: play “credit card roulette.”  You put each card in a hat, bowl, or something to hold them all, shake them up and have the server pull the winning (?) card.  That lucky individual pays the bill.

The best suggestion I can give you is to stay flexible, no matter how much planning you do situations can and will change.

And the last one is for all you millennials, always carry some cash.