Being a dad is one of the best jobs there is, but occasionally we all need a little alone time to rest and recharge our batteries. Of course, the way that you spend this time will depend on what you love to do, and for many of us, that means hopping on the back of our hogs and hitting the open road to explore. An activity that you can get more detail on in the post below.
Allow yourself some dad only time
Before you can hit the highway and look for adventure, you need to be able to recognize and grant yourself some ‘me time’ when it’s needed. Of course, this isn’t something that is always easy when you are a dad because you have responsibilities over and above just your own well being and happiness.
However, it is worth bearing in mind that to be the best father possible, you can really benefit from the occasional break, as long as you’re SO can look after the kids, and you have time off from work that is? In fact, if this is the case, then a few nights exploring or riding a long-desired route is something that can boost not only your mood but your resilience for when things get tough as well.
Plan your route
The first thing you need to do when organizing a motorcycle road trip is to plan the route that you will take. The reason being that this will dictate many of the other details including the type of bike you will use when in the year you travel, and even the overnight accommodation that you pick.
Happily, there is a vast array of option when it comes to road trips in the US with route 66 running from Chicago to Santa Monica being one of the most popular. Of course the Peak to Peak Highway in Colorado, as well as the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina and Tennessee, which you can read more about at maps.roadtrippers.com are also particularly well liked by bikers too. Mainly due to the amazing views and exciting roads to be ridden there.
Now, when we say plan your route, it means more than just working out when you start, and end point will be. In fact, you need to consider other aspects of your journey as well including the sites and attractions you will stop at to get the most of your experience as well.
Luckily, to help you work out which ones are on your route and choose a selection to see you can use sites like thrillist.com that detail many of the world- famous roadside attractions that the US has to offer.
Finally, when it comes to planning your trip don’t forget that you will need to work out where you will end up spending the night too. Of course, many bikers choose to take campaigning gear and stay at campgrounds during their trip, while others prefer to go for roadside motels instead.
Just bear in mind that you will need a warm, dry place to lay your head each night if you are to get the most of our the next day in the saddle. Therefore, you will need to plan the legs of your trip accordingly. Otherwise, you could find yourself in a location when night falls, without the accommodation that you require.
Choose your steed
Once you have the details of your trip hashed out, it’s time to choose the bike that you will use on your adventure. Of course, there a multitude of decisions to be made here, including whether you will use a bike that you already own or one that you will buy especially for the trip, while some folks even lease motorcycles for their journey.
Now, if you choose a bike that you already own, it’s crucial that you perform a full service and check things like the oil level, the tires, and electrics before you set out.
Alternatively, if you are looking to purchase a hog on which to travel your route its can be helpful to search sites like CleanHarleys.com where you can find a used cycle that will fit your budget. Such sites can even ship your bike to your home or trip starting location with ease, making planning your road trip much less hassle.
Of course, if you hire a motorcycle, it should be checked before you get it, but it doesn’t hurt to brush up on motorcycle maintenance and learn what to check and look out for when you are on the road either. After all, safety is crucial when you are a dad and have a family relying on you back home.
Get kitted up
Once you have your bike sorted, it’s time to make sure that you have everything you need regarding kit for your journey. Of course, this means a helmet, as well as gloves, and if you are going to be driving in colder climates, a biker jacket and trousers as well.
Happily, most bikes have space to carry a bag, so this means you can also include some essential such as puncture repair kit, a mobile phone, and power pack, as well as some basic first aid supplies like the ones detailed at ridermagazine.com too.
Document your adventures
Finally, when it comes to your motorcycle road trip, you will want to make sure that you document your adventures and travels, as then you can share them with your family when you get home.
One way of doing this is to install a dash cam or even a GoPro on your helmet. The latter being something you can learn how to mount properly at gopro-gimbal.com. Such actions allowing you to record some of the more spectacular vistas that you come across, while also giving those at home a real insight into what road tripping is like.
Alternatively, taking plenty of pictures, or even blogging about your experience can be a great way to share your experience with loved ones including your kids. After all, if you want to encourage them to come with you on your road trips when they are older, it’s always smart to get them enthused young by showing them just how fun your adventures on the back of a hog can be!
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