Solo trip advice

[Brentc]

I'm planning a solo trip this summer and have begun putting an itinerary together. I don't mind riding alone so that's not an issue. I have the 622 trailer so I think I'm good on storage. Have a 3.5 gal fuelpax on order so that helps on gas issue. Planning to do hotels on the way up, and friends houses on the way home. I have credit card and small tool bag for repairs.
Have between 250 and 450 miles for the majority of the day's total miles planned with a few days off in between. GPS is all set with AAA triptik as backup. iPhone has plenty of music along with Sirius to helmet.

My question is this, what am I forgetting, and what advice might some of you have that have done the longer solo trips offer.....

Not planning on smelling the roses, as I have allergies and I really enjoy the ride as much as the destination......

[PapaHotel]

If you don't have a Spyder-Garmin GPS, make sure you print out the Can-Am dealership list found under Lamonster's Umbrella...You know.... just in case. ( should have said lists under state forums. I was unaware of a BRP list.)

[Jimboregon]

Hydration pack. Having completed an Iron Butt Qualifier several years ago, I highly recommend you use one.
Also, make sure you get off the bike every 90 minutes to stretch your legs, even if just for a few minutes.

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[billybovine]

If you don't have a Spyder-Garmin GPS, make sure you print out the Can-Am dealership list found under Lamonster's Umbrella...You know.... just in case.

I don't know what "Lamonster's Umbrella" is. But the dealer list can be loaded on any Garmin gps. No matter what model. The file is available on BRP's web site. Also for those that have an older version of the Can Am version of the Garmin gps. The most recent version of the dealer file is D2245000D.gpi. It replaces D2245000C or B.gpi. It should be located in the "poi" file folder on your gps.

[ARtraveler]

Sounds like you have it covered. You can always pick up any "incidentals" that you missed along the way. Enjoy your trip.

[quasi]

Spydercodes on your phone

[Brentc]

Hydration pack. Having completed an Iron Butt Qualifier several years ago, I highly recommend you use one.
Also, make sure you get off the bike every 90 minutes to stretch your legs, even if just for a few minutes.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

I typically try to stop each half tank to stretch and fill up. Good idea on keeping hydrated, I always keep a soft sided cooler of Gatorade in my side compartment and fill up my handlebar mount bottle at stops. I did notice that the plastic bottle warms up pretty quick once out of the cooler, anyone know of a good handlebar mounted option, like a yeti, that they have found keeps their drinks cold?

[Deanna777]

Carry medical id's with you. Let family/friends be able to track you.

Assortment of clothing cold/warm/hot, weather, rain gear riding gear.

Also a camera take pictures and post on this site. Deanna

[Bob Denman]

What do they call that thing? (A Spot Tracker?? )
Karyl uses them; PM her for more information...

[Firefly]

Good advice so far. I'd say relax and enjoy the trip.. take in the local eateries along the way... you'll get better food and support the small business instead of the big chains.


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[SPYD3R]

DOWN-LOAD THE 'GLIMPSE' APP, OR SIMILAR APP, WAZE, etc... ALSO HAVE SOME OF YOUR FAMILY DO THE SAME, THIS WAY YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THEM EACH DAY, AND THEY CAN FOLLOW YOUR PROGRESS...
BUY A 'WET-VEST'... IN HOT WEATHER (and you will be in some), A BOTTLE OF WATER JUST ISN'T ENOUGH, (however, always have water with you, even hot water is better than no water)... CYCLE GEAR HAS THEM, AND THEY ARE ON SALE RIGHT NOW... DON'T FORGET YOUR RAIN-GEAR...
OUT WEST, (if that's where you are going), RIDE BY THE 'HALF-TANK RULE', WHEN YOU SEE THAT YOUR GAS TANK IS HALF WAY, LOOK FOR A GAS STATION... YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY ONCE YOU'RE OUT THERE...
SUN-BLOCK, LOT'S OF IT... SUN GLASSES, REGARDLESS IF YOUR HELMET IS FITTED WITH A 'DROP-DOWN SCREEN'... CHAP-STIK, BUG SPRAY...
SINCE YOU'LL BE PULLING A TRAILER, BASICALLY YOU HAVE NO RESTRICTIONS ON AMOUNT OF CLOTHING... BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND FOOT-WEAR: RIDING BOOTS, SNEAKERS & SLIPPERS...
A SMALL BOTTLE OF WINDSHIELD CLEARER & A MICRO-CLOTH TO CLEAN YOUR WINDSHIELD...
SEE YOU ON THE ROAD, ENJOY & RIDE SAFELY....
DAN P
SPYD3R

[Questions]

Don't forget a spare key!

[armyspydervet]

I typically try to stop each half tank to stretch and fill up. Good idea on keeping hydrated, I always keep a soft sided cooler of Gatorade in my side compartment and fill up my handlebar mount bottle at stops. I did notice that the plastic bottle warms up pretty quick once out of the cooler, anyone know of a good handlebar mounted option, like a yeti, that they have found keeps their drinks cold?

I used a Yeti cup on my handlebar on our way to SF. Kept my coffee hot in the mornings and my water cool in the afternoon. Get the lid with a straw. Makes it easy to drink from on the road. Good luck and stay safe!

[armyspydervet]

Good advice so far. I'd say relax and enjoy the trip.. take in the local eateries along the way... you'll get better food and support the small business instead of the big chains.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NO MCDONALDS!!!!!

[trikermutha]

got Lamonts Bar mount holder and Cup holder used a cup from menards that was similar to Yeti worked fine..

I also mounted a small marine cooler to the 622 and cold water and healthy snacks came in handy too

[Brentc]

Carry medical id's with you. Let family/friends be able to track you. Assortment of clothing cold/warm/hot, weather, rain gear riding gear. Deanna

Already covered there. My family all have iPhone devices and are all able to follow each other with the built in find my friends app. It's pretty cool and will fit the bill nicely on the trip.

[Brentc]

DOWN-LOAD THE 'GLIMPSE' APP, OR SIMILAR APP, WAZE, etc... ALSO HAVE SOME OF YOUR FAMILY DO THE SAME, THIS WAY YOU CAN CONNECT WITH THEM EACH DAY, AND THEY CAN FOLLOW YOUR PROGRESS...
BUY A 'WET-VEST'... IN HOT WEATHER (and you will be in some), A BOTTLE OF WATER JUST ISN'T ENOUGH, (however, always have water with you, even hot water is better than no water)... CYCLE GEAR HAS THEM, AND THEY ARE ON SALE RIGHT NOW... DON'T FORGET YOUR RAIN-GEAR...
OUT WEST, (if that's where you are going), RIDE BY THE 'HALF-TANK RULE', WHEN YOU SEE THAT YOUR GAS TANK IS HALF WAY, LOOK FOR A GAS STATION... YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY ONCE YOU'RE OUT THERE...
SUN-BLOCK, LOT'S OF IT... SUN GLASSES, REGARDLESS IF YOUR HELMET IS FITTED WITH A 'DROP-DOWN SCREEN'... CHAP-STIK, BUG SPRAY...
SINCE YOU'LL BE PULLING A TRAILER, BASICALLY YOU HAVE NO RESTRICTIONS ON AMOUNT OF CLOTHING... BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND FOOT-WEAR: RIDING BOOTS, SNEAKERS & SLIPPERS...
A SMALL BOTTLE OF WINDSHIELD CLEARER & A MICRO-CLOTH TO CLEAN YOUR WINDSHIELD...
SEE YOU ON THE ROAD, ENJOY & RIDE SAFELY....
DAN P
SPYD3R

Some items I hadn't thought of Dan, thanks.

[Brentc]

NO MCDONALDS!!!!!

Im OK with McDonalds, but that Cracker Barrel I don't know.........

[Boilermaker]

I used a Yeti cup on my handlebar on our way to SF. Kept my coffee hot in the mornings and my water cool in the afternoon. Get the lid with a straw. Makes it easy to drink from on the road. Good luck and stay safe!

I bought an aluminum Contigo water bottle at Walmart for about $10. Carries 20 oz. and keeps ice in the water all day long. I just refilled it at restaurants or rest stops and always carried extra water on the spyder anyway. Fits in Lamonts spydercuff water bottle holder. Has a flip-top that easily opens and closes. Comes in many colors. Just another option for hydration.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Spyderlovers has/had a list of people who would offer assistance if you needed help ..... you may want copy their info as it pertains to your Route ........ jmho..... Mike .....Good Luck

[Aracknoid]

Brentc, what is the destination? How long are you planning to be on the trip? I second the Spot Tracker, with a list of contacts loded anyone on the list can track your movements and if you have a problem a SOS signale can be sent out. We have Spot Trakers on our bikes, if the cell phone service is not available the Spot can get through. We also carry a DeLorme sat phone/locator, just in case.

Good Luck, check in with trip updates from time tp time.

[Brentc]

Spyderlovers has/had a list of people who would offer assistance if you needed help ..... you may want copy their info as it pertains to your Route ........ jmho..... Mike .....Good Luck

Will have the spydercodes app with me, so I'm good on the help list. Wouldn't leave home without it.

[Brentc]

Brentc, what is the destination? How long are you planning to be on the trip? I second the Spot Tracker, with a list of contacts loded anyone on the list can track your movements and if you have a problem a SOS signale can be sent out. We have Spot Trakers on our bikes, if the cell phone service is not available the Spot can get through. We also carry a DeLorme sat phone/locator, just in case.

Good Luck, check in with trip updates from time tp time.

Im looking at a two week trip ending up at Cape Spear in Newfoundland. I'll definitely make sure I'm in contact with the rest of the world through a couple different means.

[SPYD3R]

Im looking at a two week trip ending up at Cape Spear in Newfoundland. I'll definitely make sure I'm in contact with the rest of the world through a couple different means.

BRENT, NEWFOUNDLAND... ???
WOW, HOPE YOU'LL BE GOING IN LATE JULY to EARLY AUGUST.... OTHERWISE, YOU MAY ENCOUNTER SNOW....

I'LL BE RIDING NOVA SCOTIA IN MID JULY.... LOOK FOR 2 F3's, WE'LL WAVE....
DAN P
SPYD3R

[rwebb98]

Did not see a mention for tire repair kit and small compressor. Bought both at Harbor Freight for less than $50.00. I keep them on the bike all the time.

Have a GREAT and SAFE trip