As the weather is getting warmer, people are planning their summer vacations. While, families are dreaming of trips to amusements parks, bikers dream of biker rallies and road trips. Kicking off the rally season is the Daytona Beach Bike Week, or for something a little closer to home for Texans like me, the one in Bandera, TX. Of course there is the annual Sturgis Rally when thousands of bikes thunder through the Black Hills of South Dakota, and one of the newest rallies, although, very popular the Galveston Rally the last weekend of October. For other major rallies, check out this schedule. While I have never been rally, I look forward to another road trip. Once again, I am planning on a trip with my Dad, but before we leave there are several things that we need to prepare for. Over the next few days I plan on going into detail about the planning and preparation of a journey.

Planning

First step is to determine how much time you have to make such a journey. This will limit your possible destinations. Speaking of destinations, you also need to figure out if you want a destination road trip or just a journey. The difference being is a journey trip typically is consistently on the move, whereas as destination trip includes a journey to and from the destination, but there is a specific destination where you would go. For example, Dad and I were considering going to Yellowstone National Park, while we would definitely ride daily, we would end up at the same hotel room or cabin every night while we were there.Other things to keep in mind when planning are available money for a the trip, the season and weather, and potential riding mates.

Preparing for the trip

Obviously, you need to make sure that your bike is up for a trip of several thousand miles without needing any repairs or major maintenance. In my case, I am looking forward to the next service intervals, and going ahead and perform those before I leave. Regardless if it is due or not, it is smart to do an oil and filter change, check or replace the air filter, and if has been a while, change your  spark plugs. Additionally, gather items for the trip that you may need:

• first aid kit
• sunscreen- I prefer the spray for ease of application
• bug spray
• pepper spray- for self defense against animals
• lip balm- after thousands of miles in the wind, your lips will get chapped
• energy snacks, such as granola bars
• a travel hygiene kit, travel size is the key words here
• an auto-club membership, such as AAA or Honda’s Rider Club of America-just in case you breakdown in the middle of nowhere