| Cross country motorcycle riding is an incredibly | | | | guaranteed. |
| exhilarating feeling. The pungent smell of pines tingle | | | | - Third, you will want to keep a plan of your route |
| your nose as the highway glides past beneath your | | | | handy. An easy way to do this is to print a computer |
| feet. Trees line either side of the road flash by like a | | | | generated map of your trip and keep it in a plastic |
| dark picket fence topped with green. Sunlight dances | | | | document protector or laminated in plastic. You can |
| through the treetops drenching the gray-black | | | | tape this to the tank or keep in a saddle bag for |
| highway in irregular shapes and patterns. The | | | | easy reference during rest stops. Another excellent |
| mountain air is fresh and clean as it pours into your | | | | way to keep on route, especially if you are a gadget |
| lungs and tugs at your jacket and pants. | | | | hound, is with a GPS. |
| Much of the hypnotic engine roar trails behind you like | | | | - Fourth, maintain a means of communication. In this |
| a jet vapor trail. Few things can match the joy of the | | | | day of instant and easy communications there is |
| open road while riding a well-tuned bike. The | | | | simply no reason to go on a trip and be cut off from |
| afternoon is made even better with the knowing | | | | family, friends or help. Many touring bikes can be |
| that the trip has only begun. Days and miles of | | | | easily equipped with a C.B. radio. Riders traveling in a |
| highway lay yet ahead. | | | | group can keep in contact with one another as well |
| If you enjoy the outdoors, motorcycle travel is a | | | | as get important information about highway |
| great way to see the country. You can soak up the | | | | conditions, etc. from truckers and other drivers. |
| fresh air and sunshine as you drive down the | | | | - Finally, carry a basic first aid kit in your saddle bags |
| highway. You have a much greater sense of being a | | | | or trailer. |
| part of your surroundings while riding a motorcycle. | | | | Camping is fun at any time. |
| You feel you can almost reach out and touch the | | | | For people who enjoy camping and the outdoors, |
| beauty of roadside flowers, trees and wildlife. | | | | motorcycle camping adds to the pleasure of riding. A |
| There is also a special feeling of freedom and | | | | day in the sun followed by sitting around a camp fire |
| exhilaration that comes from racing down the | | | | at night listening to the frogs and crickets is a great |
| highway with the power of the engine roaring | | | | way to travel. Talk about getting away from the |
| between your legs and the wind in your face. That | | | | routine and the mundane. |
| feeling cannot be matched with any other form of | | | | Motorcycle camping is also a great way to make |
| travel. | | | | new acquaintances along your journey. It is hard not |
| Motorcycle travel is more than just the scenery and | | | | to meet new people and share a fire, if not a meal, |
| the sense of freedom. It is also the people you meet | | | | in a campground. It is a far different environment |
| along the way. Bike riders are part of a select | | | | than the typical chain motel found at Interstate exits. |
| community of people. They invariably wave to one | | | | The nice thing about motorcycle camping is that it is |
| another when they meet along the highway. At rest | | | | so easy. Ultra light, compact camping gear designed |
| stops and restaurants bikers go out of their way to | | | | for motorcycle riders is readily available, easy to set |
| meet and greet one another. As strangers they | | | | up and use and inexpensively priced. |
| recognize they are members of this unique society. | | | | For motorcycle riders planning a cross country trip or |
| They exchange information about the highway | | | | a camping trip while riding your motorcycle, careful |
| ahead, weather conditions, and motorcycle | | | | planning will help make your trip more enjoyable. It is |
| maintenance tips. If a rider breaks down or gets into | | | | easy to capitalize on the experience of others. A few |
| some travel-related difficulty, another motorcycle | | | | tips have been outlined in this article. A good book |
| rider is almost sure to come along and offer help. | | | | with tips and information about cross country |
| There are certain precautions that should be taken | | | | motorcycle riding will give you a leg up planning your |
| when motorcycle touring, however. | | | | trip and avoiding travel pitfalls. One such book, which |
| - First, make sure the bike is serviced and tuned up | | | | is an excellent source of information, is Going The |
| before departing on a long trip. Breaking down along | | | | Extra Mile: Insider Tips for Long-Distance Motorcycling |
| the highway is a lonely and sickening feeling. This | | | | and Endurance Rallies. |
| includes checking your tires and making sure they are | | | | Riding your motorcycle around your neighborhood or |
| in good to excellent condition. | | | | on day trips is a great way to enjoy your |
| - Second, weather is always an issue when riding a | | | | motorcycle. Taking your motorcycle on a long trip |
| motorcycle. Make sure you tuck a warm jacket and | | | | attaches a new dimension to riding your bike |
| gloves in a saddle bag or in your trailer. Along with | | | | ownership. A motorcycle is transportation and it is |
| warm clothing you should also make sure you have | | | | recreation. A great way to combine transportation |
| rain gear. Rain somewhere along the trip is almost | | | | with recreation is a cross country motorcycle trip. |