Our Maiden Motorcycle Tour – The Lake District

[Rusty]

What a good write up for a "first adventure". Liked that a lot and so pleased it has only wet your appetite for more.

 

[Mr Derek]

This is proof that you don't have to go round the world, across the Sahara or the Darien Gap, or even leave England to have an adventure.

My first was 3 days in Wales on a Honda CD175 when I was 17. I was so far out of my depth it was unreal. Not a clue what to take, how to pack, where I was going, nothing. Brilliant!

Good luck for your next adventure.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Nice little write up there @The Marching Onion and you'll soon learn what to take and what to leave behind.

Most people forget they spend most of the time in bike gear and you can generally find a washing machine so no need to pack too much.

I used to do 4 week trips with just an ortleib roll bag and a top box which was fine.

I could tell you some cracking stories of people who have completely overpacked for some of my tours but no names, no pack drill.

 

[Udders]

A cracking first outing!

The best thing to do is when you get back from a trip is to unpack all your gear and look at it carefully.
See what you needed to take and what you wanted to take but didn’t use. Obviously some of it will be weather dependent but I bet there are some things you can cut back on.
We are all different and want different things when we are out touring so take what suits you.
There are some who take nothing but a tooth brush and a credit card and stay in hotels / B&B’s but there are some of us who don’t need / want to be seen everywhere we go and would rather take a tent and stay in a quiet field somewhere remote. I go away to get away as far as I can from other people.
Each to their own at the end of the day.
As to the missus taking the train to reduce the strain on her then fantastic. Do what suits you and not do what you think others would. No point making things difficult for yourselves.

Looking forward to your next adventure.

 

[Guru Gora]

As a direct result of your great post, my partner is now flying to Croatia to meet up in Sept.

I get to ride down through Alps, Dolomites and Slovenia solo.

I owe you a beer

 

[The Marching Onion]

As a direct result of your great post, my partner is now flying to Croatia to meet up in Sept.

I get to ride down through Alps, Dolomites and Slovenia solo.

I owe you a beer

That says to me I’ll have to meet you somewhere in the Alps for said beer…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Guru Gora]

Well I’m doing back to back tours in June and July.

Pick any Aldi bottle you like, up to a value of €1.20

 

[The Marching Onion]

Well I’m doing back to back tours in June and July.

Pick any Aldi bottle you like, up to a value of €1.20

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TYKEBBS]

Great report MO, I also think you've overpacked luggage, we don't tour anymore but always under packed and used lightweight T-Shirts, the kind you can buy from a good outdoor retailer, they are also self wicking so can be washed and dried overnight

Good luck with future trips and having lived in the Lake District before I can confirm that it is a beautiful place to visit, if somewhat overcrowded these days

Here's my then bike packed for a weeks holiday for my self and SWMBO

 

[glenn2926]

Great report MO, I also think you've overpacked luggage, we don't tour anymore but always under packed and used lightweight T-Shirts, the kind you can buy from a good outdoor retailer, they are also self wicking so can be washed and dried overnight

Good luck with future trips and having lived in the Lake District before I can confirm that it is a beautiful place to visit, if somewhat overcrowded these days

Here's my then bike packed for a weeks holiday for my self and SWMBO

I agree with your thinking on him being over packed. To me your bike is over packed. My wife and I have toured abroad numerous times. We have always had sufficient room in the panniers and top box without ever needing a tank bag. Plus I can’t be bothered with having to carry a tank bag around everytime we stopped for drink or a wander round.

 

[Lord Snooty]

Great report MO, I also think you've overpacked luggage, we don't tour anymore but always under packed and used lightweight T-Shirts, the kind you can buy from a good outdoor retailer, they are also self wicking so can be washed and dried overnight

Good luck with future trips and having lived in the Lake District before I can confirm that it is a beautiful place to visit, if somewhat overcrowded these days

Here's my then bike packed for a weeks holiday for my self and SWMBO

I've always toured with the view that if I did need any more clothes I would just go to a supermarket and buy a pack of cheap t-shirts or whatever I need.

 

[Guru Gora]

When fighting a war, the answer is always more Apache AH and more Chinooks.

When touring on a bike, the answer is always Decathlon.

 

[TYKEBBS]

I agree with your thinking on him being over packed. To me your bike is over packed. My wife and I have toured abroad numerous times. We have always had sufficient room in the panniers and top box without ever needing a tank bag. Plus I can’t be bothered with having to carry a tank bag around everytime we stopped for drink or a wander round.

The panniers aren't as cavernous as they appear Glen, and almost certainly not full..the tank bag (which I don't like) only contained a few essentials

 

[Blackblade-rry]

As a direct result of your great post, my partner is now flying to Croatia to meet up in Sept.

I get to ride down through Alps, Dolomites and Slovenia solo.

I owe you a beer

I've done likewise a couple of times. Mrs. Blackblade has flown into Faro and I've caught the ferry to Santander and rode through the Picos and down through Portugal to the Algarve.

A great option

 

[Guru Gora]

Booked now -

She flies into Zagreb and out of Venice.

I ride there via Alps and Dolomites, do 'normal' hols, ride to Venice, drop Sunday, and then ride off into the sunset.......first stop island hopping in canaries for a few months

Again, lightbulb moment thanks to OP

 

[The Marching Onion]

Booked now -

She flies into Zagreb and out of Venice.

I ride there via Alps and Dolomites, do 'normal' hols, ride to Venice, drop Sunday, and then ride off into the sunset.......first stop island hopping in canaries for a few months

Again, lightbulb moment thanks to OP

Amazing. It’s definitely something we will do when it suits. Sounds a great trip, have a great time!