Our Maiden Motorcycle Tour – The Lake District

[Barnoe]

I went a similar distance to Bellingham for my first camping bike trip, although it has to be said i went on a sportsbike (CBR600) with no panniers.
So over-packing wasnt ever going to be a problem, but then i did only go for a weekend so just used a backpack stuffed to the gills

After a few trips the main kit i needed to buy, was a proper motorcycle with panniers lol

 

[The Marching Onion]

I reckon the 'Keep hydrated' comment is the most important thing you've highlighted.
It being a new thing for you, it's good reading for many of us who've done it for years...to recall how we all started in pretty much the same place...overpacking and taking too much stuff.
The old adage of piling up all that you wish to take away onto the bed. Halve it, then halve it again and take what you have left. It does take time to suss out what works for you...and we are all different.
Have you looked at what you took and didn't wear/use?

We have and decided that the clothes were probably a little over. However, we weren’t sure on weather being March so there was a jumper and light jacket in there for each of us. During warmer months we would obviously ditch those.

Most of the non personal items were used in some capacity. I need to invest in some replacement gear that leans better to touring, a 14mm chain and lock for instance, would be replaced with a Litelock or similar.

I’m a little surprised at the responses but it’s a learning curve. If I’m under the payload and happy to carry it I don’t see an issue if you want some extra “comfort” items.


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[Welly]

Great read.

Thanks for posting

 

[simondippenhall]

Great report, well written - and you will learn to ignore the less helpful responses...the important thing is you enjoyed the experience and are looking to do more. Happy travels!

 

[leadfarmer]

We have and decided that the clothes were probably a little over. However, we weren’t sure on weather being March so there was a jumper and light jacket in there for each of us. During warmer months we would obviously ditch those.

Most of the non personal items were used in some capacity. I need to invest in some replacement gear that leans better to touring, a 14mm chain and lock for instance, would be replaced with a Litelock or similar.

I’m a little surprised at the responses but it’s a learning curve. If I’m under the payload and happy to carry it I don’t see an issue if you want some extra “comfort” items.


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It’s a personal thing, you’ll figure out what works for you with practice

We get a pannier each, the top box is reserved for the lids so we don’t need to carry them when we stop, I also carry an abus retractable cable lock so I can attach the jackets when the panniers are full

This works well for us but everyone is different

Less gear means a lighter bike to manhandle and less chance of dropping it, which you will now and then

You can always wash stuff

 

[Wapping]

We have and decided that the clothes were probably a little over. However, we weren’t sure on weather being March so there was a jumper and light jacket in there for each of us. During warmer months we would obviously ditch those.

The trick, if there is one, is to make a note of what you did use and what you didn’t. Of course, if you took waterproofs and it didn’t rain, don’t discard (or forget to bring) them the next time around.

Similarly, having clothes that double up, ie. reasonable to wear in the evening / during a day off the bike, whilst reasonable for wearing on the bike, can save a lot of space. Don’t forget, you probably won’t be meeting royalty, so you won’t need to dress as if you will. That said, there is no need to clump about in your motorcycle boots or fly splattered jeans, as some do.

My golden rule? Expect the best, prepare (reasonably) for the worse.

 

[HxH]

Excellent write up, one handy tip if I may be so bold is to prepare a little for the tours before hand.
Many forget how many different muscles we all use while riding any distance hence nagging pains develop quickly.
Experienced riders who perhaps do this very often, are used to the many movements associated with bike riding and can go for miles without any fatigue.
Preparing your body, by gentle stretching, arm and leg swings, slow neck turns, this make the joints more flexible, no matter your ages, it can soon become a vital daily exercise which most people forget.

Good news, as your beginning this journey of journeys, your body will quickly adapt, much like the advanced riders here, and before long any distance will finish with wow! I feel good, we could have gone further.
If you counted the amount of different muscles used while riding you would be really surprised, for instance, looking over your shoulders, side to side at junctions, up and down looking at bike clock functions, and all around you, and with the weight of a helmet and possible ear plugs, intercom, head scarf on. Then there is the lifting of a fully laden bike onto it's main stand takes effort, practise makes perfect.

It all adds up, the constant leg moves on and off the bike, swing up and over the saddle, seated adjustments while riding is important. Shifting body weight on a very small seated area stops soreness building, which many people get from sat on the same spot for hours.
Enjoy your bike rides more when your body is more supple, and a lean mean fighting machine< okay slightly too far, but I am sure you get the point I am making.
Happy adventures.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Excellent post, thank you for taking the time.

We're all different so do whatever makes you and your wife happy. If you have room and want to take extra stuff just in case then why not? Some people are happy to take less stuff and wash/dry their clothes, that's not for me - when I'm away I want to be riding or relaxing but to each their own.

I've been touring on bikes for decades now and can still fill 2 GSA metal panniers and a huge top box when I'm only going away for a weekend hotel break on my own.

There is a right way and a wrong way of doing these things - the right way is whatever works best for you.

Take care and stay safe Comrade.

 

[The Marching Onion]

Excellent write up, one handy tip if I may be so bold is to prepare a little for the tours before hand.
Many forget how many different muscles we all use while riding any distance hence nagging pains develop quickly.
Experienced riders who perhaps do this very often, are used to the many movements associated with bike riding and can go for miles without any fatigue.
Preparing your body, by gentle stretching, arm and leg swings, slow neck turns, this make the joints more flexible, no matter your ages, it can soon become a vital daily exercise which most people forget.

Good news, as your beginning this journey of journeys, your body will quickly adapt, much like the advanced riders here, and before long any distance will finish with wow! I feel good, we could have gone further.
If you counted the amount of different muscles used while riding you would be really surprised, for instance, looking over your shoulders, side to side at junctions, up and down looking at bike clock functions, and all around you, and with the weight of a helmet and possible ear plugs, intercom, head scarf on. Then there is the lifting of a fully laden bike onto it's main stand takes effort, practise makes perfect.

It all adds up, the constant leg moves on and off the bike, swing up and over the saddle, seated adjustments while riding is important. Shifting body weight on a very small seated area stops soreness building, which many people get from sat on the same spot for hours.
Enjoy your bike rides more when your body is more supple, and a lean mean fighting machine< okay slightly too far, but I am sure you get the point I am making.
Happy adventures.

My shoulders took the brunt of the weeks exertions, as evident at work today. I’ll certainly give this a try. Thanks.


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[Atomic84]

Great trip report and I can certainly relate to some of your points. Where did you go in Morecambe for ice cream?

The idea of chucking the missus on a train up the WCML to Lancaster was great! If mine ever wanted to go pillion again, i'd probably do the same if I was going back to Lancaster visiting friends and family.

 

[The Marching Onion]

Great trip report and I can certainly relate to some of your points. Where did you go in Morecambe for ice cream?

The idea of chucking the missus on a train up the WCML to Lancaster was great! If mine ever wanted to go pillion again, i'd probably do the same if I was going back to Lancaster visiting friends and family.

Think it was Brucciani’s. It was ok, nothing like the one we had a Seascale. That was special.

The train idea was ideal. She was there earlier than me but she walked to Sainsbury’s and I picked her up there. I may do the same when we head to the channel tunnel, pick her up in Calais


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[Atomic84]

Think it was Brucciani’s. It was ok, nothing like the one we had a Seascale. That was special.

The train idea was ideal. She was there earlier than me but she walked to Sainsbury’s and I picked her up there. I may do the same when we head to the channel tunnel, pick her up in Calais


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if you're ever up that way again, take a detour to Walling's Farm in Cockerham just south west of Lancaster for ice cream

 

[Hatcho]

Great write up and some good tips for those thinking of following in you footsteps (or tyre marks).

Invest in some inner bags for the vario panniers, that way you can unload your gear without having to carry the boxes up to your room. I think the Varios are a savage bit of kit, big when you need 'em, smaller when you don't. You mentioned the panniers and top case were only partially full - I'd be more inclined to put the stuff you had in the roll bags into the panniers. That way it's secure and easier to load/unload off the bike (with the new inner bags). For the tank bag, invest in a bike specific tank ring (SW Motech or Givi) and buy a quick release tank bag. It'll save your paintwork from any scuffing and is really easy to take off the bike and bring with you. Especially important as you'll quite often have important stuff like passports, money etc. in the tank bag, and you don't want to be leaving it on the bike while you grab a quick coffee.

Buy a power bank and a decent multiport charger. Former is great if you need to charge stuff while on the bike, or on foot exploring, the latter will solve all you overnight charging issues with phones, cardos, tablets, action came etc. One thing I always bring away with me is a small bluetooth speaker so I can listen to 'home' radio via a phone app. Great way to fill the silence in your hotel room.

What ever you do or don't bring, the most important thing is to enjoy sharing the experience both good and bad - sometimes the hiccups and bumps along the way are the thing you remember the most. Oh, and bring teabags. Always bring teabags. Unless you don't drink tea...then go see a shrink for professional help.

 

[Wapping]

that way you can unload your gear without having to carry the boxes up to your room.

A thread that goes down in UKGSer history.

 

[John RTW]

Great little write up and we all learn as we go along. Not sure on timescales but what I'd always try and do, depending on road conditions and places of interest, would be to do one day of riding and one day off for recovery and local sightseeing, if you can leave the panniers at the guesthouse it makes all the difference. Extra lights on the bike are handy but still the extra concentration at night takes more out of you so always try and park up before sunset. Obviously it all depends on traffic, state of the roads and the country you're in. Most of us are not spring chickens anymore but like to think we are.

 

[HxH]

My shoulders took the brunt of the weeks exertions, as evident at work today. I’ll certainly give this a try. Thanks.

Below is a short Tongue n Cheek video before ride outs, stay safe out there!

 

[Micky]

Briefly .... and for my money

Put the clothes you're taking on the bed, your money on the dressing table .... now half your clothes and double your money

Don't be packing/taking those denim jeans and wooly underwear ... two pair of Rohan or Craghoppers take up less space than a single pair of denims. And underclothes that are of the modern materials, dry overnight, take up far less space than the older versions

Plan, plan by all means, but don't plan too much, it restricts your itinerary.

Most of all .... enjoy

Mick

 

[BillWright]

Good write-up, the planning of the route, sights, and overnight stops is all part of the fun for a winter evening.
This was my first attempt, two weeks around Europe back in 1979. Luckily, the girlfriend was slim and 5ft 4ins.

 

[Northern jock]

Good write-up, the planning of the route, sights, and overnight stops is all part of the fun for a winter evening.
This was my first attempt, two weeks around Europe back in 1979. Luckily, the girlfriend was slim and 5ft 4ins.

View attachment 488966

Craven panniers? I’ve got an old pair on the garage, bought about 1978 for a trip round Ireland on my new 400F with a mate on the back and camping gear.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Packing light? This is packing light, everything needed for a week away taking in France, Germany, Austria and a MotoGP in Czech Rep.