A long bike ride with your best buddies can be an enriching and joyful experience. However, you don't want anything to come in the way of your fun bike journey, do you? Road trips on bikes call for some prior planning and preparedness.
Road trips on bikes are significantly different from touring around the city for a while. As a result, you need to consider a few things before you head off on a road trip on a bike. This article is a little compilation of things to remember before a bike trip. Let's get started!
One of the common mistakes that most first-timers make is overloading themselves ahead of a bike journey. However, this habit can leave you groggy during the ride. We recommend that you take only light meals before hopping on the bike. Additionally, bike journeys can be taxing and dehydrating. As a result, you should take frequent water breaks to prevent dehydration or even better, invest in a hydration pack if you tend to frequently go on road trips. You can strap this hydration pack on your back and connect it via your helmet too.
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You don't want your bike journey to come to an unnecessary pause just because you ran out of fuel, do you? Topping the bike fuel tank to the maximum level is one thing to ensure before heading off on your journey. Fuelling becomes essential as you may be travelling through routes without any fuel stations. Lastly, use a trip meter to clock in your long journey's total distance and mileage.
Its essential that you neither overinflate nor underinflate your tyres before setting out on a long journey. Overinflation makes your ride harsh and uncomfortable as you can feel every pothole and speed bump. It also increases chances of skidding. On the other hand, underinflation improves your grip on the road. But the added traction increases fuel consumption and makes the tyre prone to heating up due to constant friction. Another essential fact to know about tires is that they tend to expand in hot air, making the journey uncomfortable and bumpy. So plan accordingly. And if you plan to ride in wet weather, better to underinflate.
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If you are travelling interstate, carry the necessary documentation with you. These documents include PUC, bike registration papers, and driving license. The authorities might demand to check through these papers. In this way, you can prevent any unnecessary troubles while crossing tolls plazas.
If your bike has not been on a long journey for quite some time, it might be a tad rusty. So, before you set off on your trip, we suggest you take your two-wheeler for a comprehensive service. This step will ensure that the bike is ready for rugged terrains and endure bumpy roads! Ensure that the servicing covers all essential checkpoints such as chain, spark plugs, brake oils, etc.
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Once you have these five things checked, you're good to depart for your long bike ride! We hope you have a smooth journey.
