How to Pack for a Motorcyclin' Campout
It's already July, the time to camp is now.
Are you looking forward to a girls night-camp but aren't sure where to begin with packing? The trick is knowing exactly what you need, and then packing what you want with the space left over. Print out our list of items below, and then practice-pack all of the items you've gathered onto your bike a couple nights before your trip. That way, you can add the finishing touches the next day, with any trinkets you might need to keep things running smoothly on the campsite.
Rookie Tips:
- Share the dates and location of your trip with a loved one or close friend before hitting the road.
- If you don't have enough room on your bike for all the essentials, many items can be purchased near campsites. Check maps for local businesses that are near your campsite and can be bought close to your arrival, such as food, fire wood, and toiletries.
- If you're in need of the right equipment, REI offers a variety of small and light weight backpacking gear.
- Roll your clothes. Don't fold. Rolling will preserve space in your luggage for other necessary items, especially if you can fit your articles into packing cubes. Zip locks can do the trick for socks, small shirts, shorts, and undergarments.
- Pack the water-bottle in your cupboard that won't warm up your drink in the sun.
- Triple check your calendar, is it possible you could start your period during the trip? Bring supplies just in case. Know thyself.
- Bring along small to medium sized garbage bags for holding the trash you'll make camping, and have a plan for disposing of it before leaving for your trip. Plastic bags can also be used to keep food from spilling and to hold dirty or wet clothes.
- When you are packing up, leave the campground better than how you found it.
What to Pack:
This includes all of the camping basics. How much and what you pack will depend on what you can carry, what kind of activities you're anticipating, the length of your trip, how many people are coming along, and whether any friends will be driving over.
- Personal Belongings: This includes your phone, a wireless charger, a map with your camping location already marked, emergency phone numbers, and the basic elements of your wallet, such as your IDs, keys, and spare cash. You might also pack headphones or earplugs, and a pack of playing cards, or books, which can really make or break a night in the wilderness!
- Self Care: Such as sunscreen, bug repellent, chap stick, (bear spray!) and hand sanitizer. You'll also want a first aid kit that includes aspirin, ibuprofen, and prescriptions if applicable. Aloe vera can be packed for sunburns. Bring along any essential sight, hearing, and mobility items as well. Make sure to pack a water bottle, electrolyte packs, hygiene and toiletry items, pre-moistened toilettes (you'll thank us later), soap, hair ties, a hair brush, flip flops for showering, and a towel for drying off.
- Clothing & Accessories: It's important to consider where you'll be staying while going through your closet. Sunglasses, and sun hats are always a necessity for summer time camping. You'll also want sufficient clothes: warm socks for the nighttime, an extra pair of riding socks, and short pairs for the daytime. Undergarments for each day you'll be camping, and a couple more just to be safe. Bathing suits, pants, shorts, tees and tanks, layer-able long sleeves, and a jacket.
- Footwear: Bring at least one additional pair of shoes from the ones you'll be biking in. If you'll be hiking, bring appropriate boots. If you want to hit the lake or the beach, opt for extra sandals that can protect your feet from rocks and rough ground both inside and outside of the water. Don't forgot your shower shoes!
- Motorcycle & Gear: It's essential to make room for a full service tool kit on your bike. You'll also want to wear all of your regular gear, your helmet, appropriate gloves, boots, and to stow away your motorcycle's licensing and insurance papers.
- Arrangements: The bare essentials of bedding are a cushion or inflatable mattress, a warm sleeping bag, a camping pillow, and at least one warm blanket. If you have the space, a compact tent with spare stakes is ideal. To be more comfortable throughout the days, also pack a folding chair, a neck cushion, and extra blankets if you can. Always bring a flashlight and a lantern, headlamps if desired, and always, always, always, extra batteries.
- Cooking & Kitchenware: You can manage well with the basic necessities if you have a pot, skillet, aluminum foil, a grate and/or pokers to heat up and cook food over the camp fire with. Based on how you'll be cooking, you might bring it all. You'll definitely want forks, spoons, and cutting knives, a cutting board, a can opener, roasting forks, cups, a coffee mug, paper towels, a sponge and all purpose dish soap, a lighter and easy fire starter, your food and drink, and a storage bin to protect the food and campsite from wild animals.