Carrying Alcohol while touring!

[dmulk]

I'm not a big drinker (anymore!) and I certainly don't drink during a riding day, but on our last trip, one of our riding companions had a bottle of brandy in his pannier that he passed around the camp fire.

No one took more than a few sips, but it sure made the camping experience more enjoyable and relaxing at the end of a 3-400 mile day.

I enjoyed the night cap so much so, that I have considered packing a small flask for my upcoming WeSTOC trip (~18 Days on the road)

What are your thoughts on this?

Do you carry open containers / flasks?


Any past legal problems / challenges / experiences?

For / Against the idea?

Beverage of choice?

Cheers!

<D>

[Gonzo]

Sorry, hard to carry a keg of beer on the ST. Not to mention the beer tap/refrigerator.

Even a good bottle of wine might be too fragile. Then again what about wine glasses?

I gave up hard liquor decades ago because it slows me down too much.

As long as you are discreet and keep it well hidden and wrapped, I see no problem. Enjoy.

[snowmoer]

I carry a flask of crown royal with me on multi day rides. Like you said, it is nice to have one at the end of the day.

If you keep it in the locked side bags or top box, that is not a problem. In a tank bag or jacket, problem with some LEO's.

[Fred D]

Sorry, hard to carry a keg of beer on the ST. Not to mention the beer tap/refrigerator.

Even a good bottle of wine might be too fragile. Then again what about wine glasses?

I gave up hard liquor decades ago because it slows me down too much.

As long as you are discreet and keep it well hidden and wrapped, I see no problem. Enjoy.

Wine glasses....? Oh, never mind....I see you said "bottle of wine" not "box of wine" :D

[SteveST1300]

I would guess it just depends where you are. In NJ you are not allowed any open containers in a motor vehicle. But if you dont get stopped they will never know, and it is nice to have a drink after a long day.:03biker:

[leveredge]

Officer. It's for the camp stove!

[st1300r]

Wouldn't think there would be a problem very unlikely a LEO is going to look in your side bag. I usually get something when I get where I'm going. G&T is nice sitting around the camp fire now that I'm thinking about it. Not much of a flask drinker but could be persuaded to sip on a patron or a nice single malt. That would pack pretty densely.

[Mark]

Chris and I buy a bottle of wine for the evenings on the road. If we don't finish it we don't worry about it... :)
Wine glasses are a bit tough, plastic or glass glasses in any motel; but, then again REI and Campmor sell SS or lexan ones... they work great.

Hard STuff would work too... brandy in hot chocolate used to be my favorite when we backpacked.
Instant hot chocolate in the mornings and brandy and hot chocolate in the evenings...

Open bottles don't bother me as long as they are locked in the back... those should be protected from search just like a car's trunk. And even open as long as it is in a locked pannier I don't think the judge would give much grief.

Mark

[dmulk]

Wouldn't think there would be a problem very unlikely a LEO is going to look in your side bag. I usually get something when I get where I'm going. G&T is nice sitting around the camp fire now that I'm thinking about it. Not much of a flask drinker but could be persuaded to sip on a patron or a nice single malt. That would pack pretty densely.

Packing space is my concern....and the fact that I only need a couple sips to be "comfortable".

<D>

[Fred D]

ffffft, amateurs!

For me, there are few more relaxing and pleasurable moments while on the road, after the bike has been cleaned and prepped for tomorrow's ride, than to pull a chair out of the motel room, lean back, and sip on an adult beverage.

A number of wines are available in those little four-packs. And I'm just fine, sipping wine out of a plastic motel "glass".

If you enjoy a higher proof, throw a handful of those "airplane" size bottles of whatever into your saddlebag.

Either of the above may~will be more expensive to purchase, but if you're stopped~searched for anything, a small bottle with an unbroken seal should be a lot easier to explain....

[Saint Nut]

This is what I use --

http://store.mpgear.com/ProductImages/msr/msr_fuel_bottles.jpg

Sure, they're for fuel, but the label doesn't specify what kind!

[dmulk]

Now that is an interesting strategy!! :D

<D>


This is what I use --

http://store.mpgear.com/ProductImages/msr/msr_fuel_bottles.jpg

Sure, they're for fuel, but the label doesn't specify what kind!

[jasonJonas]

Packing space is my concern....and the fact that I only need a couple sips to be "comfortable".

<D>

i typically have a good bottle (or flask if space is minimal) of scotch on me when touring. sometimes i like to end the day with a drink. if i don't have a bottle/flask with me and get a hankerin for a toddy, i'll stop by a liquor store and grab a pint.

my only concern is crossing borders with liquor. i've always told the truth and have never had an issue crossing into canada/us. and mexico? no one's ever asked me questions when crossing into mexico. ;)

[John Anthony]

Our next door neighbor carries a flask with him when he's on the road. Had to use it one night when I deer decided to jump out in front of him as night was settling in. He called it a day shortly thereafter!

John

[Bones]

A flask which I keep under lock until parked for the day. Filled with Bourbon, emptied around a campfire.

[BigTom]

Quote by Bones
A flask which I keep under lock until parked for the day. Filled with Bourbon, emptied around a campfire.

Boy and howdy. It's a lot easier to start a proper fire if you use a little alcohol...:D

Hee hee hee. I just couldn't help myself.

[Bones]

Boy and howdy. It's a lot easier to start a proper fire if you use a little alcohol...:D

Hee hee hee. I just couldn't help myself.

Well, yeah...firewater. :cf1: :beer2:

(Actually if you're running low on kindling, try lighting several Doritos with a butane lighter.)

[STPaulK]

I have one problem with the thought of carrying liquor on the bike. I am concerned that if I am in an accident, the booze container could become a subject of interest for not only Law Enforcement, but insurance as well. They might not have grounds to deny a claim but they certainly have an excuse to try messing with your claim.

Personally I try to find a stopover that is near a bar or a restaurant which serves, or a liquor store. Ideally I can walk to the nearest store and bring back something. When I start rationalizing my need to carry, just in case I can't find a store or bar, then I am probably deeper into the drink than I should be. (No judgment on you guys, that's my own little rule.)

[Capt_Gruuvy]

A flask under the seat. Capt, Morgan. Coconut.

I pack my ukulele with me also.

Remove boots. Attach flip flops.

"But Officer .... I have a prescription."

[dbst1300]

My personalized traveling after the ride "race fuel" container.......normally filled with high test vodka. As noted above....great for hanging out shooting the bull in front of a mom and pop motel.

[helicopper]

Saint nut,

Very clever. I am diggin those bottles. They look like something I saw at REI.

[MGDaversa]

I generally do not carry, but once the kickstand is down for the night, I do enjoy a few. If I can walk to dinner, I'll have some beer or wine there. Otherwise, I'll make some space in the bags and pick up something to take back to the motel. I do not pick up more than I can consume that evening (and I consume all of whatever I get).

[Luis Vargas]

Won't go on any multi-day trip without my plastic flask with scotch, a few ice cubes and a cigar make a perfect end to a super day of riding. But to each his own.

[stplank]

Johnny Walker and the rest of my buddies like to gather around the fire after a good day of riding.

[Papa Bear]

We generally camp fairly close to a store of some type and either stop on the way or one of us rides back after we set up camp and picks up a couple cold beer for the evening BS session.;) That way we know it will be nice and cold when we drink it.


PB

[Louie Louie]

During WW2 my Dad and his buddies used to carry binoculars w/ a hidden compartment for Scotch!