Pants Do you have the very best... thing?

[Pop-Pop]

To answer @Sadlsor’s query, sometimes you don’t know that you need something “better” until that specific item is put to the test.
Case and point, last fall my rear tire picked up a roofing nail.OK, STuff happens! So I go to my brand new, never been used tire kit and begin the process of removing and plugging. Plug prep requires some hole reeming using the kit tool that looks like a small screw driver with a drill bit on the end.
So start reeming and I quickly discover that the design of this tool does not allow me to grip it the right way to provide enough force required for the job. Then, near the end of an overly long process, the handle had cracked and was now loosely hanging on the drill bit.
Repair was completed successfully but I thought that surely there was a better mousetrap out there. A little research led me to this bit of kit: it may not be the very best but it’s gonna be a more effective tool if I ever need to do this again. My

For sure, there is a learning curve i say, three tents and three sleeping bags later! And, please dont get me started on air pads! Ahhh! The joys of touring!

 

[the Ferret]

"Touring is just taking a day ride, day after day."

so true Pop-Pop, it's just that.

Our biggest irritant on trips isn't what we take/wear or don't but motel laundries. Years back there were no issues. Last 10 years or so, the washers are usually inoperative or look like someone just washed their dog in it. Takes some of the relaxation time to visit a laundromat as well.

I wear Champion C9 athletic shirts and shorts from Target under my Tourmaster Jacket and pants. They are hand washable in the hotel shower or sink, and easily dry out by morning. They also pack ultra small. I wear 1 ea, pack 2 ea. My Dr Scholl socks are also hand washable, again wear 1 pack 2.

 

[rwthomas1]

An interesting post. This exists in every area I've ever been interested in. There are people that just seem to love the decision making process, gearing up for some adventure, trip, or future event. Sometimes to their detriment, they get so bogged down, they never get to executing their plan. Then there are others who are never going to go, and the preparation is what they use as an excuse to not face up to the fact that they don't actually have what it takes. Not that preparing is a bad thing, we all have seen the woefully unprepared, those that didn't have a clue, and are now trapped, marooned, stuck. There is a point that is reached, when good enough is good enough, and its time to go.

 

[Uncle Phil]

An interesting post. This exists in every area I've ever been interested in. There are people that just seem to love the decision making process, gearing up for some adventure, trip, or future event. Sometimes to their detriment, they get so bogged down, they never get to executing their plan. Then there are others who are never going to go, and the preparation is what they use as an excuse to not face up to the fact that they don't actually have what it takes. Not that preparing is a bad thing, we all have seen the woefully unprepared, those that didn't have a clue, and are now trapped, marooned, stuck. There is a point that is reached, when good enough is good enough, and its time to go.

Planning is good, but Going is better!

 

[Pop-Pop]

Planning is good, but Going is better!

I do quite a bit of planning before j leave, but when i leave there is little to do. There is always a nearby wallmart!

 

[dduelin]

I do quite a bit of planning before j leave, but when i leave there is little to do. There is always a nearby wallmart!

That’s the 3rd pile.

 

[Moto-Charlie]

Now, depending on the trip and the length of it, it's pretty much settled for me.
It don't take me long to load one of the girls up with what I need and get on the road!
I have a 'tub' out in the garage with the stuff I normally take so it's handy.
In the house, I have a drawer of stuff that I pack so it's all in one place.
Biggest decision is usually what t-shirts I'm gonna take (I have a bunch!) ...

Just like Uncle Phil said goes for me too. I'm gone on 2 - 3 long tours per summer so I have specific kit set aside just for touring. It takes me longer to pick the t-shirts and get my toiletries/meds/vitamins sorted than everything else combined.

 

[ST1100Y]

Every trip you take you learn what works and what doesn't for you.

Indeed, bit of a learning curve to determine what's actually essential, and what is just ballast you'd hauled around for absolutely noting... hence: KISS...
And stop overthinking things, pretty much none of us is actually leaving civilization behind, bring along what's logical... and for the rest there is MasterCard...

I do however "love" folks who bring a shitload of fancy things along, but left home with half worn tires & brake-pads, shot wheel-bearings, even entirely forgot to service the rig at all...

Last Norway trip I carried an DSLR and an action cam along... did I use them? Na! Like 5 pics with the DSLR, cam wasn't used at all...
Where are the priorities? Riding!