When you own a motorcycle, getting to Point B is half the fun. You’re not cooped up in a car, radio blasting and kids shouting, missing roadside attractions and wondering “When are we going to get there?”
A motorcycle ride exercises all of your senses, and makes you feel in touch with the road and your bike. Hopping on your bike and cruising around is a great way to spend the day, but planning a ride has its rewards.
Of course, you need a destination – whether it’s a park museum or restaurant – because where you’ll ultimately wind up is important as getting there.
After you’ve chosen your destination, get online and visit Google Maps – the most detailed, and accurate, mapping services available. Besides providing satellite imagery that helps in preparing for your ride, you’ll also see a tab marked “directions.”
Google Maps provides you with the straightest route, but by moving the blue route line around, you’ll be able to plan exactly where you want to go. It’s a great way to travel roads you’ve never ridden on, and see landmarks and other points of interest.
Now that you know where you’re going and how you’re getting there, it’s time to gather your friends and plan the day. Early morning departures give you the entire day to ride, but can be tough on the night owls. Mid day in the summer months means dealing with the heat, while an evening ride provides cooler temperatures.
One important thing to note is that if you make your meeting place in public, check it out in advance to ensure it can handle a group of motorcycles – busy traffic patterns, small parking lots and traffic congestion won’t get your ride off to a good start.
The next step is easy – get on your bike and ride!
Plan in advance for any side trips, and the ever popular bathroom breaks. If you have novices in your group, remember that they might need a break quicker than the veterans.
Once you’ve reached your destination, enjoy the time with your biking buddies. Sure, it’s great to have finally gotten to your end point, but getting there was most of the fun!
Remember to ride safely!
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