Motorcycle Explorer October 2014 Issue 2 | Page 56

Bob Goddard
Take Less.
1
Decide on the absolute minimum you need, then halve it. Other
countries have shops too! Buy what you need as you go, don’t carry it
from home. The more you load onto your bike the less pleasant the
ride, the more likely you’ll drop it and the less likely you’ll pick it up
again.
Hours spent packing and unpacking each day are hours you could
spend relaxing, exploring and enjoying yourself. If Ed March can ride
all the way from Malaysia with little more than a bicycle basket on the
front of his C90, then you probably don’t need a hundredweight of
luggage. Take a tip from Lister (Red Dwarf): simply wear your
underpants inside out on alternate weeks.
Communicate.
2
The surest way to ruin a ride or a relationship is by failing to
communicate. Discuss your plans and objectives in detail before you
set off and at the start of each day’s riding. Then check that all’s well
every time you stop. Nobody wants to travel with a tyrant, so be
prepared to compromise.
Some use intercoms to keep in touch on the road but we found these
more of a hindrance than a help and instead invented a few
rudimentary hand signals for: “careful – diesel spill / gravel on road”
and “you’ve left your winker on” etc.
Stay Together.
3
Leaving your partner behind is never a good idea and getting
separated in a strange city could lead to tears before bedtime. So allow
for two bikes each time you manoeuvre or keep a close check on your
mirrors. And learn to line up side by side at junctions so you both pull
out together.
Decide whether one of you will be the regular pathfinder or both will
take turns to lead. Then set a pace you both feel comfortable with.
Agree to slow down if the follower drops back. Tiredness, discomfort,
need for a break can all affect concentration, so don’t press on
regardless. Safety is more important than schedules.