Common Mistakes Made and How to Avoid When Planning an Adventure Motorcycle Ride - Part 2 of 2

Welcome back to the series of Most common mistakes made and avoiding them for an adventure Motorcycle ride and camping. If you haven't read the first part, you can read it here.

Without further ado, lets continue:

6. Poor Campsite / Camping location choices

Choosing an optimal campsite is a pivotal aspect of ensuring a serene and safe night amid the wilderness. It's essential to avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding and equally important to adhere to local camping rules and etiquette. In your quest for the ideal motorcycle campsite, consider key elements like proximity to water sources for easy access to this vital resource. However, don't camp too close to water to avoid potential hazards such as nagging bugs and pests—nothing can drag down a ride like itchy bug bites or seeing snakes near your tent.

Assess the accessibility of the site, ensuring it's within a reasonable distance from your route yet secluded enough to offer a tranquil retreat. Familiarize yourself with local regulations and guidelines. These can vary significantly, encompassing aspects such as fire regulations, wildlife precautions, and specific camping zones.

Utilize social media groups to find adventure motorcycle groups to new areas you plan on riding. They can provide insights into hidden gems and tips on the best spots that balance beauty, safety, and compliance with local norms. Their experiences can guide you in making informed decisions, enhancing your overall camping experience, and ensuring that your chosen spot becomes a memorable and harmonious part of your journey.

7. Poor Bike Maintenance

This should go without saying, but a well-maintained bike is essential for a trouble-free journey. We still encounter riders who have breakdowns due to lack of maintenance, such as a loose or unwaxed chain or bald tires. Let's not even get into the fact that most riders neglect to check tire pressure every morning! You should check PSI every morning, whether with a traditional gauge or checking your bike’s electronic monitoring system if equipped.

Before hitting the road, conduct a thorough bike check, paying close attention to tire pressure, brake pads, and oil levels. And continue to monitor this throughout the trip. Preventive maintenance not only keeps you safe but also minimizes the risk of breakdowns in remote areas, which makes your adventure ride - just not fun adventure anymore.

8. Dead Batteries on Devices 

Don’t forget to fully charge every battery-powered device you plan to take, and also have portable chargers. Don’t forget to make sure your motorcycle’s battery is in top shape—check it before leaving, ensuring it’s putting out the proper voltage.

Check your specific battery’s specs, but when the bike is running, your battery should read between 12.6 to 13.2 volts. Remember that Lithium batteries may be hard to start in colder weather. The tip is to turn the bike's ignition on to let the battery heat up for a minute.

9. Not Staying hydrated Enough

Staying hydrated is crucial and becomes a key issue when your body is getting a workout, particularly in hot weather, accompanied by the use of adventure riding gear. If drinking water sources are a question mark, you have to plan to pack a sufficient supply to get you between drinking water sources.

Electrolytes are essential minerals found in your blood, sweat, and urine that carry an electric charge. They are crucial for many bodily functions, including maintaining fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signaling. The key electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate.

When you're out in the wild, especially during activities like camping that involve physical exertion, you lose electrolytes through sweat. This loss can lead to imbalances, manifesting as muscle cramps, fatigue, nausea, or even more serious conditions like hyponatremia (low sodium levels).

Replenishing electrolytes while camping can be done in several ways:

• Electrolyte Supplements: These come in various forms, such as tablets, powders, or premixed drinks. They're easy to pack and use, making them a popular choice for campers and hikers. Just dissolve them in your water bottle, and you're good to go.
• Natural Foods: Many foods are rich in electrolytes. For instance, bananas and sweet potatoes are high in potassium, nuts and seeds are good sources of magnesium, and dairy products can provide calcium. Planning your meals with these foods can help maintain electrolyte balance.
• Salt Tablets: For sodium replenishment, salt tablets can be effective. However, they should be used cautiously as excessive sodium can be harmful.
• Coconut Water: It's a natural drink high in potassium and other electrolytes.

10.  Not Carring Basic First-Aid Kit