There are days when you just need to start the bike and let yourself go. But when the goal is to spend an entire day on 2 wheels, especially if we have several hundred km ahead of us, improvising is not always the best option. Preparing a motorcycle route does not mean filling the day with obligations or turning an outing into a competition against the clock. On the contrary: good planning allows you to have room to stop, change the route, take photographs, discover an unexpected road or simply enjoy a coffee without having to wait to arrive at a certain time.
The key is to find thebalance between planning and freedom«. Knowing where we are going, how much fuel we may need, where we can stop and what weather conditions we will encounter allows us to concentrate on what is really important: enjoy the motorcycle.
Check the motorcycle before leaving
The first stop on any route should be the garage. Before traveling many km it is advisable to carry out a «basic motorcycle inspection«. Tires, pressure, brakes, lights, oil and coolant levels, chain and possible leaks are some of the elements worth checking.
By the way, tire pressure should be checked when cold and following the manufacturer’s instructions. It is also advisable to check that the tread and general condition of the tire are adequate to handle the planned distance. If the motorcycle uses a chain, a quick check of its tension, lubrication and condition can avoid problems during the day. And if any of the maintenance items are in doubt, the most sensible thing to do is to solve it before leaving and not wait for the problem to appear hundreds of km from home.
Watch the weather, but not just at your departure point
A route can cross several municipalities, mountain passes and areas with completely different weather conditions. Therefore, just checking the forecast for your location before leaving is not enough. Check the «Expected weather at the main points of the route and pay special attention to rain, wind, temperatures, fog and possible storms«.
It is also advisable to have a plan B. If the route passes through an area with a complicated forecast, having an alternative can save us an uncomfortable situation. The weather should not become an obsession either: a small variation in the route can allow us to avoid a storm and continue enjoying the day.
Equipment is also part of the planning
Going out on a motorcycle for a whole day requires thinking about more than just the helmet. The equipment must adapt to the time of year, the type of road and the weather forecast. Helmet, gloves, jacket and pants with protection and appropriate footwear form the base, while a layer is changeable.
The equipment must also allow us to move comfortably. A garment that is too warm can end up causing fatigue, while being cold for hours also affects concentration. A good rule is “prepare the equipment thinking about how we will be in several hours, not only in the temperature we find when we leave«.
Design the route and do not depend exclusively on the navigator
A navigation app is a fantastic tool for getting out on a motorcycle, but knowing the route at a minimum is still important. Before leaving it is advisable «review the route, identify the main crossing points and locate gas stations, rest areas and possible alternatives«.
It is also advisable to download the route or have an alternative in case we lose coverage. If we use the mobile phone as a navigator, it must be correctly fixed and positioned so that we can consult it without unnecessarily taking our attention away from the road. And, by the way, there is another important detail: not everything that appears as the fastest path is necessarily the most interesting for a motorcycle route. Secondary roads, ports and small municipalities often turn a trip into a true experience.
Calculate fuel with margin
One of the easiest mistakes to avoid is rushing the deposit too much. Before leaving, calculate approximately how many km your motorcycle can travel and check where the service stations are available during the trip. If the route passes through sparsely populated areas, it is even more important to anticipate.
It is not necessary to wait for the reserve to appear to refuel. Stopping when we still have time allows us to face the rest of the route calmly and can also become one of the natural breaks of the day.
Schedule breaks, even if you feel well
When the road is good and the bike is working perfectly, it is easy to be tempted to continue.”to infinity and beyond”.
However, fatigue appears progressively and can reduce our attention span. The DGT recommends «avoid continuous driving and make stops to rest and recover approximately every 2 hours«. On a motorcycle, in addition, stops have an added usefulness: they allow you to stretch your legs, drink, take off some of your equipment for a few minutes and regain your concentration.
You don’t have to wait until you’re exhausted to stop. A good route is one in which we arrive at the destination wanting to continue riding, not one in which we are eager to get off the motorcycle.
Water and food: better little and often
Hydration is especially important when we spend many hours equipped and exposed to the sun or high temperatures. Carrying water on hand and drinking frequently is a simple measure that can make a difference. The DGT It also advises eating light and frequent meals instead of large meals that may cause drowsiness.
Therefore, a well-organized route should include somewhere to stop to eat and drink in peace. And there is a rule that cannot be disputed: alcohol and driving are incompatible.
Bring the documentation and some basics
Before closing the suitcase, it is worth checking that we have all the necessary documentation. In Spain, the DGT establishes that the driver must carry the driving license, the vehicle’s registration certificate and the vehicle’s ITV card, all of which are valid. We can also have these documents through myDGT with the same legal validity within Spain.
Additionally, depending on the type of route and the motorcycle, it may be useful to carry basic items such as a puncture repair kit, essential tools, zip ties, thin work gloves, and a small first aid kit. There is no need to turn the motorcycle into a traveling workshop. It’s about bringing what can help us solve a small incident without carrying half a hardware store.
Leave room for the unexpected
A one-day route should not be considered a series of schedules that we have to strictly adhere to. There may be a blocked road, a storm, an unexpected stop, a viewpoint or simply the desire to have a coffee in a town that was not planned.
That is why it is advisable to calculate the times with a margin and avoid planning too many km for the available hours. It is also advisable to adapt the pace to the type of road, the traffic, the condition of the road surface and our own physical conditions. The route is not a competition: «arriving a little later is preferable to taking unnecessary risks.»
The goal is to enjoy the journey
Preparing a motorcycle route is not only about knowing where it starts and where it ends. It means making everything that happens between both points part of the experience: the roads, the landscapes, the curves, the conversations during stops, the small detours and those snapshots that end up becoming the memory of the day.
And precisely that philosophy fits with the proposal of Rider Soul Guadalajara. The October 3 event proposes a journey of 300 or 500 km along secondary roads, with checkpoints, stops and the possibility of deciding during the route itself how far to continue. There is no timer or classification. The idea is “discover the route and enjoy it from start to finish«.
Rider Soul Guadalajara: a route to put all this into practice
On Friday, October 2, the experience begins with the accreditation, the Welcome Packthe talks and the briefing. On Saturday the 3rd it is time to get going, with departures staggered between 07:30 and 09:00. The route starts from Guadalajara and offers two distance options: 300 or 500 km. The choice is made during the tour, so each rider can adapt the day to their feelings, their bike and their desire to continue discovering km.
If you are preparing a one-day route, Rider Soul Guadalajara It is also a good opportunity to put into practice all of the above: prepared motorcycle, full tank, appropriate equipment, navigation, breaks and, above all, the desire to enjoy the road. Consult the practical guide here Rider Soul Guadalajara and prepare, as God commands, your next day on 2 wheels.
