Thought I’d type up my itemized packing list for riding a motorcycle overnight, with a few notes for clarification. All of this fit into my tiny 20 liter day hiking backpack or onto my body. It then leaves a little space for comfort-and-joy type items if you wish.
| NOTES | |
| BACKPACK | |
| Small zip wallet in Top Pocket *
Driver’s license 2 credit cards ** Debit card ** Medical insurance card*** AAA card **** Travel business cards Cash Quarters for laundry Hairbands |
*I use a small zippered wallet, so nothing falls out of it, and takes up the minimum amount of space
**I take 2 credit cards and a debit card so I have more than one way to pay for things if one credit card number gets stolen while traveling – it happens! ***Insurance card, in case, God forbid! ****AAA is just get-my-butt-out-of-a-jam insurance – it also happens (keys lock in car) |
| Top pocket of Backpack
Cell phone Ear buds Reading glasses Blistex Earplugs * Ibuprophen Migraine meds Kleenex Wet wipes Trip paperwork** Knife Multitool |
*Ear plugs cut out the unwanted noise of motorcycle riding – it’s been shown to reduce fatigue significantly
** I take photos of trip paperwork on my cell phone so I always have my information with me |
| INSIDE BACKPACK MAIN COMPARTMENT
2 Anker cell phone chargers/cord/wall USB plug* Cell phone charging cord Sena headset charging cord Baseball cap or beanie** Hand warmers Headlamp*** Emergency bivy*** Sunscreen Mosquito repellant Nylon shopping bag**** Water |
*Love the Anker chargers – the hold a ton of charge, and I’m always using up my phone battery
**To put on my helmet matted hair when I stop places and take off my helmet – to look presentable ***The headlamp and emergency bivy are basic emergency type items I take, especially if I’m going hiking during a ride ****Nylon shopping bag takes up no space and makes it easy for me to carry my little bit of stuff out of my saddlebags into where I’m staying |
| TOILETRIES (all in 1 gallon Ziplock bag):
Quick dry towel* Hairspray Deodorant |
*Quick dry towel is my laundry system – I wash socks and undies in the sink with whatever soap is available to me, wring out the extra water with the towel, and hang it up to dry |
| Quart Ziplock #1
Face lotion Makeup (foundation, blush, brush, eye shadow, brush, mascara* DoTerra Passion (my perfume, small)** Comb*** |
*I’ve pared my makeup down and down – I love Bare Minerals makeup!
**I am a girl, after all. It’s nice to smell nice, especially when you’ve been out playing hard ***Comb – I’ve figured out how to dry my hair with only a comb, so I was able to weed out the hairbrush |
| Quart Ziplock #2 – Dental
Toothbrush Toothpaste Floss Toothpick Peppermint essential oil* |
*Essential oil comes in a tiny bottle – 1 drop on my toothbrush and I’m all minty fresh |
| Quart Ziplock #3 – for in the shower
Shampoo* Conditioner* Soap** Razor |
*I’ve tested out extensively the exact amount of shampoo, conditioner and face lotion I need for x amount of time, and pack just that amount in smaller containers.
**I save half bars of soap so I minimize how much I take also |
| Quart Ziplock #4 – Miscellaneous
Face cloths Small scissors Nail clippers Meds |
|
| Quart Ziplock #5 – Bedtime
Calm Magnesium Ear plugs Blistex |
|
| Hair dryer* | *I bought THE tiniest hair dryer I could find. If I’m staying places I know have a hair dryer, I can skip this |
| CLOTHING (all in a larger, 2 gallon Ziplock bag): | I take 2 sets of clothes – I wear 1 and wash 1
Trying to find comfy long underwear that doubles for pjs |
| CLOTHES I WEAR
Bra Underwear Thermal underwear – top and bottom Socks T-shirt Pants Belt Heated jacket Motorcycle pants Motorcycle jacket Helmet Gloves Boots Earrings Rings |
|
| EXTRA CLOTHES
Bras – wear one, one extra Underwear – quick dry – wear one, 3 extra Thermal underwear – top and bottom, wear 1, 1 extra Extra socks – wear one, 3 extra T-shirts – wear one, 3 extra Pants – wear one, 1 extra |
|
| Swimsuit – qt ziplock*
PJ bottoms/shirt/sleepy bra -– can you have long underwear double as PJs |
*I always take my swimsuit – opportunities always seem to crop up to get in water! |
| Rain gear
<<Small fleece blankie for AirBnB/home stays>>* |
*A comfort item I take if have the space |
| TO DO LIST:
Let someone know where you’re going Check weather where we’re going Get someone to watch the dog Check over bike Do laundry Pack clothes, etc. Set light timers Clean out fridge Empty garbage Run dishwasher Get the mail Hold the mail Get cash Get gas in the bike |
|
| Walking out the door
Turn down heat/air conditioning Turn off water Lock windows and doors Set alarm Text neighbor when I’m leaving and when I’ll be back |
|
| TAKE
Computer/cord |
Smarter-Not-Harder U 