Woop Woop! Motorcycle Rally season has started and we can all get to our favourite events on our bikes, pitch up tents and have a rare old time. However whilst we all aim to have the best of times, it’s not always the outcome we could wish for. So here is top ten survival tips for your motorcycle rally experience.
1. Plan your journey and leave in plenty of time to arrive early – We can all get carried away about only thinking of being at a rally but the focus on the journey and what you will need to take with you should not be overlooked.
2. Plan for a good night sleep – This might sound daft but if you’re not a natural camper, then you’re likely to not enjoy the camping aspect. So practice putting up a tent and doing a few overnighters camping somewhere just to get used to the idea. If you plan to sleep ‘rough’ on beneath a lean too tarp, then practice all the same.
3. Choose you tent pitch wisely – Allow for daytime shade if that is what you desire but also look for a quiet area away from the main activity area or where most people will be walking or riding. It will never be totally quiet of course but if you are seeking some alone moments, then thinking tactically might be your best option.
4. Food & Drink – Most rally sites will have refreshments available and you will have to budget for that also. Sometimes you may struggle to find anything that you would like so you could think about taking your own food and drink which will help with your budget too. Just be aware that some rallies may not allow you to bring your own alcohol. If it’s hot and you’re in the sun, you’ll need to think about hydration too as well as any other sun protection.
5. Security – No matter which rally you go to, only you can be responsible for your own well being and the security of your belongings. Do not leave high value items in your tent or certainly do not make them easy to find. If you have lockable boxes on your bike, then keep them locked. Always be aware of your surroundings and ensure your personal safety is a priority. This is not to say that going to a rally is anything but safe and fun, but just a reminder to be ware of anything that could go wrong.
6. Drinking to excess – If you like a drink or two, then try to minimise any detrimental affect it might have on you or when you will have to ride out the next day. On a weekend rally, it is not uncommon for the first night to be the big drinkers night as the next day is recovery day. The second night is still fun but more leisurely drinking. This doesn’t always have to be the case as it really depends what time you decide to leave the site, but certainly be mindful of this for any early departures.
7. Iron will and Iron Stomachs – This is more towards those who might otherwise have a healthy constitution but can be caught out by something they ate or drank at a site which could make them ill. If you are sensitive to such things or have specific dietary requirements, such a gluten free or vegan etc then it will be worth checking beforehand or taking your own food.
8. See in the dark! – Daft as it might sound but taking a small torch with you or using the torch on your phone at night when struggling to find your tent will help you not trip over guide ropes or tents and injure yourself or anyone else…let alone the embarrassment of falling head first into some stranger’s tent in the early hours of the morning.
9. Phone charging and power banks! – If you have the ability to charge your electrical items whilst you ride, then do so but you may want to invest in a power bank for that extra bit of juice just when you need it most.
10. Music and Lights – When the sun goes down and the sounds of a generation start billowing around the rally site, with strobing lights piercing your brain…you would think this is festival heaven, and it should be of course. However those with particular sensitivities to lights and loud noise may wish to monitor and regulate how much exposure to this they get. Certainly taking a time out will help.
So there you go. That is a top ten of things to consider but should not be construed as being anything to limit your fun. Motorcycle rallies can be anything and everything filled with fun, laughter and meeting of old friends and new, but there can be the odd casualty to fun times.
Enjoy but take care!
Leave a Reply