XS Rally Long Distance Ride-Packing

[Jerry]

Colorado this last trip was the only time I had to ride across a mountain pass in a blizzard in the dark but with the gear I had, even wet, I didn't really get cold. I gotta get my windshield wipers fixed though. The snow caked up on the windshield and I had to look over the top and keep wiping my visor so I could see.

BTDT. It is part of the joy of living in Colorado where there can be different seasons between the passes and valleys, particularly in the spring and fall. I live at just under 5,000 feet but 30 miles away is a pass that tops 10,800 feet...higher than Vail Pass by a couple hundred feet. 20 - 30 degree changes in ambient temps are pretty common in this kind of riding. Weather can also vary greatly within a few miles, changing from rain/snow to blue skies. Colorado has a lot to offer but you have to be aware of and prepare for running into a lot of different weather conditions in a pretty short time. Its all part of the fun of riding in Colorado.

[motoman]

Man...
You guys are gonna give me a complex...

I just don't think you get me, Greg!

It's not bitchin' if ya merely state a fact, is it? Like... "Dang it! I just bought this POS bag, now it's broke!"
Now... If I CONTINUE to repeat that phrase to you...
That would be totally different.

Hey, at least all my stuff stayed dry that was IN the bag...

.....or you could do like I did, "that dead-end canyon is lookin' bad....have fun guys, I'm headin' north home".

[BA80]

Man...
You guys are gonna give me a complex...

I just don't think you get me, Greg!

It's not bitchin' if ya merely state a fact, is it? Like... "Dang it! I just bought this POS bag, now it's broke!"
Now... If I CONTINUE to repeat that phrase to you...
That would be totally different.

Hey, at least all my stuff stayed dry that was IN the bag...

ha ha ha....relax Bob. I kid because I care.

Tod and I's stuff was dry too inside trash bags.

[XJOK2PLAY]

But the REAL difference between the dry bags and the ones I use is... if you get really hot when you get somewhere, can you do THIS with your dry bags to cool off?

At first glance, I wondered just exactly WHAT they were doing with those bags...
Then I saw the hose...

Then I wondered again, for the second time....

[trbig]

But the REAL difference between the dry bags and the ones I use is... if you get really hot when you get somewhere, can you do THIS with your dry bags to cool off?

[XJOK2PLAY]

Ha ha ha.....yup. Bobs "dry bag" ripped one of the straps out so he was bitching about yet ANOTHER of his expensive farkles. Funny stuff.

I had 2 extra heavy trash bags just in case and it wouldn't hurt my feelings a bit to toss one in the trash.

Just sayin'.

Man...
You guys are gonna give me a complex...

I just don't think you get me, Greg!

It's not bitchin' if ya merely state a fact, is it? Like... "Dang it! I just bought this POS bag, now it's broke!"
Now... If I CONTINUE to repeat that phrase to you...
That would be totally different.

Hey, at least all my stuff stayed dry that was IN the bag...

[BA80]

Ha ha ha.....yup. Bobs "dry bag" ripped one of the straps out so he was bitching about yet ANOTHER of his expensive farkles. Funny stuff.

I had 2 extra heavy trash bags just in case and it wouldn't hurt my feelings a bit to toss one in the trash.

Just sayin'.

[trbig]

Having said that, I would not now give up my dry bag and go back to my previous packing methods. For around $40.00 (depending on the size you get) these are a really nice addition to your touring kit.

I'm glad you like your dry bag. I was just messing with you guys about being rich. I've got a couple, but they have been mainly used on 4-wheeler trips. Unless you put them on something soft, like your seat, they wear through pretty quickly from much rubbing at all and become worthless. That being said, a 4-wheeler is going to shake around a lot more than a street bike. Plus, even the larger ones don't hold as much as my normal bag. Although I have seen my buddy Russ with one that is larger, like duffel bag size, but it was big bucks.

The 3mil bags I use as liners are a contractor grade and much, much thicker (And larger) than the trash compactor bags. One bag generally lasts me at least a season. After packing, I twist the top and tuck it down between it and my bag before cinching it up, and through all the monsoons I've ridden in, I've never had a drop get in yet.

Anyway.. just different approaches showing there really is different ways to skin a cat.

[BA80]

Not so easy to do if you are on a long trip and packing several day's worth of clothing plus carrying some electronics and possibly a sleeping bag and/or other gear.

Exactly, but if you get rained on what are you going to do, stop and change clothes? I've done my share of long trips too and have encountered rain on many of them. Yes, there is dry stuff to change into in your pack but blow drying in the motel room is foolish. Either they will dry in the room overnight, they will dry on the road the next day ( if you chose to wear the same clothes) but gloves and boots will, or it'll still be raining and it'll just get wet again.

Colorado this last trip was the only time I had to ride across a mountain pass in a blizzard in the dark but with the gear I had, even wet, I didn't really get cold. I gotta get my windshield wipers fixed though. The snow caked up on the windshield and I had to look over the top and keep wiping my visor so I could see.

[Jerry]

Ride 'em dry!!!!

Not so easy to do if you are on a long trip and packing several day's worth of clothing plus carrying some electronics and possibly a sleeping bag and/or other gear.

I don't recall a long trip I've ever taken when I did not get rained on a few times and keeping yourself and your gear dry is of some importance. On day rides I "ride 'em dry" (and have done countless times over the years) but for long-hauls it is more than just 'nice' to have dry gear at the end of the day. And when you ride at high elevations it gets cold; even in summer Colorado's passes are generally 15 - 20 degrees cooler than the valleys, and riding wet can get uncomfortable quite quickly. DAMHIK.

If you are going to take an extended trip pay attention to packing your stuff so it stays dry during the inevitable rain storms you will ride through. Does not matter if you use garbage bags as liners or a dry bag which is more convenient, attention to this aspect of traveling will make the trip a lot more enjoyable.

Having said that, I would not now give up my dry bag and go back to my previous packing methods. For around $40.00 (depending on the size you get) these are a really nice addition to your touring kit.

[BA80]

These days time is more valuable to me and that includes time spent in the motel room with a hair dryer trying to try wet clothes

John

Ride 'em dry!!!!

[jwhughes3]

Rich boys and their fancy dry bags.. lol

I know Tod is poking fun at my typical "If there is a problem, keep throwing money at it till it goes away" attitude. These days time is more valuable to me and that includes time spent in the motel room with a hair dryer trying to try wet clothes

John

[Jerry]

Rich boys and their fancy dry bags.. lol

I used to always go the most inexpensive route, but as I get older I find I value convenience more than price than I did when I was younger. The dry bag is more expensive than other options but works very well, is very convenient, and I use it on ATV trips as well as motorcycle trips so it gets a lot of use. Having done the lined bag / lined duffel bag / garbage bag tricks in the past I finally opted for a real dry bag and am not sad I did.

BTW, for lining other bags, try using trash compactor bags. They are heavier weight and work well as liners...I know from past experience!

[DiverRay]

Hey, the small white trash bags work GREAT to keep your boots dry in a heavy rain. Replace them almost anyplace for next to nothing. Just don't get the used ones!

[trbig]

I've got a bag that I line with a heavy duty 3mil trash bag. Cheap and everything always stays nice and dry.

Rich boys and their fancy dry bags.. lol