Planning your motorcycle trip

Some people want every hotel or campsite booked, and every route marked on a map or waypointed on GPS, before they set out. Others like to follow their fancy, or head for the bluest patch of sky, looking forward to the joys of surprise. Either way, there are a few things you should know before you go:

• How far do you want to ride every day? Are you aiming to get thousands of miles under your tyres, or to set a pace that leaves plenty of time for sightseeing (or for getting lost)? Remember that riding on country roads, through mountains or strange towns is more fun than motorways, but much slower at eating up the miles.

• What will the weather be like? Take the right motorcycle kit. Getting too hot in gear designed for a British winter, or freezing because you didn’t pack enough layers, could take the fun out of riding. And most places get a bit of rain, so pack some waterproofs.

• Are you happy to camp, or will you want hotels? Carrying a tent and camping gear can save you a lot of money, but it also means taking more luggage. And if you get cold and wet, you may want to know you have a hot bath and a dry bed waiting for you.

• Do you need to book ferries or tunnel crossings? Even for a motorbike, peak periods can see ferries or the Eurotunnel booked up in advance. Being left on the quayside is no fun at all.

If you’re travelling with friends, sitting down to plan the trip can be almost as much fun as setting off on the real thing. Get those maps out, pick up a few tips on the best motorcycling roads, and agree a few basics before you go. Then you can concentrate on enjoying the trip.