*This is a sponsored guest post, not written by me*
2020 was an anxiety-filled year, with everyone worried about coronavirus and lockdowns. Worse, people who had travel or road trip plans had to cancel because of the many restrictions in place.
Thankfully, now that the pandemic is under control and lockdowns are being lifted all over the country and the world, it’s time for that long overdue road trip or holiday.
If you’re planning a road trip, you need to be absolutely prepared so you don’t end up ruing your decisions. In this post, you’ll learn the five most important things you need to do to have a smooth, pleasant and exciting road trip.
Check Your Vehicle Thoroughly
Photo by Matt Moloney on Unsplash
Don’t just assume that your vehicle or motorbike is in a good enough condition to travel because you use it for in-city driving without any problems. Take no chances and get that vehicle checked out by an auto mechanic.
You want to make sure that your engine, transmission, fluids (brake, gear and engine oils), and other parts are in great condition. Pay extra special attention to your tires and check for worn threads.
If there are worn threads on the tire(s), change the tire immediately. Don’t try to manage them, a weak engine, or a faulty transmission. You’ll probably regret it.
Take Advantage of Trip Guides
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
One of the most common mistakes that people make during their road trips is blatantly relying on hearsay and misleading trip suggestions from unreliable sources on the internet.
This often leads to nightmarish road trips, where people end up staying in the worst accommodations possible or missing out on real fun and exciting activities. This is why you should use effective trip guides from verified sources.
You’ll enjoy your road trip better because of the up-to-date information that’s readily available in those guides.
Carry a Proper Navigation Tool
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
One of the worst things that can happen on a road trip is having your vehicle break down just before nightfall in the middle of nowhere, without any cellphone service or internet, or proximity to any nearby town. That can cause a major anxiety attack.
This is why you need a very reliable map or navigation equipment. While Google Maps is good, it has its flaws. For instance, there are cities and towns with details that, haven’t been entered into the map or updated in years.
This mostly applies to less-traveled routes and rural areas. Another navigation tool that works really well –better than Google Maps– is Garmin’s BMW Navigator VI.
It’s compatible with BMW motorcycles and most vehicles with navigation –not sure if it’s compatible with other motorcycles though. Although it’s not perfect, it’s better than most navigation options available in the market today.
Plan for Delays
Photo by Daniel Klein on Unsplash
No matter how careful you are, the one thing you can count on during your trip is that something will go wrong. They can and do happen frequently –usually caused by circumstances outside your control.
So learn to go with the flow and just take it in stride. It’ll make for a good road trip story someday. Until then, endure the delay until it passes.
Conclusion
Photo by Matteo Paganelli on Unsplash
At the end of the day, you’re supposed to have fun during your trip. Always remember this objective.
Eat the local foods, stay in good places, use lesser-traveled or back roads –you’ll have more fun this way, carry adequate entertainment like pre-downloaded music, movies, and TV shows, have flexible plans –the best parts of road trips often happen spontaneously, and always stay safe. Good luck with your trip.
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