Destination “everywhere”
Being on my Road Glide gives me the freedom to leave home, feel the wind in my face and ride without destination.
I’m Alberto, an Italian expatriate since 2007 living in Lugano, Switzerland, who rides my H-D Road Glide Special 2020 as often as possible. I’m Officer of the Lugano Chapter, serving as the Webmaster and Safety Officer, and H.O.G. Life Member. In 2020, I attempted bringing together other “Road Gliders” by creating the Instagram page @roadglide.switzerland to allow “perfect strangers” to join us on our rides across Switzerland and Europe. The aim of the group is pretty simple: joy, friendship and to ride together many kilometers year-round across the Continent and to the famous (or maybe infamous) H.O.G. events. Our mantra in this: “let’s ride into the sunset” and make camp until morning! Not easy during the pandemic.
I started my Harley-Davidson journey not too long ago; but, since the moment I first got on my first H-D I’ve never stopped, now riding over 20’000km (12’500miles) per year. After work, on weekends, over holidays means always being on the road, either alone or with the awesome riders I’ve met over the years from all over Europe.
I’ve visited 76 countries in my life and I’ve never been the type of person who likes to camp if I had other options. So what has changed my mindset since getting my first H-D? Quite a lot. Living on the road, riding Alpine passes and open roads, listening to good music and camping overnight is an experience, the experience, to be lived from A to Z without interruption.
Important is understanding what is really needed and what can be packed in my side bags and luggage rack. One must carefully decide between the priority of safety items, clothes, tent, tools, stoves, etc.
What’s on my essential list? Let’s check it together!
Tent: Whenever you didn’t book a fancy hotel, you still need to sleep. In many countries nowadays, staying in hotels is restricted by law, but camping sites can be awesome places just a few meters from amazing scenery, such as a lake or mountain.
Sleeping bag and inflatable pillow: In any season the chance to sleep (quite) well and warm gives you the strength for the next day.
Head led light: I bring the same one from my party days back at Arizona State University. It’s no fun not knowing where you’re stepping or pitching the tent in the dark.
Kitchenware, stove and cutlery: No one wants to go to sleep hungry, but it can be hard to cook an awesome “Spaghetti alla carbonara” in the middle of nowhere. So, I prefer not to cook and avoid bringing the gas cooker (which can be dangerous on the bike).
Food: What does an Italian need to eat well? Block of parmesan, prosciutto, Italian cheeses and some bread are my best options, eaten off a metal plate for easy washing. Dried foods and meats could also be easy alternatives.
Coffee: What’s the item that I absolutely need most in the morning? Coffee. No gas? No problem! Why not stop at the first bar to drink an Italian espresso? Or maybe a good compromise could be the instant-hot packed coffee.
Water: If you don’t have defined stops planned, you need to have your full day’s water with you. I always bring with me at least 1.5l of water.
Cash in local currencies: Credit cards are widely accepted, but what happens when you stop in a small village in the middle of the Balkans to grab a beer after a long day of riding? Be smart, you wouldn’t like to miss that beer.
Clothes: I’ve learned over years that clothes are the least needed item in the bag. Couple of t-shirts, socks, underwear and a warm sweater (in any season) is more than enough for few days on the road, if you did not plan to have dinner at a fancy 3-star Michelin restaurant.
Rain clothes: My riding gear is already rainproof, but I still bring with me a spare pack of jacket, pants and gloves for heavy rain days.
Neck tubulars: I love riding with a jet-helmet, so I bring with me 2-3 spare tubulars to be used in case of rain.
Gloves and sunglasses: Nothing is worse than riding with broken or wet gloves or without sunglasses. I always have a spare pair with me.
Personal hygiene products: I never forget my toothbrush, toothpaste and shower gel. A small soap bar is indeed all that’s required to wash your (few) clothes!
Swiss army knife: Who doesn’t have one? One simple and small item that can solve so many problems.
Bike tools: I always bring with me a set of selected basic tools like screwdrivers, Allen screws, wrenches and scissors. You never know after many km if a bolt could come loose or if you need to lock a screw.
Tire repair kit: In some countries it’s even illegal to not have these with you. But even if not, what if you are in the middle of nowhere and your mobile has no signal? This kit is something no one ever wants to use, but what happens when you don’t have it?
First aid kit: Same as above, in some European countries it is required. There are many quite cheap kits which can help you (or your fellows) in cases of emergency. I also have mine stocked with small vials of coagulants that can help to immediately stop some bleeding.
Mosquito spray: Summer means mosquitoes and you would love to sleep without trying to kill mosquitos all night long!
Fast battery charger: During freezing winters, batteries can run out quite fast and it could be a problem the next morning. It’s a pretty small, but very useful kit. I charge it at home regularly and I perform a yearly test to remind myself the procedure needed to crank my Road Glide with it.
It looks quite a lot of items and someone might say “Where do I put everything if I don’t have side bags?” My kit was exactly the same when I rode my first Fat Bob across Europe. I only needed a bigger bag on my luggage rack. After that, you’ll easily become quite the Tetris expert!
Riding is a lifetime experience and you have to be prepared for everything that could happen on the road. Destinations don’t have to be planned, but you’ll never regret being a smart planner of useful items for your bike trips before leaving home.
I’ve learned that nothing is essential until you really need it and you’re alone in the middle of nowhere. Trust me, you don’t want to find out that you’ve missed something!
Want to join my rides? Follow me on Instagram on @roadglide.switzerland and join this awesome group of riding enthusiasts!
Alby
