The appeal of winter camping tours
When you think of motorcycle touring, you think of summer.
Many people probably think otherwise, but winter touring is actually very enjoyable.
Running towards the cumulonimbus clouds in summer is nice, but running while gazing at snow-capped mountains in the distance and stopping at a convenience store for a warm can of coffee is something you can only do in winter.
Camping is also associated with summer, but compared to summer...Winter: A time when there are few people and few insects.Actually,Perfect season for campingIt is also true.
Bonfires offer more than just cooking; they provide a greater sense of warmth, and the clearer air allows you to see the stars more beautifully than in summer.
If you take proper precautions against the cold, even those who don't like the cold can surely create wonderful memories.
If you still can't imagine the appeal of winter touring and camping, please watch the video below.
Choose a warm campsite to avoid freezing temperatures.
With a car, you can use studded tires to handle icy roads, but that's not the case with a motorcycle.
Motorcycles, where a slip can easily lead to a fall, require careful driving.
Furthermore, even if the road is simply wet, there is also a condition called "black ice," where a thin layer of ice has formed.
A moment of carelessness can turn a fun event into a sad one. Please drive with extreme caution.
In order to reduce the risk of such accidents as much as possible,By avoiding driving in mountainous areas, before sunrise, and after sunset..., on icy roadsAvoidableThe probability increases.
If you're not used to winter camping or winter motorcycle touring, it's best to choose a camping area that is as warm as possible.
There's no need to force yourself to go to a cold place and test your endurance. Let's go to a warm place. If there's a hot spring, that's even better.
In the Kanto region, there are places like the Boso Peninsula and Hamamatsu.I recommend this.
Researching your touring route in advance is also important.
As I mentioned earlier,The scariest thing about winter touring is icy roads.is.
Checking road conditions in advance is very important.
While it's good to check information about the surrounding area on websites, I prefer to understand the elevation changes of the terrain using contour maps, and I also like to check the touring routes.Avoid passing through high-altitude areas.I recommend deciding in that way.
For motorcycle touring, I recommend Touring Mapple.
Touring Mapple maps not only show contour lines, but they are also enjoyable to read, featuring recommended touring routes, scenic capes, delicious restaurants, and other points of interest that will make you want to stop along the way, making them perfect even for beginners who don't know where to ride.
Even if you enter an area where GPS cannot reach, you can still get a rough idea of your location, which is reassuring because it means you'll be okay even if your smartphone battery dies.
Winter camping clothing
A rider's jacket is a good basic choice.
- Wear heat-generating material such as Heattech as your innerwear (underwear).
- Choose a mid-layer (intermediate layer) that provides good insulation, such as fleece.
- For those who don't like the cold, wear an outer layer (over a rider's jacket).Wearing a down jacket over a rider's jacketWearing this will increase your warmth and make you more comfortable.
For information on what to wear for winter camping, please see this article.
Cold weather protection measures
Key points for cold weather protection areHow to obtain a heat sourceis.
Since you can't carry a large stove on a motorcycle, you'll have to warm yourself by a campfire.
Furthermore, to make the most of the heat generated by the campfire, you can boil water to make a hot water bottle and put it in your sleeping bag to stay warm while you sleep.
For those who can't carry firewood on their motorcycles, there are also gas-powered stoves available.
This way, you can get fuel at a convenience store along the way, and if you use the same fuel for both the compact stove used for cooking and the stove itself, you can reduce the amount of luggage you need to carry.
However, since it only warms specific spots, you'll need to spin around to warm up your chilled body. (It's a little comical, but that's part of the fun.)
Of course, oxygen is used during combustion,Use inside tents is strictly prohibited.is.
meal
DefinitelyThe potrecommendation!
Buy some pre-cut vegetables at the convenience store, throw in some meat, and simmer it in hot pot base. That's it! It's easy and warming.
In winter, some campsites don't have running water, so even though soup-type refrigerant is bulkier, it's better than solid refrigerant that dissolves in water.
Curry and kimchi make the area even warmer, which is great.
If there's a supermarket along the route, it's worth checking the fresh fish section, as they sometimes sell seafood hot pot sets during the colder months.
Just put it on the stove in the container and you're good to go! The soup is also included.
Hot sandwiches are an easy breakfast option.It's warm and delicious.
For the filling, melted cheese with mayonnaise or ketchup is enough. Even just buying a Lunch Pack and baking it as is is a delicious and easy option!
I recommend instant coffee over drip coffee.
With a drip coffee maker, the coffee cools down while it's dripping. But in a camping setting, instant coffee tastes perfectly fine.
Adding condensed milk to tea bags is also a good idea. It's sweet and delicious, and it warms you up nicely on a chilly day.
Measures to prevent running out of gas
Due to their location, campsites are inevitably found in rural areas.
Therefore, touring courseThere are few gas stations.That happens often.
Also, if you're planning to spend New Year's Eve at a campsite, it's quite common to find that the gas station is closed.
It's best to research beforehand when deciding on a course, but things don't always go according to plan,Gasoline jerry canThere are also things like that, so let's prepare for them.You cannot refuel portable fuel cans at self-service gas stations..(This must be done at a gas station where staff refuel the vehicle.)
In summary, winter camping trips are the best!
We've looked at key points and precautions for winter camping tours.
While it may seem more challenging than spring or autumn camping due to factors like cold weather precautions and caution regarding icy roads, if you keep the points I've written about in mind, you're sure to create wonderful memories.
An endless straight road + a sky full of stars + a bonfire
See? Doesn't that make you want to go?
