Like many Quebecers, you are probably a motorcycle enthusiast who loves driving for miles feeding your need for freedom and adventure.

In order to make your camping getaways enjoyable, we thought of making a list of useful or important things to bring with you.

Basic equipment

• Tent
• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping pad
• Travel pillow or just roll up some clothes to put under your head
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Shoes or sandals (to get your feet out of your riding boots)
• Bathing suit (swimming in a freshwater lake is a refreshing alternative to taking a shower)
• Hand towel (can be used to dry the whole body)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soap and shampoo
• Change of underwear and socks at a minimum
• Bug spray

Technology

• External battery pack
• Battery charger and cables
• Phone

Bring Ziploc bags to keep all this equipment dry.

For the road

• Straps and bungee nets to hold down your stuff
• Waterproof bags (preferably clear, can be put inside a duffel bag)
• Water bottle or hydration pack
• Dense snacks (granola bars and nuts)
• Rain gear that can double as a windbreaker

Some suggestions and advice

• You will probably be parking in dirt, sand or gravel so it’s important to keep your kickstand from sinking into the ground and falling over.  You can get a kickstand pad from a local motorcycle dealer or use a small piece of spare plywood.
• Know your fuel range so you don’t end up somewhere out of gas.
• Bring a paper map in case your GPS lets you down.
• Microfibre cloth to clean your visor
• Don’t forget to tell your friends or family where you’re going and when you’ll be back and have an emergency contact.
• Before you hit the road, call your insurance broker to check whether you have adequate coverage under your policy like road assistance, for example.  It may be advisable to increase your civil liability coverage, especially in the U.S., where lawsuits are no trifling matter.
• Have some cash, plus credit cards.

Ready for the adventure?  Enjoy your motocamping!

Jackie Beaudoin, Leclerc Insurance and Financial Services
Source :  Northern Ontario Travel Magazine