Motorcycle Camping Adventure
Going to experience motorcycle camping for the first time ever and it’s a double whammy because this will also be my first. Time. Camping. Period. So… what should I bring for maximum good times?
Update: Camping was a huge success!
My top three items that came in clutch were:
The Nemo Quasar sleeping pad, hands down. It was SUPER easy and quick to inflate, it kept me off the ground and very comfortable all night and is very pack-friendly.
The Stanley flask was a hit. No leaking, kept my drink chilly and is rather sleek.
Comfortable clothes (quick dry and thermal lined).
The weather was perfect and riding with my pals was more fun than ever now that I have a bike that can keep up! We had a late lunch at Whitewater’s lakeside location (highly recomend the Chimichurri Veg Wrap, their gin, hard soda & sour beers) and made it to our beachside camp spot without issue. As soon as we arrived, we set up our tents and got down to business: celebrating our friend’s 40th!
Photo taken by Kim M. on Saturday, August 13th, 2022.
It was relaly nice seeing pals I hadn’t seen in over 10 years. Singing songs by the campfire, making new friends and enjoying delicious food (did I mention that the hosts own a diner in Pembroke? Yeah, they know how to cook!) It was such a great night… even though I totally sucked at cornhole, haha.
The quick dry top I usually wear swimming doubled as a comfortable riding shirt on the super-hot and sunny trip while my thermal base layer made great pyjamas when it got rather chilly in the tent (dropped below 9°C). In terms of ‘luggage’, I probably over-packed. My small, soft-sided cooler broke so it didn’t make the return trip. If you can recommend any compact coolers that are moto-packable, I’m all ears.
Now that I know that I am not just capable of camping (I tented all by myself!) but actually enjoy it; I can’t wait to see what new adventures lay ahead.
Thanks again to all who shared tips on what to pack. Feeling confident in the journey is an important part of it. If I didn’t have a few crucial items (listed above), I wouldn’t have had as enjoyable an experience. The company also made this one epic weekend I won’t soon forget! That’s valley folk for ya.
Original post:
I’m 36 and I have never, ever been camping. Loads of my friends have - actually - pretty much everyone I know has… and now that I’ve got a motorcycle I can really trust (sorry Suzuki! you weren’t tuff enough!), I’m thinking of easing into the world of MotoCamping.
I’ve been invited to a friends birthday party in my hometown next month and I’m taking this as my sign to pop a tent and see what this is all about. Like I said, I’m going to ‘ease’ into this because maybe camping won’t be my thing (and that’s okay).
Have you been moto camping before? On a bike, you are limited in what you can pack so please hit me with your packing/camping tips! My top interests for this adventure include: Good times. Good vibes only. Comfort. Safety.
August 4th Update:
Shoutout to my buddy Marc from Prairie Moto (Manitoba) for writing:
“Bring a headmounted flashlight, pack light (essentials only), have tools, ride safe.”
With that in mind and also knowing my body/chronic pain situation, I decided to get a few extra creature comforts like a NEMO Quasar 3D sleeping pad, YETI Rambler Insulated Water Bottle (*which has since proven to NOT be leakproof though I’m not giving up on it yet… I’m going to try and use it again with greater success) and one Stanley Flask because, believe it or not, I have never owned a flask! I was always afraid of them tasting ‘too tinny’. I’ll let you know how these items work out. All were purchased from our Ottawa SAIL location and it was truly a great customer service experience from start to finish (lowest prices around and yes I checked online).
Having something to look forward to is important.
I have tools, I have a tent, flashlights and other necessities but I don’t want to go overboard. I am travelling by moto and am very much looking forward to experiencing the freedom of getting by with what I can carry. On that note, I did make apply some minor upgrades to my Triumph.
I’ve been riding since 2017 and have finally found the side bags that suit my style, whether or not they suit my needs will be determined over the next few months (haha). They are KAPPA Ramblers (RB100 Saddlebags) and I ordered them from Fortnine after scouring the local moto-shop scene to no avail.
The Amy Volume Social Hour
Born of boredom, I decided to talk aimlessly for an hour every Thursday night until physical, IRL social restrictions are eased. I answer questions submitted by YOU via social media or by direct message and we have some fun!
“Where did the ‘Volume’ name come from?”, “Top 3 local breweries?”, “Best memory from Capital Music Hall?” and the question that stumped me most, “What’s your guilty pleasure song that others would find shocking?”
Thursday nights at 8PM EST, I answer all your questions and we shoot the breeze, live.
Here’s our chat from Thursday, April 30th. The 3rd installment.
Click here to send me a question or comment below!
Birthday Wish for CHEO
Last year I was inspired to dedicate my birthday to kids in treatment at CHEO. I know how long and boring those days can be in isolation - I think we can all relate, too, on some level thanks to this outbreak.
This year, things will be a little different. Yes. I’m still getting older on the 25th. Yes. There are still a lot of children, from babies to teens, receiving life saving (and life altering) treatment in hospital. Many are confined to small, isolated rooms. Some are cut off from their friends and family. Others have to miss out on normal kid stuff because they are sick.
To help make their day a little brighter, I decided to direct any and all attention from myself to them.
Were you going to buy me a card? Were you thinking of taking me out for lunch, dinner, a pint or a coffee? Were you maybe going to gift me a scratch card or cold hard cash (a classic granny move)?
If you answered ‘yes’ or ‘I was thinking of maybe doing that’. First, thank you! Second, please throw that money here:
This is my second year doing this for the kids and, working with the CHEO Foundation, I have made sure 100% of the proceeds go directly to FUN! Art supplies, craft kits, toys, stuffies, movies and other sources of entertainment.
Last year, I was blown away with all the support and gifts given for the kids. This year, I will not be accepting any physical donations in person. I do want to see the faces of those who ARE giving though, so please send me selfies of you with your BIGGEST smiles alongside any messages you wish to give to children in treatment.
This campaign will last the entire month of April. Please help me spread the word for our young friends self-isolating at our wonderful CHEO.
Been Workin' on a Lil Something
I've been workin' on a little something in my new home studio... I guess the cat will be let outta the bag on Monday, so, until then...
2017 Winterlude Fact Sheet
Want to enjoy Winterlude 2017 in Ottawa-Gatineau this year but aren't sure where to start? Here are some quick tips to get your adventure(s) planned!
There are 3 Main Locations:
- The Crystal Garden at Confederation Park & Marion Dewar Plaze (Elgin at Laurier/City Hall) - here you will find breathtaking ice sculptures, family fun and the Sub-Zero Concert Series
- The Snowflake Kingdom at Jacques-Cartier Park (Rue Laurier, Gatineau) - great for kids with snow slides and tonnes of outdoor fun
- The Rideau Canal - the world's largest skating rink
Here are some other locations to enjoy various Winterlude activities: CLICK HERE.
Winterlude runs February 3rd to the 20th with all sites open on Family Day in Ontario.
The full calendar of events can be found HERE.
Let's get to the Sub-Zero Concert Series (highlighting KiSS 105.3 artists). Concerts happen every Friday and Saturday (Feb. 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th and 19th) plus the last Sunday (Feb. 19th) @ 7:30PM, Confederation Park - CIBC Stage.
Opening night: Friday, Feb. 3rd: Karim Ouellet and Coleman Hell
Friday, Feb 10th - Alx Velix, DJ DOMENO and Trevor Guthrie
Saturday, Feb 11th - Canada 150 Signature Concert
Saturday, Feb. 18th - David Usher
Sunday, Feb. 19th - Scott Helman and more