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.
My Voice and My Disease
My disease attacks my voice. “Hoarseness is cause by inflammation of the cricoarytenoid joints”; they live beside our vocal cords and help with speech, swallowing and breathing. My voice being rough is the least of any worries, so keep that in mind before sending your comments.
These Businesses Hire Disabled Ontarians:
Looking to curate a list of employers who actively employ/seek out disabled Ontarians to hire. Can you help me?
— Amy Volume (@amyvolume) May 31, 2022
If you are not on Twitter but wish to respond: amy@chez106.com
Check back for updates. This post will (hopefully) have some employment resources for Ontarians living with disabilities who are seeking employment.
Follow @EARN_UWEO - A United Way East Ontario-led initiative bringing employers and service providers together to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Here is the comprehensive list of employers who hire persons of all abilities.
Comments from Social Media users:
“I work for a college in the Testing Services department which allows me to support students who require accomodations for any number of reasons and it’s the most rewarding job in the world. I am striving to give [them] the respect and opportunity their deserve to grow and reach their goals.” - Carrie, who is physically disabled.
“I’m a client with Performance Plus Rehabilitative Care Inc. who specialize [in helping] individuals with different disabilities find work. They also have a list of employers.” - Guylaine, living with physical and mental disabilities.
“Check out the Happy Popcorn Co. in Cornwall.” - Daniel
From Happy Popcorn’s website:
“…the cornerstone of our popping was grown from one of the deepest kernels of our heart: our son Jack!
Jack is on the Autism spectrum, and as parents, we wanted to plan for his future. Grateful to be able to open a business inspired by Jack’s love for popcorn, we set out to create a place of inclusion – not only for Jack but for others too.”
“My wife is one of a few disabled people who got hired at TD Place to work as an usher for Redblacks games. They are very inclusive.” - Eric
To add to Eric’s comment, I worked at TD Place for the Compass group when I was laid off by a shuttering radio station. I was the pregnant bartender!
Mid April Update
Back at work for my second week after having COVID. Seems the whole family is in good health now and I haven’t personally noticed any lingering symptoms or issues. Looking forward to meeting my new rheumatologist (rheumatoid arthritis specialist) next week (!!!) so there may be a few days of ‘wonky schedules’ to get through at the radio station. I’m thankful for the support I have and continue to receive at work regarding my health issues. Gotta take care of this body and this life while I’ve got it!
BIG NEWS: My birthday wish for the kids at CHEO is getting a signal boost from my radio station. For the next week or so, you’ll hear ads encouraging donations for the hospital’s child life department - they then give gifts to kids receiving in patient treatment. Something I’m very familiar with. This is my biggest cause that I love to support. If you’d like to contribute, please CLICK HERE.
COTTAGE NEWS: Some major expenses are on the immediet horizon, like: new chimney, water line (well & pump) corrections and a visit from our local neighbourhood exterminator! Woohoo! Now, before you judge me for hiring pest control LET IT BE KNOWN that I’m hoping to only have one inaccessible area of the cabin cleared out; the nightly scratch-scratch-scratching behind the head of my bed (in the wall) has GOT to stop! I’m not going murder-happy on the local fauna.
We’re hoping to get the cabin ready for guests earlier than May 24 weekend, so if you’re a pal & want to book some time at the lake - get in touch! Someone’s gotta help me pay these bills!
If you’re reading this, I hope you had a wonderful easter weekend. Sunny days ahead!
Amy Volume's BIRTHDAY WISH - Year 4!
Help me celebrate my birthday by giving a gift to a child receiving in patient treatment at CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario). All proceeds go directly to CHEO’s Child Life department who provide kids with wonderful and much needed distractions in many forms: books, toys, craft kits and other forms of entertainment.
I’m turning 36 on April 25th (woah!) - help me celebrate by buying a gift for a kid receiving in patient treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, aka CHEO! All money raised goes to CHEO’s Child Life fund and you can learn more about the fund by CLICKING HERE.
Launched in 2019, we’ve raised $5,000.00 and I”m hoping to add another $2,500.00 in 2022. This is a mighty ambitious goal but, as long as I have a birthday, I’ll keep trying to provide entertainment and levity to those who deserve it most: kids in hospital.
This cause is very important to me. I am a CHEO kid. I spend a lot of my childhood in hospital, diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at eighteen months (1988) it was Sick Kids in Toronto until CHEO built their own Rheumatology Clinic (which I believe is the Infectious Diseases clinic in today’s terms).
As you can imagine, I missed a lot of school - never did make it on to any teams (sporting, social or otherwise) - in fact, I missed my own highschool graduation due to joint fusion surgery.
When you’re little and in need of a smile, CHEO’s Child Life department delivers. Please consider giving a gift to a child to help me celebrate my birthday. This fundraising effort is ongoing, year round. If you cannot donate at this time, there is no pressure! There are no deadlines! I just ‘get loud’ about it every April because that’s when I celebrate my birthday.
Help me celebrate by making a financial donation OR by buying a gift from my Wish List (will be delivered to my work address and brought to CHEO by me):
The photo above this text is of me delivering gifts & money to CHEO. This was my first year buggin’ you for donations. If you consider the average gift costing $25, to date, we have collectively given over 200 gifts to kids (aged 0-18) receiving in patient treatment at CHEO.