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What would be the recommended items and information to bring with you when riding, as a contingency for when the worst happens and you've got a large metal brick on the side of the road?

(such as good phone numbers to have with you, repair items that're practical, ...)

 On my journey (about 1800+ kms return) I took mobile phone with charger, tool kit that came with scoot, maps, RACQ Service card, Accommodation guide and credit cards.

I have no mechanical knowledge and after looking for a tyre repair kit for a bike and were unable to find one (out of stock) I just decided to wing it.

Whenever I pulled in for fuel or to eat all the truckies and other bikers were very friendly and came over for a chat. All seemed surprised of a female riding alone, especially on the return trip when I rode straight through.

The feeling of freedom when you get out on the open road and just stopping when you feel like it, is amazing and something I would highly recommend to all.

This has just whetted my appetite to explore further.

Denni:

This has just whetted my appetite to explore further.

 

Yes Denni. Mine too! The roads of the south west of WA are calling me! 

I'm riding down to Albany after the new year. That's a ~500km ride. It'll be my longest ride yet. I can't wait.

It's a good question by b.c.j. though. Something I need to put some thought into when I go for my ride.

 

Pegasus:

I'm riding down to Albany after the new year.

Sounds like a good ride.

After breaking my forward journey into two sections to see how I would go with long haul ride, also unsure how the fuel situation would be, I did the return in one go 900kms +, I must say it was easy.

Just try to plan ahead for your fuel stops, I went onto the web sites to plot the servos, as on the road south from here it's becoming freeway all the way, so easy riding but the fuel staions are not as plentiful as they were. I don't know whats it like in your neck of the woods but here some of the big servo's (BP) have changed ownership and become independents with obscure brands.

Enjoy your trip, I just wanted to keep going and see how long the credit cards would last or how long before my Hubby missed me.

Denni:

After breaking my forward journey into two sections to see how I would go with long haul ride, also unsure how the fuel situation would be, I did the return in one go 900kms +, I must say it was easy.

 

...and you did the ride all on your lonesome?

There are a lot of small towns along the way so I don't think I need to worry about running out of fuel. Probably the biggest worry is getting blown away by road trains but I should be okay. Who knows where'll I'll want to go after that? Melbourne perhaps? I guess it all depends how my back keeps up.

I know the feeling about just keeping on riding until you reach your limit whever that might be. It reminds me of a movie in the 70s. It had a lot of Sherbet music in it. 

Pegasus:

...and you did the ride all on your lonesome?

Yeah, it was great and just what I needed at the time, some time just for me.

Pegasus:

getting blown away by road trains

 

After awhile you'll get used to it.

I left to return on Melbourne Cup Day, thinking that everyone will be somewhere watching the cup, not the truck drivers. there was heaps on the road, travelling in groups.

Denni:

Yeah, it was great and just what I needed at the time, some time just for me.

Wow! That's great. Very daring. Good on you.

(and just for you lot that think I'm being sexist... i think it's pretty daring for a guy to do on his own as well... but then, maybe i need to get out more)

I met a guy in Port Macquarie at the servo that must have been in his very late sixties or early seventies riding a T Max that was a few years old. He had left Newcastle and was riding to Sundshine Coast, about the same km distance as me. Now I thought he was game as he was a little guy and didn't look to have to much stamina.

I think if you are careful and stop often so you don't get fatigued it's safe.

My Hubby or daughter was not to keen for me to go but they understood that I needed some me time. I talked to them along the way so I was never really out of touch. But I did not have a Comms system and this is something I don't regret, as it was up to me when I called.

I'm looking to plan another trip in the New Year, first will more than likely back down to Sydney then who knows where I might end up?

 

It sounds like the perfect thing to do. Im getting the urge too but it's a little bit scary, but I'm sure that once you start it's easy. The most I've done in a day is about 250k's so the idea of 900k's is impressive. Good on you.

Recently I picked up my brand new Vespa and then had to ride it 430km home. 

I relied on having a mobile phone,  the very Vespa basic tool kit, wet weather gear and a change of clothes and spare gloves just in case I did get soaked.

I was careful to make sure that I would have enough petrol at all times as generally scooters do not have the same sort of range that cars have.  I also had to factor in a tight new engine coupled with appalling head winds which at once stage meant I only achieved 130km for 7.5 litres of fuel.

kiwiscoota:

I was careful to make sure that I would have enough petrol at all times as generally scooters do not have the same sort of range that cars have

 

I did this too, especially as I was a female travelling solo. This was the only part of my trip that I tried to plan, by checking out the main servo's BP, Shell, Caltex websites so I had a rough idea where I would refuel.

kiwiscoota:

wet weather gear

I travelled in my big Dri Rider which is weather proof, Draggin jeans, T shirt, two pairs of socks, ankle boots and leather gloves. The jacket, boots and gloves I gave a good coverage of water repellent the day before, but then I redo my water repellent about once a month. When it rained I pulled on my 'canary suite' a fluro yellow industrial grade wet weather pants and jacket with reflective strips. I stand out a mile away. As I am on the small side and this is men's gear the pants come up well past my waist and the jacket comes down to just above mid thigh. So even after riding in the rain for some hours I arrived with my clothes underneath perfectly dry, boots remained dry also.

You can not underestimate how much difference good wet weather gear makes to your comfort in the wet.

 

Denni:

You can not underestimate how much difference good wet weather gear makes to your comfort in the wet.

 

And it doesn't even need to be expensive. I bought some wet weather gear on special at a camping store. I think I paid about $25. It's bright orange and I deliberately bought 2 sizes too big so it would cover everything and I could keep my safety gear on underneath. There's no kevlar in cheap wet weather gear.

The idea of wet weather gear is to keep you dry.  You should always have your kevlar lined pants or whatever you wear underneath.  They are not really designed as a stand alone pant/jacket!

Pegasus:

bought 2 sizes too big

 

My small mens yellow jacket goes over the top of my Dri Rider with a fleece jumper under that. Lots of room but it is not cumbersome at all.