<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Road Trip Planning]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright Road Trip Planning]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Motorbike road trip planning]]></title><description><![CDATA[Taking a road trip can be a very refreshing experience, as it gives you time to think, relax, and enjoy the scenery as you drive through various areas, staying at different hotels and getting to meet people and see new things. However, there is a lot of planning that needs to be done in order to make sure your trip is as smooth as possible. First, if you're taking a motorbike road trip, you will want to make sure your motorbike is in excellent condition. It should be a newer model, and it should not have any history of breaking down, as the last thing you want is to be stranded out in the middle of nowhere.    
Another thing that you will want to bring is communication, preferably a cell phone or laptop. Any portable gadget that can allow you to communicate with others is crucially important. Because you will be driving a motorbike, you don't have the luggage space that you would normally have in a car, so you're limited by the amount of stuff you bring. This means that you will only want to bring things you need. This would include money, a change of clothes, and some snacks so that you can eat when you become hungry. As with all road trips, I advise you to bring at least one additional person, as they will be able to help you in case you get into trouble.    
When it comes to taking a motorbike road trip, planning is truly everything. You should know exactly what hotels or motels you should stay at, and you should also have detailed maps with routes that show you exactly how to get there. You could even make your hotel reservations online and lock in low rates. Gasoline money is a must, as you will sometimes have to stop and feel up your bike when it runs low on fuel. It would also be a good idea to be mindful of the season in which you're making the trip. Summer or spring is best, and I advise you to avoid taking any type of long road trip during the winter, as roads become frozen and potentially dangerous.    
Another thing that you will want to consider carrying with you on a motorbike road trip is a weapon. If you should find yourself in a dangerous situation while you're out on the road, you may not have much time to contact the police or other law enforcement. At the same time, you will want to be mindful of the laws in the regions you are traveling to, as the gun laws may vary from one region to another. Even if you have never traveled to a specific area before, it would be a good idea to know how to read maps properly, because when you're driving in a region you're not familiar with, it is easy to get lost.]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:44:28 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/trip-planning/motorbike-road-trip-planning/</link><guid>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/trip-planning/motorbike-road-trip-planning/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Car road trip planning]]></title><description><![CDATA[If this is your first time going on a road trip, one thing that I must emphasize is that it is not easy to plan. In fact, some people are apprehensive when they first think of the idea of driving in an unfamiliar place. However, in this article, I will give you some tips that will make planning your road trip a lot easier. The very first thing you will need to do is plan ahead. Road trips will always cost money, in terms of gasoline, food, and lodging along the way. You should already know what hotels or motels you will stay at before you get on the road, and you should also have more than enough money for gas and lodging. A map is also an important tool, you should bring it even if your vehicle has GPS, just in case your GPS goes down.    
The next thing you will want to do is make a list of the places you would like to see. This could be a list of  perhaps ten places. You should arrange the locations in a manner which would allow you to travel in a circle around the area you're visiting. Some people print out maps and then use thumb tacks to mark the areas they want to visit. Once you have decided where you want to go, the next thing you will need to do is decide how long you will stay there. For example, if you're taking a trip from Los Angeles to New York, and you want to stop at Yellow Stone along the way, you will want to decide exactly how long you will stay at Yellow Stone.    
If you're like most people, you have some form of employment. Perhaps you have a job or are self employed. You will want to make sure you get the necessary arrangements to make sure things will run smoothly during your trip. It is also a good idea to always bring travel companions with you on a road trip. It isn't a good idea to be traveling in unfamiliar places far from home by yourself, as you could get lost, and it is better to have at least one other person with you. Another clever strategy is to book all your hotels in advance online, and lock them in at low rates.

    
You should also consider setting up a roadside plan for assistance in case something happens to your car. I would also advise you to never take a long road trip in a car that is old, or has lots of miles on it. There is a good chance that the car could break down, and depending on where this happens, you could find yourself stranded. To avoid this, either drive a newer model car, or get a rental car. It is always best to plan ahead and be aware of your surroundings at all times. You will want to naturally avoid staying at hotels in seedy areas, and never under any circumstances should you pick up hitch hikers.    

Some of the items that you're going to need for your road trip include luggage, passports(if you're traveling outside of your country), as well as tickets. Depending on the area you're traveling in, there may be long stretches of time in which there are no restaurants or eateries available. To get around this, you should always bring certain snacks along with you, so that you can eat until you find a restaurant where you can get a bigger meal.]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:40:43 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/trip-planning/car-road-trip-planning/</link><guid>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/trip-planning/car-road-trip-planning/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Bicycle road trip planning]]></title><description><![CDATA[Taking a bicycle road trip is a lot different from taking a road trip by car. The most obvious difference of course is that you will be riding a bike rather than driving a car. This presents a number of additional challenges that you will want to keep in mind. First, if you're going to plan a bicycle road trip, you should always bring along at least one other person, but preferably two. When you're taking a long trip by bike, it is easy to get into an accident or some other situation where you need help, and it would be in your best interest to have someone there to help you.

    
It is also important to note that taking a bicycle road trip will require you to be in tremendous shape. Unlike a car, your muscles will be primarily responsible for transporting you, and if you're not in excellent shape, exhaustion and a lack of stamina could quickly become a problem. I would advise you to take a number of exercise courses in the months preceding your bicycle trip so that you will have the energy to make the trip with more ease. Another thing that you must pay attention to is the quality of your bike. Most traditional mountain bikes are not sufficient enough to take on an extended bicycle trip. You need a bike which is specifically designed for road trips.    
These bikes will generally not come cheap, and can cost in excess of $500 or more. While this may seem like a lot, trust me, you don't want to cut corners when it comes to your bike, because the last thing you want is a bike breaking down on you while you're on the road. If you're taking a bicycle road trip, your bike is the most important thing you can buy, and you will want to invest a great deal in it. As with any trip, it is also important to make sure your trip is planned out carefully. You should have detailed maps which will show you exactly where you will stop, lodge, and eat.    
The good news is that there are many bike trails around the country which are designed for people who are taking trips, and there are specific hotels and lodges which are reserved for you. Another thing that I would advise is for you to bring a laptop, because there are a number of areas with wi fi, and you can use the laptop to get a connection which can allow you to find out whats going on back at home or in other places while you're on your trip. Another thing that I would consider carrying on a bicycle trip is probably a gun, or at the very least, pepper spray. If you're out in the middle of nowhere, you can never be too careful. Wild animals could be encountered in certain areas, and you may also encounter dangerous humans. Having a weapon with you could come in handy and give you peace of mind.]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:36:56 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/trip-planning/bicycle-road-trip-planning/</link><guid>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/trip-planning/bicycle-road-trip-planning/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Trip tips and tricks]]></title><description><![CDATA[There are a number of tips you can use to ensure your road trip is as enjoyable as possible. First, before you get on the road, it is crucially important to make sure your car has a decent check up. The last thing you should want is to have your car breaking down out in the middle nowhere. When it comes to taking a road trip, one law that you should become familiar with is Murphy's Law. this law basically states that "if anything can go wrong, it will." In addition to having your vehicle checked out prior to making the trip, you will also want to get additional insurance as well.



    

Make sure the car has an oil change, and make sure you check the tires to ensure that they're fine. Some of the additional things that you should bring are additional quarts of oil, fuses, a cell phone, and antifreeze. You should also have the number of your insurance company, in case you need to contact them during your trip, and your registration should aways be kept up to date. If you have children with you during the trip, you will need to keep them entertained. Books, games, or other tools can make it easier to keep them well behaved while you're on the road, because the trip can be a headache if they're bored or agitated.

    
You will want to stop frequently to take the children to the restroom, and to let them stretch their legs. Bring along plenty of snacks, so that they can have something to eat until you reach the hotel, where you can all have a larger meal. The snacks don't necessarily have to be big, they can just be something like crackers, cookies, beef jerky, cheese snacks, or anything that can hold them until you find a place for lodging. If you're bringing children on a road trip, I advise you to bring either an SUV or Minivan rather than a car, because the children will have more space to move around in.    
If you don't own an SUV or Minivan, you can always rent one. While you should definitely want to enjoy your road trip, the one thing that you must always remember is that things will naturally go wrong. If you have children, they may start to complain or get in arguments, and there is a chance that you may get lost. Many cars today have GPS, so you can monitor the GPS while you drive to always ensure you're in the right area. However, just in case your GPS should malfunction for some reason, it never hurts to have an old fashioned map sitting in the glove compartment. It is also best to make your hotel reservations well in advance, as you can get a much better deal and save money at the same time. The best way to make your road trip as fun as possible is lots of planning and preparation. By planning in advance, you reduce the number of problems that occur. By being prepared, you will be ready if the problems do occur.]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 2008 14:28:18 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/trip-planning/trip-tips-and-tricks/</link><guid>http://www.roadtripplanner.info/trip-planning/trip-tips-and-tricks/</guid></item></channel></rss>