Staying Healthy on A Motorcycle Trip: 7 Practical Advices

Winter is arguably the best time to go on a road trip, unfortunately this is also the time when people suffer from a lot of health problems. The low temperature is perfect for germs to survive longer, which makes it the ideal for the flu virus, Norovirus (that causes stomach problems!) and other pathogens to survive longer on contaminated surfaces and create health problems in unsuspecting travelers.

By taking right precautions and keeping your immunity high, you can avoid the common winter health problems while going on a motorcycle trip. Here is everything you need to know about preventing winter health problems. Let's get started!

Don’t push yourself (the excitement can make you do silly things!)

Pace yourself, and don't know anything that is beyond your physical limits. The excitement of going on a road trip can impair your judgment into doing things which can have a direct impact on your health and wellness. Divide the entire length of the journey in small chunks which you can manage in a day without stressing yourself all your motorcycle. While it might be possible to ride a little bit longer in winter compared to in summers, know your physical limits and stay within them.

Don’t lose sleep (have a vacation routine)

Having a vacation routine is very important. Try to end your rides before sunset, so that you have enough time to park your motorcycle safely and get an understanding of the location you are in before settling down for the night. Make sure to have at least 7 to 8 hours of good sleep to let your body and mind rejuvenate for the physical activities that you need to do the next day. Failure to rest well can lead to fatigue and you don't want that when you are riding long distances alone. If you feel fatigued at any point of time during the ride, stop and take a break. If you feel unwell, consider ending the ride and continuing the next day.

Eat less, eat healthy

When you are riding a bike, you do not want to feel bloated and heavy. Do not give into the temptation of eating more of an exciting novel dish especially for lunch because a full stomach usually leads to lethargy. Focus on getting the right amount of dietary fibers and ample amounts of fruit juices. Get a good and healthy breakfast and go for a light lunch. Do not eat anything heavy towards the evening because it will lead to a feeling of uneasiness and you need to keep the stomach light. Experiment with new dishes as long as you are sure that it will not have an adverse effect on your health.

Forget about the worries, focus on the positives

Travel anxiety is very common in many people. The idea of getting out of the comfort zone and travel to an unknown destination can give you jittery nerves, so focus on the good aspects of the trip instead of worrying about the uncertain factors. Doing a little bit of yoga and meditation in the morning might help you get in the right mindset. The jittery nerves should go away as soon as you start riding. Do not get into altercations with anybody and minimize human interaction if it makes you nervous.

Keep the hand-sanitizer handy!

In the aftermath of the pandemic, it is really important to safeguard yourself against the risk of a contamination. Keep a hand-sanitizer with you at all times and wash your hands with soap and water before touching your face or having food. While we are on the topic of preventing contamination, make sure to wear a face-mask under the motorcycle riding helmet. A full-face helmet is the better choice for limiting anything from coming in contact with your face directly also wear all motorcycle riding gears like gloves and goggle, etc.

Ditch the wheels, walk a little

Whenever you have the opportunity to stretch your legs, do it. This will conserve fuel, save fuel expenses and get the endorphins going which will make you feel light and healthy. Trekking on foot is a great way to explore the local tourist attractions instead of taking the bike everywhere. Walking also gives you the opportunity of a closer interaction with the local people.

Enjoy being alone

Humans are social animals, but sometimes being alone gives us the time to introspect, which is necessary for a healthy psyche. Try to take some time alone with yourself and reflect on personal achievements and defeats. Try an electronic-detox! Switch off all electronic communication equipment and spend some time alone in nature. If doing that does not seem feasible to you, fix a specific time of the day to use these devices at least when you are on the trip.