Think it's worth it? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Think it's worth it?

S

socially distorted

Well-known member
I know ideally taking a few pairs of proper shirts etc would be better, but they can be pretty pricy. So, was wondering if any of you who for for 3-4 day trips have gone to a thrift store and bought several 2 dollar tee shirts to take, then just tossed them at the end of a sweaty day of riding? Especially if you're like myself who just pack a tent and have no set destination so often don't even sleep in a campground where shower or laundry facilities available.

ps: cemeteries are quiet if enter and setup out of view and take everything to leave no trace, then leave a 5 spot in envelope at door to ease any guilty conscience.
 
Only u can answer that question. FWIW I could not take the financial blow of tossing a sweaty $2 T shirt but I'd happily vaporize $40 fuel to drive around in circles.
 
socially distorted said:
I know ideally taking a few pairs of proper shirts etc would be better, but they can be pretty pricy. So, was wondering if any of you who for for 3-4 day trips have gone to a thrift store and bought several 2 dollar tee shirts to take, then just tossed them at the end of a sweaty day of riding? Especially if you're like myself who just pack a tent and have no set destination so often don't even sleep in a campground where shower or laundry facilities available.

ps: cemeteries are quiet if enter and setup out of view and take everything to leave no trace, then leave a 5 spot in envelope at door to ease any guilty conscience.
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I wouldn't buy something just to throw it out. The cheapo in me cringes at that thought. What about just packing existing items from your closet that are about ready to toss anyway? Or underpacking so you have room for a new t should you need it.
 
Good idea... I've got plenty of old tees I never wear that I'm happy to throw out. I'll take those with me next time. I bet you could also find brand new, cheap-o blank tees online for $2 a piece. That way you don't have to worry about where the shirt's been lol
 
I have done this with socks, picked up cheap sport socks at walmart then tossed them after a days riding. It keeps your saddle bags from stinking like a hockey bag.
 
azia said:
I wouldn't buy something just to throw it out. The cheapo in me cringes at that thought. What about just packing existing items from your closet that are about ready to toss anyway? Or underpacking so you have room for a new t should you need it.
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Thats what I have done in the past. Wear old stuff I never wear anymore, toss them as the trip goes on. Easier then keeping clean and dirty separate, and you are constantly increasing your space.
 
wonderings said:
Thats what I have done in the past. Wear old stuff I never wear anymore, toss them as the trip goes on. Easier then keeping clean and dirty separate, and you are constantly increasing your space.
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+1, works great.
 
I did that on my trip as well. Used the socks/underwear until i thought they were too dirty and then tossed them. Unless i stayed in a hotel where they had laundry.
 
Not sure what "proper shirts" are. I just pack the first few clean T shirts that come out of my drawer, then bring a plastic grocery bag to put dirty stuff in and bring it home to wash.

When vagrant camping we usually head down a gravel road that looks like it might lead to a sled trail. Bonfires are likey frowned upon in a cemetery.
 
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Why go to the thrift store and buy used? If you buy bulk in the US you can get a 10 pack of Fruit of the Loom shirts for under $20.
 
Laundry day:

DSC2701-L.jpg
 
I know ideally taking a few pairs of proper shirts etc would be better, but they can be pretty pricy. So, was wondering if any of you who for for 3-4 day trips have gone to a thrift store and bought several 2 dollar tee shirts to take, then just tossed them at the end of a sweaty day of riding?
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T-shirts are not great for riding....get a technical shirt ( polyester ) - DryFit - two of those are all you need - one short sleeve one long sleeve ....they dry very quickly and will not chill you in low temps when you get sweaty.
They last forever and dry very quickly - I just wash mine in the sink.
I use a more expensive version here for riding with big pockets but same material. Had one of them for going on 10 years and it's still showing no wear at all.

$10 at old Navy - you want 100% polyester - stay off the cotton
These pack down small as well.

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/produ...ww.oldnavy.com/products/mens-workout-tops.jsp

These are the more expensive Columbia shirts I wear - the pockets are great and very easy to care for and light

http://www.columbia.com/Men's-Airgill-Lite™-Long-Sleeve-Shirt/FM7191,default,pd.html
 
This is a handy thread. :)

I am planning my first road trip this summer with a co-worker who rides. I was trying to figure out the packing and how I would co-ordinate everything. Now, I am going to pick out clothing on its last legs that I am planning on discarding anyways and bring it on the trip. What a great idea!

I should have been doing this all along during my long haul truck career. Would have kept the cab smelling better at the end of the second week. :p
 
Polyester and a handy sink are your friend - packs smaller, dries quickly, you won't get hypothermia.
Pack half of what you think you need
first half is CAA+
 
I'm with MacDoc on this one. I prefer technical fabric to cotton and compression gear really helps with fatigue on those long days in the saddle. Just bring along a small travel size shampoo bottle of laundry detergent and find a sink and you're good to go. MEC has boxer briefs in technical fabric that breathe and dry very quickly after washing.http://www.mec.ca/AST/ShopMEC/MensC...020-390/mec-t1-athletic-boxer-briefs-mens.jsp
 
some great ideas on here...thanks... been needing to weed out my tshirt collection so now i know how to do it. I didnt realize they sold the polyester shirts at old Navy...will check that out and see if they have some that arent the compression. I know people say compression is the way to go for fatigue etc, but I just find the slightest tightness is too uncomfortable and i find myself thinking about the discomfort and wiggling around then it takes my focus off the road, where it should be. One of the pics posted reminded me to add some rope for a clothesline to my packing list.
 
You might also look at Marks Work Wearhouse. Their "Drywear" undershirts and underwear work very well, are comfortable, moisture wicking, pack very small and you can hand-wash at night and have them dry the next morning.

Except for All-Day rides or outside activities at freeezing temperatures, the ONLY socks I wear for anything I do are Tilley Travel Dress Socks. Inside of my Alpinestar Web Goertex boots these socks have kept my feet comfortable at temperatures up to 50c (in Death Valley) and as low as -16 on a one hour commute to work (okay my feet started getting cold so that was pushing things.) I wear the socks at work with my suit and tie and dress shoes. They also last a long time without getting holes.

I have gone on several rides of a week of two and never carried more than three pairs of underwear, socks and the t-shirts. This stuff isn;'t cheap i nthe short run, but the comfort level for me can't be beat and when you look at how long the stuff lasts it is less expensive in the long run.

..Tom
 
The only thing I don't like about the moisture wicking shirts is the smell of sweat, especially after the "moisture" has wicked away from the body and then dries out - all that's left is that stank. It's even better when that stank is now sitting up against the nice jacket which now gets stank as well and is much more cumbersome to clean.

I used to wear them all the time for work, riding and even when I hit the gym or go running, but now for riding, I have started to use long sleeve shirts made of either bamboo or eucalyptus which keep me cool or warm, don't get stinky because of their natural microbial properties and I find they are much more comfortable than my synthetics.

Now I only use the synthetics for long periods of exercise.

And I do the plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes too. Save my money for gas or quality products.
 
shanekingsley said:
The only thing I don't like about the moisture wicking shirts is the smell of sweat, especially after the "moisture" has wicked away from the body and then dries out - all that's left is that stank. It's even better when that stank is now sitting up against the nice jacket which now gets stank as well and is much more cumbersome to clean.

I used to wear them all the time for work, riding and even when I hit the gym or go running, but now for riding, I have started to use long sleeve shirts made of either bamboo or eucalyptus which keep me cool or warm, don't get stinky because of their natural microbial properties and I find they are much more comfortable than my synthetics.

Now I only use the synthetics for long periods of exercise.
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I haven't really found smelly to be an issue in a day of riding but then I will wash in a sink at the end of the day and the stuff I wear is supposed to be anti-microbial. Still, I bought a fine wool t-shirt with the above in mind a while back but can't say I find it any more comfy.. a bit warm for me. I would like to try some of the Bamboo stuff.. where do you get yours?

..Tom
 
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