Specific to Women

VelvtRide · 09-09-2007, 05:33 PM

LR and I are planning a 3 or 4 month long trip to Mexico/Belize/Guatemala this coming winter. In the last few months, I've been thinking about the things that are specific to women for traveling long distances on a motorcycle.

We have to worry about menstruation, washing, laundry, shaving among other things. I have some suggestions and I would really hope our other female inmates could post their thoughts/questions/suggestions.

1. That time of the month

I have purchased disposable underwear that I chuck in my tankbag for problems where I'm not near a city or gas station. You can buy these at any beauty salon, a dozen at a time, for less than $5. Handy if you have an accident. These are in addition to the 7 cotton pairs I have stuff in my saddle bags.
Using a DivaCup, instead of tampons or pads, will save space and get rid of the waste problem.
WetWipes are available in convenient travel sizes and are extremely useful for lots of different situations.
Feminine spray is also available in travel sizes if you're camping and don't have time(or is not available) to wash with soap & water.
You can purchase soap 'flakes' in itty bitty containers - usually 50 flakes(one flake is enough to wash your hair/hands/pits/feet with only a tiny bit of water added).
If you're camping(or there's no bathroom where you are) there's the mess of what to do with pads and the like when you've used them - lighter and/or matches will solve that.

2. Bathroom duty

I carry a small(50 sheets) roll of Charmin, which comes in a plastic case to keep it clean and non-damaged, in my tank bag for emergencies. You can also purchase Sanitary Seat covers in travel size for less than desirable places to pee/poo. $.99 at any WallyWorld.
She-Wee. If you haven't heard of it, google it. Fantastic product made for women so we don't have to squat or take our pants all the way to the knees just to go. Stand up and pee right next to your man.
Inflatable toilet seats. It's been mentioned to me that many hotels south of the border do not have toilet seats. Bring your own - inflatable means it'll pack very small but provide big comfort.
Wetwipes as stated above or the feminine type to reduce odor.

3. Chafing & skin protection

Exoficio makes wonderful mens boxers that are odor resistant and dry out within hours of washing. Chafe free, comfortable and extremely cool in hot weather. They don't bunch or have seams to grind into your skin after hours and hours of being on the bike.
HoneyDust, by Kama Sutra, works awesome to help keep you dry and keeps your skin comfortable - plus it smells good and is edible so it's a 2 in one product.
Face cream - find one with a high SPF which will double as sunscreen. Lip moisturizers are especially important!
A sports bra with no seams will help keep your underarms and shoulders from getting irritated. Nike & Bali both make them. I usually have 2 of these, plus a nice push up bra for special occasions.

4. Washing and the like

Shampoo. Lush makes shampoo solids. They are small and round, come in a canister to guard against damage, you'll get more than 50 washes with one. About $6 each. I have found these to be absolutely indispensible! Some come with conditioner built in, so no need to carry the extra weight of conditioner.... plus, you can also use this as a wash bar for your body. They are soap free.
Face cloths will clean your pores and moisturize, too. Coupled with SPF lotion, you're covered.
Shaving. If you can get used to it, try an epilator. Emjoy makes one that doesn't hurt near what the others do and leaves you free of hair for up to 6 weeks. It also makes hair grow back slower and thinner over time. You can find Emjoys that are battery operated for when you don't have power to draw from. Gillette Venus Breeze disposable razor has lubricating pads so no soap is necessary. These work very, very well with little water. Disposable wax strips work well, too, if you wax.
Disposable brush wipes(by Oral B) for your teeth are excellent and take up almost zero room. They come impregnated with toothpaste, fit on your finger and have nubbies on them to get all the grit off your teeth.
Tide makes Sink Packs. Comes in 3's for $.99 and will do a few pairs of 'roos, socks, bra or shirt/pant. I love these things and carry about a dozen. 3 of them in the tub worked wonders on LR's 10 day camping-old-crusty shirt and pants. We won't talk about his socks.
Deoderants. Try a 'crystal' or other natural solid. They last an extremely long time and are very small. Also, you won't have the problem of them melting.

5. Clothing

Rayon is a great fabric for traveling. Comes out wrinkled as hell, but after splashing lightly with water, all the wrinkles just fall right out.
Scented sachet packs are great tossed in the saddle bags. Keeps things freshly scented even if you've worn items a time or 2.
If you don't already, try wearing thong underwear. They pack ultra small and don't take much to clean and dry.
I bring dryer sheets(Bounce) in a plastic bag. Not only do they work good as sashets, but also repel ticks/fleas when rubbed on pant legs/socks/shoes. They also get rid of static cling problems by just rubbing them on the clothing/sheets.
Jelled socks at night will keep your feet soft & supple and help with painful callouses.

6. Miscellaneous

If you have to wear makeup, use Mineral Powder foundation. Good for the skin, doesn't clog pores or leave a mess in your helmet liner. It also comes with sunscreen. Lots of mineral eye shadow colors that pack small and last a very, very long time.
Waterproof mascara and lipstick with SPF in it completes your makeup kit.
Ziploc bags are good for many things. I always keep several handy.
Hair ties. I used to keep these around my brush handle, but now they are on a 'hook' hanging off the tank bag. These, too, have many uses.
I repack all my hair/face care products in plastic bottle/tubs. Up and down in elevation can sometimes cause burst contents. It also saves space.

I found a thread on the Horizon's site that is geared toward women and traveling that's very informative. I would appreciate any other links or comments from the female contingent......

Lone Rider · 09-09-2007, 05:40 PM

Lordy, lordy.....

Glad I ain't a wimmin...

BigX · 09-09-2007, 05:49 PM

I think I'm gonna be sick...

PhilSpace · 09-09-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigX

I think I'm gonna be sick...

Quote:

Originally Posted by santaferider

a hysterectomy will cut that list in half

just sayin'

OK guys, that's enough, if you want to play, head off to JM.

kootenay kid · 09-09-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigX

I think I'm gonna be sick...

kootenay kid · 09-09-2007, 07:10 PM

I aint laughed like that in awhile

swjohnsey · 09-09-2007, 07:22 PM

God, I'm glad I'm a man. If you is menstruating you're gonna need some birth control.

VelvtRide · 09-09-2007, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lone Rider

Lordy, lordy.....

Glad I ain't a wimmin...

Yeah yeah yeah.... but you love this wimmin.

santaferider · 09-09-2007, 06:06 PM

a hysterectomy will cut that list in half

just sayin'

twisty sister · 09-09-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santaferider

a hysterectomy will cut that list in half

just sayin'

Worked for me!! One less (major) thing to worry about!!!
Lotsa good tips...but....
Should body hair be a concern on a trip? .. HHMMMM...
(Remember, you are traveling on a motorcycle...who cares??)
But if you wanna be "fresh" and "hairless" (for entertainment purposes, for example) then get a bikini/leg/pit wax a week before you leave.
You will stay hairfree for 6 to 8 weeks.

I don't worry much about that, though...
( "Grass don't grow on a playground"!)
Make up? Non essential item. Skip it.
Lip balm is a must, as is SPF lotion.
There are swivel stick sunscreens (look like large lip balms) that can be used on lips and face and elsewhere if you dare..good multi-taskers, and they pack light.
And bug repellant is a good idea,too. (they make bug-off wipes, to save space)
All drug stores carry small travel "sample sizes" of all kinds of things, like deoderant, toothpaste, body powder,lotion, soap,shampoo, aspirin even toilet seat covers and laundry soap!
I am personally not a fan of "disposable" stuff..I like to reuse the stuff on my next trip, or refill the bottles...but I agree, sometimes it ain't a bad idea to leave SOME stuff behind! ;-0
Wet naps are INDISPENSABLE!!! For MANY purposes. They make BIG ones that you can clean your whole person with, and they pack flat!
They can take the place of bar soap, use the shampoo if you need soap...Shampoo ( in a small, refillable screw top bottle) can double as laundry soap, dish soap and body wash...and bike wash!

+1 on the zip loc bags, too.
Bring bandanas...can be used in countless ways, on and off your body
Items that multi task are great!!
just my two cents... gleened from years of experience, mistakes and lessons in downsizing! Your trip sounds awesome!!! Take lots of pics!!

Below is a pic of myself utilizing a typical Baja restroom.
(Note "AC" shrub just off to my right where I can plug in my portable blowdryer and lighted vanity mirror!!)

RICH_MC_WIFE · 09-29-2007, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twisty sister

( "Grass don't grow on a playground"!)
l

That is the funniest damn thing I've ever read!

Django Loco · 09-10-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VelvtRide

LR and I are planning a 3 or 4 month long trip to Mexico/Belize/Guatemala this coming winter. In the last few months, I've been thinking about the things that are specific to women for traveling long distances on a motorcycle.

Valuable survival/comfort stuff!

As a male, I hope women will also be aware of cultural differences when traveling in Latin America....or other non US destinations.

Big tourist places don't matter...already assimilated. But small, country towns, mountain towns, with large indigenous populations....there are certain things western women should avoid or be sensitive too....especially if traveling alone. Most of this becomes obvious once you're in country a few days....but you know....there is always one who just doesn't get it.

Be aware of Machismo and what it really is and how it affects everything you will do being female....how you are perceived and how even the most sublte
friendliness can be misinterpreted. Many think they understand what "Macho" is...but you don't. But once you learn "the way" you can use all the tricks to make Macho work to help your trip go smoothly....and avoid some very uncomfortable situations involving (sometimes) guns and police.

Obviously, dress and makeup come into play here too. Eye contact language and all that girly stuff. Use sparingly.

I wouldn't go the other way either...I've seen Gringa women dressing like the Guatemalan indian women. Uh....no. That one got some good laughs from locals.

I know on a bike its hard to fit in or be invisible...

TIP: Rough Mescal bars are MEN ONLY. Don't be a pioneer.

Ladybug0048 · 09-11-2007, 04:32 AM

Great list with some very good information. I like the idea of not letting ourselves go just because we ride a motorcycle. Being clean is always a good thing.

My motorcycle and I spent some quality time together traveling the United States and camping for 6 months. There are a few things on your list that I wish I would have had at the time.

Thanks for taking the time to post your suggestions.

Bonnie Abbzug · 09-11-2007, 07:11 PM

Great Info Heidi! Thanks for taking the time to put it together! I will be trying a few of your tricks on our next long ride (don't know when that is yet, but there will be one sometime!). I hope you an LR have a great trip, I'm looking forward to hearing all about it!

colomtnbiker · 09-20-2007, 08:26 PM

I love this thread. Wow, I'm glad my wife is not all about makeup and other stuff. This past year we traveled 14,000 miles in 6 different countries, north and south of USA, and 8 or so US states in 4 months of riding. My wife rides her own KLR. Going north we tent camped and stayed in motels. Going south, we only stayed in motel/hotels. My wife didn't bring all her womanly stuff on either trip. And I slept with her every night. I was nothing but thrilled to have a wife who would make trips like this (my boyfrieds don't have big enough balls. She still had her stuff and lots of it but motorcycle riding for months in foreign countries is different than riding in the good ole USA. You women who have done it and you women who are getting ready to do, I only have lots of thumbs up to you.
As my wife says,"it is not a vacation, it is an adventure".

09-09-2007, 05:33 PM	#1
VelvtRide ^OP i can haz a motrsykle? Joined: Mar 2003 Location: Central California Oddometer: 25,601	Specific to Women LR and I are planning a 3 or 4 month long trip to Mexico/Belize/Guatemala this coming winter. In the last few months, I've been thinking about the things that are specific to women for traveling long distances on a motorcycle. We have to worry about menstruation, washing, laundry, shaving among other things. I have some suggestions and I would really hope our other female inmates could post their thoughts/questions/suggestions. 1. That time of the month I have purchased disposable underwear that I chuck in my tankbag for problems where I'm not near a city or gas station. You can buy these at any beauty salon, a dozen at a time, for less than $5. Handy if you have an accident. These are in addition to the 7 cotton pairs I have stuff in my saddle bags. Using a DivaCup, instead of tampons or pads, will save space and get rid of the waste problem. WetWipes are available in convenient travel sizes and are extremely useful for lots of different situations. Feminine spray is also available in travel sizes if you're camping and don't have time(or is not available) to wash with soap & water. You can purchase soap 'flakes' in itty bitty containers - usually 50 flakes(one flake is enough to wash your hair/hands/pits/feet with only a tiny bit of water added). If you're camping(or there's no bathroom where you are) there's the mess of what to do with pads and the like when you've used them - lighter and/or matches will solve that. 2. Bathroom duty I carry a small(50 sheets) roll of Charmin, which comes in a plastic case to keep it clean and non-damaged, in my tank bag for emergencies. You can also purchase Sanitary Seat covers in travel size for less than desirable places to pee/poo. $.99 at any WallyWorld. She-Wee. If you haven't heard of it, google it. Fantastic product made for women so we don't have to squat or take our pants all the way to the knees just to go. Stand up and pee right next to your man. Inflatable toilet seats. It's been mentioned to me that many hotels south of the border do not have toilet seats. Bring your own - inflatable means it'll pack very small but provide big comfort. Wetwipes as stated above or the feminine type to reduce odor. 3. Chafing & skin protection Exoficio makes wonderful mens boxers that are odor resistant and dry out within hours of washing. Chafe free, comfortable and extremely cool in hot weather. They don't bunch or have seams to grind into your skin after hours and hours of being on the bike. HoneyDust, by Kama Sutra, works awesome to help keep you dry and keeps your skin comfortable - plus it smells good and is edible so it's a 2 in one product. Face cream - find one with a high SPF which will double as sunscreen. Lip moisturizers are especially important! A sports bra with no seams will help keep your underarms and shoulders from getting irritated. Nike & Bali both make them. I usually have 2 of these, plus a nice push up bra for special occasions. 4. Washing and the like Shampoo. Lush makes shampoo solids. They are small and round, come in a canister to guard against damage, you'll get more than 50 washes with one. About $6 each. I have found these to be absolutely indispensible! Some come with conditioner built in, so no need to carry the extra weight of conditioner.... plus, you can also use this as a wash bar for your body. They are soap free. Face cloths will clean your pores and moisturize, too. Coupled with SPF lotion, you're covered. Shaving. If you can get used to it, try an epilator. Emjoy makes one that doesn't hurt near what the others do and leaves you free of hair for up to 6 weeks. It also makes hair grow back slower and thinner over time. You can find Emjoys that are battery operated for when you don't have power to draw from. Gillette Venus Breeze disposable razor has lubricating pads so no soap is necessary. These work very, very well with little water. Disposable wax strips work well, too, if you wax. Disposable brush wipes(by Oral B) for your teeth are excellent and take up almost zero room. They come impregnated with toothpaste, fit on your finger and have nubbies on them to get all the grit off your teeth. Tide makes Sink Packs. Comes in 3's for $.99 and will do a few pairs of 'roos, socks, bra or shirt/pant. I love these things and carry about a dozen. 3 of them in the tub worked wonders on LR's 10 day camping-old-crusty shirt and pants. We won't talk about his socks. Deoderants. Try a 'crystal' or other natural solid. They last an extremely long time and are very small. Also, you won't have the problem of them melting. 5. Clothing Rayon is a great fabric for traveling. Comes out wrinkled as hell, but after splashing lightly with water, all the wrinkles just fall right out. Scented sachet packs are great tossed in the saddle bags. Keeps things freshly scented even if you've worn items a time or 2. If you don't already, try wearing thong underwear. They pack ultra small and don't take much to clean and dry. I bring dryer sheets(Bounce) in a plastic bag. Not only do they work good as sashets, but also repel ticks/fleas when rubbed on pant legs/socks/shoes. They also get rid of static cling problems by just rubbing them on the clothing/sheets. Jelled socks at night will keep your feet soft & supple and help with painful callouses. 6. Miscellaneous If you have to wear makeup, use Mineral Powder foundation. Good for the skin, doesn't clog pores or leave a mess in your helmet liner. It also comes with sunscreen. Lots of mineral eye shadow colors that pack small and last a very, very long time. Waterproof mascara and lipstick with SPF in it completes your makeup kit. Ziploc bags are good for many things. I always keep several handy. Hair ties. I used to keep these around my brush handle, but now they are on a 'hook' hanging off the tank bag. These, too, have many uses. I repack all my hair/face care products in plastic bottle/tubs. Up and down in elevation can sometimes cause burst contents. It also saves space. I found a thread on the Horizon's site that is geared toward women and traveling that's very informative. I would appreciate any other links or comments from the female contingent...... __________________ Ninja Skillz... I haz dem. Eat to live, don't live to eat. - VelvtRide, 2011 VelvtRide screwed with this post 09-17-2007 at 08:37 AM

09-09-2007, 06:06 PM	#9
santaferider The Argienaut Joined: Feb 2005 Location: Santa Fe, NM USA Oddometer: 51,431	a hysterectomy will cut that list in half just sayin' __________________

09-11-2007, 04:32 AM	#13
Ladybug0048 Bug Sister Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Spokane Valley, WA (the dry side of the mountains) Oddometer: 8,579	Great list with some very good information. I like the idea of not letting ourselves go just because we ride a motorcycle. Being clean is always a good thing. My motorcycle and I spent some quality time together traveling the United States and camping for 6 months. There are a few things on your list that I wish I would have had at the time. Thanks for taking the time to post your suggestions. __________________ 2013 Hells Canyon/Wallowa Valley Gathering: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=843668 "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." - Judy Garland

09-11-2007, 07:11 PM	#14
Bonnie Abbzug Charlaridian Joined: Sep 2006 Location: on the couch pm'ing Hayduke Oddometer: 10,295	Great Info Heidi! Thanks for taking the time to put it together! I will be trying a few of your tricks on our next long ride (don't know when that is yet, but there will be one sometime!). I hope you an LR have a great trip, I'm looking forward to hearing all about it! __________________ 2008 Yamaha WR250R 2004 Gas Gas 300 Raga Replica 1977 Yamaha DT-100

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09-09-2007, 05:40 PM	#2
Lone Rider Registered User Joined: Jan 2002 Location: out and about Oddometer: 25,004	Lordy, lordy..... Glad I ain't a wimmin...

09-09-2007, 05:49 PM	#3
BigX n00b - Yeah, right Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Don't fence me in Oddometer: 609	I think I'm gonna be sick...

09-09-2007, 07:10 PM	#6
kootenay kid Lets Ride Joined: Oct 2005 Location: kootenays canada Oddometer: 2,609	I aint laughed like that in awhile

09-09-2007, 07:22 PM	#7
swjohnsey Banned Joined: Mar 2006 Oddometer: 3,568	God, I'm glad I'm a man. If you is menstruating you're gonna need some birth control.

09-20-2007, 08:26 PM	#15
colomtnbiker wimpy old guy Joined: Jan 2006 Location: mountains of western Colorado Oddometer: 429	I love this thread. Wow, I'm glad my wife is not all about makeup and other stuff. This past year we traveled 14,000 miles in 6 different countries, north and south of USA, and 8 or so US states in 4 months of riding. My wife rides her own KLR. Going north we tent camped and stayed in motels. Going south, we only stayed in motel/hotels. My wife didn't bring all her womanly stuff on either trip. And I slept with her every night. I was nothing but thrilled to have a wife who would make trips like this (my boyfrieds don't have big enough balls. She still had her stuff and lots of it but motorcycle riding for months in foreign countries is different than riding in the good ole USA. You women who have done it and you women who are getting ready to do, I only have lots of thumbs up to you. As my wife says,"it is not a vacation, it is an adventure".