Off-roads trips offer unforgettable experiences, particularly for two-wheelers’ lovers. Nonetheless, going on this kind of trip is not an easy thing, namely venturing to unknown countries without knowing the way, the potential difficulties, and useful points of reference for the unexpected or simply to take a break between stops. These situations can cause problems even to the most adventurous bikers.
Unmarked signs, dangerous roads, non-existent petrol stations – a common issue faced by those who decide to take desert trips, for example – and dozens of miles without anybody to ask for help… These are just some of the possible scenarios that can occur if you go on a trip like these without the right equipment.
That’s why a roadbook proves to be a valuable ally for your travels by motorcycle. But, despite the spread of navigation systems, which are definitely more modern devices that anybody has used, when we talk about motorbike trips, why do we always mention the old good paper roadbook?
What’s a roadbook?
A roadbook, as the word says, is basically a paper-based navigation tool housed inside a roadbook holder. These holders can be manual or digital, with buttons that make them easier to use—a much more convenient option while riding.
Roadbooks contain detailed driving directions, including waypoints, distances in kilometers, types of roads, intersections, route difficulty, specific points to watch out for, petrol stations, rest stops, points of interest, and more. Roadbooks are typically used by rally co-drivers and motorcycle travelers for off-road trips to navigate across uncertain terrain, like deserts, forests, etc.
Visually, roadbooks consist of a roll of paper divided into three columns. The first column shows the kilometer reference, the second features a stylized representation of the road, and the third includes useful navigation notes with text, symbols, and acronyms.
In addition to the roadbook, bikers also use a tripmaster and GPS. The tripmaster tracks real-time speed, maximum and average speed, distance traveled (both partial and total), and also includes stopwatch and clock functions. The GPS provides precise location data, allowing the roadbook to indicate your current position and provide accurate route information.
Why go for a roadbook?
Let’s see why, despite the spread of modern navigation systems and Smartphones which have replaced the latter, roadbooks are still the best option for motorbike travels.
This “old-fashioned” tool gives motorcycle travelers full independence at any leg of the journey. In this way, they can follow the route without any trouble also thanks to the specific directions provided by their roadbooks. This is particularly useful for group tours where bikers are not forced to stay together and can follow the itinerary in total freedom, at their own pace and without stress.
How to create a roadbook?
Creating a roadbook takes patience. You’ll need a road map and possibly the support of a local guide to gather information on the main points of interest, petrol stations’ location, and rest stops. Finally, it’s also necessary to have a tool that calculates the distance between the various destinations.
Creating a roadbook from scratch requires physically going to the desired location and riding the route for the first time, carefully documenting each stop and noting every key point to include in the roadbook. It’s a meticulous work that takes time and patience, as you have to record intersections, turns, and details about the difficulty of the route, even including GPS coordinates if needed. In the end, you’ll have a detailed, kilometer-by-kilometer itinerary that’s easy to interpret and use, ensuring accuracy even for those going on the same trip for the first time.
If you’re planning a travel by motorcycle, we suggest you read our article “The 10 best places to visit in Italy riding your motorcycle”. Whereas, if you want to know more about the motorcycle apparel you need, the following article is right for you: “What’s the best motorcycle clothing”.
Visit our online store and order your resin stickers’ kit to protect your motorcycle in your adventures.
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