Do you have chronic pain but love adventures? Looking for tips for traveling with chronic pain? This post will walk you through 8 tips to improve your motorcycle riding experience when traveling with chronic pain.
These tips are brought to you from my first-hand experience traveling throughout Perú on the back of a motorcycle while experiencing chronic pain symptoms.
I hope these tips will aid you on your next traveling adventures! Never be afraid of dreaming, you are a chronic pain warrior!
This post may include affiliate links.
Please read my disclaimer page for more info.
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.*
Disclaimer: The information on this blog is based on personal experiences and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please ask your doctor if you have any questions.
One: Comfy Clothes
Number one is a given for all chronic pain travel. If you will be making any journey anywhere, let alone lounging around the house, invest in some comfy clothes. Being comfy on the road is essential for bouncing back quickly and helping you to participate more in your vacation, adventures, and activities.
Don’t be afraid to layer up with two pairs of sweatpants for extra cushion or wear your softest slipper boots.
Motorcycle travel can be dusty out in the countryside, so wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty. Don’t be afraid to buy an extra pair of clothes specifically for this adventure. As long as you don’t mind having to shake your clothes out at the end of the ride, wear your nice comfy clothes so that you can be your happiest and most comfortable when you go out on motorcycle travel with chronic pain.
My personal #1 go-to no matter what the rest of my outfit entails, is comfy, pain-friendly socks, like these ones from Feetures. They’re the only ones that really work to aid in my chronic pain management. I also really like their compression socks, for days when I need extra pain relief.
Two: Sun Protection
If you’re going to be traveling by motorcycle for any amount of time longer than ten minutes – invest in some sun protection. It’s super easy to get sunburnt without even realizing it while on a motorcycle. You get caught up in focusing on the road, your surroundings or just enjoying your time, not even paying attention to the sun until it’s too late.
Get out the sunscreen, a goofy hat with a chin strap, sunglasses, and a scarf. Wear lightweight long-sleeve layers during the summer months and bundle up during the cooler seasons and at night. Wearing proper sun protection when out doing motorcycle travel with chronic pain can help make the ride more enjoyable and give you the strength to participate for longer.
Three: Take Frequent Breaks
If you’re not in a hurry and can just cruise, taking frequent stops or breaks will help keep travel fatigue away. Find restaurants and bathrooms along the road to stop at. Get off the motorcycle and walk around a nearby field for a little while.
Try to take the ride at your own speed. Never feel pressured to rush. If needed, go on shorter rides.
Four: Comfy Seat Cushions
Depending on what clothes you are wearing it may change the way a motorcycle seat feels on your booty. When doing motorcycle travel with chronic pain you have to really think ahead with not just what you’re wearing, but how the motorcycle is prepared for you.
Riding on an uncomfortable motorcycle will just add to your pain. Which is the worst! If you have the option when buying, renting, or borrowing a motorcycle, test out the seats and see how you like them. Pick something that works well for your body. If it’s still not quite as comfortable as you need, consider buying something extra to go on the seat. There are all kinds of seat covers you can get.
Five: Travel Light
Traveling light is one of the best things you can do for your chronic pain. If you don’t have extra weight digging into your shoulders or pressing you into the seat you’ll be a much happier camper and your chronic pain may not act up quite as fast.
Try to bring only the necessities, a spare change of clothes or two, your medicine, sunscreen, and your toothbrush. Depending on how many days you’re going for, you shouldn’t need much more than that. Try not to bring things you can get when you arrive in town, like soap. Don’t bring a reusable water bottle, it’s heavy and doesn’t pack well.
Try to wear some of your bulky items while you ride, like a jacket, hat, and scarf. You should be wearing those for sun protection anyway.
Six: Hydrate and Bring Snacks
When you find yourself doing Number Three: Take Frequent Breaks, remember to hydrate, and buy snacks. Small snack packs keep well in your jacket pocket if you want to munch a little while on the back of the motorcycle.
Snacks and water are essential to keeping your strength and energy up. Plus, what’s worse than having a little pain burst? Having a burst of pain and being hangry. Not a fun combination. Remember to take care of yourself, you have so much adventure ahead of you. You don’t want to miss out on the fun because you didn’t take care of yourself during the journey. So remember to eat and drink something!
Seven: Budget Time
Sometimes cruising and taking things at your own speed just isn’t possible. That’s okay. If you have to rush to things and aren’t able to take breaks and go at your own speed to your destination, try planning ahead and budget time into your activities.
If you know you’re going to spend five days at an event that takes four hours to reach by motorcycle, try taking an extra day or two off of work and budgeting time into your activity. Instead of rushing up the night before or the day of the event, take an extra two days off so you can take your time reaching your event and have an extra day to rest and recover.
Sometimes all you need is an extra day to be lazy and rest and recover. Try budgeting extra time and/or days into your schedule so that you can take things at your own pace and not burn out. This tip will make it easier for you to motorcycle travel with chronic pain in the future.
Eight: The Scenery
Sometimes, no matter what you do to prepare for your journey, your chronic pain doesn’t cooperate and you still experience a flare in the middle of the adventure. If or when you find yourself in this place, I would encourage you to take in your surroundings. Try not to focus on the pain. Instead, focus on the beauty of what’s around you.
Look out at the trees and the mountains, and admire how the clouds look today. Notice the cows and rivers. During this time, remind yourself of how amazing you are. You got this far! You did it! You’re doing it! Your chronic pain condition could not stop you from chasing your dreams.
On the back of a motorcycle, out in the countryside, taking in your surroundings is one of the most peaceful places to be. Don’t let your chronic pain rob you of these moments and these little victories.
I hope you found these tips for motorcycle travel with chronic pain to be helpful! At Doors and Floors Blog we’re all about helping you create the life you want, without chronic pain limitations. No matter who you are, or where you are, I hope you find some dreams to chase and you create a life you’re excited to get up for in the morning!
Let us know in the comments what other chronic pain/travel tips you’d be interested in!
Explore other recent posts:
- The Best Place To Thrift In Perú
- How To Make A Gingham Gathered Exposed Ruffle Skirt
- How To Make Elastic Or Drawstring Waist Shorts: Design #4
- Remote Work Life in Perú: Introducing The Chickens
- How To Make A Kids Scrap Fabric Top: Design #3
Find us on social media!
P.S. If you’re looking for an activity you can do on a bad flare day and from bed or with your virtual community, download our free trivia here.
Playing trivia is a great way to still participate in fun activities with your friends and family without ever leaving the comfort of your bed. It’s perfect for keeping in touch with friends who you may not be able to visit regularly. Check it out and let us know what you think! 👇
