While most of us have been on enough day rides to know what we will need for the day. Being prepared for an overnight trail ride or even a week long trip can be the difference between having a fun filled time or being frustrated and not wanting to go again.

Divide the preparation into several categories: ATV preparation, weatherproof riding gear, riding accessories, food and drink, food preparation and campsite supplies, miscellaneous stuff, and ATV bags to haul everything in. Take your time in preparing and make a check off list to be completed as items and supplies are added.

ATV preparation
Most importantly, check over your ATV thoroughly. This means grease it where and when required, change the oil and filter, check all of the bolts and nuts make sure they are properly tightened, and fix any other problems that you find or know about. Clean the air filter and carry a spare filter ready for use in a zip lock bag. Using Filter Skins can help to keep as much as 80% of the dust out of your filter. Members of our club over the years have found that stock tires will not hold up very well in the long hard rock-strewn trails around the southwest. With the miles and miles of this type of terrain we highly recommend, that you invest in a set of aftermarket tires before making any long trip.

Riding gear
Whether you are going to take a trip across one of our many mountain ranges or a trip into one of our many forests, it's a good idea to be comfortable and protected from the elements. We don't have bad weather, just lots of variable and constant changing weather. Quality and comfortable rain gear and all weather riding protection is money well spent when you need it. Another item that can make your trip enjoyable is a good pair of boots. Any riding trip can benefit from a pair of waterproof boots. In the spring into early summer it is not uncommon to be going through melting snow drifts and cold running water. A good 8 to 10 inch tall insulated boot can make a big difference when it comes to being comfortable. It's important that they be waterproof and tall enough to walk through shallow streams without being over run.

Riding Accessories
Some things listed here are perhaps debatable but most will make your trip much more comfortable and safer. One of the items items we use and depend on is a map and GPS. We pack a good map of the trail system that we will be on, and also pack a quality GPS unit. Bring along enough spare batteries or use an auxiliary power supply to keep it running for extended peroids of time. We have more than once found this tool to be very valuable.. Missing a turnoff, can get you lost very quickly. This is where using the map and the GPS to locate the correct turnoff, can be the difference between getting to your destination or possibly being stranded. You can also use them for finding your exact location, distances to the nearest town, or camp site, as well as measuring the altitude where you are currently located. Several other items that are handy to have along are a good pair of binoculars, a camera, and a cellular phone. The use of a cell phone may or may not work depending on your location from the nearest cell site and or obstructions in the vicinity.

Food and drink
Bringing foods that are simple and easy to prepare, are best when you're carrying them on ATVs and preparing them along the trail. Things in cups such as oatmeal in a cup, soup in a cup, pasta in a cup, and beans and rice in a cup all work very well. With these types of meals, all you need to do is heat up water, and you quickly have a meal with very little cleanup. You can also bring dry Gatorade mix and stir it into your Camelback as needed for a drink that is better tasting, (and far safer) than creek water.

Campsite supplies
To cook food and heat water bring a small Coleman Dual Fuel backpack stove. These are designed to work with either unleaded gas or white fuel. You can use unleaded fuel from your spare fuel packs so you shouldn't need to carry extra fuel along. One of the best camping items to bring along is a roll-up chair. These will add some bulk to our already bulging ATVs, but that extra bulge will be quickly forgotten once you get to camp and get comfortable.

Odds and ends stuff
A few items you may not know you need until you need them. Trash bags are a good example. Trash bags can be used for more than just trash, you can use them to keep clothes dry, and to keep clean and dirty clothes separate. Paper towels are certainly handy as well, but perhaps the best paper product to take along is baby wipes. You can use them for waterless bathing, or cleaning up cooking gear, as well as dirty parts and hands. Another good item is waterless Antibacterial hand Sanitizer. Some of the more obvious things to remember are water proof matches, a flashlight, toilet paper, insect repellent, sun screen, and eye drops, your dust filled eyes will appreciate it.

ATV bags
You can tie medium to large bags onto the front to carry your food and cooking supplies, and a larger bag's on the back for clothing and personal's. On top of the rear bag tie on a medium sized, waterproof duffel bag to carry your camping equipment, sleeping pads and bags, as well as your rain gear. Under these bags you can carry a water pack on the front and a fuel pack on the rear. The right gear may cost a few bucks more than you'd like, but it will make the trip so much easier and you will use it over and over for many years to come.