So the trip is over, the bike has been repaired, pictures and videos have been uploaded and the trip has been documented.

Thirteen days total with 2265 kilometres (by the Garmin) traveled. The weather was spectacular with temperatures in the high twenties and low thirties for the majority of the trip. It rained once while riding for an hour or two. Three nights it rained with one being a heavy thunder and lightning downpour.

As I've been writing about this trip I've come to a few conclusions of what works and doesn't work for me on long trips.

• Have the proper clothing.
  Especially underwear! I usually wear boxers which have been fine until I have to do really long riding days. The boxes have a tendency to get all bunched up and become irritating. Now I wear boxer briefs and I am comfortable all day.
• Carry a satelitte communication device.
  This is not necessary if you live in populated areas and travel only in that area. But if you plan to do long distance riding I would invest in one. A lot of people use a SPOT tracker and I use the Inreach Explorer. One hopes never to have to use them but when you get stuck for whatever reason and you have no cell phone service, you'll be glad you spent the money on one.
• Get a CAA (or other motor club in your area) membership.
  Having a breakdown is one thing. Having to pay hundreds of dollars to get your bike to a shop for repairs can be the end of a trip. Even if it is something like running out a fuel, a membership will come in handy. And it can be used for discounts at certain places.
• You can never carry enough stuff and you're carrying to much stuff.
  I did have to go out and buy some additional stuff, sink, naptha and hiking boots come to mind. You will find that it seems like you have too much stuff until you need it. Thirteen days of the trip and I never needed my winch until the one day. And on that day I used it at least four times. I also had long johns with me that I never used but if you have ever ridden in cold weather you'd be bringing them too.
• Use or test your equipment before the trip.
  If you get something new or borrow something you've never used for the trip, try it out first before you go. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to set up a tent in the dark for the first time or trying to figure out why a stove won't light when you're hungry. The only new thing I didn't try was my Biolite stove. I found out that involves a lot of prep time by chopping up enough wood to fit inside of it and to let it run long enough to cook my meals.
• Plan but don't plan.
  Plan a route or a destination but don't let that be carved in stone. Be flexible. I know this is difficult if you have a limited time. Years ago when I could only have two weeks vacation I would rush to my destination , rush around and see as much as I could (usually for a short time) and then rush home to go back to work. I would be exhausted for the rest of the week at work. Now I have a route and a destination but I take my time. I usually camp at a place for two nights so I can spend a full day exploring the area but if I miss something or come upon a show and shine, I'll stay another day. And if I don't make the destination (breakdown), I enjoyed myself without the rushing around.
• Just because a road (trail) looks interesting doesn't mean you should take it.
  Refer to day ten to see what I mean.

 Looking forward, I do plan to do this trip again in the future but try to hit all five lakes the next time.

 Map of the full route