The 7 "P's"

Being as close to Fort Drum, NY as we are, there is allot of military influence in the area. For example: the 7 "P's" comes from a military term and they are: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

When it comes to planning a trip or even an event for the B.O.B. sisters, not too much goes into it. That's not to say we're completely disorganized- we've planned for the gist of it: what, where, when, why and, of course, who!!

We plan what to bring- rain suits, etc. for inclement weather. We plan the general direction of our travels- an end destination. We've planned how much time- the majority of us have paying jobs that we've still got to apply for vacation time and, unfortunately, when we'll be back to work. But when we're on a trip, the actual day to day stuff- how are we getting there, where are we stopping, where are we spending the night, etc.- isn't planned out prior to our departure.

There are so many variables on a trip, let alone a motorcycle trip, that if you try to stick to a rigid plan you're just destined for failure. First- and again we're dealing with another military term: you're only as strong as your weakest link. When riding in a group, you've got to take into account the riding skills of everyone- especially those riders who are *new to the sport. Second- say you've made hotel reservations in advance but due to weather, or a breakdown, or traffic/road construction your group isn't able to make that particular stop.... Now you're paying for the hotel cancellation fee on top of everything else.

There is no timeline, other than the initial this is where & when we're going to meet on the first day. We don't have a pre-ordained time of when we leave in the mornings, or when we stop in the evenings. There is no GPS- half the time they're wrong anyways. We've all brought maps and most of us have smart phones- so, if the need urgently arises, we can figure out how to get there from here.

Not to mention, if you attempt to plan every detail, in my opinion, you're missing out on part of the fun on a motorcycle trip! As the old helmet sticker says: It's the journey, not the destination. Riding your bikes with your friends is the most important part of the trip!!! Part of the fun is getting together, sharing the experiences  as you stop for gas & plan the rest of the route, deciding on where to stop for lunch and then the night. For the *new riders, it gives us confidence in our riding skills- that we can ride with these experienced ladies & keep up. For the rest of us, it solidifies our camaraderie and continues to build our bank of experiences!!

And in keeping it loose IS what it's all about. When you don't have plans, you don't become disappointed when they don't come to fruition. When you don't have plans, you're free to live all the experiences that you encounter on the open road. YOU ARE FREE!!! What better way to live??? That's what we the B.O.B.s believe in anyways and if you haven't tried it, we highly recommend it!!