Our first proper day in Ireland was to be mostly travelling down to Kerry, through sunshine and rain.

We got packed up in County Wexford and headed off down to County Kerry, via Cork. Initially the plan was to ride along the coast via Skibbereen although the weather was windy and heavy showers were hitting us from time to time so it ended up being a lot slower progress that we expected. So instead we headed for Bantry where we’d pick up the coastal route around the Ring of Beara and up over the Healy Pass. I’d ridden the Healy Pass before and it’s absolutely incredible so I was very excited to get to that section of the ride. Our campsite was just over the other side of the pass so it’d be only 30 minutes or so over the top when we got there.

In June 2026 4 of us took our bikes to Ireland to ride the southerly part of the Wild Atlantic Way

After planning this trip for a long while it was finally the day! Our ferry was booked from Fishguard to Rosslare for 14:00, arriving in Rosslare at 17:30. One of our group was riding a 125 so headed off the day before, spending Sunday evening nearby, but the rest of us headed off early doors in the morning. Meeting around 04:30 and getting on the road by 05:00, we headed off along the M4, bound for south Wales for the ferry. We had plenty of time to stop and check our luggage on the way which turned out to be a good plan as the weather closed in on us and started dumping cold rain as we drove through Bristol and into Wales.

Over my trip to Iceland I learned some lessons.

1) Solo Doesn’t Mean Alone — Even as a solo traveller I exchanged stories with other bikers, swapped supplies with fellow campers, and found camaraderie with ferry companions.

2) Tools Can Fail You at the Worst Moment — The Garmin wouldn’t route, drone was grounded by the wind, there was often no mobile signal. But had an InReach Mini 2.

3) Growth Comes From the Edges of Comfort — During the ride I faced harsh winds, cold, long days, unexpected detours, yet came home more skilled and confident — and already planning the next trip.

Although I change this packing list depending on where I’m going and what I’m doing, this is my moto camping checklist.

Packing the right kit makes all the difference between a smooth, enjoyable adventure and a stressful trip. A good checklist helps you stay organised, organise luggage space, and ensure you don’t forget any essentials. From camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, and cooking equipment to bike-specific tools, spare parts, and personal items, having everything planned out in advance means you can focus on the ride and the experience. Here’s a practical checklist to help you prepare for your next moto-camping journey.

Over my trip to Iceland I kept some notes about my experiences.

One thing I learned is to not necessarily focus on the Ring Road, (Route 1). Many guides talk about completing the loop although don’t treat it as a target to get around. Use parts of it to get to places you want to visit. If you’re riding the Route 1 as a goal then you could be focusing more on getting it done rather than exploring and getting deeper into areas. Especially being flexible due to weather is important. The smaller roads are quieter and nicer, especially in the far north.

Leaving Iceland meant the trip back home began, taking a week on the ferry then accross Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Back on board the Smyril Line ship Nörenna, which was now quite familiar, I settled back into my cabin and hung my bike kit up to dry. The first night at sea was pretty windy and lumpy so the ship was pretty quiet. As I’m used to sailing (and live on a sailing boat too) it doesn’t really bother me so I enjoyed the quiet time and had a nice dinner in the buffet.