Motorcycles and freedom are commonly paired up creating mental images of open roads and bug covered smiling teeth. Getting that extra protein takes a word opposite of freedom… Routine. A good routine takes a little work to develop, but once established you’ll give yourself extra minutes in the saddle on every ride.
This routine is not the preride T-Clock (.pdf) checklist taught in the MSF, rather, we’re talking creating an awareness of where your stuff is. At any point you should be able to answers questions as to the whereabouts of any piece gear. Where are your sun glasses, camera, or rain boot covers? Riding is more enjoyable when answering these questions becomes second nature allowing you to eliminate the stress from wondering if you remembered to bring a particular piece equipment while on the road. Your routine will prevent you from being the person unloading every piece of gear, when all you are trying to find is your heavy gloves when the temperature drops.
Developing that routine is easy, so don’t fear. Start mentally making a list of everything you have with you while riding. This list should contain everything each pair of glasses/lenses/shields you carry to each layer of clothes packed somewhere. Give each identified item a place to live both when you are riding and when your day is complete. Rain-gear and heavy gloves may live in the same place no matter where you are, but items like your camera, or lightweight gloves may be different depending on where you are.
When stopping to gas, stretch your legs, or take a picture, give yourself a second to analyze exactly what you do. Perhaps you take off your gloves followed my your helmet and set them on your seat or hang them from your bars. No matter what you do, try being consistent. This allows you, the rider crunched for time but craving miles, to enter a zone where you are no longer wondering where you put your gloves when you want to start riding again.
Thinking critically about where and how you store your gear will show you some inefficiencies and help you pack smarter and quicker. In the long run this should give more time in the saddle to explore, eat, or whatever you like to do when you leave your house.