1. Pit Stops: Like the old adage goes, "It's not the destination, but the journey that counts." And needing to get directly from point A to point Z is a mistake that a lot of type-A road trippers make. The best part about any road trip lies in the ability to be flexible and experience some fun along the way, so implementing a few breaks and side trips en-route is key for making sure you get the authentic experience. Plan in advance, and use sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp to find out what highly rated attractions there are in areas you'll be passing through. From restaurants to scenic viewpoints to local museums, the possibilities are endless, and exploring them will give you an exciting way to enjoy so much more than you’d see from the freeway alone. 
2. The Reliable Ride: When you're out on the open road, almost nothing is more important than the vehicle you're riding in, and if that thing breaks down it can not only put a big dent in your day, but in your entire trip. That being the case, you don’t need to be an expert car technician to take an hour to give the car a solid check-up before you load up the family and venture out. Fluid levels, tire pressure, and drive belts are all small things to check that can have big risks if unattended, and packing an additional roadside emergency kit can end up working wonders if you’re called upon to take on an urgent repair on the fly. 
3. In-Flight Entertainment: Though many of the most memorable moments will come from outside of the vehicle, the fact of the matter is that any road trip involves a solid amount of time spent between those cozy four doors, and whether that time is embraced or resisted by the kids will have a lot to do with your planning in advance. Hand held gaming systems and phone games are an easy way to get the kids to pass time on their own, but this won't get the family involved and won't add any unique memories to the trip. Instead of just trying to kill time, adopt some road trip specific games that require everyone to pitch in and will keep both the kids and adults entertained. This list of road trip games dives deep into the classics and will ensure your kids grow up reaping the rewards of age-old favorites like "20 Questions" and "I Spy." 

TIP: Having a can of WD-40® Multi-Use Product on-hand during a long road trip can help you loosen any stuck parts should you need to make repairs on the go. 

1. Gaming the System: Let's not be fooled. Just because we may have a few grey hairs and run the mile in a few minutes more than we used to doesn't mean we don't like to stretch the limbs and get competitive from time to time. If you've put in the hard work to have a quality backyard, there is no better way to utilize that cushy turf than by getting some good sport going during your outdoor parties. From badminton to Wiffle to bocce ball, the possibilities are endless, and the choice might all come down to how fast you'll be able to move after scarfing down a few choice dogs or burgers. 
2. Cue the Jams: In the days of turntables and 8-tracks, having a BBQ sans music was forgivable. Fast-forward to present day with wireless speakers and iPod docks and the idea of having an outdoor party without music is the equivalent of a race car with no tires. No matter how you set it up, tunes can help keep energy levels high and set the mood for an entire event, so even if it means borrowing speakers from a neighbor, make sure that when the friends start filing in the music is already flowing.  Not sure what to play? Pandora and iHeartRadio are awesome resources to create your perfect playlist.
3. Premeditated Meat: We've all had burgers. We've all had dogs. And we've probably all had enough of them to know what constitutes a worthy piece of meat and what tastes like a BBQ afterthought. That being the case, you want to make sure you don't fall into that latter group of outdoor entertainment embarrassments. The key to success on the grill is treating the meat preparation just like you would any other DIY project. Buy quality meat just like you would buy quality materials. Plan in advance to perform a dry rub or marinade just like you would plan in advance with a blueprint or measurements. And when the time comes to execute, take the time to treat it with care so that the real craftsmanship shows in the finished product. From aged New York strips to ground bacon sirloin burgers, there are no wrong answers, just a right way to go about preparing the goods that will blow the crowd away. 
4. Outdoor Entertaining Furniture: Not everyone is into gaming or standing around the grill. For those who prefer to sit and catch up, you’ll want to have the perfect outdoor furniture. Quality outdoor furniture can last a lifetime if well maintained so be sure to insist on good quality instead of heading straight for those plastic lawn chairs. You also want to keep in mind the types of parties you will be hosting as well as your climate, since harsh, cold winters can damage furniture. For tips on selecting the right furniture for outdoor entertaining, check out our last post.

TIP: For those with portable barbeques, give your wheel casters a dash of WD-40® Multi-Use Product to keep them nice and lubricated. Also helps to remove grease and gunk from exterior. 

1. The Off-Season: The key bit of information to consider before going out and shopping around is just what the furniture is going to be doing when it isn't out in the yard. If you live in a cold climate, you are going to need to put everything in storage towards the end of fall, and if you don't think in advance, you might be stuck with a garage full of tables and chairs where there really should be cars. Certain patio furniture is built for stacking and storage while other sets are notorious for eating up space. Be realistic with your spatial limits before you head out to shop and you'll be thanking yourself when that first winter storm comes thundering in. 
2. Winning Composition: Just like its indoor cousin, outdoor furniture comes in all different material make-ups, and given the fact that it’s likely going to be exposed to high heat and direct sunlight, the choice of materials is something you truly need to take into consideration. One area of furniture that is especially vulnerable to deterioration is the cushion on a bench or chair. Choosing a high quality polyester fiber will allow water to run off the face rather than creating mildew, and picking cushions with patterns on both sides allows you to flip them periodically to help them retain shape. For the furniture itself, light weight materials like plastic and aluminum are best if you think you'll be moving them around a lot, but if you plan on keeping them in one place, heavier duty options like wood and metal are always going to be the champs.
3. Planning for Parties: When space and material choices have been made, the final step is to think about what your objective is with the space. Are you going to be having a few close friends over for cocktails from time to time or are you planning on hosting weekly barbecues for you son's entire little league team? Understanding just how many people you expect to attend and the type of socializing that’s going to be happening will give you a clear idea of what to look for when out shopping. A few armchairs and an ottoman might be the perfect recipe for some, while four dining tables and an outdoor bar might be spot on for others. Understand yourself, your ideas for socializing in your yard, and with a bit of wise shopping, the rest will simply fall into place. 

  TIP: Spray down patio furniture (excluding cushions) with WD-40® Multi-Use Product before placing into storage to prevent rust, corrosion and gunk build up.

1. Padding up: The first, and arguably the most crucial, step in bike safety is to cover your noggin with a quality headpiece that fits well and will remain buckled. No matter how many steps you take to prevent accidents from happening, there is still always a chance that the worst will occur, and if it does, you want to be sure that the most important part of your body is well protected. Any sporting goods store should have a solid selection of bike helmets on display. And though there are a wide range of brands to choose from, be sure to talk to an in-store specialist about what is the best fit for your riding style. In general, high performance helmets are prone to sacrificing some safety features in the name of aerodynamics, so make sure you go for function over fashion and get the safest, best fitting skullcap you can find. 
2. Signaling for safety: If the kids are coming along for the ride and any of them are 12 or under, forget about hitting the open road. Sidewalks and traffic-free areas are the only safe places for the young ones to ride, and putting them on the road too soon could result in a big scare or worse. If you are venturing out solo, though, or with kids already in their teens, the road then becomes the safest place to ride as you won't be putting walkers nearby at risk. Knowing that you're going to be competing with two ton metal vehicles for space, having a way to communicate your intentions is key, and there are standard hand signals that allow you to let drivers know which way you are going. Check this picture of simple signals, and teach them to the kids before heading out. You’ll feel more confident on the road and will boost your odds of remaining collision-free.
3. Biking Bright: It could be unplanned. You head out for an afternoon bike ride, venture a bit further than you thought, and find yourself biking home in the dark alongside fast-moving traffic. Of all biking situations to be in, biking in the dark with no proper night gear is one of the most dangerous, and can lead to catastrophic results. Rather than put pressure on yourself about having to make it home before dusk at all costs, it’s much better to be prepared for anything, especially given that unpredicted events can make a bike ride longer than you initially thought. A proper front light, back light, reflective vest, and reflective helmet badge are all easy to add to your outfit, and will arm you with the ability to practice safe cycling even after daylight fades.

 TIP: WD-40® Multi-Use Product is perfect for lubricating squeaky shifters, cables, derailleurs, and pivot points.  If you’re a serious cyclist, check out the new line of WD-40 BIKE products here.