Solo riding mind games

angelsndevils

angelsndevils

gas burning o-zone killer
Hello all. Haven't been here in a while but I have a problem that I'm sure barf can talk me through. I started riding again after taking some time off and I find myself worrying about having a break down when I'm by myself way out in the middle of nowhere. A situation like no cell service, bike is dead, possibly getting dark and nobody knowing where I'm at. I never worried about it before. Am I getting old or just being a wuss. So far I just go for it anyway hoping that I will break through my mental block. I want to get back to not giving a f@€&. All my riding is on the Xr650r and involves back road, dirt roads and mountain trails. Sometimes I don't even have a plan of where I'm going. I just get on the bike and start riding which makes telling people where to look for me impossible. Suggestions, pointers?
 
clutchslip

clutchslip

Not as fast as I look.
angelsndevils said:
Hello all. Haven't been here in a while but I have a problem that I'm sure barf can talk me through. I started riding again after taking some time off and I find myself worrying about having a break down when I'm by myself way out in the middle of nowhere. A situation like no cell service, bike is dead, possibly getting dark and nobody knowing where I'm at. I never worried about it before. Am I getting old or just being a wuss. So far I just go for it anyway hoping that I will break through my mental block. I want to get back to not giving a f@€&. All my riding is on the Xr650r and involves back road, dirt roads and mountain trails. Sometimes I don't even have a plan of where I'm going. I just get on the bike and start riding which makes telling people where to look for me impossible. Suggestions, pointers?
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A victim of our new "always in touch, always safe" society, I think. Carry more junk for emergencies, like slime, tire plugs, basic tools, and escalate to spare parts, and survival stuff, like water, clothing, flashlight, etc. :dunno

I carry more stuff than I use to carry. I once got stuck in the desert into the night and was not prepared. It gets really cold in high desert at night with just a t-shirt and jeans. Burr.
 
redtail

redtail

only ones and zeroes
Bring food, water, first aid , keep your bike in good running order and set your mind at ease. :thumbup
 
J

jwb

Well-known member
I bring walking shoes and many liters of water because I enjoy being far from people and I know this will eventually happen.

FTR I also bring spare tubes, tools, fuel, oil, zip ties and baling wire.
 
Momo-san

Momo-san

Peachy!
I carry a big 'ol tool bag just about everywhere I go. Even if I don't know what I'm doing, at least I'll have the tools to help someone help me! I also take water, a snack, phone charger, sunscreen-it depends on how long of a ride it is.

I'm much more inclined to ride with someone these days though, I'm a little skittish about riding alone in deer-infested areas. Sigh.
 
rodr

rodr

Well-known member
No you're not a wuss. Satellite tracker/phone is standard equipment for adventure riding away from civilization. Check out the Delorme Inreach products as well as Spot.
 
J

jwb

Well-known member
Still, it's much better to be prepared to help yourself than to call in a helicopter. If you can fix your bike and ride out, or walk out, you should.
 
RightCoastBias

RightCoastBias

F8TRED
Screw the naysayers and get a spot. Always in touch crowd blah blah blah blah.

A SPOT tracker should be added to the tool kit, but don't forget the rest of the tools.
 
Pushrod

Pushrod

Well-known member
Welcome to 1968. Back in the day. . .it was expected that a motorcyclist be the epitome of self-sufficiency, BMW's at the time had a tool kit with which you could damn near do internal engine work with.

Everyone is giving good advice, here's mine. A cheap fisherman's flare kit so the rescue helicopter can spot you on the ground.
 
dravnx

dravnx

Well-known member
TTTom said:
Serious Q: is all this nanny state stuff creating a society of less capable less self-sufficient people?
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How about being smart enough to use the best tools available for the job? A good collections of tools and the knowledge to use them and a Spot/Delorme device.
 
ScottRNelson

ScottRNelson

Mr. Dual Sport Rider
Good hints so far.

I like doing similar riding out in the middle of nowhere. I can still walk a long ways wearing any of my riding boots, so I don't generally haul along different footwear. I'm working on a survival kit with spare tubes and all the tools I would need to fix a flat. I think I have everything I need in there. I've been with others who had to fix a flat out in the wild.

However, the last time I was in a position to do a flat repair, I had removed the hard bags from my KTM before the ride and had nothing along other than the KTM tool kit. I ended up bumming a ride with someone to where I could get cell coverage and called a friend to come rescue me. It would have been a bit tricky anyway, doing a repair in the dark, because it happened right at sunset.

If you can bring along the right items to help you deal with most emergencies, you can spend a lot less time worrying about being stranded out there. At least that's my plan.
 
B

Biker&wheeler

Well-known member
Cary a couple cliff bars, some water, and if you are in even decent shape you could walk 30-40 miles in a couple days to get to some cell service. That is if your tools, know how, and spot fail you. Some also don't realize that even if your phone says you don't have service, sometimes emergency signal is different and you can contact Emergency services.
 
Cincinnatus

Cincinnatus

Not-quite retired Army
Better to have the right equipment and not need it than need it and not have it. That includes an MSR bottle with fuel, a SPOT device, a D-cell strobe, and tools. Oh, and the will to survive. Without that, many have not.
 
clutchslip

clutchslip

Not as fast as I look.
TTTom said:
Serious Q: is all this nanny state stuff creating a society of less capable less self-sufficient people?
Click to expand...
I think it already has done this. No one can even change a car tire anymore, for example.
RightCoastBias said:
Screw the naysayers and get a spot. Always in touch crowd blah blah blah blah.

A SPOT tracker should be added to the tool kit, but don't forget the rest of the tools.
Click to expand...
What are you moaning about? No one said not to use the techno-crap. I carry my cell phone. I have fixed a flat on my motorcycle faster than I could have gotten help to do it. This happened not too long ago.

I suppose if you have unlimited bucks, you can get someone to help you for simple stuff, anywhere, if they find you. Or you could just hire a chase vehicle. :laughing
 
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