Are solo duel sport rides OK?

[De Eee]

So, I'm a semi noob off road rider and it doesn't seem like any big deal to set off on my own. Up Saddleback, out to Red Mtn. area, the White Rim all seem like reasonable outings for a soloist. Baja is maybe a little more serious. I have super experienced friends that say "no way, never" and others that say "You know what your getting into, but, if you blow it there you are laying in the dirt alone." What do you all think? Is it stupid or the essence of what motorcycle riding is about anyway?

[drrickk]

Your free & that means accepting your fate. BE CAREFULL!!!!

[kdxkawboy]

For myself, since 1970 I'd say at least 75% of all my dirt riding has been solo. This weekend I'm off to Death Valley on a solo trip. No reason not to ride by yourself, but it's not something to do lightly either. I've followed some simple rules that I think have kept me alive:

1) Above all, the goal for the day is to get home in one piece. This is not a great day for exercising your wild child.
2) Detune your ride 25%. Never push yourself beyond 75% of your max mode. This creates a safety buffer that should keep you out most all troubles while banking a 25% buffer for those times you do get caught.
3) Maintain your bike like a race bike. A DNF when you riding solo could make for a couple days hike back out. You get stuck 40 miles from no where and that is a long 2-day hump.
4) Carry tools, carry some basic spares, carry an assortment of chewing gum and bailing wire for impromptu repairs.
5) Carry water, carry matches, carry some emergancy rations
6) Leave a rough 'flight plan' with someone that if thgey don't hear from you by a reasonable hour they use this information to direct the rescue effort.
7) Keep track of your time and distances.
8) If you can't master navigation by dead reckoning carry a GPS and maps.
9) When in doubt, think it out. This are good words to follow in the outback where sometimes you do not get the luxury of a re-do.
10) NEVER BUCK THE WEATHER! FORT UP, DON'T TOUGH IT OUT! HYPOTHERMIA KILLS!

[viverrid]

Originally Posted by kdxkawboy

For myself, since 1970 I'd say at least 75% of all my dirt riding has been solo....

Pretty much same here. Actually, I find I've gotten hurt more riding "with the guys", pushing to keep up (or get ahead in) the pack. But yeah like the man said, when I'm by myself, I figure I ride at about 80%.

Also when by myself, I am much quicker to pull over and make sure of the situation before riding into it, and/or choose NOT to ride into a questionable area. There have been many times where I found something by myself, but didn't make the attempt to ride it until I came back with others.

Many people wisely say that they never ride alone, and that it's not a good idea. While I'd agree it is not preferable, I think it IS manageable.

[Waco]

Originally Posted by viverrid

Pretty much same here. Actually, I find I've gotten hurt more riding "with the guys", pushing to keep up (or get ahead in) the pack. But yeah like the man said, when I'm by myself, I figure I ride at about 80%.

Also when by myself, I am much quicker to pull over and make sure of the situation before riding into it, and/or choose NOT to ride into a questionable area. There have been many times where I found something by myself, but didn't make the attempt to ride it until I came back with others.

Many people wisely say that they never ride alone, and that it's not a good idea. While I'd agree it is not preferable, I think it IS manageable.

I haven't crashed off-road yet, but I've found that group rides almost always travel at speeds faster than I feel comfortable at on unfamiliar roads. The ideal situation is probably 2 or 3 guys who ride at the same conservative pace.

[rokklym]

Group rides usually turn into mini races and are a great place to push yourself too far, but its also great to have the extra help if you need it.

Solo rides are all about survival mode. The only option is to return safely. I always feel safer alone, except for when you start to get the feeling you might have something wrong with the bike.

be prepared.

[manfromthestix]

If I had to wait for friends to be free to ride with me, I'd never get to ride at all. Our lives are so busy most of the time it's just about impossible to get much of a group together. My kids are grown and gone to college and most of my friends still have kids in the house, so that's their priority of course.

I love the freedom of riding alone, no itinerary, no waiting, no trying to catch up, no "where the fuck did Jeff go?", on and on. But absolutely as stated above, be very aware of the flipside. If you get hurt, you are very likely on your own. Be prepared, be careful, THINK, stop and look, walk ahead and plot a path through the tuffies, be prepared to turn around if it looks dangerous enough to cause second thoughts. Like this:



I probably could have made it across, but it was pretty deep in the center of the channel and may have drowned the bike. Not a huge deal except that the creek happens to be WAY down there and it's a hell of a walk out:



I love riding alone, but I respect the inherent danger. I also have 43 years of riding experience and know my limits and have a fair eye for hazards.

It absolutely bears repeating: BEWARE OF HYPOTHERMIA! I've been hypothermic on three occassions: once in December (sat still too long while elk hunting in the snow), once in August while fly fishing (chest deep in cold water with waders) and another August while bicycling (caught in a hail/rain storm, temp dropped 30 degrees and I was soaked, 15 miles from nowhere). Dangerous stuff.

[HighwayChile]

yes.
good advice by others. I dont think I can add to it.
hhmmm, ..................
jug a' booze, flares, skin mag, jerky, 'bout covers it.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by De Eee

...Is it stupid or the essence of what motorcycle riding is about anyway?

Yep.

kdxkawboy's advice is sound.

Oh, and where I live, dehydration is the big threat, rather than hypothermia. Or hitting a deer at speed. Whatever. It's always something. Prepare and pay attention. Survival on a dual-sport is the same as survival anywhere else.

[De Eee]

[svs]

Dude my riding buddy lives at Trabuco and El Toro, Your neighbor. I live in HB. Lotsa guys to ride with....If you go alone bring a cell phone. I go up in the hills often with a 4-wd, Your never alone up there anyways as there is always people out in Sabbleback.

[Hltoppr]

Solo rides are great. I do many myself, and many times prefer it. Kdxkawboy is 100% right. You're on your own, be prepared for the worst, be able to fix your ride or "pop smoke" if you need to. I prefer a good kit and sat phone for my solo travels, 'cuz I like to go where cell phone coverage is non-existent.

-H-

[scottrnelson]

Way back when I used to ride a dual sport (called enduros back then) most of my riding was solo. I occasionally had to fix things when miles from anywhere, like a derailed chain or fouled spark plug.

Kdxkawboy has some good suggestions and I generally agree. One thing not on the list is a way to fix a flat tire. I once pulled the whole wheel off of a bike and carried it on the back of friend's bike riding into town to get a tube patched. In the future, I would carry spare tubes for both the front and rear tires, and the tools needed to get the tire off and back on.

[kittycactus]

I go solo a lot in the spring when I'm out looking for morels. Kdxkawboy sums it up pretty well. I've never had any problems and have turned back a few times because I wasn't sure I could make it through a section of the trail. I've got a 70 oz Camelbak that has a backpack setup built in that I keep a couple of power bars, chemical warmers, Swiss army knife, waterproof matches, lighter, small flashlight, wetwipes, rolled up windbreaker and socks, and cell phone. Other than crashing, I worry about something going wrong with the bike that I don't know how to fix, but I know that my husband keeps my DRZ in excellent shape because he worries about me out alone. He's a great guy and guess I better stay on his good side.

[De Eee]

Nonmotorized in Montana