Riding Preparedness

I want to give credit to Wade from long ago on this topic.  Back in 08 when he began to draw us into this riding style, he told us that we needed to be prepared to fix things.  So, this page is dedicated to protocols on how to be ready for the inevitable bummer event that each and every one of us goes through at some time or another.  My list has no particular order, and if you think of something that I missed, by all means let me know.  The idea is that if you were sweep rider and you had an issue right after taking off, the lead guys would ride between 30-45 minutes before they stopped to gather everyone.  So by the time someone came back for you, it could very well be 2 hours.  Therefore, it's important to get the job done alone or at least on your way to getting it done when somebody shows up.  Sitting there and waiting is a bummer. 

1. Lead riders should stop about every 40-60 minutes to make sure sweep rider is ok.  Again, the thinking here is if someone in back has trouble right off from the last stop, it will be 1-2 hours before the lead guys would get back to them. 

2. That previous thing said, it's best to designate riding buddies.  These are two or three guys that stay together and keep an eye on each other.  All problems are much easier sorted with two or three guys rather than alone. 

3. When scouting out unknown territory, no scout should go alone.  See number 2 above for the reasoning. 

4. Carry proper first aid and survival gear.  It is best to be prepared to spend the night alone and possibly in the cold and never have it happen.  So, it's wise to have the basics with you such as first aid kit, fire making equipment, etc.  It's also wise to carry plenty of water or the ability to clean water for drinking.

5. Wear proper gear.  Proper moto boots are key.  Going through rocky areas or having your bike pin you down are two good reasons to wear good boots.  

6. Have all of the tools to do the basics.  Be sure you know your bike and carry the basic tools to do the basic jobs.  

7. Be familiar with how to remove your wheels and tires and to fix a flat.  It's best to do this in practice at home so that you are not learning in the woods. 

8. Shampoo/soap is super handy to help with removal and install of a tire/tube. 

9. Carry tubes.  We used to carry just the front 21 with the idea it would work in the back, but Forrest learned the hard way that this is really only a temporary and emergency fix.  It's best to carry both sizes.  

10. Be comfortable taking off your seat and tank to access the air box and battery, etc.  It may be unfixable, but at least we/you can look it over and decide that.  

11. You probably need to have a large fuel tank to allow about 200 miles.  This has caused us grief on occasion with bikes that have limited fuel range. 

12. Finally, keep your machine in generally good running order so that mechanical issues are few and far between.  

Doggon crashing. 2022

I fell down on June 12, day 2 of a 5 day ride to kick off the summer.  Broke my right arm/wrist.  So not fun.  As I write this now, it's about 75% healed up.  Made for a tough summer though.  Back on the bike and it feels pretty good.  We've got an October 7 ride weekend planned so that will be a good bigger test.  Have a few rides on it now, one of which was a one nighter to Letts Lake to meet Rig and his brother in law.  Riding and camping was great.  Dorian and Alan with their jeeps so camping is always extra comfy.  Kurt and I rode.  109 degrees down in the valley.  Nice up at camp though.  Rig didn't make it because on Friday he had an accident on the street with a car.  Broke his pelvis.  He's home on the mend and hopefully will be able to  be up and walking for the holidays.  This was a bad injury, but, as they say, it could have been worse.  Thankfully he got good care and is on the mend.  So, needless to say, he won't be going on the October ride.  Hopefully we'll get him in a passenger seat of a jeep in early 2023.  Then we'll what motorcycling looks like come next late spring.  Two of us hurt this year!  Darn it.  Hopefully we won't have any more of this for a very long time, if maybe, fingers crossed, never again.  Until next time...cheers!