adventure alone?

klimber

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hey all, semi-lurker here - let me catch you up on my situation
I've had this 2013 Tenere for a few years, after riding a 2005 Suzuki DL650 for a good 5+ year run.. I like all the upgrades the Tenere has to offer, and have taken it already on some mild off-pavement adventuring, even with a passenger.

I'm getting a few weeks off in July, and planning a ride up into the Sierra's, looking to traverse HWY 80 to HWY 50 SE bound, via Foresthill. Looks like mostly forest roads, but it gets remote so there may be some technical stuff.

I'm a thin frame, 5'11", 150 lbs., in decent shape, can lift heavy loads, and am semi-confident taking these large machines off road, even if it's slow thru more difficult terrain.

I've heard advice, and agree, that it's much better to riding adventure rides with a partner / buddy, in case something goes wrong, and I get stranded, at least I won't have to walk it, or worse, wait to get picked up. Although that's part of the thrill and adventure isn't it? Being in full control of my own fate / destiny..

Are you one to venture off into the wilderness, confident in your abilities and decisions, or do you think being more conservative, trying to find a riding buddy, at least for some of the trip, would be wiser? I'm not the reckless young man I used to be, but I still like to open it up from time to time;

Hopefully I got your blood flowing, and you can give me some tips I may have overlooked. I'm looking forward to being out there again, FREEDOM, but also want to make it back home fully functional.

Looking forward, K
 

Panman

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Just rode 6,600 miles with my friend G to Alaska, did the Top of the World, Dalton to the north side of Atigun Pass. We saw a bunch of solo riders but I'm glade I had a companion. We shared laugh's hotel/motel bills, we camped and had each others backs. When we rode over Thomson Pass it was nice to share it with some one.
Maybe we can't call our self's Adventure Rides as we meet folks from all over the world who came a lot further. But still was nice to share with someone!
We even meet Steve and Dave.
DSCN0514.JPG
 
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Kyle_E

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I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide.
I enjoy riding with no agenda, I once took 4 days to get to Reno from Las Vegas (8 hour drive) with hitting very very minimal pavement. On those type of trips I like to be alone with no care of anyone else idea of what we should be doing.

Scheduled destination basic itinerary I don't mind company.
 

BaldKnob

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I rode a good part of the COBDR solo and the northern half of UTBDR with a fellow inmate. He was good company and a good rider so the trip went well. Two nights of camping, lots of dusty dirt roads and a raspberry shake in Garden City when it was all said and done. But I enjoyed my solo ride more. That’s just me, I suppose.
 

BaldKnob

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Solo tips... pack light, carry battery backup and check in often. Have fun, take pics and ride safe.
 

steve68steve

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There are pros and cons to each, so there's no wrong decision, IMO, but they are different experiences.

I've found I like riding alone better... for a few days. Holding someone else up, or having to accommodate someone else cuts into the freedom and enjoyment of the ride for me... for about 3 days or so,. The longer I'm out, the more I get lonely and wish I had someone to share the experience with. We're social creatures, and sitting around the campfire telling stories isn't nothing. Shared experience bonds and connects us.

If you're riding to get out in the bush and commune with nature, or maximize the enjoyment of riding, go alone.
If you're an extrovert and would rather have camaraderie than introspection, trade a little freedom for a little security and find a buddy.
 

Checkswrecks

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I do generally ride alone and enjoy the ability to wing it, including some silly remote places. The more remote, the more cautious I do get about pressing my luck and the one thing I try to do is have a way to get out from under the bike if it lands on my leg or ankle and pins me. That may mean having something to use as a lever like a stick, or it may simply be the bags so the foot peg area can't get to the ground.

The last time I got pinned was by the KTM 350 and fortunately I was with somebody because the bike solidly had my boot caught under the brake pedal. Usually I can spin the bike around to get out on my own, but in this case the top of the bike and I were head down in rocks and mud.
 

EricV

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I've done both and not really spent a lot of time thinking about it. I use some extra caution when alone on rough, isolated areas. I'll walk a section if I can't see how it goes or what's beyond a really technical section. Sucks to make it thru the good line you picked, only to find out it's worse around the bend or drops into a steep spot just past where you thought the worst of it ended.

Now, after getting married late in life, I mostly travel with my wife who rides her own bike. If I'm off solo, I carry a Spot tracker so she can see where I am and knows I'm ok. Even w/o cell reception, I can hit an OK at a stop or a custom message at the end of the day so she knows I'm stopped for the day. It is for her, not for me. That said, if I really screwed the pooch, the Spot has a help button to notify people I choose that I need assistance, and a 911 button to notify emergency services. The Spot device is a satellite tracker that does not require cell service. Another similar device is the Delorme (now Garmin) InReach

The other choice in personal beacons is a PLB which runs on a dedicated frequency that is monitored by rescue facilities world wide. PLBs are a stand alone purchase with no monthly fees, (unless you rent one for a single trip). they do not offer tracking or other features, but have a better response time in most cases when used in an emergency.

There are a lot of options in all three choices. 2 way text communications, different levels of user interface and size. Typically the basic Spot is around $150 but requires an annual subscription of around $165 to activate it. InReach is more $$ for more features. Both have upper level choices as well for more money. PLBs will mirror the initial buy in price, being slightly cheaper at around $300, but w/o any subscription costs.

If it's for someone else's peace of mind, the tracking devices are worth the cost. If it's for your peace of mind, get the PLB and carry it on your person so if you have a get off or are pinned, you will be more likely to be able to get it out and activate it. I carried the Spot for my wife's peace of mind and mounted it on the bike for rally use where it was critical to see it and I was often sending a Ok or Custom ping instead of just tracking. Down side to carrying the device of your choice on your person is that hard things tend to cause injury in a fall/crash. It's a risk assessment you will have to make on your own. One of the better areas I've see riders choose to carry a Spot is on a short lanyard, with a carabiner clipped to the belt. It's under the normal 3/4 length jacket, so slightly difficult to access, but has enough movement possible that it hopefully won't get trapped under you if you fall on it. Arm bands are popular too, but the arm bones break easily and that doesn't appeal to me personally.

In reading your post, you don't really pose any questions other than asking for other tips. You weigh 150, the bike weighs 600 lbs loaded. Do you know the various methods to pick up a heavy bike? Twist bars & lever it up, butt to seat and back it upright, spin it around so it's wheels down on a slope before attempting to get it up, buddy method to weight the rear wheel to the ground, etc?

You mention the thrill and adventure of solo travel. Maybe I'm just older and wiser? Thrills are for people that got away with something that was a poor choice to begin with. That's the "thrill". If you experience adrenaline while riding, you're not as good a riders as you think you are and you need to take some training and learn to ride better, learn to make better choices and you'll find you can enjoy riding in control a lot more than getting "thrills" from getting away with things you barely have the skills to do. Consider that point of view. Others will disagree. They have different experiences than I do. You can rationalize your choices, but not defend them.

See new things, go new places, seek out spots other rarely go to. That's adventure. Freedom is about making your own choices and accepting responsibility for doing so. If you don't feel free day to day, you're doing it wrong. Responsibility is not a lack of freedom, it's just part of modern life. Find something you enjoy better if you feel that captured by your daily life.
 

Don in Lodi

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hey all, semi-lurker here - let me catch you up on my situation
I've had this 2013 Tenere for a few years, after riding a 2005 Suzuki DL650 for a good 5+ year run.. I like all the upgrades the Tenere has to offer, and have taken it already on some mild off-pavement adventuring, even with a passenger.

I'm getting a few weeks off in July, and planning a ride up into the Sierra's, looking to traverse HWY 80 to HWY 50 SE bound, via Foresthill. Looks like mostly forest roads, but it gets remote so there may be some technical stuff.

I'm a thin frame, 5'11", 150 lbs., in decent shape, can lift heavy loads, and am semi-confident taking these large machines off road, even if it's slow thru more difficult terrain.

I've heard advice, and agree, that it's much better to riding adventure rides with a partner / buddy, in case something goes wrong, and I get stranded, at least I won't have to walk it, or worse, wait to get picked up. Although that's part of the thrill and adventure isn't it? Being in full control of my own fate / destiny..

Are you one to venture off into the wilderness, confident in your abilities and decisions, or do you think being more conservative, trying to find a riding buddy, at least for some of the trip, would be wiser? I'm not the reckless young man I used to be, but I still like to open it up from time to time;

Hopefully I got your blood flowing, and you can give me some tips I may have overlooked. I'm looking forward to being out there again, FREEDOM, but also want to make it back home fully functional.

Looking forward, K
Looks like a great day ride. What are you going to do with the rest of your vacation?
 

jeckyll

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Lotusland
There are pros and cons to each, so there's no wrong decision, IMO, but they are different experiences.

I've found I like riding alone better... for a few days. Holding someone else up, or having to accommodate someone else cuts into the freedom and enjoyment of the ride for me... for about 3 days or so,. The longer I'm out, the more I get lonely and wish I had someone to share the experience with. We're social creatures, and sitting around the campfire telling stories isn't nothing. Shared experience bonds and connects us.

If you're riding to get out in the bush and commune with nature, or maximize the enjoyment of riding, go alone.
If you're an extrovert and would rather have camaraderie than introspection, trade a little freedom for a little security and find a buddy.
Very well said! I feel similar.
 

Clawdog60

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east central "ILL"
I have done it and still do it but I prefer to ride with a buddy not 2up. I haven’t had any incidents solo ( knock on wood). I don’t do 2up she has her own street and dirt.
 

Sierra1

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Joshua TX
I usually ride solo. If one of my boys show up, we go ride; SENAs make it SO much easier/enjoyable to ride with a partner. I don't think I would be any more likely to take risks if there was another person with me. My survival instincts remain strong regardless of company. And, the only member that I've met in person is Xclimation.
 

SkunkWorks

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A good friend of mine lives up near Foresthill.
Some of those "Remote" roads in those Canyons may be washed-out by Slides. Check your routing carefully, unless you are just planning to explore.
Two of my favorite paved roads in that area are "Wentworth Springs Rd" and "Icehouse Rd" Those are closer to US-50 though.
 

steve68steve

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.. And, the only member that I've met in person is Xclimation.
I've been lucky enough to meet and ride with several here, and I would do it again in a second. I've never met anyone on a S10 that I didn't thoroughly enjoy being with.

...having said that, and echoing my first post, I know sometimes I'm the noob holding someone else up - and sometimes I'm the experienced one who has to slow down and offer help and encouragement.

From a riding perspective, I much prefer to ride with guys better than me because it pushes me and I learn stuff, but I'm racked with a little guilt about my shortcomings slowing them down. I hate the thought of being the guy that's sacking someone else's otherwise good time.
From a personal perspective, I feel good about paying it forward to newer riders and being the guy that can help/ teach/ reassure someone not as far along in the moto journey as me. But at some point, I'll find myself thinking I know I'd have more fun riding alone.

Again, no wrong answer - just different experiences.
 

jeckyll

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651
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Lotusland
hey all, semi-lurker here - let me catch you up on my situation
I've had this 2013 Tenere for a few years, after riding a 2005 Suzuki DL650 for a good 5+ year run.. I like all the upgrades the Tenere has to offer, and have taken it already on some mild off-pavement adventuring, even with a passenger.

I'm getting a few weeks off in July, and planning a ride up into the Sierra's, looking to traverse HWY 80 to HWY 50 SE bound, via Foresthill. Looks like mostly forest roads, but it gets remote so there may be some technical stuff.

I'm a thin frame, 5'11", 150 lbs., in decent shape, can lift heavy loads, and am semi-confident taking these large machines off road, even if it's slow thru more difficult terrain.

I've heard advice, and agree, that it's much better to riding adventure rides with a partner / buddy, in case something goes wrong, and I get stranded, at least I won't have to walk it, or worse, wait to get picked up. Although that's part of the thrill and adventure isn't it? Being in full control of my own fate / destiny..

Are you one to venture off into the wilderness, confident in your abilities and decisions, or do you think being more conservative, trying to find a riding buddy, at least for some of the trip, would be wiser? I'm not the reckless young man I used to be, but I still like to open it up from time to time;

Hopefully I got your blood flowing, and you can give me some tips I may have overlooked. I'm looking forward to being out there again, FREEDOM, but also want to make it back home fully functional.

Looking forward, K

I'd responded quickly earlier, but this is such a good question compared to so much of what's often in forums (like proper kill switch use... ;) ) that I wanted to expand a bit, especially since I go through this type of decision pretty much every year.

First, I think the right approach is to consider the likely types of failures you're going to experience, and then honestly answer how you'd deal with them. I'm taking this from Rescue diver training, where a big part is considering how to deal with likely emergencies before they occur so you can respond intelligently.

I also ride solo most years, from long trips (week+) to long weekends, including some remote places in BC (with bears and cougars and wolves oh my! ;) ) and all over the western US. That includes riding solo in places like the Lolo Motorway, where if you go off the trail into the undergrowth way below, you might not been found for a long time.




So, a big part for me is knowing I will have no cell phone coverage, so I need to be self sufficient. The next big thing is understanding that my most likely failures are flat tires. Those I'm well prepared for on any bike. And finally it's taking the right bike.

What that means is something light enough that I can pick it up, drag it out of a small ditch and get it going again. My KLR is one of those bikes (barely) but the SuperT is not. One, hardbags vs. softbags, the other is pure weight. (I'm 6'1", 200lbs and in decent shape, but I have no illusions about how much fun it would be to try to right an upside down 600lb bike that's wedged between some stuff).

No hardbags because if I sit down, which I do when I'm tired, I know I'll stick my leg out if I lose it cornering in the dirt to save it. It's instinct.

Now back to your original question: Only you know your skill and risk aversion / acceptance. And there is nothing wrong with getting to a point and going "Nope, not today. Not solo."

A couple of years ago I was riding solo, a buddy knew where I was within about a 100 mile radius, so really he had no clue, and I got to a stretch of two track that was sandy and had NO new tracks since the rain the day before. These pics were taken at the bottom, didn't risk stopping where I turned around, but you can see the soil.




I had an Anakee 3 on the back and rode up a bit, had a whoops moment on a small washout and decided it just wasn't worth it. I'd had the SuperT for < 6 months, and hadn't done any 'hard' offroading. And that's not a confidence inspiring tire on sand. On those exploratory rides I _always_ make sure I have enough gas to go back the way I came so I'm not forced to go forward or risk running dry. So it was an easy decision and I had a fun ride back.

Anyway, a very long post, but hopefully it touched on some of the topics you're after.

If your weeks off were in August, I'd offer to come down and ride those roads with you, they do sound like fun. Such gorgeous country!
(this was just ouside Bodie)


Best of luck, let us know what you decide and how it plays out!

Bjorn
 

klimber

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Mar 22, 2018
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Oakland, CA
Thanks for the replies; give me some things to think about.

A friend in the Grass Valley area rides also, so I'm hoping we can explore locally for a day or two so I can brush up on my off-pavement skills.

Then I'm planning on traversing across to HWY 50 somehow;
could be via Lake Tahoe on paved roads (I know BORRRING), or
forest roads via Forestville (FUN!),
then South Lake Tahoe, (take a lap around the Lake?), HWY 89, Markleeville, HWY 395, and see how far I can make it, maybe as far as Bishop.

I suppose I have my choice of which mountain pass to return west.. don't have to decide just yet.

Yes, obviously "ride within abilities" is a great theme to live by. Then, "push limits within reason," another.

I liked "don't be afraid to turn around," but hoping I won't have any impasses.

I don't think I'll be going with emergency beacons this time, but I'm glad that information presented itself; I had not considered it.

Another question, have any of you run a tire-combo of a dual-sport / knobby front-tire (TKC80) with a street-biased tire in the rear? It's going to be 150 miles of highway for the first part of the trip, and then probably 80/20 on-road to off-road after that; do you think it's worth it to have the extra off-road traction for the front for those (probably rare) cases I'll need it? Alternatively, I can air down the current street-biased front instead (bringing a small 'SLIME' type compressor) if I'm going on a long stretch of dirt.

On a skill level scale of [1-10], I estimate I'm about a [5] for off-pavement riding, nowhere near challenging the capabilities of the Tenere (but aiming to push that up to a [6-7]!). I've ridden my old DL650 V-Strom along with a group of other adventure riders, a few of which we're on Tenere's, and they were pretty fast.

For off-road, traction control setting [2]? Front-tire PSI to 25+/-? Or mount a TKC80 (I have sitting in storage) for the hard stuff, even though the trip will be mostly pavement? I also have a pair of Rox-Risers, currently uninstalled, but might put them back on if anyone swears by the difference they make. I can stand comfortable enough with the stock setup, but know the Riser's help with technical stuff..

Thanks all, awesome feedback.

k

PS Anyone want to join?? !
 
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jeckyll

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Lotusland
Sounds like you've got a good plan.

Tire discussions are a bit like religious discussions (or worse, Oil Threads). I've had great luck with the K60 Scout front tire, in wet, dry, onroad (hard riding) and also offroad. It's my front of choice.


For the rear, it depends on your riding style and what you value. I personally had good luck running a Anakee III for road trips, with some offroading (even fully loaded). And they really carve the pavement. The bike looks a bit odd with a K60 Scout on the front, and a Anakee III on the rear, but it works for me.


For this kind of stuff, any 90/10 tire will do:


I tend to ride with TC on 2, which does allow a fair bit of rear tire slippage. When it comes to running up steeper stuff though, it's better to turn it off. I did a ride last year where we climbed some steep stuff with babyheads and I almost stalled the bike trying to follow these guys on Vancouver Islands West coast ;)


Have a good trip!
 
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