tips for riding with others (non-klr)

[jet_doctor2002]

 I saw a sticker on a guys helmet that said: "you never really know a woman until you meet her in court."  Same with your riding buddies.  People can talk a good game, but when it comes right down to it they just cannot handle being away from the comfort/safety that they are used to. I can live nicely out in the field for days at a time.  I have ridden the TAT, GDR, TLH, Prudhoe Bay Alaska, etc by myself.  If I waited for someone to go along, I would have never gone on any of these trips.  When the opportunity presented itself I went.  I have taken group rides with racers who chide me for carrying basic survival gear/tools/spares out in the back country--"you are slowing us down."  When one of them gets a flat/gets low on gas etc, they start asking "how far it is to their truck?"  When things go a little pear shaped, and they might have to spend the night out on a trail I have seen people literally shit all over themselves.  Be prepared brother......I have seen more back packers become successful adventure bikers than racers. If you really want to go, then go by yourself.  No one starts out knowing everything, and it takes many trips to really get the combination of gear, bike, and most importantly your head (brain) straightened out.  Trying to coordinate schedules, time off, ability, endurance, etc, can be difficult.  When you are by yourself, you can ride at your own pace, rest when you need to, decide what obstacles you want to tackle etc.  If you really hurt yourself, then you are probably screwed.  On the other hand, I have a lot less tendency to get into trouble by myself.  I do carry a SPOT and have people watch my progress.  I also wear a full set of off road riding gear, so a crash is something that you get up from and continue on.  The GPS allows you to reliably follow routes so that getting lost is no longer something that I would consider a problem(I carry a backup.) We all have our stories about riding partners.  I found out about 40 years ago, that if you really want to go, you should be prepared to go alone.  When you get good enough, then maybe other people will invite you along. Cheers, Doug      

---In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, wrote: Not bitching, just sharing wisdom.  OLD SAYING (learn from others mistakes, life is to short to make then all yourself.)  Ya, sharing a trip with others can be more fun (at times) and often helpful, BUT! I have made more then a few trips with someone that TALKED like they were in complete agreement with what kind of riding especially trip etc. we were in-for.  EVEN WITH MONTHS OF PLANNING! One guy planning on an Alaska trip, bought a dualsport (F650gs) and wanted to ride to Tennessee/NC with me for a week. We found (& was told aout) some great single lane dirt roads, one was a "shortcut" UP AND OVER THE MOUNTAIN. (very mild compared to what John B. "dragged" me threw, screaming and LAUGHING)  One was just threw a park, along a river, meant for daily cars, NO hills or sharp curves only 2 miles long. When we come out the other side and looked at the GPS to see how far to Robbinsville NC (Deals Gap area & Cherohala skyway start) we either had to go back threw this VERY VERY mild dirt road, or 45 extra miles around the mountain, He chose the 45. he never fully admitted he had never ridden dirt, AT ALL, or that it scared the @*&)*& out of him, but he found a new person to go to Alaska with, that just happen to have only a street bike. that PS. He Highly recommended to others in the local ride club to, THRUST HIM (me) when taking off without "Plans" he's (me) a great leader, very considerate to others riding needs and wants. 1 guy, still a friend, when I met him at the ride-clubs Xmas party, got all EXCITED, when he heard me say I was heading south then west to just go explore, with NO other plans.  (Loudly, YOU LIKE DOING THAT, I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO ON A "WILDHOGS" TYPE TRIP ALL MY LIFE.)He even stressed, he was in the National Guards when younger, so knows how to just camp "off road" anywhere etc. We left 3 months later instead of 1,  using a variety of excuses. He wanted WARMER weather, (cold in Mi. nice in the south)Then once on the road trailering to his cousins in NC. (his suggestion AFTER hitting the road @ 4am.) every day he wanted to just make loops from that house. (ps. 2 days before leaving invited another who had to be hm in 6 days, so 4-? weeks shot to hell)   [b]This last trip was "planned"[/b] around taking my cousin on an ADVENTURE ride, we had talked several times about what to expect, (good bad and PLANNING FOR WHO KNOWS WHAT?)(MY 3rd week out)  I told him, "It's your trip, Just go ride & EXPLORE and I will have your back." At his request, I arrived 4 days early (My 3rd+ week out) to help him pack and check his bike over. THEN with a full week off, he DELAYED leaving Friday night, (friends coming over to play music. as they did every week) and he wanted to be hm. mid day Saturday, (night at the latest, so he could "rest up" for work on Monday.) Then every day he wanted to have a destination planned (ok) then when we got to New Orleans, it started to rain, (STORM COMING IN) John T. afford a place to stay the night, yet Eric (My cousin) kept saying he wanted to head in a different.Then direction we crossed the "lake Pontchartrain causeway" (bridge) 28.5 miles FUN & DIFFERANT. Next thing you know we were stopping for gas IN JOHNS TOWN, yet there were NEW EXCUSES, why we needed to keep riding into the dark IN THE RAIN. It took a few days to get him to admit, he felt kind of shy (as I am) about just meeting a new person, and staying there. THE WHOLE TRIP, was him being NERVIOUS about exploring and meeting new people. I even SHIPPED UPS, my extra tent and gear for him, He lOVED the idea of just going off rd. or behind a church etc/ NEVER USED 1 time. MY MISTAKE: I knew this was new to him, and should have just taken the lead, and told him THIS IS THE "PLAN".(and keep a close eye on what would be to much for him.) MANY SAY THEY EAT ANYTHING, AND TURN OUT PICKY.SOME HAVE NO! FEARS ON DIRT, SAND!!! AND TIGHT TWISTY SINGLE LANE MOUNTAIN ROADS, BUT............SEEM PANICKY ABOUT RIDING AT DUSK. (WE ALLLLLL HAVE OUR ITEMS.) (Me? I panic on dirt, Etc. going DOWN AGAIN! yet ride in the DARK AND FOG, like nothing, (but pay better attention to all.) [b]BOTTOM LINE, EVERYONE TALKS A GOOD TALK, ABOUT THERE DESIRES, AND "COMFORT ZONES" GET TO KNOW THEM BEFORE TAKING OFF ON A LONG TRIP, EVEN 4+ DAYS. [/b]