I love getting lost but perhaps consider we all should consider planned routes?

tached1000rr · 10-10-2009, 01:43 PM

I love to jump on my bike with no particular destination, see a new road and decide to take it to see where it leads, BUT lately I've been reading about so many bikers while out riding alone crashing and not being found until days later has me thinking that if I am going alone then perhaps I should have a planned route and let my wife and/or others know along with an expected return time. That way if too much time passes and no one has heard from me, they at least know which route/direction to begin any searches.

I don't push as hard when alone but still things happen. There are some nasty places along the side of the mountain roads where only hunters may find you and passing cars can not see you.

I've heard about other things such as gps on your cell phone, some sort of technology that pinpoints your location(can't recall the name though) What other technology or safeguards do you all know of?

I hate reading stories about fallen riders who could have possibly lived with sooner intervention.

tached1000rr · 10-10-2009, 01:44 PM

Sorry just realized I messed up the title, should read I love getting lost but perhaps we all should consider planned routes

HokieDNA01 · 10-10-2009, 02:15 PM

The GPS system you are probably thinking about is called SPOT. I am thinking about getting one.

http://www.findmespot.com/en/

I have a friend with one that really likes it and have ready stories online of it helping, saving people on ADV rider. It still has its flaws (have to been in direct line with sky) but its better than nothing.

the chi · 10-10-2009, 04:48 PM

I've got the GPS on my phone so my hubby can see where I am at, in a non creepy sort of way, primarily so if I am out riding by myself and turn up missing, he has a good idea where I was. If I am out of phone signal range however I dont think it will work...

Planned routes are a great idea for solo riders. Until I moved, I never worried about being solo, but I feel ya. Now, if I do go riding it will be alone and its not a bad thought to make sure someone can find me.

Trip · 10-11-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chi

I've got the GPS on my phone so my hubby can see where I am at, in a non creepy sort of way, primarily so if I am out riding by myself and turn up missing, he has a good idea where I was. If I am out of phone signal range however I dont think it will work...

Planned routes are a great idea for solo riders. Until I moved, I never worried about being solo, but I feel ya. Now, if I do go riding it will be alone and its not a bad thought to make sure someone can find me.

Yeah your phone is screwed outside of signal range.

Spot will work anywhere as long as you can see sky. Especially if you have off road routes planned. That's probably why I am going to pick it up.

fasternyou929 · 10-12-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Chi

I've got the GPS on my phone so my hubby can see where I am at, in a non creepy sort of way, primarily so if I am out riding by myself and turn up missing, he has a good idea where I was. If I am out of phone signal range however I dont think it will work...

Planned routes are a great idea for solo riders. Until I moved, I never worried about being solo, but I feel ya. Now, if I do go riding it will be alone and its not a bad thought to make sure someone can find me.

I have GPS on my phone too, but it doesn't share my location with anyone else. What program do you use to broadcast your location to your husband's phone? Is there a subscription fee?

the chi · 10-12-2009, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

I have GPS on my phone too, but it doesn't share my location with anyone else. What program do you use to broadcast your location to your husband's phone? Is there a subscription fee?

Its called the AT&T family map. I think it only works with phones on your plan or those you give permission to, but Im not certain of the specifics, he plays with it, I rarely do.

CasterTroy · 10-12-2009, 08:00 AM

I don't ride mountain rides or aggressive ride alone for that reason

Where my buddy Brian crashed was where we rode a lot....Deals gap kinda roads with deep ravines and thick forest. Where he came to rest was so remote and far down that he may never have been recovered....until another accident put someone in the same place.

I took my wife there the next day and her only comment (besides a gasp) was that if he did that route alone (which he would have done if I couldn't have gone) and came to the same fate....he would have NEVER been found...even if he told everyone his plans.

No cell reception, and you can forget seeing the sky.

Before that happened I never would have traveled that road alone...but you can bet your ass you'll never see me rollin thru there solo NOW.

I know a lot of you love the solo deal....but gravel, oil, deer, faulty tire mfg issue...there's SO many factors that can make a solo ride on a remote road dangerous.

Disclaimer: Understand this is what’s around me...so this is my frame of reference

Where if you cook that corner and go over the edge...there may be a 50-300 ft drop before you stop

was92v · 10-10-2009, 11:22 PM

When I am going to take a long ride by myself, I usually leave a note with the route I intend to take, at home in case I don't come back. I always deviate from it somewhat, but at least there is an idea of the area I'm in anyway.

racedoll · 10-11-2009, 09:41 PM

Not really completely bike related, but goes along with the theme here - when I run I leave a note or text or something for Erik letting him know that I left, which route I took and how many miles I'm running (he can approx time from that). I also have a RoadID on me that velcros to my shoes lace with my name/address/phone/contact/blood type.

The only time I ride alone is when I go to work and Erik knows I go the main roads. I always send him a quick text or email when I get there so he knows. He can be a worry wart.

10-10-2009, 01:43 PM	#1
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	I love getting lost but perhaps consider we all should consider planned routes? I love to jump on my bike with no particular destination, see a new road and decide to take it to see where it leads, BUT lately I've been reading about so many bikers while out riding alone crashing and not being found until days later has me thinking that if I am going alone then perhaps I should have a planned route and let my wife and/or others know along with an expected return time. That way if too much time passes and no one has heard from me, they at least know which route/direction to begin any searches. I don't push as hard when alone but still things happen. There are some nasty places along the side of the mountain roads where only hunters may find you and passing cars can not see you. I've heard about other things such as gps on your cell phone, some sort of technology that pinpoints your location(can't recall the name though) What other technology or safeguards do you all know of? I hate reading stories about fallen riders who could have possibly lived with sooner intervention.

10-10-2009, 02:15 PM	#3
HokieDNA01 WERA White Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Moto: 2007 Suzuki GSX-r 750 Posts: 1,404	The GPS system you are probably thinking about is called SPOT. I am thinking about getting one. http://www.findmespot.com/en/ I have a friend with one that really likes it and have ready stories online of it helping, saving people on ADV rider. It still has its flaws (have to been in direct line with sky) but its better than nothing. __________________ XX>XY 2014 Honda NC700X 2007 Suzuki GSX-r 750 2000 Yamaha XT225 2004 Kawasaki EX250 (sold)

10-12-2009, 08:00 AM	#8
CasterTroy ................ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,028	I don't ride mountain rides or aggressive ride alone for that reason Where my buddy Brian crashed was where we rode a lot....Deals gap kinda roads with deep ravines and thick forest. Where he came to rest was so remote and far down that he may never have been recovered....until another accident put someone in the same place. I took my wife there the next day and her only comment (besides a gasp) was that if he did that route alone (which he would have done if I couldn't have gone) and came to the same fate....he would have NEVER been found...even if he told everyone his plans. No cell reception, and you can forget seeing the sky. Before that happened I never would have traveled that road alone...but you can bet your ass you'll never see me rollin thru there solo NOW. I know a lot of you love the solo deal....but gravel, oil, deer, faulty tire mfg issue...there's SO many factors that can make a solo ride on a remote road dangerous. Disclaimer: Understand this is what’s around me...so this is my frame of reference Where if you cook that corner and go over the edge...there may be a 50-300 ft drop before you stop __________________ “Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.” Viktor Frankl

10-10-2009, 01:44 PM	#2
tached1000rr WERA White Plate Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: NC Moto: 2009 GSXR 1300 Posts: 2,448	Sorry just realized I messed up the title, should read I love getting lost but perhaps we all should consider planned routes

10-10-2009, 11:22 PM	#9
was92v Nowhere Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 558	When I am going to take a long ride by myself, I usually leave a note with the route I intend to take, at home in case I don't come back. I always deviate from it somewhat, but at least there is an idea of the area I'm in anyway.

10-11-2009, 09:41 PM	#10
racedoll AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Moto: '04 Kawasaki ZX6RR Posts: 3,392	Not really completely bike related, but goes along with the theme here - when I run I leave a note or text or something for Erik letting him know that I left, which route I took and how many miles I'm running (he can approx time from that). I also have a RoadID on me that velcros to my shoes lace with my name/address/phone/contact/blood type. The only time I ride alone is when I go to work and Erik knows I go the main roads. I always send him a quick text or email when I get there so he knows. He can be a worry wart.