Riding Solo

[1fujifilm]

Hello,
I like to keep a few loose rules for riding alone;
1. Stay on trails that are close to roads so if problems exist, you can walk to the road. For instance, I will ride from Watersmeet to Houghton and back when I am alone. When I have a second person along I may choose to ride from Munising to Paradise, MI and back as there are less cross roads.
2. Buy gas more often as I have ran out by myself in the past and had to rely on unknown sledders to help me.
3. I ride a bit slower as to take less risk of losing it in the trees or too fast to stop on the grade if a deer jumps out.
4. Leave for the ride as soon as the sun comes up and end the ride 30 minutes before the sun goes down.

Safety is paramount when riding alone.

 

[arcticgeorge]

>and on a funny note..i have a new way to start a fire..just ride your '13 pos 800 till it starts on fire like mine did..pull out the marshmallows and enjoy<

Literally LMAO! Excellent - people sure like to rip on their Poo 800's. I've been looking at an Indy 800 for 3 weeks and just can't do it. There's a reason it's still sitting at the dealer for a great price.

I personally think the best ride is with two people that both like to ride at roughly the same pace, and take the same amount of stops. Makes it a bit more interesting and protects you a bit if something happens. I don't like to stop more than once in a day, in good temps and conditions.

lol...You said fire and i thought what would be the best way to get gas out of a sled and then i remembered i have about 25 feet of nylon 1/4 tubing that i have used for siphoning. I am going to cut a 3 foot piece and put it in the back of my sled. ...Last year a father and son went off trail on a super windy snowy night in the Porcupine Mountains, they had NO survival gear. Lost walking through the night. TV interview in the hospital the next day and the father was nearly in tears describing what they faced.

 

[POLARISDAN]

always carry a knife..u can cut off some of your shirt to dip in the tank..and multiple lighters..cuz one is bound to get wet and not work..even for daytime riding

 

[arcticgeorge]

Ah yes knife, i have a nice multi-tool in my storage area, built in pliers, scissors, screw drivers you know.

 

[groomerdriver]

Don't enjoy riding alone at all. I might go out for a 40 mile loop by myself but that's about it. Just no fun to me without a riding bud.

 

[eagle1]

I have been riding solo for many, many years. Well I was out west and ran into a terrible snow storm had to spend the night out in the woods and I can't tell you the importance of carrying a good survival kit. Kept warm and was well nourished until the light of day and I could find my way back to the lodge.

You make shelter? Fire? What was temperature out? Did you have communication or were people out looking for you? When you say out west, you in backcountry?
Just curious if you will still ride alone?
Personally I think if your riding backcountry alone that's crazy. Too many situations where extra help may be needed.

 

[G]

Backcountry solo way different than groomed trail solo. Eventually on a groomed trail somebody will come by or else a groomer will find you. I only ride solo on trails I know. I know where the shelters are and I am pretty familiar with the proximity of nearby towns. My plan for complete sled failure has always been to start a big fire. It would only take about 10 minutes for the DNR to find me if I started burning down their woods.

 

[sweeperguy]

I ride alone a lot because my job affords me time off during the week when others are working. I have no issue riding alone but it's during the daytime. You can't talk to your riding partner while you ride anyways. When I stop to eat I make conversation with the people in the restaurant or I just check john dee and post my pictures. I don't however carry as much stuff as other so I may have to up my game. Typically I will ride 100-150 miles alone and have fun doing so. I do have some people that can ride occasionally during the week with me and it's always a better time. I have never worried about being stranded before but now that I had some issues with my sled a few weeks back it has crossed my mind.

I actually probably carry more than i need, but my wife is happy i do. She's not real thrilled when i go out alone. I've not needed it but i would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[POLARISDAN]

>and on a funny note..i have a new way to start a fire..just ride your '13 pos 800 till it starts on fire like mine did..pull out the marshmallows and enjoy<

Literally LMAO! Excellent - people sure like to rip on their Poo 800's. I've been looking at an Indy 800 for 3 weeks and just can't do it. There's a reason it's still sitting at the dealer for a great price.

I personally think the best ride is with two people that both like to ride at roughly the same pace, and take the same amount of stops. Makes it a bit more interesting and protects you a bit if something happens. I don't like to stop more than once in a day, in good temps and conditions.

yea, both my 12 and my 13 have burned up..i would stay away from the 800 until they prove their improvemnts hold..never again for me..if poo..stay with the 600

 

[Hoosier]

No one carries a flask anymore? Just kidding, good thread for ideas

 

[1fujifilm]

No one carries a flask anymore? Just kidding, good thread for ideas

That is good humor and one reason I like to ride solo. I had a group back in the day that were smokers. We had to stop every 40 miles or so for a cigarette. I didn't smoke and froze waiting for them.

 

[etec146]

You make shelter? Fire? What was temperature out? Did you have communication or were people out looking for you? When you say out west, you in backcountry?
Just curious if you will still ride alone?
Personally I think if your riding backcountry alone that's crazy. Too many situations where extra help may be needed.

I made a shelter out of fallen branches, started a fire with my fire kit (Tampons soaked with fuel) got cold don't know how cold but the fire made it nice. No one out looking, I left without telling anyone I was headed out, here if you get stranded you either take care of yourself or die. Still ride alone and love the backcountry.