Solo Long Ride MB to BC, Nervous and Excited

Discussion in 'Trips & Events' started by A.M, May 3, 2016.

  1. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Jeff is a former resident from the Selkirk I nstitution. He walked off.

    That is a 75 litre pack I bought from Mountain Equipment Co-op, and out doors store. Like a high end REM store. Their stuff is quite pricey but great quality. I rode year round to and from work from 06 to 2012 with that pack for the last 4 or 5 years. My pants, shirts and Ties never got wet in there. Not once. We getmore rain than Seattle so you can imagine the shit I rode in. The salesman fitted that to me and quite honestly, when on the bike and riding, I would not even know I was wearing it.

    I imagine if I went down at any speed, that may make injuries worse though. I still use that pack now that I have taken up hiking. Its a hell of a lot heavier climbing rocks with that thing loaded and on to be sure.
     
  2. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    OH OH Geeee!!

    I imagine that pack wouldn't be so bad if it rested on the seat and didn't put pressure on the shoulders too much.

    I want a high quality bag/pack that would be versatile for other activities.

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  3. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    LOL ... since A.M. isn't from Manitoba, this is the Selkirk Institution: http://www.gov.mb.ca/health/smhc/

    I have a hiking backpack (a good one with rigid frame) and they do make huge difference for any kind of travel because of where they put the weight on your body.

    Tellin' ya though - hard cases with a top trunk and a big marine duffel behind you is the way to go. Not exactly the best 'look' but incredibly functional. I don't have to worry about a backpack or where to put it when I stop since you need a key to get the hard bags off my bike.

    I use the duffel as a standing seat for really long rides when I need to straighten the legs for a bit. I basically stand up on the pegs and sit my arse down on the duffel. It's very comfortable. Sometimes, I'll also have my passenger pegs out and will lean forward while putting my feet on the rear pegs. Also comfortable if you need a quick stretch and don't want to stop.
     
  4. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    I packed up everything but my clothes and toiletries which will go in the black roll bag. I'm waiting on the net and straps to arrive. Then I'll pin down a way to secure everything. I went with a generic dry bag for camping supplies. It was cheap enough, will do its job, plus it's green.

    [​IMG][​IMG][​IMG]

    I am concerned about the bags resting on the heat sheilds some. I'll have to keep an eye on it.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

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  5. V4toTour

    V4toTour New Member

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    Yeah, a backpack is OK for short jaunts. Would no way in hell want to ride across country with one strapped to my back, the weight from my suits built in camelbak is enough to cause mild discomfort
     
  6. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Looking good there, lady!!

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  7. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    So I just had my first long trip nightmare:

    Riding down a gravel road in Bumeffnowheres ND, not even into Canada! Not sure why I ended up on gravel in that state. BUT I started to do the wobbles. I pull over and both tires were shot. Not just a nail or anything. Huge gashes in the sides. All of a sudden packs of creepers from Fargo start swarming. I freak out and start texting Jeff Barrett like crazy since he's up the highway across the border. The creepers are closing in like a swarm of zombies and start smelling my hairs and whispering amongst themselves. I'm wishing I had bear mace that I didn't buy yet because of border patrol. I wake up. :/

    This is getting reals!!

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  8. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Oh, man ... nightmares?

    You could buy some spray down there and ditch it right before the border if you want some extra comfort / security. Just make sure you remember to ditch it before then - that's all.
     
  9. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Yea, good thought about ditching at border. I could carry some cheap ole regular mace until the border.

    I've had a ton of awesome dreams about flying through Canada. Just the past couple days I've had folks talking to me about what I should be worried about, thinking I'm nuts, that I should pack a gun, wondering what I'll do if I breakdown in the middle of nowhere... stuffs like that.

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  10. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    While these are all valid concerns, they shouldn't be at the forefront of your mind. Enjoy you trip and don't worry so much .. use common sense and you should be good. :)

    1. Breakdowns - Know what's on your route for dealers and truck / Uhaul locations. Make sure your AAA membership dues are paid. Make sure you have a cellular plan / carrier that works well here in Canada (Rogers is the major one that pretty much works anywhere nationally here in Canada). At the very worst - you get AAA to bring you to the nearest town and you rent a Uhaul. While our population density isn't nearly as high as the USA and towns aren't as close - we're not a barren wasteland. Cellular coverage is pretty good along all major routes.

    2. Bad People - While I'm not going to tell you they don't exist, I can tell you there are far more GOOD people on earth than there are bad people. Grab that bear spray when you get here, and if you're really concerned, bring a knife or buy one here as additional protection ... it can't be spring assisted and the blade can be no more than 3" I believe. Randy could probably verify these details. Remember - up here, hand guns are a 'restricted' weapon and even if you do have a license to own one, it must be locked in a case and used at designated areas typically. Gun laws are pretty strict up here. Criminals can still obtain and carry these weapons obviously, but it's not like some states where there's a conceal, carry, or both.
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I don't think there is a size limit on the knives. I would have to access a recent Martin' Criminal Code to check on that. Like Jeff said, the blade cannot be spring loaded (switch blade) or opened with centrifugal force (flick blade) It has to be opened by pulling the blade out, or a blade that is permanently out. Butterfly knives are a no-no.

    You sure Jeff was not among those creepers?
     
  12. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    Well .... I am a Canuck .... :crazy:
     
  13. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

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    Maybe turn around if the roads turn into gravel and go around the area.
     
  14. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Anne Marie, I wanted to post this earlier but had lost the info to the person I thought you might want to look up. She was a guest presenter at the D-Store Orange County Women's Ride Day last Saturday. She does all sorts of adventure rides and even provides her stories to motorcycle magazines. She showed us some PowerPoint presentations and videos of rides she has done and told some stories of her adventures. Her name is Cristi Farrell (ADVGoddess) and might be someone you might ask questions about riding solo as a women. Her last adventure was in Morocco, where she had rented a dual sport and toured the country side. Here are a few links for you. Podcast Website and Facebook Page
     
  15. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Wow, thank you for her contact info! That's amazing she did Morocco!! I have a ton to learn and she sounds like a super resource. :)

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  16. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    Jen (@AnneMAdventures)
    https://twitter.com/AnneMAdventures?s=03

    Get the official Twitter app athttps://twitter.com/download?s=13

    If interested, I'll be posting quick check-ins and whatnots to Twitter during adventures when I can.

    Tell me your name and how I know you in a message. My privacy settings will have me accept you as a follower.


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  17. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    I may need this after all. :/

    So far it's looking like a battery issue if anything, but the battery is only 6 months old.

    Battery at rest this AM: 13.04v
    Revving at 5,000rpm last night: 14.02v-14.08

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  18. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    That 5000 RPM voltage - though considered in spec - is low. Mine was in this range until I gave it the "Jeff Treatment". :p

    I think the average most of us are seeing is 14.2 to 14.8v on average. Mine bounces a little between 14.2 and 14.6v.
     
  19. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Another gal you might lookup if you are Vancouver is Misti Hurst, member here, Superbike School Coach and racing blogger.
     
  20. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Misti is awesome. Have you seen the photos of her on the track with her little boy? So cool. Her and Kieth Code gave me a set of tires for my CBR a long time ago.
     
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