Thanks for sharing. I lost a water bladder last summer on a tour of Colorado, probably for the same reason. It wasn't critical, as I was able to get water from a creek and treat it, but inconvenient and I had to buy another water bottle, which took up room in my pannier. I also ride alone, and the fear of getting stranded has held me back from some of the more challenging routes I'd considered. Picking up an Africa Twin is not easy!
I appreciate your humility and willingness to share your mistakes. Sounds to me that with your positive attitude and honest assessment of your problems, you’ll be a success in the long run. Have a great day.
Being honest with oneself and sharing the failure so that others may learn from it is humbling isn't it? I feel your pain and my adventure nearly echoed yours. Thanks for sharing!
I started riding dirt bikes in 1966. I quit riding bikes for 20 years, and I am just recently getting back into it. It was a sad moment when I had to admit to MYSELF, that I could not do what I use to do.
Friendly advice from someone done the OR, WA ,UT, CO, BDR. Take a smaller bike like honda CRF250 and pack light. You will have a lot more fun and if you drop the bike, its and easy lift.
It's only a failure if you don't learn from it. Thanks for being real. It's the small mistakes that lead to catastrophic failure. I'm glad you took stock of your situation and made the smart choice. Hard thing to admit in the moment.
Been there, done that. I ride solo. A couple of weeks ago I was near Postage Stamp Butt about 8 miles from Tygh Valley, Oregon. I dropped my BMW 1200GS and couldn’t pick it up. I’ve picked this bike up many times before but I was still recovering from back surgery and I’m 74. I did have cell service (barely) and I carry a Spot. Ended up having a friend drive out to help. If I want to continue riding like this I need to carry an Inreach and get a lighter bike.
I always ride alone. I like it that way. I do carry a PLB, because I do know that crap happens!!! A couple of years ago I was riding my XT600 on a two track here in Idaho. I was going around a tree that was across the road. I just got off-balance, and tipped over. It took me 25 minutes to figure out a way to lift up that top-heavy high-geared beast. I went back to the truck, loaded it up, and took it to my favorite bike dealer and had him sell it. I then bought a 2022 TW200. I love that bike. It has a a low first gear, and it will take me anywhere that I need to go. Will it climb steep hills? NO! Do I NEED to climb steep hills? Again NO! Most importantly, I can pick it up. I am 76, almost 77. I still love to ride. I also ride quads. I hope that the quad never tips over, that beast weighs 800 pounds. Where I ride, I am never very far in a straight line from a hi way. If I break down, I can most likely walk 2 our 3 miles to get cell phone coverage. I did not get the PLB that can be used to text with, because my Woman could not load the RZR to come and get me anyway. You should look into the TW200. It is not light, but it is much lighter than your 1200. Mine will take me anywhere that I need to go. Keep riding, and keep the rubber side down.
@@BuilderofRat While the TW200 is a cool bike I’m more inclined to purchase a Honda CRF300LS as I need better performance so I can do highway speeds if necessary. Problem is the 300LS is rare in the US so I’ll have to wait. I also have a Honda Grom so I’m still okay at this point in time.
I too ride solo. And, like you, I have support available when I go anywhere I might run into trouble. Good thing as twice now I’ve found that sixth lift can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Especially if you have still to get out of the terrain that is causing the drops. Thanks for posting this for others to learn from your experience.
Thanks for posting this! Great lessons for everyone right there. I would not have known to carry that much water. I also ride solo and over the years I've learned much about when you need to have a light dirt bike with knobby tires (which isn't great or even tolerable for long distances on pavement) versus an adventure bike with tires that are better suited for pavement. That is a constant dilemna. Sometimes trailering a dirt bike to a specific area of single-track trail and doing a loop back to the trailer is the ideal option.
Don't feel bad! I sold my BMW 1200GS and bought a KTM 890 Adventure R thinking the lighter weight would make it easier to manage. But turns out a KTM 890 lays flat unlike the GS and still weighs nearly 500 pounds. At 72 and having struggled to pick it up I decided to go back to the GS and stick to fireroad when off road!
Your humility is commendable, this could happen to any solo rider out on a BDR. I'm planning to do the NorCal BDR, ORBDR and WABDR in September on a 1290 SAR and expect to run into some challenges of my own. Will definitely carry plenty of water, phone and SPOT for safety and not do any red expert routes on the loaded big bike
I hope you get another try soon. I'm glad I live in Massachusetts. The NEBDR is full of cute little towns with B&B Inns all through it. A day of fun riding followed by a nice bed is my kind of adventure riding....as a 64yo man. I'll leave those killer BDR's for young ins.
This is what experience teaches now you have a head full of knowledge about dos and don'ts you just went up a notch in adventure riding . You have learned alot and I won't try and tell ya what to do . But only one tiny suggestion get a Sawyer water filter comes with everything you need you can get your own water . you can survive without tents sleeping bags even food but we need water . Good on ya for being wise man be safe ""RIDE ON""
Dude, thanks for sharing. We've all been there one way or another in our adventures on Two wheels. Glad you didn't get hurt and glad you shared. This information with us takes a lot to keep the shiny side up until your next adventure.
There is very little on the ORBDR which is easy, the BDR-X is much of the same just as a loop. Get some training, get some practice, and get back out there. We learn from failure, not success.
All of us who ride solo have done something similar. With tires, I always buy tires designed for the most difficult terrain I will encounter and compromise on the rod, but not much compromise is even needed these days.
thanks for the video I am having trouble finding the track for the Oregon bdr x some friends from Idaho want to do it this summer 2024 any help would be appreciated.
I think key points alone is you're on a heavy bike - one of the heaviest - and you're carrying a lot of stuff; if you're staying in hotels, what's in there?
And to add, you're not alone - I think a lot or most people when they start are on too big of a bike for their skills and carrying way too much stuff...
Shame you didn't get to finish it out, but that's the great thing about the hobby, learning a tweaking your gear, your riding style, and your mindset for different styles of riding and situations. It's easy to "monkey see monkey do" but everyone has different bikes, tires, gear and skill levels, and honestly sometimes you have the skill, but the bike setup is wrong, or vice versa. Either way, glad u got to try it out and learn from it! One of these days I'm gonna have to try and come out that way and dual video with ya. Glad you're safe, and keep it up!
Thanks for sharing. I lost a water bladder last summer on a tour of Colorado, probably for the same reason. It wasn't critical, as I was able to get water from a creek and treat it, but inconvenient and I had to buy another water bottle, which took up room in my pannier. I also ride alone, and the fear of getting stranded has held me back from some of the more challenging routes I'd considered. Picking up an Africa Twin is not easy!
Kudos for the attempt.
Lessons were learned. Intel was gathered.
Knowing is half the battle.
Better luck next time.
Thanks for your blunt honesty, yes its all preventable, having faced up, next time you'll succeed, happy BDR travels
I appreciate your humility and willingness to share your mistakes. Sounds to me that with your positive attitude and honest assessment of your problems, you’ll be a success in the long run. Have a great day.
Being honest with oneself and sharing the failure so that others may learn from it is humbling isn't it? I feel your pain and my adventure nearly echoed yours. Thanks for sharing!
I started riding dirt bikes in 1966. I quit riding bikes for 20 years, and I am just recently getting back into it. It was a sad moment when I had to admit to MYSELF, that I could not do what I use to do.
Riding solo a lot really makes sense to go lighter vs more power and weight.
Friendly advice from someone done the OR, WA ,UT, CO, BDR. Take a smaller bike like honda CRF250 and pack light. You will have a lot more fun and if you drop the bike, its and easy lift.
Thanks for sharing, good lessons to pass on to others.
It's only a failure if you don't learn from it. Thanks for being real. It's the small mistakes that lead to catastrophic failure. I'm glad you took stock of your situation and made the smart choice. Hard thing to admit in the moment.
Been there, done that. I ride solo. A couple of weeks ago I was near Postage Stamp Butt about 8 miles from Tygh Valley, Oregon. I dropped my BMW 1200GS and couldn’t pick it up. I’ve picked this bike up many times before but I was still recovering from back surgery and I’m 74. I did have cell service (barely) and I carry a Spot. Ended up having a friend drive out to help.
If I want to continue riding like this I need to carry an Inreach and get a lighter bike.
You can either make (or buy) a bike lifting jig. ruclips.net/video/RzW1kVJsnZE/видео.html
I always ride alone. I like it that way. I do carry a PLB, because I do know that crap happens!!! A couple of years ago I was riding my XT600 on a two track here in Idaho. I was going around a tree that was across the road. I just got off-balance, and tipped over. It took me 25 minutes to figure out a way to lift up that top-heavy high-geared beast. I went back to the truck, loaded it up, and took it to my favorite bike dealer and had him sell it. I then bought a 2022 TW200. I love that bike. It has a a low first gear, and it will take me anywhere that I need to go. Will it climb steep hills? NO! Do I NEED to climb steep hills? Again NO! Most importantly, I can pick it up. I am 76, almost 77. I still love to ride. I also ride quads. I hope that the quad never tips over, that beast weighs 800 pounds.
Where I ride, I am never very far in a straight line from a hi way. If I break down, I can most likely walk 2 our 3 miles to get cell phone coverage. I did not get the PLB that can be used to text with, because my Woman could not load the RZR to come and get me anyway.
You should look into the TW200. It is not light, but it is much lighter than your 1200. Mine will take me anywhere that I need to go. Keep riding, and keep the rubber side down.
@@BuilderofRat While the TW200 is a cool bike I’m more inclined to purchase a Honda CRF300LS as I need better performance so I can do highway speeds if necessary. Problem is the 300LS is rare in the US so I’ll have to wait. I also have a Honda Grom so I’m still okay at this point in time.
Excellent video. So many avoid sharing the real hard experience
I too ride solo. And, like you, I have support available when I go anywhere I might run into trouble. Good thing as twice now I’ve found that sixth lift can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Especially if you have still to get out of the terrain that is causing the drops. Thanks for posting this for others to learn from your experience.
Thanks for posting this! Great lessons for everyone right there. I would not have known to carry that much water. I also ride solo and over the years I've learned much about when you need to have a light dirt bike with knobby tires (which isn't great or even tolerable for long distances on pavement) versus an adventure bike with tires that are better suited for pavement. That is a constant dilemna. Sometimes trailering a dirt bike to a specific area of single-track trail and doing a loop back to the trailer is the ideal option.
Don't feel bad! I sold my BMW 1200GS and bought a KTM 890 Adventure R thinking the lighter weight would make it easier to manage. But turns out a KTM 890 lays flat unlike the GS and still weighs nearly 500 pounds. At 72 and having struggled to pick it up I decided to go back to the GS and stick to fireroad when off road!
Your humility is commendable, this could happen to any solo rider out on a BDR. I'm planning to do the NorCal BDR, ORBDR and WABDR in September on a 1290 SAR and expect to run into some challenges of my own. Will definitely carry plenty of water, phone and SPOT for safety and not do any red expert routes on the loaded big bike
I hope you get another try soon. I'm glad I live in Massachusetts. The NEBDR is full of cute little towns with B&B Inns all through it. A day of fun riding followed by a nice bed is my kind of adventure riding....as a 64yo man. I'll leave those killer BDR's for young ins.
This is what experience teaches now you have a head full of knowledge about dos and don'ts you just went up a notch in adventure riding . You have learned alot and I won't try and tell ya what to do . But only one tiny suggestion get a Sawyer water filter comes with everything you need you can get your own water . you can survive without tents sleeping bags even food but we need water . Good on ya for being wise man be safe ""RIDE ON""
Dude, thanks for sharing. We've all been there one way or another in our adventures on Two wheels. Glad you didn't get hurt and glad you shared. This information with us takes a lot to keep the shiny side up until your next adventure.
There is very little on the ORBDR which is easy, the BDR-X is much of the same just as a loop. Get some training, get some practice, and get back out there. We learn from failure, not success.
based on what I saw, you prob could have backed tracked out..thanks for posting this vid..there are lesson here to be had..
All of us who ride solo have done something similar. With tires, I always buy tires designed for the most difficult terrain I will encounter and compromise on the rod, but not much compromise is even needed these days.
glad you are okay !!
Always a good idea to bring a buddy and stash water in multiple spots.
You got that right!
Thanks for sharing!!
thanks for the video I am having trouble finding the track for the Oregon bdr x some friends from Idaho want to do it this summer 2024 any help would be appreciated.
I've added a link in the description of this video to the BDR-X page which has a download button where you can get the tracks.
@@PoppedBitADV thanks I will look it over thank you
I think key points alone is you're on a heavy bike - one of the heaviest - and you're carrying a lot of stuff; if you're staying in hotels, what's in there?
And to add, you're not alone - I think a lot or most people when they start are on too big of a bike for their skills and carrying way too much stuff...
❤
Shame you didn't get to finish it out, but that's the great thing about the hobby, learning a tweaking your gear, your riding style, and your mindset for different styles of riding and situations. It's easy to "monkey see monkey do" but everyone has different bikes, tires, gear and skill levels, and honestly sometimes you have the skill, but the bike setup is wrong, or vice versa. Either way, glad u got to try it out and learn from it!
One of these days I'm gonna have to try and come out that way and dual video with ya. Glad you're safe, and keep it up!