ARR RAW round-table discussions with motorcycle adventure travellers - featuring Grant Johnson, Sam Manicom, Shirley Hardy-Rix, Brian Rix, Michelle Lamphere and Jim Martin.

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TOPICS:

Riding with a Partner - Making it Work

A riding partner may be a spouse, significant other or a friend. And riding with someone can, at times, get complicated. We talk about the pros and cons of travelling with someone you are close to, different methods to make it work, and things you should consider such as destinations, expectations, budget, time for yourself, risk level, etc.

Ideas for Coping with Extreme Heat

The panel talks about coping with heat while riding, camping or staying in a hotel and share some tricks and tips that will help make you more comfortable.

Things to Take in to Consideration When Planning a Trip With a Partner

The more that can be talked about in the planning process the less chance of major interpersonal problems while en route. Here are some things that you can talk about with potential travel partners while in the planning process for a trip.

Trip Goals

• What do you want to stop and see?

• When will you want to spend more time at one location?

Route

• Actual plan

• Pavement or dirt

• Highways or back roads

• Slow or fast

Travel speed

• Ideal pace

• Travel speed plans

Risk level

• Do your concepts of acceptable risk coincide?

Breakdowns

• How will they be handled?

Leader/Follower

• Will there be a leader or route leader, etc?

Photography

• Will photography and or filming be a part of the adventure?

• At what level?

• How much time will be dedicated to capturing those moments.

Packing

• How much?

• How to pack?

Food

• What, how etc.

Communication

• Work out how to communicate effectively.

• Admit when you are wrong.

Riding skills

• Is each rider at the same level?

• How will it be handled it if it gets too difficult for a rider?

Budget

• If one person has much more money at their disposal they may want a different experience - how will this work out?

Emotions

• Agree on a method of handling stress.

• Time alone - walk away - physically distance - whatever method works best for you.

• Be kind to each other.

Breaks

• Daily, weekly, etc.

• Do what on a break?

Alone time

• Will you plan alone time?

Contingency plans

• Discuss the what if’s and have a plan on how to deal with situations or issues.

Jobs for each

• cooking

• navigating

Will video and or photography have a part?

• How much time will be dedicated?

Shake down trip

• It’s always worth doing a shake down trip that may emulate the type of conditions you expect on the road - this will help to reveal any cracks or gaps in your planning.

• Make sure your bike is properly adjusted for each rider.

Emergencies

• How to handle?

• Know where each other’s contacts, medical information, etc is kept.

Accommodations

• camp or motel, etc?

• Lowest acceptable condition of accommodations.

Dealing with HEAT

• Pay attention to the small things - shade etc

• White clothes reflect heat

• Umbrella - great shade maker

• Tarp - this serves many purposes like shade, bike cover, tent cover, rain cover and more.

• Dehydration

• Heat exhaustion - learn about and know the symptoms

• Cover your skin after ambient temperature exceeds body temperature in wind

• Caution with fuel in heat

• Don’t overfill your gas tank in heat - expansion will gush fuel

• Cooling gel accessories

• Wet towels add cooling

• Don’t leave your screen open if bugs around

• Two door tents vent better than single door versions

LINKS:

Shirley Hardy-Rix and Brian Rix:
All Brit Rally: bsa.asn.au/html/events/abr/index.html