Lessons Learned
Shayne Bundus
21 months ago
happiness
While the essence of my journey wasn't entirely solitary given that I was camping with a few comrades, I consider the trips to and from Rocky Mountain House to be solitary adventures in their own right.
Preparation for this venture was nothing short of an elaborate dance of packing, unpacking, and repacking. The task at hand was to determine the essentials for the weekend - items like a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, food, and snacks, among others. It was an exercise in trial and error, shuffling these items into my trusty Mosko and Kriega bags. Ultimately, I found my estimate to be quite close to the mark, save for a few oversight and some unnecessary extravagances that I resolved to leave behind next time.
This expedition, while just 300 kilometers each way, served as an invaluable lesson about long-distance motorcycle rides. In the context of seasoned 'iron butt' riders, it may not qualify as a long ride, yet for me, it was the longest I've undertaken with a specific destination in mind. The journey brought a few lessons to the forefront:
An awareness of distance is vital on the road. Following too closely behind trailers or any large vehicle can stir up air turbulence, which you can feel from as far back as half a kilometer. The best course of action is to distance yourself as soon as possible, or risk an unnecessarily strenuous ride.
Weather patterns are fickle and can take you by surprise. On this trip, I set out in sunny weather, with temperatures in the low 20s. However, several rain showers later, I found myself in Rocky Mountain House at a chilly 8C. I had to pause a couple of times to close my jacket vents, add extra layers, and switch gloves. Preparedness is truly the only solution to such unpredictable changes.
Taking periodic breaks is crucial. Anticipating that a continuous three-hour ride might test my endurance and sanity, I planned to split the journey approximately in half. I was forced to advance my stop by around 20 minutes due to a sudden, heavy downpour, seeking shelter under the canopy of a humble gas station. I used this opportunity to refuel not just my bike, but also myself, with a snack and some water.
Audiobooks, sports radio, music, or podcasts can be fantastic companions on long, straight stretches of road. On this particular journey, I found solace in a four-part series by Behind the Bastards, which focussed on Napoleon the Third.
Despite its relatively small size, the KTM 390 Adventure proved itself to be a highway warrior. However, it was not without its shortcomings. The bike handled both me and my luggage without a hitch, maintaining a comfortable speed of 110-115 kph. But, the lack of cruise control left my wrist aching from the strain of holding a near-rigid position for three hours. Some heated grips and third-party cruise control could make this steed far more desirable for such long escapades.
In retrospect, this experience has given me the courage to embrace more such routes in the future. It was a journey of self-discovery, revealing valuable insights about long-distance motorcycling and the adaptability it demands.
Preparation for this venture was nothing short of an elaborate dance of packing, unpacking, and repacking. The task at hand was to determine the essentials for the weekend - items like a tent, sleeping bag, clothing, food, and snacks, among others. It was an exercise in trial and error, shuffling these items into my trusty Mosko and Kriega bags. Ultimately, I found my estimate to be quite close to the mark, save for a few oversight and some unnecessary extravagances that I resolved to leave behind next time.
This expedition, while just 300 kilometers each way, served as an invaluable lesson about long-distance motorcycle rides. In the context of seasoned 'iron butt' riders, it may not qualify as a long ride, yet for me, it was the longest I've undertaken with a specific destination in mind. The journey brought a few lessons to the forefront:
An awareness of distance is vital on the road. Following too closely behind trailers or any large vehicle can stir up air turbulence, which you can feel from as far back as half a kilometer. The best course of action is to distance yourself as soon as possible, or risk an unnecessarily strenuous ride.
Weather patterns are fickle and can take you by surprise. On this trip, I set out in sunny weather, with temperatures in the low 20s. However, several rain showers later, I found myself in Rocky Mountain House at a chilly 8C. I had to pause a couple of times to close my jacket vents, add extra layers, and switch gloves. Preparedness is truly the only solution to such unpredictable changes.
Taking periodic breaks is crucial. Anticipating that a continuous three-hour ride might test my endurance and sanity, I planned to split the journey approximately in half. I was forced to advance my stop by around 20 minutes due to a sudden, heavy downpour, seeking shelter under the canopy of a humble gas station. I used this opportunity to refuel not just my bike, but also myself, with a snack and some water.
Audiobooks, sports radio, music, or podcasts can be fantastic companions on long, straight stretches of road. On this particular journey, I found solace in a four-part series by Behind the Bastards, which focussed on Napoleon the Third.
Despite its relatively small size, the KTM 390 Adventure proved itself to be a highway warrior. However, it was not without its shortcomings. The bike handled both me and my luggage without a hitch, maintaining a comfortable speed of 110-115 kph. But, the lack of cruise control left my wrist aching from the strain of holding a near-rigid position for three hours. Some heated grips and third-party cruise control could make this steed far more desirable for such long escapades.
In retrospect, this experience has given me the courage to embrace more such routes in the future. It was a journey of self-discovery, revealing valuable insights about long-distance motorcycling and the adaptability it demands.