Riding your Motorcycle safely through the Mountains is part of the fun. See here how to achieve your goals and live to tell the many stories you will amass.
Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes Are you heading on an Aventure Motorcycle Tour? Do you want some expert advice on how to ride safely through the mountains?Ā Riding through a mountain range in any country is achievable when you do it safely. Check out MotoDreamerĀ“s 6 steps to success. 1. Train the body and the mind. 2. In a group or with a pillion rider – stay in touch. 3, Prepare for Altitude Sickness. 4. Know your route beforehand. 5. Prepare your bike. 6. Go slow and steady. |
Riding a motorcycle safely is part of the thrill of conquering new terrain. It’s like pushing yourself all the way to the peak of a fourteener on foot. Learn here how to do it safely.
Getting to the top via two wheels is a grueling yet exhilarating feeling and one youāll remember for a lifetime.
The sharp switchbacks over flat-faced cliffs lead you, slowly but surely, to a big reward up top. But this is no easy featānot physically nor mentallyāand youāve got to be prepared for every inch you climb.
When you are about to set off and ride your motorcycle safely through the mountains, pause for thought. Why should you Cruise Through the Peaks?
Mountainous landscapes provide a completely different, often more dangerous, experience than most flat-land riders are used to. The tight corners limit your visibility to oncoming vehicles and the drastic descent. Which in turn can take a toll on your brakes.
And then, of course, thereās the heights factor. The twists and turns leave you thousands of miles up in the air. This can be a significant issue for people who fear heights.
A quick glance to your right, and youāll see thousand-foot cliffs dropping off into vast valleys. That can definitely be distracting!
But carving your way through the peaks is nonetheless worth all the stomach drops and sweaty palms. At least if you go into it prepared and ready to tackle anything.
Here are the things you need to know before you conquer one of the worldās greatest motorcycle-friendly mountain roads.
Let me show you how to ride your motorcycle safely through the mountains can be achieved.
1. Train the Body and the MindāThe fact that youāve got a full tank of gas and a powerful engine shouldnāt deter you from feeling like a gold medalist at the top of the mountain because this can be hard work.
- Train the BodyāPhysically, you need to have a strong core, back, shoulders, and legs to maneuver your bike up, up, and up. Remember, regular cruising can burn around 600 calories per hour and more if youāre tackling challenging, curvy roads. Spend some time strengthening your upper body before you depart.
- Prepare the MindāThereās no doubt about it. The biggest challenges of this type of riding are mental. Youāll very easily psych yourself out and stay at the bottom of the mountain if you think about it too much. Know the hazards you might encounter and how to respond quickly, and youāll feel better heading up.
2. If Traveling with a Group or Passenger, Stay in TouchāDo you have a suitable motorcycle communication device for talking with fellow riders or your passenger? We recommend investing in one that doesnāt just rely on Bluetooth, which can be spotty when traversing particularly demanding landscapes. Look for one with mesh technology, such as the Cardo PACKTALK Bold, to solve this issue. The right motorcycle headset will also let you jam out as you crush the ascent, so go ahead and get your John Denver playlist ready!
3. Prepare for Altitude Sickness and Low Air PressureāAltitude sickness can happen to anyone who lives in a lowland area and travels to areas at 8,000 feet above sea level or higher (for reference, Aspen hovers around 8,000 feet up).
Symptoms include trouble sleeping, fatigue, headache, nausea, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath with exertion.
Itās essential that you take the ascent slow to acclimatize correctly. And that you pay close attention to your body if you start to show symptoms.
4. Know Your Route BeforehandāAnytime youāre taking an incredibly challenging or unique ride, it helps to get acquainted with the route youāll be taking before you actually kick-off. This will ensure that you feel confident about the way youāre going. Even if thereās only one single road leading up the peak.
It will also prevent you from wanting to fuss with your GPS or look at a map. Which can take your attention away from doing a safe climb and absorbing the experience to its fullest.
Now let’s turn your attention to your machine, ensuring you will ride your motorcycle safely through the mountains.
5. Prepare Your Bike and Perform an InspectionāThe last thing you would want is to be halfway up a mountain and realize that somethingās off with your bike. Before you leave, perform a thorough inspection, including but definitely not limited to:
- Checking tire pressure and make sure there are no tears, cracks, or punctures in your tires. Remember, elevation can affect tire pressure.
- Inspect every component of your brakes, including brake lines, fluids, and rotors, before you depart to ensure a safe journey.
- Checking all fluids and top them off if necessary. Ideally, you should have your oil changed within a few hundred miles of the time you head out.
Another thing we would recommend doing before heading out on your mountain ride is to stash some emergency parts on your bike. Extra spark plugs, lights, wiring, and belts can go a long way when youāre in a remote location.
Typically, there are no mechanics once you get above the ridgeline! Finally, if you see another biker or motorist in need, stop and help. Ideally, they will do the same for you if you need assistance.
6. Go Slow and SteadyāA windy road climbing up the side of a mountain is no place to practice tricks or take turns at high speed. This is a situation where going too fast or being reckless in any way. It could mean death, so make sure to go at a slow pace the entire way.
Some of the most famous mountain passes can get clogged in the summer. And traffic may inch by, but resist the urge to weave and cut your way to the summit.
Slow and Steady Wins the (Motorcycle) Race
In conclusion to this article titled; Ride your motorcycle safely through the mountains.
Like anything related to riding. It pays to be slow, calculating, and reasonable. So you can anticipate any literal and metaphorical roadblocks before you crush your route.
Taking some time to plan before you cruise your way to the top can go a long way to ensuring that you enjoy every single inch you climb. And, trust us, the reward will be well worth it when you see the views from the top!
Now meet the author of this article titled: Ride your motorcycle safely through the mountains.
Author: Andrew Moore is the marketing coordinator for Cardo Systems. The worldās market leader in Bluetooth, DMC, and entertainment systems for motorcycle riders. Formally, Andrew was a professional Motocross racer and has spent the past 12 years traveling on his bike. On weekends, you can find him mountain biking in the summer and snowboarding in the winter with his two sons. Supplied by Cardosystems.com
Edited for SEO optimization by Mike Bowley at www.mikedbowley.com
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I found your article very helpful, thank you so much for your content.
David, author blog https://themoto.us/