What would you do?

[Big Sky]

I suppose most of us have our "separation" stories and I won't go into the terror of having lost my brother for six hours during a ride on some remote roads on Vancouver Island (yes, we were walking the shoulders looking for where he and bike may have left the pavement and headed into the jungle-thick foliage). But I must say I never, ever want to go through that again. I had already started rehearsing what I felt I was going to have say to my Mom and to my brother's kids. We continue to learn how to ride - solo or in small or even bigger groups - better, safer and with utmost consideration. If we're with others, especially those we don't know well or who are less experienced, the pre-ride meeting is an essential part of the routine.

 

[fjrchooser]

I think you both screwed up.

I am nearly deaf without my hearing aids - FJR normal mode and worsened by the helmet. I give full attention when someone takes the trouble to speak to me , and often ride under similar duress thanks to heart meds, especially during the few hours after eating. I expect it and cope, a sick rider dealing with a severe and unrelenting attack would receive more consideration, perhaps even a full escort to their destination.

In no case would I peel off without seeing if it was needed or desired as conditions may have changed since last communication. Taking the time to understand would have saved some trouble cause you'd have been looking for it but wouldn't avoid the drama if you happened to miss it. Giving and returning acknowledgement is crucial even if you have to backtrack afterwards.

That said, I hope this incident isn't the reason for Toecutters absence on the forum lately. I'd gladly ride with either of you if allowed, core values are that important. Mis-communication happens, its probably the most frustrating part of being human.

 

[Hudson]

The PNW crew came up with a couple of solutions after a return trip from a 3 day ride got a couple riders missing for several hours. Biggest problem was lack of cell phone coverage. It wasn't until several hours later that everyone found coverage and began getting the emails and messages.

1. Always carry change to use for a dial up pay phone.

2. Create a phone tree list with everyone's cell, and emergency phone numbers. Everyone carries the list on a ride.

3. For long rides, pick one of those emergency numbers where everyone can call to check in. Usually it will be someone's spouse. Her role will be to relay various messages, check SPOT if this is an option. She has a copy of the phone tree list too. She is schooled not to freak out when someone goes missing but to be the hub where all messages can go through.

4. Ride in two's if possible. That means you pick a buddy rider that will stop when you do. That way, you are never alone, and there should be no worry if one of you pulls over.

5. Discuss the map and plan various stop points. Make the points reasonably close (under 100 miles for long trips).

 

[painman]

Good topic. Only one bit of slightly off topic info I'll add right now. This info from a friend who retired from the telephone company. If you have a means to continuously charge phone in/on vehicle, this is not an issue, but if you are relying on the phone's battery, here's what he told me a few years back.
When riding in remote areas (where there is no cell tower coverage or it's intermittent), turn your phone OFF. He told me that when a cell phone loses signal from a tower, it starts searching for another cell tower signal, and it keeps doing that until it finds one. Worse, this is the thing that most saps battery power. So, e.g., in riding from Auburn to Reno ~100 mi.), even though there are several cell towers along that way, your phone is searching and changing towers so frequently and so long that by the time you reach the other end of that ride where the towers are providing constant connection, your cell phone battery is very low. Turning it off avoids this.

Unless you have an on bike phone connection like Jeff (bikeffects) with his slick Starcom and Zumo caller ID setup, you can't answer the phone or call from it while on the bike anyway. So turn it off until you stop. Then you can call your voicemail and see what you missed, even though your phone won't display missed calls that were made when it was off.

I always carry mine in the inside breast pocket of my jacket, just in case I do an OM and land somewhere away from my bike. Hopefully, I can get the phone out, turn it on and get reception. I make my pillion do the same with her phone.

+100. Good advice Ski. I need to do this....also explains the low battery situation while transversing hwy. 50 across Nevada. PM. <><

 

[dcarver]

:huh:

So, dcarver; have you given any thought to our swapping "lifelines". You take Bust, with an odot backup, and I get Kaitsdad-Hal? Would you consider a 30 day trial??

Uhhh, NO, you n' Odot are like bread n' butter, farmers n' sheep, cookies n' cream. I wouldn't dare break that up...

That said, I hope this incident isn't the reason for Toecutters absence on the forum lately. I'd gladly ride with either of you if allowed, core values are that important. Mis-communication happens, its probably the most frustrating part of being human.

I don't think Toe is staying away because of this - we spoke afterward on phone, I fully admitted mia culpa, Toe is my bud, I trust this man with my life. That's why I kinda freaked when he went 'missing' - the feeling is mutual.
Lots of lessons learned here, and judging by the thread's read count, hopefully some have learned from my lesson. That, my friends, was/is the goal of sharing this experience.

 

[FJR1300Mark]

not a pleasant topic but a good one.

I do most of my riding alone, and I'm not as good as I should be about talking ahead of time on what is expected from both parties on a multi rider trip.

This should be discussed before not after there is a problem.

I just ordered the gear to get bike to bike communcations working for a long trip this spring. i wanted to keep in touch with the other rider. This thread points out the importance of knowing what the other person is doing or thinking of doing.

Thanks for the post.

got me thinking.