Club articles
When considering cooking options for motorcycle camping, you must weigh convenience, weight, bulk, durability and cost. Cooking options run from the super convenient Jetboil, to the super cheap penny stove… and everything in between. In this segment, we’ll review a few of the most commonly used cooking systems and explore their pros and cons.
n the previous two issues of this newsletter we have discussed how dehydration contributes to rider fatigue and potentiates both hyperthermia and hypothermia, all of which are real risks that need to be managed when adventure riding. Since we are in the hottest portion of the adventure-riding season – July and August – it will be worthwhile to briefly review dehydration and hyponatremia and how to manage these two riding risks.
The 2010 IAMC Challenge provides an exciting way for adventure riders of all levels to explore the Idaho outdoors. As a newcomer to dual sport riding, I view the Challenge as a good encouragement to get to know the surrounding country, by bike and myself.
So now you have that new or at least new to you dual sport motorcycle and are just itching to go on a great adventure into the wilds of our backyard…the Owyhee’s! Well let’s put this in perspective, how many are aware that the county of Owyhee is 7,697 square miles that in itself is nearly the size of the state of Massachusetts at 10,555 square miles, and Owyhee barely has a population of over 10,000, so I guess you wonder where I’m going with this?
In this issue we will briefly review two more risks common to our sport – hypothermia and hyperthermia. Our marvelously created bodies have the ability to thermo regulate, remarkably maintaining our core body temperatures at 98.6 °F plus or minus 1.4 °F under a wide range of conditions. When our ability to thermo regulate is overwhelmed by thermal extremes and/or contributory factors, we can develop either hypothermia or hyperthermia, both of which can be potentially lethal.
Many assume their new bike is ready to ride as delivered from the factory to the showroom floor. Then, to increase performance most riders focus on adding power, but do little to actually tune their suspension. Motorcycle manufacturers commonly build bikes using a “one size fits all” approach. But you can often significantly transform a bike’s ability to perform, as well as improve safety, by making a few simple adjustments to the suspension and geometry.
Overlooking your sleeping bag and sleeping mat is a common mistake to new motorcycle campers. However, it’s an essential component to a successful and comfortable weekend. Your sleeping bag should keep you warm, while your sleeping mat keeps you comfortable. They work in conjunction with each another, and each component is equally important.
The science of riding a motorcycle is intrinsically linked to the art of safely identifying and managing risks. The more skilled we become in the proper techniques of riding by learning and practicing good riding habits, the more we can safely enjoy this sport. As we ride, we continually scan ahead (as well from side to side and behind us) to assess our riding conditions, identify potential risks (curve up ahead, oncoming traffic, entering side road, rock or rut in our path, deer or pedestrian at the side of the road, vehicle closely following us, etc.), and then appropriately respond by minimizing the risk or eliminating it when possible.
By Ryan William Cantrell Motorcycle camping can be one of the most enjoyably addicting actives in which to engage (in a good way). Having the ability to camp off your bike provides you with an ability to go farther from… Read More »Motorcycle Camping – Tents
When I joined the IAMC about 7 or 8 years ago, I was a brand new rider. I knew nothing about riding, nothing about packing for a ride, bike maintenance, planning a ride, or what gear to wear. I do remember that there were club members like Tim Bernard, Ed Hyatt, Sam Stone, Ryan William Cantrel, just to name a few, who were unbelievable resources for guys like me.