Riding alone in the mountains?

[Colorado^]

ten mile hike out in summer is no big deal, ten mile hike in winter without snow shoes is probably death

I think some snow shoes will be my next purchase. Plenty of snow right out the front door to test them out.

It's how mother nature weeds out the weak .

The question should be can you ride without the use off a GPS/ cell phone in the mountains ? If you can not honestly answer that question than you have your answer .

I ride alone quite a bit because it allows me to set my pace , I hate back tracking it feels like I've cheated the day .

Know your limits , riding alone in unfamiliar areas is just asking for it .

I've got 500 hours / 10,000 miles of riding the moto in my immediate area. And around another 100-200 hiking and mountain biking. I know the area extremely well. While I haven't ventured out much in winter, I do know the weather really well as I live here at 10,000ft full time. -35 with 120mph winds is the worst I've seen.

Winter can look a lot different (landmarks) AND of course there's the blizzards/whiteouts. There's no cell reception anywhere in the area, so as mentioned I use an InReach.

In do realize though, that all the survival gear in the world, won't help if you're trapped under your bike and/or too injured to use it.

 

[Drewd]

I've had a change of heart and agree, this is Merica and if you want to ride along you should.

My only advice for solo riders is to please add me as a beneficiary to your life insurance policy

I will confess that I do occasionally ride alone but mostly in my subdivision when we get a good dumping of snow. I do wear a helmet but don't wear an AVI bag.

I was going to make an analogy that riding is like sex better to have a partner but not sure how that would come across.

 

[AZ800]

3rd on the snow shoes.
Snow out your door already? Rippin over breck and back?
Sounds like you know the area like the back of your hand. That's half the battle there.
What I really want to see is a pic of your place. Up Georgia pass?

 

[Rush44]

May be stupid as hell, but I'm a pathetic old single guy who lives in the middle nowhere. If I wasn't snowbiking, I'd be in Thailand or Mexico banging hookers. So not a lot safer!

You are my freaking hero man!

Back to Red's question, as someone who has been buried in an avalanche I want you to know that it can come at anytime even in "safe" terrain. Stay out of the backcountry if you are solo and if you just HAVE to go use extreme caution and look at every gully, creek, and terrain trap with savage clarity and just think of yourself buried in there alone, unable to get out, suffocating to death in about 13 minutes. You'll choose your line differently, promise.

But I am not with the majority here that says trail riding always needs a buddy too.... I ride trails a lot alone because you just can't find someone who wants to go "check out the road" or go look for "a new way into X". Sometimes you just gotta figure that stuff out for yourself. I've been abandoned on the road before and yea, it sucks, but if you have a bite to eat and some water to drink you can take a couple hours to walk yourself back to the truck. If you want to be extra careful carry that SPOT or ride in areas you know get cell coverage along the way.

Sometimes I come home after work in the spring and I just have to go riding. I get it. Just be smart about it and let several people know where you are and don't deviate wildly from that plan.

 

[boondocker97]

I wasn't ever a big fan of going riding alone. Not only for the breakdown/injury risk, but also because it wasn't as fun. 2 years ago I went up to meet some friends at the Big Horns in Wyoming for a day ride (sled not bike). I went up the Lovell side and they were coming up from the Sheridan side. The plan was I would ride down the trail (unplowed, groomed highway) and meet them at Bear Lodge. Took off and got 1/3 the way there and it was snowing and blowing up toward the pass to the point I couldn't see to continue. Turned around, went back to the truck, called and left a message on their phone that I wasn't going to make it. I rode around close to the lot for a little while and then decided to load up and be on my way.

Right as I was about to load up they showed up there on their sleds. They never got the message and came looking for me. The weather had cleared up top they said and they never had a problem coming over. So we went back out and rode in sunshine all day. Ended up back at Bear lodge at the end of the day, had a burger with them, and then headed back on my own. The trail back was about 20 miles straight down the groomed highway. About as safe as it gets.

Just as I got going I could see a front rolling in again so I picked up the pace to try and beat it. Got about 1/3 the way and blew the belt from the sustained higher speed running down the trail. Made a record setting belt swap and was on my way again: no spare belt and low on fuel. At the 1/2 way point on top the pass the weather hit. No snow thankfully, but what I got was almost worse: thick, freezing fog. I could see ahead for about the first mile and then as I progressed I could see as far as my ski tips and that was it. If there were trees on either side of the trail and I couldn't see them, but worse I knew I was going through the section that was wide open meadows on each side of the road. I had enough fuel in my tank to either get to my truck in the parking lot ahead, or get off my sled, turn it around in it's own track by hand, and head back. If I went back I was going to have to spend the night there and bum some oil to pre-mix in my sled to get back the next day. So I gambled and kept going. My one saving grace was the groomer had gone out and back just ahead of me setting out and the edge of the groomer had a plate sticking down that made a thin, deep groove in the snow for me to center up on and keep going with no other tracks on the trail to mess it up. So I locked on that and maintained a 10-15mph pace and was able to make it just after dark. The entire front of me and my sled had about 1/2" of frost built up on us by that time and I had 1" of fuel left in the bottom of my clear tank that I could see. I didn't see anything but white and fog for about 8 miles of that last 10.

After going through that, now I would have turned around and stayed the night in the hotel on the other side. I had a Spot locator with me, but in those conditions it wouldn't have been safe for anyone to come out and get me that night if something happened. I had a spare base layer top in my pack, but after a day of riding I was a little wet head-to-toe under my gear from perspiration. I had some food and water, first aid kit, emergency blanket, means to start a fire, and a good solid trail to walk on, but without being able to see in the location I was in, I would have had to dig in next to my sled and start burning parts of it for warmth.

After riding in the mountains for 20 years, that one experience fixed me from ever wanting to go it alone. I'll stay home and find something better to do.

 

[capulin overdrive]

You are my freaking hero man!

Back to Red's question, as someone who has been buried in an avalanche I want you to know that it can come at anytime even in "safe" terrain. Stay out of the backcountry if you are solo and if you just HAVE to go use extreme caution and look at every gully, creek, and terrain trap with savage clarity and just think of yourself buried in there alone, unable to get out, suffocating to death in about 13 minutes. You'll choose your line differently, promise.

But I am not with the majority here that says trail riding always needs a buddy too.... I ride trails a lot alone because you just can't find someone who wants to go "check out the road" or go look for "a new way into X". Sometimes you just gotta figure that stuff out for yourself. I've been abandoned on the road before and yea, it sucks, but if you have a bite to eat and some water to drink you can take a couple hours to walk yourself back to the truck. If you want to be extra careful carry that SPOT or ride in areas you know get cell coverage along the way.

Sometimes I come home after work in the spring and I just have to go riding. I get it. Just be smart about it and let several people know where you are and don't deviate wildly from that plan.

Yup, I'm pretty careful with terrain selection, and luckily where I ride has some fun terrain that is tree'd and pretty flat rolling hills without traps.


Still do some dumb stuff, but for big hills I won't do without an audience, and anything that is terrain trap looking I avoid or at least try and be at the top of where it would slid instead of the bottom of the trap.

 

[Colorado^]

3rd on the snow shoes.
Snow out your door already? Rippin over breck and back?
Sounds like you know the area like the back of your hand. That's half the battle there.
What I really want to see is a pic of your place. Up Georgia pass?

No snow right now, we've had one of the warmest Octobers on record. We did get some snow a few weeks back, so I put on the studded tires and went for a rip over in Breck in the snow. That was fun, but it REALLY made me want a snowbike lol.

I can get to Breck via Georgia Pass, Webster or Redcone.

If you look really close you can see my house in this pic.

Have you sledded up Georgia Pass? Any thoughts on how safe/unsafe it is?

 

[wwillf01]

I would highly recommend taking an avalanche class so you can understand the conditions that you are going into.... The pass could be safe one day and not another. This is dependent on all types of factors.... Hell it could change in hours depending on wind and weather.

No snow right now, we've had one of the warmest Octobers on record. We did get some snow a few weeks back, so I put on the studded tires and went for a rip over in Breck in the snow. That was fun, but it REALLY made me want a snowbike lol.

I can get to Breck via Georgia Pass, Webster or Redcone.

If you look really close you can see my house in this pic.

Have you sledded up Georgia Pass? Any thoughts on how safe/unsafe it is?

 

[Colorado^]

I wasn't ever a big fan of going riding alone. Not only for the breakdown/injury risk, but also because it wasn't as fun. 2 years ago I went up to meet some friends at the Big Horns in Wyoming for a day ride (sled not bike). I went up the Lovell side and they were coming up from the Sheridan side. The plan was I would ride down the trail (unplowed, groomed highway) and meet them at Bear Lodge. Took off and got 1/3 the way there and it was snowing and blowing up toward the pass to the point I couldn't see to continue. Turned around, went back to the truck, called and left a message on their phone that I wasn't going to make it. I rode around close to the lot for a little while and then decided to load up and be on my way.

Right as I was about to load up they showed up there on their sleds. They never got the message and came looking for me. The weather had cleared up top they said and they never had a problem coming over. So we went back out and rode in sunshine all day. Ended up back at Bear lodge at the end of the day, had a burger with them, and then headed back on my own. The trail back was about 20 miles straight down the groomed highway. About as safe as it gets.

Just as I got going I could see a front rolling in again so I picked up the pace to try and beat it. Got about 1/3 the way and blew the belt from the sustained higher speed running down the trail. Made a record setting belt swap and was on my way again: no spare belt and low on fuel. At the 1/2 way point on top the pass the weather hit. No snow thankfully, but what I got was almost worse: thick, freezing fog. I could see ahead for about the first mile and then as I progressed I could see as far as my ski tips and that was it. If there were trees on either side of the trail and I couldn't see them, but worse I knew I was going through the section that was wide open meadows on each side of the road. I had enough fuel in my tank to either get to my truck in the parking lot ahead, or get off my sled, turn it around in it's own track by hand, and head back. If I went back I was going to have to spend the night there and bum some oil to pre-mix in my sled to get back the next day. So I gambled and kept going. My one saving grace was the groomer had gone out and back just ahead of me setting out and the edge of the groomer had a plate sticking down that made a thin, deep groove in the snow for me to center up on and keep going with no other tracks on the trail to mess it up. So I locked on that and maintained a 10-15mph pace and was able to make it just after dark. The entire front of me and my sled had about 1/2" of frost built up on us by that time and I had 1" of fuel left in the bottom of my clear tank that I could see. I didn't see anything but white and fog for about 8 miles of that last 10.

After going through that, now I would have turned around and stayed the night in the hotel on the other side. I had a Spot locator with me, but in those conditions it wouldn't have been safe for anyone to come out and get me that night if something happened. I had a spare base layer top in my pack, but after a day of riding I was a little wet head-to-toe under my gear from perspiration. I had some food and water, first aid kit, emergency blanket, means to start a fire, and a good solid trail to walk on, but without being able to see in the location I was in, I would have had to dig in next to my sled and start burning parts of it for warmth.

After riding in the mountains for 20 years, that one experience fixed me from ever wanting to go it alone. I'll stay home and find something better to do.

Thanks for sharing your story. Glad you made it out OK, and it just goes to show how quickly mother nature can turn on you.

Blizzards are a major issue around here and they sometimes close the roads down. Often enough I'm driving on sheer ice, with 60-80mph (gusting) cross winds an zero visibility (intermittently).

I would not venture out without gear to survive a night or two. My -25 deg down bag, bivy and air mat are pretty light and compact shelter. I've tested it over night on my property on a cold winy night and it was plenty warm.

 

[Colorado^]

I would highly recommend taking an avalanche class so you can understand the conditions that you are going into.... The pass could be safe one day and not another. This is dependent on all types of factors.... Hell it could change in hours depending on wind and weather.

Roger that!

 

[norsepeak]

I wasn't ever a big fan of going riding alone. Not only for the breakdown/injury risk, but also because it wasn't as fun. 2 years ago I went up to meet some friends at the Big Horns in Wyoming for a day ride (sled not bike). I went up the Lovell side and they were coming up from the Sheridan side. The plan was I would ride down the trail (unplowed, groomed highway) and meet them at Bear Lodge. Took off and got 1/3 the way there and it was snowing and blowing up toward the pass to the point I couldn't see to continue. Turned around, went back to the truck, called and left a message on their phone that I wasn't going to make it. I rode around close to the lot for a little while and then decided to load up and be on my way.

Right as I was about to load up they showed up there on their sleds. They never got the message and came looking for me. The weather had cleared up top they said and they never had a problem coming over. So we went back out and rode in sunshine all day. Ended up back at Bear lodge at the end of the day, had a burger with them, and then headed back on my own. The trail back was about 20 miles straight down the groomed highway. About as safe as it gets.

Just as I got going I could see a front rolling in again so I picked up the pace to try and beat it. Got about 1/3 the way and blew the belt from the sustained higher speed running down the trail. Made a record setting belt swap and was on my way again: no spare belt and low on fuel. At the 1/2 way point on top the pass the weather hit. No snow thankfully, but what I got was almost worse: thick, freezing fog. I could see ahead for about the first mile and then as I progressed I could see as far as my ski tips and that was it. If there were trees on either side of the trail and I couldn't see them, but worse I knew I was going through the section that was wide open meadows on each side of the road. I had enough fuel in my tank to either get to my truck in the parking lot ahead, or get off my sled, turn it around in it's own track by hand, and head back. If I went back I was going to have to spend the night there and bum some oil to pre-mix in my sled to get back the next day. So I gambled and kept going. My one saving grace was the groomer had gone out and back just ahead of me setting out and the edge of the groomer had a plate sticking down that made a thin, deep groove in the snow for me to center up on and keep going with no other tracks on the trail to mess it up. So I locked on that and maintained a 10-15mph pace and was able to make it just after dark. The entire front of me and my sled had about 1/2" of frost built up on us by that time and I had 1" of fuel left in the bottom of my clear tank that I could see. I didn't see anything but white and fog for about 8 miles of that last 10.

After going through that, now I would have turned around and stayed the night in the hotel on the other side. I had a Spot locator with me, but in those conditions it wouldn't have been safe for anyone to come out and get me that night if something happened. I had a spare base layer top in my pack, but after a day of riding I was a little wet head-to-toe under my gear from perspiration. I had some food and water, first aid kit, emergency blanket, means to start a fire, and a good solid trail to walk on, but without being able to see in the location I was in, I would have had to dig in next to my sled and start burning parts of it for warmth.

After riding in the mountains for 20 years, that one experience fixed me from ever wanting to go it alone. I'll stay home and find something better to do.

Interesting story, I've had similar experiences with low visibility. A little pre-planning could have saved you the stress and headache of wondering if you would make back to your truck though. Over the years, I've used my GPS to "mark" all of the major roads and trails in our area when the weather has been good, so that IF I get into a situation like that, I can just pull out my GPS and follow the trail very easily with it. It's very easy to do, just turn on the GPS next time you ride that "groomed hiway" and then save the track...bingo, done.

Yes, accidents and breakdowns can and do happen, but if you take a little time and use your head and prepare yourself and equipment, you can minimize the risks. I have a great work schedule that lets me have days off during the week, which makes it very difficult to find riding partners because they usually only have weekends off. So my choices are: stay home and look at the snow covered mountains all around my house and my sled sitting in the shop, or plan ahead, use my brain and go log over 2k miles a season and have a great time....you can guess which I choose most of the time.