HOW TO SURVIVE an Adventure Ride

I’m no expert endurance rider or a professional fitness instructor, but what I can do is ride my motorcycle continuously for five long days and feel physically content at the end of the trip. Okay, maybe after the celebratory beers, I might not feel as good on the morning of the sixth day, but at least my muscles will be relaxed. So, what can you do to prepare for an upcoming off-road adventure to stay strong, enjoy the ride and be able to dismount at the end of the day without calling friends over to pry you off your bike? Here are a few tips from personal experiences that will help you succeed.

- Donni Reddington

1 DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS

When preparing for an adventure ride, one thing to avoid is comparing yourself to others. Everyone is a different age, with new and old injuries, different daily routines, body shapes, metabolisms, and health histories.

2 CHOOSE YOUR PARTNERS WISELY

To enjoy a trip without getting in over (or under) your head, choose partners you know you can hang with. The opposite might be someone who’s training for the Dakar or on the other extreme, a first-timer. Solid partners are those you can trust and have confidence in their skills, knowledge, and riding experience. They’ll also have your back if a situation arises. They know how to have a good time and not be overly serious, they’ll share the laughs, and can push hard, yet pull back to take in the scenery, too.

3 PRE-PLANNING WORKOUT ROUTINE

Forming and maintaining a simple workout routine months or even weeks before a ride can help significantly. It’s easy to fall onto the sofa after a long day, crack a beer, and surf the web, so it may take a little effort to force yourself into dedicating even 20 minutes a day to building strength and stamina. Now is the time to beat that slacker off your shoulder; choose a rewarding pre-trip workout routine that’ll help make your ride a success. To get started, choose a time of the day when you have the most energy, protect that time, and commit. There are plenty of resources online for functional workouts to do at home with minimal or no equipment.