Great info for great riding

When faced with an emergency, be prepared to handle it yourself

Car and truck drivers, other riders, passers by, gas station mechanics and many others have helped me when the going got tough.

But the adventurous nature of motorcycle riders and riding can take you down roads less traveled where help isn't readily available and cell phones don't work.

Recently, while riding through an out-of-the-way area, I was reminded that sometimes we must handle emergencies on our own.

Cruising through familiar territory…

The area where I live in New York received a few feet of snow early in the New Year. And while most of it had been plowed or melted, some snow remained on many back roads…particularly those in state parks bordering the Hudson River where I like to ride.

When traveling along one especially twisty road near Bear Mountain State Park, I often detour onto a loop road that passes a wilderness hiking trail's parking area then reconnects with the main road.

I usually stop in the parking area to stretch my legs and perhaps change riding gear…such as switching gloves or putting on my electric vest.

Ice and snow covered the wilderness road…

On this occasion, when I approached the loop road, I saw it hadn't been plowed. But traffic to the trailhead had created snow-free tracks I could follow with care.

On the way in, I passed a few parked cars left by hikers. I was paying close attention to the slippery road and didn't scrutinize the cars.

I made my way to the end of the parking area. Then, after stopping for a few minutes, I got back onto my motorcycle, started the engine and began rolling downhill toward the main road.

It gets worse…

But within about 50 yards, I realized the tire tracks ahead were coated with snow and ice all the way to the intersection; a distance of about 100 yards.

I'm sure many riders more skillful and confident than me when it comes to riding down ice-covered roads would have forged ahead. But I wasn't going try.

Images of my motorcycle lying on its side and me trying to lift it while slipping on the ice convinced me to bag that idea.

Also, if I did make it to the bottom, I'd have to roll right onto the main road…possibly into traffic. I couldn't chance stopping on the ice.

My solution…

I decided to try to push the motorcycle backward a few yards up the hill to where the tracks were clear down to the blacktop. Then I'd attempt four or five partial "K" turns to turn the motorcycle around.

And that's what I did.

It took about 20 minutes -- including rests -- to back the nearly 600-pound motorcycle up the hill then aim it in the opposite direction.

After a short rest, I -- again -- climbed aboard, started the engine then headed slowly toward the entrance I'd used in the first place.

Schlub sat in his car and watched…

While again passing the same parked cars on the way out, I saw a guy -- who I hadn't noticed when I'd entered -- sitting in one of the vehicles. He looked at me when I went by.

This guy had been warm and comfy in his car; watching me bust a gut while I shoved my motorcycle up the hill then turned it around in the snow.

I wonder if he enjoyed the show.

Many good people will step up to help motorcycle riders when we're caught in a tough situation.

But don't bet on it…sometimes you must handle emergencies on your own.

They're compact, easy to use and work great in emergencies. And what flat tire isn't an emergency?

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I've taken all the information in my website describing riding techniques for dangerous situations and added to it in the book "High Risk Motorcycle Riding."

Here's information you can put to good use to ride smart and well prepared when you're on the road and the going gets tough.

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