Off the Beaten Path
I remember sitting there listening to the calm of the evening crickets and the deep hoots of the owls lulling me to sleep. There was the rustling of leaves and heavy winds waking me back up to remind me of my fear induced state of bears!
There is nothing like riding down a single track or dirt road out into forest lands/BLM and wild camping. Pitching a tent with no one around and warming your evening hands on the cooling engine of your bike.
But there is also advice in my errors - when you are out traveling solo and wild camping, do not, I repeat - DO NOT- buy the book Death in Yellowstone and read the section on bear attacks of people in their tents!
Be smart about where you camp and don't let a fear of bears stop you - but be smart! Carry the Odor Barrier Bags-a set of bear bags. (These were perfect and when they are folded down, they slid perfectly into the base of my pannier.)
Park your bike, with all the items in bear bags, a little ways from your tent and if you are so inclined to carry bear spray with you be sure to have this attached to your belt / in your tent while resting.
In my yearlong solo motorcycle journey people always ask what I was scared of...and every time the answer is the same - bears.
It is a healthy fear, and I did carry the bags and spray, and occasionally I would see a sign for "very active bear population" and make the decision to keep riding and not pitch a tent right there.
You can only prep so far, and the rest is up to gut feeling. If you feel that it is the right spot - start setting up your home for the night, but if you feel nervous or uneasy just find a new place.
In heavily bear populated areas you can always stay at established camp grounds/state park camping which is nice because they will have bolted bear boxes.
The most important thing is not to let your fear of what could happen stop you from ever taking on a dream you have.
Pack your gear, pack smart, camp smart, and hit the open road with two wheels! Remember no two journeys are alike and even if you followed the exact route of someone else your experiences would be uniquely yours.
Own the right to adventure and get out there and RIDE!
Written by Danell Lynn, Guinness World Record Rider – www.danelllynn.com, @danelllynn Photography copyrights & Images by Danell Lynn