When and Why to Take a Rest on Motorcycle Trips

Now that the world has begun to reopen as the COVID-19 pandemic comes under control, people are more able to travel than they have been in the last year. If you are someone who is looking forward to hitting the road on your motorcycle in the near future, then you aren’t alone.

Still, too much of a good thing can be bad for anyone, and when you take a motorcycle trip, you have to keep an eye on yourself. Biking involves operating a sensitive piece of heavy machinery, and you have to be skilled at doing so and alert throughout the entire ride. This means being as conscious of your own needs as you are of the conditions around you.

You don’t want to ride unless you know that you can be safe while doing so. How will you know when you need to give yourself space to do so? What can you do to make your ride as safe as possible? Let’s take a closer look at some of the practical safety steps that you should take.

Don’t Ride Unless You Feel Well
Doctors always advise you not to drive while under the influence of certain medications or following certain treatments. If you do, then you are at an exceptionally high risk of vehicle accidents because you simply can’t be a present, conscientious driver.

Motorcyclists are no different if they engage in such activities that limit their ability to ride safely. If they can’t be present in the moment, then they cannot react to their surroundings. If a sudden hazard arises, then they might be denying themselves the chance to avoid it, and their risk of having an accident could skyrocket. Therefore, if you ever feel that you cannot reliably use your bike, then you should not do so.

Consider just a few scenarios where you might need to rethink getting behind the handlebars:

Never ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That's against the law. Don’t consume these items immediately before or during travel. Even if you stop to eat while on your trip, you shouldn’t consume alcohol of any kind. Plus, alcohol isn’t the only high-risk consumable that could put you in harm’s way. Remember, certain medications—such as prescription painkillers—might cause impairment. Don’t ride until you know how they affect you.
If you are sick or have certain injuries, it might not be the best idea to ride. Even having the common cold can affect your concentration, mobility and balance, so you might not have the best control over your five senses even in relatively minor scenarios. For example, you shouldn’t try to ride with broken bones or a high fever. As a result of these conditions, you might have more trouble controlling the motorcycle than you usually do, and you might not pay as close attention as you ordinarily would.

Chronic medical conditions might inhibit your ability to ride. For example, vision problems might require you to wear goggles with eyeglass lenses while biking. If you have a heart condition, then you need to ensure that you have taken all of your medication and that you are not experiencing any strange side-effects before you hit the road.

Protecting Yourself During Bike Trips
Of course, existing conditions can be safety risks to bikers. However, those can be controlled as long as you are responsible about them. Still, there are plenty of hazards that might pop up during the course of your trip that you have to address in the moment.

If these problems arise in the course of your ride, then consider whether it is time to take a break:

Watch out for indicators of dehydration. Exposure to heat and wind might lead to this condition. As a result, you’ll need to stop periodically to replenish your fluids.

Wear sunscreen and bug spray, as needed, to prevent harmful damage from exposure.
If you begin to have trouble concentrating or become tired, then don’t keep riding. Exhaustion makes your risk of mistakes and accidents much higher.
Don’t forget to ride with a helmet and other protective gear. Even if state law doesn’t require it, these items are essential for your safety and protection.

With the right attention to detail, you’ll have relatively little to worry about during your carefree days on the road. Still, you shouldn’t attempt to ride without being confident in your ability to do so. If you were to ride in an unsafe way, then you could have an accident, and that might lead you to have to file a very expensive claim on your motorcycle insurance.

When and Why to Take a Rest on Motorcycle Trips

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