Rider Equipment Check-off List

.
Riders, here's your GEAR check-off list to make sure you haven't forgotten anything!  Also; if you don't plan on using this gear when you return home, we have a "deal" with the Pucallpa riders that they will purchase our slightly used gear from us at 75% of purchase price as long as it is not the expensive stuff.

Let's start at the head and work down...

❐ Helmet - make sure it is comfortable.  If not, pad it or carve it inside.  Wear it around the house to see where the stress points are, then correct them.  Don't wait for the first days ride to find these things out.

❐ Goggles - If you have an MX style helmet (which I recommend), then make sure you have goggles.  Inexpensive, good ones are linked on the GEAR blog entry .  Make sure you have either a shaded or a self-adjusting lense for it as there will be alot of bright sun and glare.  A clear lens too for early morning, late afternoon.  I just buy 2 goggles and change at rest stops.

❐ Balaclava - This is a thin head underarmor that goes on under the helmet, just leaving the eye area free.  This gives you a little extra warmth when needed, yet you still get air flow.  Make sure you have one, and make sure that it does not have a seam across the middle of you head.  When the helmet presses against it, you will think you are in a Chinese torture chamber.  Change it or carve a ditch in the styro inside your helmet to account for it!

❐ Neck warmer - Not absolutely necessary if you have a fleece that zips up high on you neck.  Don't bring a heavy, bulky one!  It's nice to be able to look down!

❐ Under Armor - Upper: Get the inexpensive one(s) at Walmart.  Two is good.  Long sleeve for 'A'.  Both long and short sleeve for either 'B' or 'C'.  This will be your #1 piece of clothing on the whole trip.  It should be snug (yet not tight), and VERY comfortable.  Try them on at the store, don't go by labeled sizes.  YES, they go against your skin.

❐ Cotton long and short sleeve shirts worn under riding jacket during sunny weather.

❐ Fleece:  It should be tight-fitting as it needs to fit comfortably under the jacket.  Recommend it zip up to a high neck.

❐ Riding Jacket:  This MUST breathe and MUST have shoulder and elbow armor incorporated.  If not, you can get strap-on ones which will work as long there is room enough under jacket.

❐ Gloves:  Cold weather gloves for 'A', warm and cold weather gloves for 'B' and 'C'.  These MUST be moto gloves, NOT regular winter gloves as they bunch up when you grip the handlebars.  For "warm" weather, just inexpensive MX gloves are great... don't pay more than $18... many, many sales around.  Cold weather gloves may be on sale right now.  Best ones have a removeable inner glove you can use when cool, or not when not so cold.  Can be expensive, look for sales...

❐ Underarmor Pants: Get the padded ones (padded where you sit, not so much around the rest).  These can get expensive.  You can live with just one pair.  'B' and 'C' should consider one pair of short padded underarmor too.

❐ Socks.  Tall ones that make your boots comfortable, and also cover the calf where the knee-shin guards will be straped on.  If you are using MX boots, make sure you get tall MX socks.  2 pair each.. at least.

❐ Boots.  Break them in!

❐ Knee-Shin Guards.  Only about $10 for the basic ones, but your life will not be the same from a simple low-speed fall to your knee if you don't have them!

❐ Riding Pants.  Must breathe and protect against abrasions.  Needs to be comfortable in sitting position.  If you are using the MX boots, I recommend the over-the-boot style pants, as they make you look less from outer space!  On that note: the least graphics possible on your riding gear, the better.  We are travelling thru some very humble, rural areas..

❐ Kidney Belt.  Get one!

❐ Not required, but I recommend a small backpack with an incorporated "camelbak" style bladder.  VERY good, yet inexpensive one can be gotten at WalMart.  Backpack is by Outdoor Products and called a "Skyline 8.0".  Bladders are sold right there too.  You don't need the brand name stuff.  You WILL want a small comfortable backpack to ride with...

❐ Rain Gear:  It is dry season, but rain CAN crop up unexpectedly.  They also are good for cutting wind for short periods of time.  Buy light-weight jacket and pants,but not so flimsy that the wind shreds them.  Walmart has a decent set for only $10.88.  On sizes:  Remember that they go OVER all your gear, so make sure they are plenty big!

More details of all these gear items (and the reasons for them) are on this blog, just scroll down until you find it.  Ask your questions HERE (via "comments"), so that others can learn from the answers!

Some Riding Rules

In each group of riders, two of them will do Lead and Sweep. The motos go first as they are faster than the truck.  The rules are:

If you can't see the moto behind you, you are too far ahead... slow down or stop until he catches up or you can see him.  If after 5 minutes he doesn't arrive, then return until you find him.  When you come to a 'Y' in the road or anywhere there are two or more options, STOP.  When the following moto arrives at that point, take off in the correct direction.  The following moto must wait for the one following him, and so on.  The motos between Lead and Sweep may switch places or ride together, but never get ahead of Lead or behind Sweep.  There will be pre-agreed upon stops for rest and/or food breaks where the Lead moto stops and all catch up, even the truck.

Lead moto must have map and/or GPS, know what the road ahead is, what each turn-off means, and when and where we have determined to stop.  I have very good road maps and carry a GPS with 10 to 20 points pre-located via Google Earth coordinates per day of travel.

Sweep is the last moto, stopping when coming upon any rider fallen, ill, or with moto problems.  Sweep will carry a few tools, tire patch kit, and some First Aid supplies.  He will wait with problem until truck arrives and load rider and moto.  Yes, the one ahead of sweep will stop when he no longer sees Sweep, eventually stopping all the others.  There will be rough roads where the truck will be quite a ways behind, and we will pre-decide how much the motos can get ahead of the truck before stopping and waiting.

At a few points, the motos will take a different route (rougher and/or more adventurous, ie: a short-cut) than the truck, to join again at a pre-determined spot.  During that interval, sweep will carry extra First Aid supplies, a tow strap, and tie-down ratchet straps (should we decide to hire a pickup that comes along to haul a moto and rider hurt, ill, or broken down, to where our truck will meet us).  We will also have a cell phone with the motos and one with the truck.  At altitude it is pretty incredible the coverage of a cheap cell phone....

Every evening, the Lead, Sweep, and truck driver will meet to go over the ride for the following day and coordinate pre-arranged stopping points, etc.

There are many more "Rules of Riding" I will instruct everyone on (with reminders along the way) at the beginning of each section.  These rules have been proven to work, keep communication clear, and create safety among the team.  There are no "cowboys" on these rides.  The rides will be breath-taking and inspiring.  They can also be dangerous if we do not work as a team.  These "rules" have been developed by your Peruvian and MK friends over many, many rides, some with near escapes.  Please determine to respect them or please do not come on this ride!


Toby

Our GPS Transmitter has Arrived!!

.
Our GPS transmitter has arrived and I've been testing it out.  One of it's functions is to emit a signal every 10 minutes that is picked up by the SPOT company and it is automatically logged on to a Google Map which any of you can monitor (having the password).  This is the link.  Email me ( aroundtheblock07@gmail.com ) to get the password.  Feel free to tell other Peru friends the password, but DO NOT put it in writing PLEASE!  Our safety may depend on it.... (Note: The password is what they call you in Peru when you are a foreigner by blood, but have "gone native".. )

Another function of it is that the press of the "SOS" button can call Search and Rescue anywhere in the world, known also as Emergency Evacuation.  This service covers all medical and evacuation needs of the first 72 hours after the call.  The cost is only $16.95 per person for this trip.  This is not your regular travel insurance, it is Emergency Medical Evacuation and treatment that can extract you out of the middle of the jungle or off some Andean trail.  I think we should all consider this...