Traveling Solo

Kentucky

This article I wanted to focus on the topic of solo traveling with regards to off-roading and how I off-road.

So, I’ve had discussions in the past with people on this topic, A lot of people are on the other side of this, thinking you should not travel alone. For safety, safety in numbers mentality…

It’s one of those things in life where I don’t think about it, I worked in the meanest communities in the country (natural gas construction) and I feel I had a better chance at getting hurt there than I do out in nature.

I don’t think traveling alone is a problem, especially when I have a lot of first-aid / first responder training, situational awareness, tools and common sense. I have always been a loner & traveled alone, I have never had anyone to travel with long-term, only here and there. Since the age of 17, I have been out on the trails and enjoying life, by myself. I’m the kind of person that thrives being alone, I seek it out, hence the reason I have this website to show you how to do it and be safe about it, or at least show you these destinations without having to go out there yourself.

Arkansas

Minimizing Risks…

By minimizing risks… I mean not doing stupid things that will get me into trouble such as traveling fast or sitting there doing burnouts. I don’t speed while off-roading, I’m slow so the risk of accidents is negligible. While something could happen like me passing out due to tripping on a rock, I don’t feel that is likely to happen and if it does, I feel as though… maybe it was meant to be. If you feel unsafe being alone, than you should always have someone with you while your exploring the outdoors. I just am comfortable being alone and can handle most situations by myself. I have been out there for decades and have yet to run into a situation I can not handle.

I have run into the rare times where I didn’t feel safe. For example… From time to time, I have come across people walking out of the woods, onto the trail, in the middle of nowhere (sometimes at night), with no vehicle in sight and no reason for these people to be out there. They were not hunters or anything like that. I feel very uneasy about these people because there is no reason for them to be there. Just very odd. So, in these situations, I keep going, no stopping, I don’t even look at these people.

As for animals, I have come across bears while riding and in one situation, I was riding on an atv, I slammed on my brakes and skidded within a short distance of a bear while rounding a long, sweeping corner. The bear reared up as if in was going to attack, but I threw the atv into reverse and left the area for a while, letting the bear cross the trail without provocation from the running motor. This was the time I had my atv and realized I would benefit from the protection of a utv.

Keep my rig supplied with tools, even A&W Cheeseburgers, LOL, not really. But I do carry tools and a spare.

Tools…

There are many tools now-a-days that allow you to be in constant contact with family or rescue personnel like satellite phones. So, you are never really alone while out in the most remote areas of the country. I have been to Wyoming, in the Bighorn Mountains several times, for example, and its amazing how many people are out and about in this desolate area.

I carry a tool bag with most tools I would need and have allowed other people to use the tools when I come across a breakdown.

I carry a spare tire, jack and tools I need to change a tire if I receive a flat, I’ve only had that happen one time while out there.

My thinking is that if you are out riding in nature to enjoy nature, like I do, there is nothing to fear. I have driven thousands of miles through the most desolate areas of the country and enjoy it so much, I created this website to share these topics with you. Off-roading is such a great way to get to some of the most beautiful and desolate areas of this country and I wouldn’t want to travel any other way.