Gasup what a lovely bit of footage, nicely put together and genius music choice.

You definitely made easy work of that but I wouldn't fancy my chances of picking that heffer up fully laiden at all, let alone on a steep slope or after I've fallen off it 6 times in one day. Maybe I could get some panniers with stabilizer wheels fitted underneath..

Get someone to show you how to pick a bike up properly and practice at home before you go. There IS a correct technique that I only got shown halfway into my trip- makes a HUGE difference and was then able to pick up my lardy GS with panniers.

The trick is to make the bike do most of the work...

1) make sure its still in gear as it locks the back wheel
2) put steering on full lock, ie if bike fell over on its left side, turn bars fully to the right (looking at it as if you were still sitting on it)
3) Stand at the end of the left handlebar with the rest of the bar pointing straight away from you.
4) Bend your knees, grab the left grip and lift. The load is now spread to the back wheel and the steering lock.

Sounds complicated but its quite straight forward once you've done it once.


Videos :: How to pick up a lardy GS! video by ya-honza - Photobucket

Everything here is Euro-focused, have you looked at south-east asia? I spent a week riding in Laos back in January and it was pretty cool.

I went by myself but have seen tours advertised in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, etc. (sorry, no linkees!). Beautiful countryside, cool cultural experience, great food (usually), and other than the airfare, probably not too expensive.

Pollygee, not sure I do wise words, but good luck with the trip. Enjoy it.

GasUp, I'm betting my opinion doesn't count for very much, put please use the quote for your appraisal. Unfortunately, if it all goes pear shaped I do charge for job references :rofl:

MikeS, nice one! The other method to pick a bike up is get it secure and in gear and crouch down with the small of your back into the seat, back straight, knees bent. You grip under the seat and straighten your legs and up it'll come. The handlebar method is best on a slope. The seat method maybe a little easier if tired and you don't have as far to walk to get the stand down once it's up. I guess experienced riders learn which to use when.

Of course, when it comes to picking the outfit up after I slip off the track, a block and tackle is required, so I don't practice either method very much :blushing:

Andy

Hi PG,
Not sure where you are in Devon, but the Welcome Stranger is a good pub to drop in on the second Tues of the month to meet like minded people who are open to non-members with a very welcoming non-clique approach from the Trail Riders Fellowship and have some cool guest speakers (Dakar rides, aventure riders such as local boy Sam Manicom etc).....
There is a useful day for us 'newbies' coming up the end of the month, teaching the basics such as 'field' repairs and tyre changes and tool kits etc near Exeter....
May see you there this Tues?
Cheers
Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks for useful message, I am a member of the devon trf, you'll probably see me on the forum from time to time.

Haven't ridden with those guys for a bit but I plan to do lots over the next few months. They are a great group of people.

Maybe get to see you on a ride out soon.

Pol

Hey Pollygee,

Just so you know, I learnt how to ride and the basic mechanics of a bike in 6 months and then headed out on a 10 month trip around south east Asia and north east Asia.

I totally recommend doing - its amazing. If I had done an arranged tour, I would have regretted it. Everyone has there limits, just make sure you are pushing them some times!

if you want to ask any questions about traveling as a girl - ask away!