As our world is faced with a challenge somewhat unique to any previously endured, motorcycle riders will still ride. Whether by breaking rules of quarantine and going for a joy ride, or doing so for work or food, it's going to happen. It's what we do.
Despite the fact that motorcycle riding is a form of isolation, please everyone, stay home until official re-openings have been announced. Given the inherent risks of riding, let’s not raise the potential to over-burden hospitals or emergency responders more than they may already be, and let’s join in isolation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Of course the global spread of this coronavirus will peak at some point as it already has in some countries, sliding down the latter-half of a bell curve. As quarantines will almost certainly end before the full eradication of this virus though, COVID-19 may be a factor in our lives for a long time to come. So with the theme of isolation and avoiding population densities in mind, RIDE Adventures is now offering:
- Book With Confidence - We’ve been making adjustments in itineraries and helping with re-bookings to allow riders to complete their travel plans to every extent possible. Cancellations of flights, closures of countries to tourists, hotel closures, etc. in recent weeks have certainly thrown a wrench in many travelers’ plans, but when and where possible, we’re working hard to make riders’ travel plans become a reality. Options are unique to each location we operate in around the world, so be sure to ask one of our representatives regarding the specific trip you have in mind, in the event quarantines continue further than we may expect. Whether you have a booking in place, or are considering making one, everyone is encouraged to read or re-read our Terms & Conditions made available at the time of booking, as they are also designed to protect you, the Traveler.
- Discounts on Self-Guided, “Fly & RIDE” Packages - In accordance with the times, and looking at a future where being a bit ‘less social’ may very well make sense, RIDE Adventures is now offering a 5% discount on select Self-Guided "Fly & RIDE" packages in the most remote, unpopulated regions that we operate in: Patagonia, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest. While we love running our Guided Group trips and being out there with you, again, the idea here is that we’re encouraging riders to lean toward trip formats that require being less social, while being as far away from populations as possible to help limit or eliminate the spread of COVID-19. As such, riders are welcome to this discount for any new booking made from now through July 2020 for our Self-Guided, Fly & RIDE The Best Week in Oregon package, and any of our Self-Guided, Fly & RIDE packages in Patagonia, even if your travel plans are for 2021. Just mention code “isolation2020” at the time of your initial inquiry to receive the 5% discount off these base packages. (Your own safety in mind, of course we encourage riders to not ride alone when possible, but instead bring another rider or two. Smaller groups being the idea.)
- Resources to Help Riders - As many of you have noticed, we’ve been hard at work on the RIDE Adventures YouTube Channel, now with distinct playlists for topics like riding gear, motorcycle reviews, and adventure rider training. Folks, I’ve wanted to bring information like this to you for a long time now, and thanks to Garrett’s talents and hard work, we’ve been releasing these videos every two weeks for a while now. Our hopes are that you’ll find value in the information being shared, as it comes from the heart, from the best of intentions, and from the huge amount of adventure riding experience I’ve gained around the world for over a decade now. As a few social media memes have joked about “Sitting on the couch and watching TV to save mankind, let’s not screw this up,” now is the time to study these resources on your Smart TV’s free YouTube App, and make yourself a better, safer, more informed rider for once you’re riding again. Be sure to Subscribe and request Alerts once you’re there on the channel, as it’s only going to get better from here.
Perhaps the virus that shook the world in 2019/20 will be remembered as the reason many of us began to seek out more open spaces and remote territories, away from people and potential for virus spread. As noted above, we’re encouraging those of you looking for riding opportunities to seek the most remote, the most desolate places.
All this in mind, we wish you the best of luck and health, both physically and emotionally with what we are all going through. Getting out, and getting away to inhale that fresh air out there, when you’re up for it and when our situation allows for it, may be more welcome than ever before.
RIDE on, (post-quarantine)
Eric