Covered in Dust

Saw this post on Facebook. Glad I carry a Delorme also. SPOT LLC #spotsaveslives did NOT save my life. It in fact it failed me at the most critical moment. U.S. Navy did however come to the rescue. Here’s a little update to the story that KIRO 7 News ran on my Mt Baker rescue. I had just suffered a horrendous compound fracture of the lower leg way out in the Mt Baker Wilderness. In a location and terrain that necessitated a quick rescue to save my leg and my life. I hit the SOS button on my SPOT. To my horror the button did nothing after repeated attempts. Then even crazier my friends #spotgen3 wouldn’t activate the SOS either. Both units were blinking green, were blinking all the correct lights in the start up self test. I have been running SPOT devices in my #airplane and all my #backcountry, #floatplane, and #snowmobile adventures for at least a decade. I have persuaded many friends to buy the device over the years. This however was the first time I needed it. Part of me is glad it happened. Because during all those preflight and pre-ride discussion where I’ve looked people straight in the eye and said this is your best way to rescue. I’m out of the hospital and well enough now to call SPOT and get their take on it. Tech support had me go through various tests. Then had me test the “help/sos” functions. NOPE. Still doesn’t work. Nothing lights up. Just the blinking green light at the power icon. So they have me try the “ok” button. Yep. Still works normally. Now here’s my biggest concern. How many units are like mine and my friend’s @krispelan ? How many still work in track and ok lulling you into a false sense that the unit will work when you need the SOS or HELP function? Scary to say the least. So if you have one of these devices I suggest you call SPOT LLC and have them test your unit. I requested a credit towards #spotx in lieu of a new #spotgen3 replacement they offered because I don’t trust the hardware. He told me to sell it on ebay🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️. Ok right... I’ve given you my trust and money all these years and I finally need your services. The least you could do is upgrade credit me to a two way comm unit so that I know it’s working. At least I’m told my GEOS rescue insurance should still apply. What would you do? #KIRO7Seattle story https://www.kiro7.com/…/nas-whidbey-helicopter-cr…/923142305 Update: Thank you so much for sharing this story. I hope it saves someone’s life. I just received a call from a high manager at SPOT after this went viral. Sad that it took that for someone in the company to think this was serious. We’ll see what they do to make it right and assure us that their products are reliable. I’ll keep you posted 🙏

We don’t use tracks because we ride this often, but yes the Desert Dash does go on part of our route. CiD

Yes, are time in the desert is getting short. Thursday looks like the best weather of the week at 80 degrees. Get out there while you can.

Don't really know why but I haven't been posting any pictures from our rides lately. Downloaded some from the camera and there were pics from last year still on the camera. Here are a few from this ride. And a couple from my flight today just because it was cool.

When we finished the COBDR we turned around and slabbed it back to the trucks. I think it was about 400 miles. I never gave it a 2nd thought and the bike was fine. I enjoy the 500 on back roads. Your results may vary. Covered in Miles

I’m in

Thanks for the update Paul. It’s good to know that there was more to the story. Still interested in how your test goes.

I was hearing static also from time to time. I think it was transmissions from other than our group.

I don’t get sore very often. I think the key is riding all the time. If you don’t use muscles often then abuse them they are going to hurt. Aleve works well when needed.

I just turned my inreach back on. I’m on the freedom plan. They make it as hard as possible to try and figure out how to stop and then restart the service. When I went to turn it back on all I saw was regular plans, then after reading the fine print I saw the freedom plans on another page. You would think they could make it easy to use. CiD

It’s good that Spot is stepping up. To bad it took bad publicity to make it happen. I still like my Spot for tracking but rely more on the Delorme for SOS just because I know I can reach someone by text. Maybe I’ll carry a PLB in the future also.

I had the same thing happen with my Delorme. I think they are saying that some Spot devices may have an issue. With no way of knowing if your SOS button will work when every thing else works on the device.

The California BDR Southern Route is now available. I’ll probably try and put a ride together in the next couple of months to do most or all of the route. Chime in if your interested. https://ridebdr.com/CABDR CiD

When you add the Rekluse https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3S3mzAzOl6o&list=RD3S3mzAzOl6o

That’s a nice bike. I bought one new in 71 for I think about $800.00 Bought another one last year for 2K but it needs restoration.called on this one and the guy wants about6K. He probably won’t get it but in correct restored condition they go for almost 9k. At least that’s what guys are asking.

Bruce you are welcome to come by my house for a hands on lesson or I might be able to come to your house and help out. Let me know. Chris

Sorry to miss it this year, wife made other plans for us this weekend. Should be great conditions out there. Chris

500

I might be able to do a few days. I want to be back by the weekend. I’ll start looking into it. CiD

This stuff will probably work. It’s pretty amazing. F4 Tape - Self-Fusing Silicone Tape MIL-SPEC 1" X 36' (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002LA2258/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_vvxACbZJDWDSB

I’ll post one tomorrow

I had a little time to kill during the monsoon of 19 so I decided to putter around in the garage. I have a bunch of old helmets taking up space and I didn’t want to just throw them away. So I came up with a way to display them. I didn’t want a shelf so I bought a few of these cheap hangers from Harbor Freight for $1 ea on sale. Just a few bends and they worked perfect. Covered in Helmets

Maxxis desert IT is not dot rated

Didn’t see a skid plate on the bike in the photo. I’m still running the stock plate.

Needs a skid plate and a Pro Moto Billet kickstand.