Stranded on remote trail

[dblhelix]

Something I've always worried about:

Woman stranded for 30 hours in desert after e-bike stops working on remote trail | OutThere Colorado

In a statement that's sure to stir a bit of conversation among America's cycling community, Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park wrote "E-bikes may sound like a good idea

denvergazette.com

Not familiar with this park, but the mountain west is tough for ebikes, generally speaking. I have found myself in situations without services (not even water) for up to 140 miles. I'm not going to criticize this rider for running out of battery. You learn the hard way about what can happen with detours, etc. I've always had backup in the form of extra battery and solar charging, which, in worst case scenario, would have put me on long pause while waiting. I don't think water/issues are e-bike-specific, either. Thoughts?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

"If you can't ride it without the assistance of an electric motor, please keep it out of the park and off the trails,"

 

[indianajo]

I hiked trails in Big Bend Natl park spring break 1971. I had two friends and a full US Army canteen. Good plan. I did not see any rattlesnakes but they are out there. We mostly did not see other hikers.
I ride 10 miles off the cell-phone service sometimes in Indiana. My bike will pedal without drag unpowered. Good thing, because electricity goes out in the rain sometimes. I also have had the plastic gears fail. Bike pedaled fine back to town but motor armature could not drag it.
When I am out near cell phone dead zone I carry 60 oz of water - 3 used pop bottles full. I carry 3 tubes, a hand pump, a fold up Panaracer tire.
I pushed the bike 7 miles with 40 lb groceries one 96 F day when a tire blew, before foldup tires were useable. (The schwinn roll up tires then would pop off the rim and blow the tube). There were pickups passing but waving a $50 bill did not stop any. My cellphone service stopped 1/4 mile from the grocery, and a flat tire does not justify a 911 call. My cellphone is Verizon now, at 4x the cost of Tracfone.
I was very nervous 2019 in Mesa Verda Natl park when I walked down a trail on a hill side that had no cell phone service. One fall and I could have been alone for 18-24 hours, possibly with something sprained or broken. Next time I go out west I'm buying a Garmin Inreach. When hiking I used to carry a rescue rocket, but they are probably illegal now. I haven't seen one for sale in 40 years.

 

[dblhelix]

I don't think you'd get that attitude if you'd suffered a mechanical failure on a non-e bike. Running out of battery makes you look foolish and subjects you to shaming.

Responding to @Stefan Mikes

 

[6zfshdb]

No mention was made of the bike or the relative fitness of the woman. I would think the she would have been able to pedal at least part of that 20 miles.
However, the story does reinforce what many of us already know. Whether it's an e-bike or a conventional model, IMO, it's common sense to know your limits as well as your bike's.
Thanks for posting.

I worry about this too, since I often ride long remote trails. I won't get into all the tools & spares I carry for long rides but when it comes to batteries, I ALWAYS carry a spare. I make sure both have enough charge to cover 150% of the planned ride to compensate for things like a sudden headwind, loss of pedal ability, or miscalculation of slope & distance. Yeah, it's more weight to carry if you do break down but batteries, and other heavy gear can, always be stashed somewhere along the trail if necessary and recovered later.

Another precaution I use is to carry a satellite communication device such as Garmin's InReach. Many newer cell phones are also satellite enabled but do not provide universal coverage. It's best to check the coverage area before relying on them.

 

[Mike TowpathTraveler]

She pushed her ebike for 20 miles...... good grief.

The story, as typical of today's journalism, is lacking in the details; such as what brand ebike it was or why she elected to push rather than pedal her e......bike. I get it..... "she was in deep sand or too tired to push it any further".

I believe if you decide to get into a hobby or sport like bicycling or ebiking, that it does not take much to become familiar or versed in the details. You know, like repairing a flat tire (which of course means you are going to have on-hand, a spare tube or patch kit & air pump and tire irons. Oh, and that you actually know how to make those road side repairs. Maybe knowing the range of your battery and planning accordingly with a spare in a pannier bag.

It's really not hard. Her plight is no different than those stories of someone running out of gas cause they just didn't bother to pay mind to the fuel gauge.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Yes that sounds correct in theory but we all know that a pretty high percentage of e-bikers on this site (an enthusiast site) can't or won't fix a flat tire in the field. And I suspect that percentage is even higher amongst the vast majority of e-bikers who don't participate in this site or others like it.

Sandy roads with poor traction can eat batteries alive. So even if she started out with a full charge she might have gotten caught. And one fine point is that the second half of battery charge rarely gets you as far as the first half. And batteries have an optimum temperature and have fewer watt hours to give at substantially higher or lower temperatures. So there are ways even a conscientious person who is paying attention can get sucked in and screwed over.

I'd say that on the average that normal cyclists who ride in such areas have far higher levels of self-sufficiency, fitness, and outdoor skills than electric bikers as a population. So on the average they are less likely to get in deep yogurt and when they do are more likely to be able to self-rescue.

You should also keep in mind that even with gadgetry like an inreach or a satellite-capable phone you might be waiting a long time for rescue. Depending on your situation that rescue might come far too late. And in certain types of terrain satellite communications (or GPS) is unlikely to help you very much, at least not without a lot of effort that you might not be able to give by the time you decide it is an emergency.

I can't overemphasize that you don't solve these problems by purchasing or carrying more gadgetry. You need to develop actual skills. And people who don't have them or know just enough to get themselves killed wildly overestimate their proficiency. You can't learn this stuff from reading a book or browsing websites. It requires hands-on learning from people who know what's what and hard-won experience suffering outside. The lightest and most reliable help you will have is carried between your ears.

If she would have been out there in August rather than November she would have very likely died.

 

[dblhelix]

Something I've always worried about:

Woman stranded for 30 hours in desert after e-bike stops working on remote trail | OutThere Colorado

In a statement that's sure to stir a bit of conversation among America's cycling community, Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park wrote "E-bikes may sound like a good idea

denvergazette.com

Not familiar with this park, but the mountain west is tough for ebikes, generally speaking. I have found myself in situations without services (not even water) for up to 140 miles. I'm not going to criticize this rider for running out of battery. You learn the hard way about what can happen with detours, etc. I've always had backup in the form of extra battery and solar charging, which, in worst case scenario, would have put me on long pause while waiting. I don't think water/issues are e-bike-specific, either. Thoughts?

Update!

I went to look for more detail. She did not run out of battery. She took a wrong turn and flatted. She initially abandoned the bike, but after going around in circles, decided to push the bike and made it to a ranger station. Not likely an ebike -- I wonder if Debra Staples is even aware she's the poster child for running out of battery in wrong places?

Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park claim e-biker stranded in the desert for 30 hours after battery dies

According to a Facebook post from the Friends of Big Bend Ranch State Park, an e-biker was stranded deep in the Chihuahuan desert for 30 hours after her e-bike battery died.

www.singletracks.com

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Public Service Announcement

Deserts have lots of sharp pointy things that cause flat tires. If you have any brains at all you will know how to fix a flat if you are riding your bicycle there.

Even if you run tubeless, use self-sealing tubes, have puncture-resistant tires, or "never get flat tires" you still need to know how to fix a flat tire. And you should also be prepared for catastrophic failures such as sidewall tears, which can and do happen even to the stoutest tires.

Remember, in the desert if you lose your way you can lose your life.

So please, do everyone and yourself a favor. If you can't fix punctures on your bike, stick to paved bike paths within easy walking distance of your home.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I don't think you'd get that attitude if you'd suffered a mechanical failure on a non-e bike. Running out of battery makes you look foolish and subjects you to shaming.

Responding to @Stefan Mikes

Just to answer how an e-biker like myself plans an e-bike trip:

• Determine the wind direction. If riding into the headwind, prepare to return when the battery level has dropped to 55%. If riding with the tailwind, start returning earlier (or possibly reduce the assistance) <-- if this is a loop ride. The wind direction is critical if you are riding from A to B.
• Take necessary tools: spare inner tubes, tyre levers, pump, chain tool, a spare quick-link or chain pins, a multitool
• Take a small first aid kit. (I don't need to say anything about taking water and snacks?)
• Use a good GPS navigation
• If only possible, never ride off-road alone.

 

[Jim1348]

You should also keep in mind that even with gadgetry like an inreach or a satellite-capable phone you might be waiting a long time for rescue. Depending on your situation that rescue might come far too late. And in certain types of terrain satellite communications (or GPS) is unlikely to help you very much, at least not without a lot of effort that you might not be able to give by the time you decide it is an emergency.

I can't overemphasize that you don't solve these problems by purchasing or carrying more gadgetry. You need to develop actual skills. And people who don't have them or know just enough to get themselves killed wildly overestimate their proficiency. You can't learn this stuff from reading a book or browsing websites. It requires hands-on learning from people who know what's what and hard-won experience suffering outside. The lightest and most reliable help you will have is carried between your ears.

My wife and I are also ATV/UTVers, in addition to e-bike riders. One of the things different for us ATV/UTVing vs e-biking is most of our ATV/UTV rides are group rides. The groups aren't always huge. Sometimes there might be only three or four others. I think there can be safety in numbers.

We did have a couple on one of our rides roll their machine a year of so ago. Fortunately, we had cellular coverage are my wife was able to call the Saint Louis County MN 911 PSAP. We could have just as easily not had coverage as remote as we were. I am looking forward to T-Mobile and others having Direct-To-Cell satellite coverage.

As far as EMS skills, I am a trained EMR First Responder. We were able to get both victims out of there UTV, even though it was on its side. I knew that they needed to be transported to a hospital emergency department because the treatment required was beyond my capabilities.

We can, and have, repaired tires on the trail. We have certainly towed others out of getting stuck and been towed out ourselves.

Communications and navigation are very important, but both do have shortcomings. It is easy to make a mistake while navigating a trail and end up somewhere you didn't intend. It is easy to get somewhere that has neither terrestrial or satellite phone coverage.

 

[Jim1348]

Just to answer how an e-biker like myself plans an e-bike trip:

• Determine the wind direction. If riding into the headwind, prepare to return when the battery level has dropped to 55%. If riding with the tailwind, start returning earlier (or possibly reduce the assistance) <-- if this is a loop ride. The wind direction is critical if you are riding from A to B.
• Take necessary tools: spare inner tubes, tyre levers, pump, chain tool, a spare quick-link or chain pins, a multitool
• Take a small first aid kit. (I don't need to say anything about taking water and snacks?)
• Use a good GPS navigation
• If only possible, never ride off-road alone.

Great points.

I have two batteries for my fat tire Rambo ebike. If I am on an "out and back" ride, I pretty much make sure that whenever the first battery is depleted, plan on riding home after switching batteries.

And, yes, wind direction can make a difference. I have had it happen where the first battery took me 28 miles east, but with the wind on the return trip, the second battery started losing power quicker westbound due to the wind.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

And, yes, wind direction can make a difference. I have had it happen where the first battery took me 28 miles east, but with the wind on the return trip, the second battery started losing power quicker westbound due to the wind.

We had a renowned Forum member David Berry in the past. He was riding rather civilised areas of Australia everyday but it was usually a metric century or more. One day, he set off for a really long ride and happily "sailed" with the tailwind. When he was about to turn, he discovered the Range dropped beyond the possibility to return on the battery because of headwind! David took a train back home; he wouldn't be able to make it if his ride were in the outback...

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Just to answer how an e-biker like myself plans an e-bike trip:

• Determine the wind direction. If riding into the headwind, prepare to return when the battery level has dropped to 55%. If riding with the tailwind, start returning earlier (or possibly reduce the assistance) <-- if this is a loop ride. The wind direction is critical if you are riding from A to B.
• Take necessary tools: spare inner tubes, tyre levers, pump, chain tool, a spare quick-link or chain pins, a multitool
• Take a small first aid kit. (I don't need to say anything about taking water and snacks?)
• Use a good GPS navigation
• If only possible, never ride off-road alone.

That's all great, except:

1. Winds shift direction. Especially in the event of unexpected weather.
2. What "adequate" and "necessary" tools are largely depends on the type of trip, its length, and availability of outside support.
3. A first aid kit is of limited value in a medical emergency without first aid training. Most people are overoptimistic about their ability to effectively deal with a medical emergency. Where "most" means "nearly all".
4. What is "adequate" water for a long day's gravel ride in Poland probably will kill you riding in the deserts of the American Southwest.
5. You also need to know how to use your GPS and be aware of the limitations where it might not work. Where I live you often get very poor GPS fixes in heavy timber or deep canyons that run East-West. And there are a lot of deep EW canyons and heavy timber. And nearly all GPS and mapping products have areas where the maps are profoundly inadequate. Chances are one day you will find yourself lost in one of those places.
6. Not only don't ride off-road alone, but be damned careful to not get separated from your partners.
7. It is very easy when riding downhill to make spectacular routefinding errors and get separated from your crew. Especially long downhills at the end of the day when everyone is tired.

You can't really have a perfect plan. What you can have is a combination of good judgement, common sense, and flexibility that lets you overcome problems when you can and know when to call it a day and go home early. And a lot of (really most) wilderness emergencies don't happen because of one big catastrophe, but rather a series of small mishaps that snowball slowly into an emergency. You oversleep and start late. You have a small mechanical that delays you even further but you still are on the ride. Then the weather shifts against you slows you down. You are impatient and in a hurry and make a routefinding error, possibly because you were trying to take a shortcut back to your car. With little mishaps like that your day ride can turn into a Jack London story pretty quick.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

As much as I agree with you @Mr. Coffee (you have brought the level up to Advanced), I do not think the girl in question had even a clue what she was doing. A flat stopping her in the desert for thirty hours?!

I insist the first aid kit is a must. You crashed, the blood is spilling and you have nothing to help yourself? Unwise.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

As much as I agree with you @Mr. Coffee (you have brought the level up to Advanced), I do not think the girl in question had even a clue what she was doing. A flat stopping her in the desert for thirty hours?!

I insist the first aid kit is a must. You crashed, the blood is spilling and you have nothing to help yourself? Unwise.

It was a routefinding error, riding alone, probably being in a hurry to catch up to her husband, and a flat tire. Small mishaps snowballed into thirty hours. If any one of those things didn't happen it probably would have been a non-story.

Yes, you need a first aid kit. But you need the training too otherwise it doesn't help you much. In the case of your hypothetical crash and bleeding, if it is a very serious bleed it is doubtful you will remain conscious long enough to unpack the first aid kit and treat yourself. Most first aid kits and first aid training assume that you are providing care in advance of emergency services that will be arriving very soon, probably tens of minutes at most. It means something very different to be dealing with a serious medical emergency when the response is going to be in hours or even days.

Most compact first aid kits aren't a great fit for a cycling accident anyway. Bluntly most compact first aid kits are a joke for any kind of serious medical emergency.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It is clear to me Staples didn't have a GPS bike computer with her. A suicidal lack.

A GPS bike computer is an autonomous device, has a long battery life, doesn't need a network coverage, and the satellites are certainly available in the desert.

 

[6zfshdb]

It is easy to get somewhere that has neither terrestrial or satellite phone coverage.

This is true for cell phones since the satellites they use are low earth orbit. Signals often can't reach into deep river valleys and rugged mountainous terrain. True satellite communicators, like those made by Garmin, use the high earth orbit Iridium satellite network which provides near perfect global coverage.

I've been using Garmin's InReach for 3 years now and have never lost coverage, even in the deepest remote river valleys. I also have an iPhone 16 Pro with Verizon's satellite link. I've just begun to compare the two services and so far, I'm not impressed with the cell / satellite service.

Yeah, there's a monthly fee with InReach, whereas the cellular satellite service is free with many plans. I pay $16/mo through Garmin and considering where I sometimes ride, it's well worth the price for the peace of mind.

 

[Drbike]

Unless I missed this: she was trying to catch up to her husband, missed a turn and got a flat. Where was hubby for 30 hours? She HAD a bike buddy and was abandoned. This whole incident seems suspicious.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Unless I missed this: she was trying to catch up to her husband, missed a turn and got a flat. Where was hubby for 30 hours? She HAD a bike buddy and was abandoned. This whole incident seems suspiciou.

Good point if hubby actually knew of her later decision to follow him, but sounds like he may well not have. And we have no info on what he did when he returned to find his wife gone.