Puzzling over Risk, Safety, and Economics
After several years of thinking about the wisdom of having a reliable way to reach out in case of emergency I made a purchase. The question turned over in my head for a couple years is do I really need a Garmin InReach Mini 2? While I don’t normally ride alone in places without cell coverage it happens often enough that I kept thinking about the risk I was taking should something bad happen. A crash that left me unable to ride, another heart attack, running off the road and down an embankment where it might be a long time before anyone found me.
There are plenty of reasons why I should have one. Those reasons are piled against the cost of the unit and the ongoing monthly subscription expense. Not long ago I talked with my motorcycle riding cardiologist about the risks and he felt it was a good idea. Not so much for heart attacks but for an unfortunate incident that would take me off the trail and into a place no one would find me.
Still, the cost seemed excessive. And some lingering butch attitude made me seem weak if I bought one. After some honest reflection I determined two things. First, the cost isn’t something that I have to factor into my decision. All I had to think about is whether I wished I had one if I found myself somewhere without cell coverage, alone, injured, or with the bike broken down.
The answer was yes.
Immediately after making the purchase and subscribing to the $8 a month ENABLE plan it felt right.
Now on to the next safety item — a Helite Turtle 2 Airbag…
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Good move! Smart move! I was always puzzled as to why a man with 5 motorcycles (do I really need 5 motorcycles?) didn’t feel the need for one Garmin inReach (do I really need a Garmin inReach?). There are so many things we purchase that we may never use – insurance comes to mind the quickest – so I am glad your cardiologist gave you good advice. Ride On!
I can be surprisingly resistant to good advice. Especially when it involves making changes. I was on the fence about the InReach device for a long time. As soon as I made the purchase I knew it was the right choice. Any concerns about costs just vanished.
Now on to the next mental wrestling match — an airbag.
If it helps you ride without angst then cost is irrelevant. Angst is a major buzzkill and prevents riding.
The funny thing is I didn’t have much angst about not having one. In this case it was a more intellectual exercise looking at the realities of life. Kind of like life insurance was years ago. I wasn’t worried about dying. But it was prudent to protect the ones I love in case something bad happened.
Good decision… and perhaps your wife is also more comfortable knowing she can locate you😊if you aren’t home as expected or you’ve triggered an SOS.
She’s glad I have it for sure. Now I have to figure out the tracking feature. I just was interested in using it for the emergency feature.
Back when I was doing the more technical type of trail riding, I found myself briefly trapped under my motorcycle….I did manage to work my way free but shortly thereafter a InReach Mini was part of my riding arsenal. Mine eventually died from a swollen lithium battery and I not replaced it though. Then again, the days of the really technical (I really shouldn’t be on this trail) riding are over for me .
So, good investment!
I’ve never done the kind of technical riding you have but I can imagine the Himalayan on top of me. My bigger concern is some miscalculation that sends me off the road and down an embankment, disappearing in the plant cover. That was the concern my cardiologist expressed for both me and him. Not riding alone solves a lot of that but I know I will likely continue to ride alone.
I feel it is a reasonable expense. And there are plenty of paved places with no cell coverage and little traffic as well. I feel better with the InReach Mini on my arm.
Your safety is what is most important.
It is high up on my riding list Karl.