An open letter
Greg “TB” Yager of Old Bulls and Steve “Wolfman” Smith of Adventure Moto have formed RideADV.com.au to run a series of Adventure Navigation Rides. We have been asked by some of our past NAV ride customers, “Why are we now having to pay for rides?” The answer is of course…
“YOU DON’T!”
As always the choice is yours but here are a few good reasons why we are now charging a modest fee for the services we wish to provide the ADV riding community in 2014…
– BEST RIDING PRACTICE! To put together any ride takes time and commitment. Usually we do 3-4 pre runs to set a route that everyone can do safely (or as safe as we can make it) and that takes time, fuel and wear and tear on man and machine. In fact it normally costs a minimum of $300 dollars per person (2 days, 3 tanks of fuel, accommodation and food). It’s all good, we are doing what we love but unlike throwing a ride together for a couple of mates where we have no idea what is in front of us, we take on the responsibility of ensuring the route we end up with is safe yet challenging and it has to be done to provide the best riding off road we can provide. So far we have some fantastic feedback on our routes and we need to put in the effort to keep this up.
– SUPPORT! On every ride we try to have at least two support vehicles. So far on nearly every ride we have conducted, we have picked up bikes that have had mechanical issues, or riders that have needed medical attention. On a ride thrown together with your mates, this would normally be the end of the ride for everyone. By having a supported ride we can ensure that the ride goes on for the majority while giving the absolute best care and attention to those needing support. Each car requires fuel, every driver needs accommodation and they give up their weekend for all of us. What is the cost of that?
– TEAM EFFORT! Also on every ride, apart from the pre running, we have lead riders and sweep riders. These guys whilst also loving every minute of what they are doing, it is a huge responsibility we put on our lead and sweep riders. But without them the rides would not happen the way they do. So we want to support the riders that support us, not only with good will, a pat on the back but by taking care of incidentals like fuel and accommodation. These guys are there for you. They are the guys you depend on to keep the ride going and get you safely to the end of the trail. They take the worry and stress away and will even help you get your bike out of a bog, over a creek, or up that snotty hill. They are the guys that sit with you when you or your bike is broken and can go no further. They are the guys that will get you home at the end of the day.
– INSURANCE! We have had to take insurance out to cover ourselves. Not everyone in this crazy world wants to take responsibility for his or herself. So while you agree if you are on our ride to be responsible and ride a registered bike and be aware and take care; and we agree to make the ride eventful and accessible, challenging but as safe as possible… “SHIT HAPPENS” and we need to have some protection so we can feel safe in offering you the best Adventure rides we can come up with. We hope that you all know what you are doing is crazy… “Strapping a container of fuel on a motor with wheels and sitting on it and riding cross-country to seek adventure”. But we also know that one-day, someone with a lesser understanding than you will want to blame us when something stupid happens. Insurance is a necessary evil.
– ADVENTURE RIDER TRAINING! While we know that many of our participant riders are skilled. There are others amongst you who feel they could get some dedicated Dual Sport or Off-road rider training to enable them to participate and enjoy the sport at a higher level. No matter your level of experience you can always brush up or learn from the experts. Along with our 2014 ride series; we will be introducing some rider training workshops with some of Australia’s best known Off-road and Dual Sport riders and qualified rider trainers.
– INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION! So what we do promise is to keep the cost to the absolute minimum. So far we are looking around $60-$65/day and with our first ride for 2014 in Febuary with an introductory rate of $50/day. If you compare that in the market place it is well below the normally charged rate for an unsupported commercial ride. In fact it is actually around half of the rate charged for the same service by some operators… Well maybe not exactly the same service because we provide sweeps and support vehicles where some don’t. You will also get access to some great “ADVocate” deals from our growing number of sponsors by being a rideADV.com.au supporter. In fact we think you will be far better off in the long run when you get on board and join us on our first ride in February 2014. Look forward to deals being offered by our Industry partners and reward rides for those of you who participate regularly on our rides.
So we hope to see many of you on the rideADV.com.au website and joining us in 2014. The rides will be spectacular and eventful. Remember, you don’t have to pay for rides. We are just offering a value for money service where the planning, worry and stress have been taken out of the equation and the support and camaraderie have been added in. Remember, it is Your Ride and Your Adventure! Stay Safe
Greg Yager and Stephen Smith
——h—— wrote:sounds fair to me
