Return From Alaska
An 8-Day Alaska Motorcycle Trip
I just returned from an 8-day motorcycle trip in Alaska. It was a ride into the interior of Alaska, riding dual-sport motorcycles that are good for both on-road and off-road riding. I had done some off-road motorcycling when I was younger, but it had been several years since I had done any extensive riding. My brother-in-law had done a similar trip to Alaska, and he had nothing but good things to say. With his endorsement, I made my tour reservation and left for Alaska on August 20th. The adventure was set to begin.
I had never been to Alaska and one thing I can emphasize is that Alaska is BIG! You can fit California, Texas, and Montana into the landmass of Alaska. Due to its size and untapped interior, it’s still a rugged frontier. The ride was called the Northern Lights Tour, and the promise was to ride into the interior and experience the vast grandeur of the place.
The Challenge
As there weren’t many paved roads where we were going, there was about a 50/50 split between riding on paved highways and unpaved dirt roads. As we left Anchorage on day 1, we went due north. What I hadn’t anticipated was the variation in weather. Over the course of the ride, we encountered rain, fog, strong crosswinds, and even snow. That is where my inexperience started to expose itself. Because it was a scheduled 8-day ride, you didn’t stop due to weather. You gear up and ride through it!
I was in a group of 10 riders, and all of them had more experience than I did. I learned first-hand that a dirt road during a rainstorm becomes a muddy and slick surface that experienced riders know how to negotiate. I had an accelerated learning curve because there was no going back. There were several “white-knuckle” rides over the course of the 8-day trip. I had to keep the motorcycle upright in all weather conditions and keep going. I dumped the bike twice.
What was humbling about this was that the other riders could see my inexperience. With that said, I also got to see the support that came from the group I was riding with. In both cases, when I dropped the motorcycle, within 10 seconds, other riders were there to help me get the bike back up again. There were no judgments – they had all done the same thing earlier in their own riding careers. They just wanted to make sure that I was OK. This was a community that shared a passion for motorcycle touring!
When we did have some stretches of paved highway, the experienced riders knew how to ride in wet conditions and safely maneuver wet roads. They had no issue getting to 75 and 80 miles an hour. That opportunity, combined with some dramatic scenery, is why they were there. I asked one of the more experienced riders what was the “secret” to riding faster. Without hesitation, he said there was no secret. It just comes with time in “the saddle!”. He said if I didn’t feel comfortable at some speed that I should just slow down. He told me not to rush but to ride within my ability. There was no rush – everyone would patiently wait for me and enjoy the scenery during that informal break.
The Return
I’m back home now and still “vibrating” from the trip. It was challenging, but there was a sense of excitement and anticipation every day of the ride. After reading my experience above, you may be wondering why I chose to go on this trip. Simply, it was a breakthrough moment and experience for me.
Takeaways
After coming home, I am now thinking about another ride and where I want to go next. I’m going to dinner with my brother-in-law, a very experienced rider, and we are looking at a ride next year in Europe. I want to include my wife and son in the next trip so this can be a family affair. My son also rides a motorcycle, so he will be joining us in our next adventure. Before I do another ride like this, I do plan to complete a riding course so that I can approach the next trip with more experience. That is on my immediate agenda!
I have previously written some past blog postings regarding transition and exit planning for contractors. As I am in my sixties, I am in a similar place in my own life! With my consulting business, I got into transition planning because very few contractors proactively design their business transition and exit. Many will close their doors, leaving years of goodwill, loyal employees, and trade-contractor and supplier relationships to just disappear. It doesn’t need to happen like this, but a good transition plan can take years to plan and implement.
In line with this, any business transition can be a challenge. In a recent online article from 3C Strategic Advisors in Scottsdale, AZ, they highlight the 3 key reasons that owners regret selling their company:
1: Loss of identity
2: A change in lifestyle
3: No clear vision for what is next
When you have raised a company from infancy, and you have nurtured that growth for 15, 20, and 25 years, what comes next? You can’t work forever! The real job of a successful business owners is to remove themselves from day-to-day operations so that the company can run without them. This takes time, but when done successfully, you can build a transferable asset creating a financial payoff for you and a solid business opportunity for the new owner, who may be a past employee. And you don’t have to sell the business. You can also take on the role of a strategic advisor working 10 to 15 hours a week where your company continues to reward your experience and guidance.
Let me come full circle back to Alaska. Much to my surprise, I found that renewed passion for growth and experience on a motorcycle trip to Alaska. Not in construction, but is an experience that will continue to challenge me. I will continue to do my consulting work, but a challenging motorcycle ride once or twice a year will keep me sharp and keep things interesting.
This was a breakthrough experience for me. A recharge! It was uncomfortable but worthwhile. Even in this busy marketplace, I would encourage you to do the same. What have you put off due to work? What activity excites you when you think about doing it? If I can assist you with this personal evaluation, contact me at david@remodelforce.com. Life is short - if not now, when?