Falling Asleep While Riding?

[Wheels Rollin']

Twice today, I received e-mails from riding friends mentioning acquaintances of theirs who’d fallen asleep while on their bikes <>… One instance was a low-speed, 500-miles-into-a-500-mile-day tip over at 2-3 miles per hour with little physical damage to the bike or its 38 year-old rider… The other, however, was a highway-speed, off-road excursion in the middle of the day on a long, straight road, approximately 180 miles into what was planned to be a 250 mile trip… That one resulted in a fatality… Additional details remain sketchy at this point, as is usually the case so soon after an accident, but it sure brought me to a new level of understanding regarding impairment and its varied, ‘better-pay-attention-or-I’ll-bite-you-someplace-it-hurts’ effects upon us -- some of those effects… well, let’s just say… decidedly <> unpleasant…

 

Like many here and elsewhere, I’ll candidly admit, though with some discomfort and embarrassment, to riding at times when… well… I wasn’t exactly 100% mentally, physically and/or emotionally, the effects of a poor night’s sleep, demands of a way-too-busy life, and goodness knows what else flowing through my body and mind, combining to steadily dull my already dulling senses… Still, from somewhere within came the energy, fortitude, and the heretofore unknown, wherewithal not to push myself into areas with which I was not comfortable nor cognizant… I was probably more lucky than I deserved to be in arriving at my destination in one piece… Ya' know? What brutal mental games we can play with ourselves <>… Perhaps my judgment was also clouded to the point I could talk myself into anything -- to keep going, pushing beyond my untested limits and into the great unknown…

 

Anyway, that got me thinking a bit more about this… Has anyone here have any experiences with falling asleep while riding (as a rider and not as pillion) -- or know of any others? I wonder -- is this more widespread than discussed and/or reported?

 

Just curious…

 

~ Bill

 

[DaveTheAffable]

I fell asleep (nodded off?) once about 15 years ago on the pomona fwy, while on a FJ1200. I was in the number one lane, and woke up after hitting the second set of bot-dots as I crossed into the number three lane. Scared me. Badly. Never again.

 

I know that many people approach their riding with great care and safety, but I must confess I worry for SOME of my motorcycling community friends when I hear their ride reports when they are doing distance/duration contests and I hear something like, "I drove all night, I didn't get any rest, I was cold, I was tired, I drank Red Bull, I pushed on..".

 

Allow me to make it clear. I'm not passing judgement. I admire the accomplishment. But, I worry for their safety.

[Wheels Rollin']

I know that many people approach their riding with great care and safety, but I must confess I worry for SOME of my motorcycling community friends when I hear their ride reports when they are doing distance/duration contests and I hear something like, "I drove all night, I didn't get any rest, I was cold, I was tired, I drank Red Bull, I pushed on..".

 

Allow me to make it clear. I'm not passing judgement. I admire the accomplishment. But, I worry for their safety.

 

I share your sentiment, Dave... In many ways, I understand, as an impairment, fatigue is equivalent to driving|riding drunk, something researchers have apparently concluded in studying the driving and scheduling habits of long-distance truckers... There may be some lessons in that for those of us that ride... It seems like a couple of times a month, I'll receive a DPS accident report detailing the misfortunes of a fatigued driver crossing a median, perhaps coming into contact with other vehicles and perhaps not, and more often than not, overturning their vehicle or wrapping themselves around a bridge support...

 

~ Bill

[Quinn]

Let me know how you determined that the person who died had fallen asleep.

 

 

[MotorinLA]

When you commute on a bike there is always the chance that you may ride while tired. Although most, if not all, will agree that this is not the optimal riding condition, sometimes you may not have a lot of choice. I've found that taking a short nap will generally give me enough of a rest to make it the 40-50 miles I've got left to go to get home. Now, there are obviously some areas where taking a nap on your bike might be just as dangerous as falling asleep while riding. However, I've found that if I can find a safe place to rest my head for 15-20 minutes it allows me enough recuperation to continue on safely.

 

Just my $0.02.

[MadDuck]

If you find yourself falling asleep while riding, get a physician to order a sleep study. Sleep apnea is a not something to ignore. Ride with someone at least. Had a friend that we would have to shake awake every once in awhile. Thought it was overwork, we were wrong and the sleep study found a solution, his whole life changed for the better.

[frogger]

This was a problem I had for years, limited my riding time until June 22nd. On June 2nd I had a sleep study at a local clinic, turns out that I stopped breathing an average of 56 times an hour throughout the night. I was so bad that I actually thought I was awake when I was sleeping due to the number of times I would stop breathing and wake up each hour. These wake ups are so short you don't remember them according to my doctor, your brain does not have enough time to register them. So on June 22nd I received a new Constant Air Pressure System, this device blows a steady stream of heated, humidified air through your windpipe while you sleep allowing you to breathe normally. The first night I used it I slept for 6 hours. Everyday it just gets better since I am no longer a walking zombie. By the way I was so bad I would fall asleep just about anywhere within seconds of stopping activity, this includes while waiting for traffic lights. Now I feel much more alert and have yet to fall asleep during my day.

 

Done posting now, I need to put the new machine to work and get some sleep.

[Jimbo RT]

It was my first trip to Daytona. I couldn't sleep the night before, so excited about the trip. We left Richmond, Virginia at 6:00 am, wanting to make the 700 miles in one day. It was real cold when we left and I had full leathers and a full face helmet on when we departed. By the time we got down to North Carolina, the sun was getting higher in the sky and temps were going up. My leather was getting toasty and warm. The Electra-Glide purred down the road.

 

On a long straight stretch of I-95, I went to sleep riding in a group, at about 75 miles an hour. I drifted from the left lane and over the shoulder. I was completely off the road when I was awakened by the rough terrain and gravel. Still up right and cruising, I instinctually jerked the bike back onto the highway with my adrenalin at full capacity.

 

I was shocked, scared out of my mind. i couldn't believe I was still alive. Not only did it scare me, but it totally scared the hell out of everyone I was riding with. My riding partners thought for sure I was gone. The fright of it kept me wide awake to whole rest of the trip.

 

It's never happened again, and now I stop and sleep whenever I need to. I've gotten a motel room from 2pm to 4pm, just so I could rest up and continue on safely.

 

I have gone down before at speed, as many of us have. And all I can say is, I want to avoid that at all costs. Motorcycle riding is a lot of fun, but it is also very serious business. May all of our miles be safe ones.

[jjg3]

My first long distance trip was from Dallas, TX to Rochester, MN on a 67 BSA 650. Being in high school at the time, I was invincible (ask any 17 year old if there's anything they can't do). Several hours into the trip I woke up riding in the gravel next to the slow lane of I35 somewhere in KS. I guess a teenager, however invincible, can sleep anywhere (even on a Brit twin at highway speed).

 

Don't remember all the details, I've aged since, but maybe have not gotten just a whole lot smarter.

 

I commute everyday, but commuting is just not the same as a long ride for me. I do a somewhat long ride (long for me, maybe not so for others) maybe once a year or so. Usually I'll get a bit tired after lunch on the first day, sort of getting my 'riding legs' back, as it were. At that time of day the sun in my face, while not blinding, certainly doesn't help. But it seems after that one period, on that one day, I'm good for the rest of the trip. I just have to get re-acclimated to sitting in the saddle for hours and days. On my first IBA ride some years ago I discovered this phenomenon and have since been able to account for it. Not being prepared the first time, I got really drowsy but not smart enough to pull over, just toughed through it. Being more lucky than I deserve (many times over) I would suggest after the first yawn, regardless the time, find a place to take a break while you're able.

[Francois_Dumas]

Human beings are weird !! One falls asleep every 5 minutes....... and I usually sleep no more than 5 hours or so and am wide awake at all times, even if I don't want to! Nina dozes off on the back of the bike and wants to go to bed at 9 pm already........ Go figure !

[Marek]

When you get to the point that you fight to keep your eyes open the only thing to do it to pull over and close your eyes for a few minutes. 10 minute nap will change everything and possibly save your life.

 

Mark

[John, Northeast Florida]

I recently completed a long trip and seems I was fighting sleep on the Interstates quite a few times. I almost had a major accident, because foolishly, I kept on going. Some things I have learned tho', and I pass them along FWIW, the obvious is duhhh, get some sleep. But, here are some tips that seem to work for me:

1. Do not fix your eyes. You should be scanning anyways, but overtly OVERSCAN.

2. Deep breathing helps [me] somewhat. Conscious, deep-breathing exercises, frequently.

3. Standing up on the pegs (looks weird to drivers) getting your head into the air flow. Flip up your visor.

4. Almost have a major accident, that gets the adrenaline flowing and sleep is no longer an issue. THIS WAS MEANT AS SARCASTIC HUMOR!

[Jimbo RT]

I can attest to Number 4!

[roadscholar]

I've found that chewing gum combats drowsiness, which usually sets in about an hour after a big fat lunch on a hot sunny day. The only problem is some helmets (Arai) squeeze your cheeks enough to make you bite yourself (there is no pun involved here), that'll certainly keep you awake.

 

As others have indicated, the safe and best answer is to stop and rest.

[F_Magna]

1. Do not fix your eyes. You should be scanning anyways, but overtly OVERSCAN.

2. Deep breathing helps [me] somewhat. Conscious, deep-breathing exercises, frequently.

3. Standing up on the pegs (looks weird to drivers) getting your head into the air flow. Flip up your visor.

4. Almost have a major accident, that gets the adrenaline flowing and sleep is no longer an issue. THIS WAS MEANT AS SARCASTIC HUMOR!

 

If you're at the stages 1 to 3 then 4 will follow in pretty short order!

Chris

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Has anyone here have any experiences with falling asleep while riding (as a rider and not as pillion) -- or know of any others? I wonder -- is this more widespread than discussed and/or reported?

 

I've had incidents in the past, but I've gotten smarter about it in recent years. I used to try to push through it, but after a couple of close calls, I now make it a point to stop and either rest or pop some kind of caffeine. Which option I choose depends on my condition.

 

If you can find a wayside or rest area along your route, the "Ironbutt Motel" is a viable option. Full riding gear and a helmet/earplugs makes lying down on a picnic table surprisingly comfortable and quiet, and I've done this on more than one occasion.

 

Some people seem to feel that caffeine is the antichrist. Although I wouldn't make a habit of relying on it to combat a serious/continuing sleep deficit, I have no problem with using it to stave off afternoon highway sleepiness. FWIW, I prefer Vivarin to coffee, since it results in fewer bathroom stops.

 

Stressed-out people have trouble falling asleep at night because they are unconsciously tensing their muscles, and there have been occasions when I've caught myself in this state, forced myself to relax my whole body, and been able to fall asleep. WELL, if at some point while riding you realize you are unacceptable drowsy, you can use this phenomenon to your advantage. Tense up your muscles, and you will receive an immediate boost in your level of alertness. Squeeze the grips, hug the bike with your legs, grit your teeth, tense up your abs/legs/arms like you're posing at Muscle Beach. This can help you make it to the next reasonable stopping opportunity.

[blackyam]

When you get to the point that you fight to keep your eyes open the only thing to do it to pull over and close your eyes for a few minutes. 10 minute nap will change everything and possibly save your life.

 

Mark

 

The "Think! Road Safety" campaign offers some advice and tips for driver tiredness. One of them is "if you start to feel sleepy, find a safe place to stop - not the hardshoulder. Drink two cups of coffee or a high-caffeine drink and have a rest for 10 to 15 minutes to allow time for the caffeine to kick in." But it also cautions, "Remember, the only real cure for sleepiness is proper sleep. A caffeine drink and a 20 minute nap is a short-term solution that will only allow you to keep driving for a short time."

 

[John, Northeast Florida]

During this 6000 mile recent odyssey, I was amazed at the number of signs in one particular state UTAH, that warns of drowsiness/pull over stop, signs. From Vegas, to Logan, UT, to SLC there were signs all over. I have traveled all of the states, not all recently, but the 20 or so we recently hit, UT was the only one warning of drowsiness. Found it interesting!

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Funny thing about caffeine, it will leave you lower than before when it wears off.

 

The British navy did a study way the heck back in WW1 on what it took to keep sailors and soldiers awake the longest and at the maximum level of alert.

 

They used 3 substances.

A shot of whiskey.

A cup of tea.

A cup of soup.

 

Whiskey brought the subjects to maximum alert the fastest but when its effects were the shortest lasting and left the subject in by far the worst shape when it wore off in about 1/2-1 hour.

 

Tea was next, a little slower to bring them up, lasted a bit longer (about 1.5 hrs) but still left the subjects worse off when it did wear off.

 

Soup was the slowest to act but lasted far longer and didn't have much in the way of after effects.

 

Lesson? Grab a cup-o-soup instead of the coffee and give it a good 1/2 hour to kick in. A glass of milk to go with probably wouldn't hurt either. Hydration and a bit of easily digested sugars or near sugars to help the soup kick in.

 

I normally don't fight this much till about the 12th hour of riding, by which time it is starting to get dark. Dark gets to me but sometimes I do need that extra hour to make my destination.

[Ken H.]

Let me know how you determined that the person who died had fallen asleep.

That's kind of what I was wondering...

[Stan Walker]

I'm wondering where bmweerman is. He should be able to provide some insights on this topic.......

 

here bmweerman, here bmweerman

 

Stan

[Wheels Rollin']

Let me know how you determined that the person who died had fallen asleep.

That's kind of what I was wondering...

 

I passed that question along to my correspondent... An initial reply? The 'asleep' conclusion was reached by the LEO and EMT on site, though the family has requested an autopsy... The individual was, to their understanding '... in excellent health...' and had just passed a complete physical '... with flying colors...' according to what I was told... He was also something of a self-proclaimed 'health nut'... No one was aware of any abnormal stresses or strains in his life, and, as I was also told, he was in the middle of a two-week vacation... Go figure?

 

No conclusions from me -- just reporting what I heard...

 

~ Bill

[Quinn]

I'm sorry, it just reminded me of the story we all heard as kids. If you dream of falling and don't wake up before you hit, then you'll die.

 

 

[gottabmw]

I admire the accomplishment.

I don't. I don't get the iron butt people. To me, there is no rational reason to ride from coast to coast in under 50 hours, for example. What is the point? Is it really a good idea? Self congratulations? And who cares?

[Ridz_A_Lot]

Last year, while riding through Capital Reef Natl. Park, my riding partner fell asleep in front of me - crossed the road and hit the on coming lane shoulder kicking up rocks, dust, etc which woke him up. He was flapping around on the bike - amazing he kept it upright. He recovered but did some damage to the underside of his bike. He was only few feet away from a 20 - 30 foot drop-off... we were in the middle of no where.

 

We discussed it and both agreed that the cause was trying to tough it out so not to hold up the other riders.

 

Anyway, it helped to realize that if you are feeling like you are fighting sleep - stop and let everyone know. a short delay sure beats calling life flight.

[John, Northeast Florida]

Let me know how you determined that the person who died had fallen asleep.

That's kind of what I was wondering...

 

Perhaps witnesses and an autopsy ruling out other reasons e.g. stroke, heart attack, general health of individual. Tho' question indeed valid...why not bad judgment, technique, etc.

 

But, we've all [many of us] gone that extra mile to get home, or fight off the drowsiness. It's foolish and dangerous, but then again, riding a motorcycle ain't the safest activity either.

[dewtwo]

I don't. I don't get the iron butt people. To me, there is no rational reason to ride from coast to coast in under 50 hours, for example. What is the point? Is it really a good idea? Self congratulations? And who cares?

 

 

I don't get it, but there are a lot of things I don't get. I just accept that others have a different sense of adventure or desire and I go on. I am sure a sport bike rider that goes a short distance as fast as he/she can does not understand why we want to get on our bikes and ride to a rally 2,000 miles away.

 

As far as staying awake, I only experience this when I am on the back. Good hydration helps me stay alert.

[Couchrocket]

During this 6000 mile recent odyssey, I was amazed at the number of signs in one particular state UTAH, that warns of drowsiness/pull over stop, signs. From Vegas, to Logan, UT, to SLC there were signs all over. I have traveled all of the states, not all recently, but the 20 or so we recently hit, UT was the only one warning of drowsiness. Found it interesting!

 

There's a great "Mormon joke" in your post somewhere, me thinks.... (He says with great feelings of warmth for all his non-coffee-drinking LDS friends in Utah. You smiling, Doug?)

[DavidEBSmith]

I admire the accomplishment.

I don't. I don't get the iron butt people. To me, there is no rational reason to ride from coast to coast in under 50 hours, for example. What is the point? Is it really a good idea? Self congratulations? And who cares?

 

Riding a motorcycle isn't rational. Why ride a motorcycle when you can be perfectly safe and dry inside a nice car?

 

And why do people who profess not to care, care enough to write about how it just makes no sense to them, and why do people bother to do this thing that they just don't get?

 

I don't get why people spend a lot of money to spend four hours listening to an opera, but I really don't care that some people care, and I don't go around posting about those crazy opera lovers.

 

Some guy dropped dead the other day on the top of Denali. His goal was to climb the highest peak in every state. There's no rational reason to do that. If we start crossing off the things that there's no rational reason to do, other than the doing, we'll be living a very, very dull life.

[Green RT]

I find that there are two stages to falling asleep riding (unfortunately I have lots of experience at this). In the first stage I am not asleep but just in a kind of catatonic state where I am not very alert, and am in danger of falling asleep in an instant. In the second stage, I am asleep. The second stage never lasts for very long. Either the road surface change wakes you up before it is too late, or something wakes you up after it is too late.

 

My biggest problem is the first stage. At that point, I should clearly stop and get off the bike. The trouble is my mind is not thinking clearly and I think, incorrectly, that I can change my alertness by doing something different. In fact any change, and many have suggested things, only makes me more alert for a few minutes. If my mind was operating at full capacity I would realize how dangerous my situation is and stop. Sometimes I do, but many times I don't and continue long after I should have stopped. My brother stopped riding after he went off the road when he fell asleep. So far I have avoided any accidents related to falling asleep, but I have had innumerable close calls.

[John, Northeast Florida]

If rehabilitation is possible, well, this thread has rehabilitated me. I foolishly and erroneously thought I was the single person experiencing drowsiness on a cycle. I casually mentioned this drowsiness to a non-cyclist and their immediate response was something along the lines of, how the hell could you get sleepy on a motorcycle? I posted those items that 'seem' to help me...from now on it's going to be simple: STOP, nap, do something, anything, but get off the damn thing! And while there's little or no room for error in a 4-wheeled conveyance, there's absolutely NO room for error on a cycle. BTW, I did actually fall asleep for an instant, hit a stanchion (the skinny, stick-like ones) and it woke me up. Knocked it over, the adrenaline rush awakened me, but could have been disastrous. Thanks to all of you tha have contributed. Should I fall asleep I a motorcycle, I deserve the consequences!

[DaveTheAffable]

I admire the accomplishment.

I don't. I don't get the iron butt people. To me, there is no rational reason to ride from coast to coast in under 50 hours, for example. What is the point? Is it really a good idea? Self congratulations? And who cares?

Well, if you don't care, that's ok.

 

I will admit that although Iron Butt type accomplishments crossed my mind, they were not MY focus. I'm not about to paint a whole group of people with a broad brush. I try not to do it (paint with broad brush), and I bristle when others do it. I know there are riders who have rode sleepy for many reasons, and I confessed to having been one.

 

I fell asleep (nodded off?) once about 15 years ago on the pomona fwy, while on a FJ1200.

 

There are riders here in So California who say, "Hey, let's drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco tomorrow and have dinner at Fisherman's Wharf." It's something they like to do. There isn't a "rational" for that!

 

But, I would "worry for their safety" if one of them said, "I rode up to San Francisco after only 3 hours of sleep the night before."

 

My sense is that the first question you might ask would be, "What was your rational for doing that!?"

 

Mine would be, "I'm glad you're safe. How was dinner?"

[frogger]

I have found that I use my cruise control on the RT a lot less than I thought I would, need to have direct input on the throttle to keep from becoming to comfortable. Also agree that it is best to stop for a short or long nap depending on what you need.

[Slumgullion]

Great thread that I resemble way too often esp right after lunch. My remedy is an energy drink when I begin to get drowsey and it works in about 10 min. I used to drink the smallest Red Bull but now I almost fall asleep deciding which one to buy!

[greenchannel]

 

 

Its good to avoid driving while you are sleepy.

Keep someone with you while you are driving in the night.

Avoid continuous driving during night.

Try to keep good physical condition.

 

Inspire Internet Marketing

[bmweerman]

Twice today, I received e-mails from riding friends mentioning acquaintances of theirs who’d fallen asleep while on their bikes <>… One instance was a low-speed, 500-miles-into-a-500-mile-day tip over at 2-3 miles per hour with little physical damage to the bike or its 38 year-old rider… The other, however, was a highway-speed, off-road excursion in the middle of the day on a long, straight road, approximately 180 miles into what was planned to be a 250 mile trip… That one resulted in a fatality… Additional details remain sketchy at this point, as is usually the case so soon after an accident, but it sure brought me to a new level of understanding regarding impairment and its varied, ‘better-pay-attention-or-I’ll-bite-you-someplace-it-hurts’ effects upon us -- some of those effects… well, let’s just say… decidedly <> unpleasant…

 

Like many here and elsewhere, I’ll candidly admit, though with some discomfort and embarrassment, to riding at times when… well… I wasn’t exactly 100% mentally, physically and/or emotionally, the effects of a poor night’s sleep, demands of a way-too-busy life, and goodness knows what else flowing through my body and mind, combining to steadily dull my already dulling senses… Still, from somewhere within came the energy, fortitude, and the heretofore unknown, wherewithal not to push myself into areas with which I was not comfortable nor cognizant… I was probably more lucky than I deserved to be in arriving at my destination in one piece… Ya' know? What brutal mental games we can play with ourselves <>… Perhaps my judgment was also clouded to the point I could talk myself into anything -- to keep going, pushing beyond my untested limits and into the great unknown…

 

Anyway, that got me thinking a bit more about this… Has anyone here have any experiences with falling asleep while riding (as a rider and not as pillion) -- or know of any others? I wonder -- is this more widespread than discussed and/or reported?

 

Just curious…

 

~ Bill

 

 

I dont't know how often it is recorded but I can certainly share my experience here. Road fatique + altitude is deadly.

[John, Northeast Florida]

I sent a link to this thread to a friend of mine. He, as I was and am, somewhat surprised as to the combined replies to this what ostensibly appears like a 'sleepy little thread' (pun intended).

[Wheels Rollin']

I sent a link to this thread to a friend of mine. He, as I was and am, somewhat surprised as to the combined replies to this what ostensibly appears like a 'sleepy little thread' (pun intended).

 

Interesting you'd note that, John... At the top of all of this, I made the following statement: '... I wonder -- is this more widespread than discussed and/or reported? ...' Hmmm... Based on what's been posted | shared here so far, I'd be inclined to think... well... ya' know, it may just be <>...

 

~ Bill

 

[John, Northeast Florida]

Yes, who would've thought Bill. Here's his quote to me in an e-mail after reading the thread:

 

Which brings me to the RT board thread on falling asleep. Wow, that sure got way more attention than you'd think figuring that everybody but "me" would be wide awake and alert when riding. It somehow made me eerily uncomfortable knowing that it's a relatively unspoken, but widespread affliction affecting many on motorcycles.

 

 

[BerryG]

I have to admit that I have "sort of almost dozed off" in recent years on the way home from work.

 

I did fall completly asleep some decades ago and the sound of the tires on the gravel next to the guard rail dividing my side of the freeway from the other direction woke me up.

 

Shame

[NoLongeraK1200RSRider]

Years ago I went down into Mississippi from Memphis Tn. to meet up with a friend who was riding up from deep in Louisianna.. he was so tired he SHOULD have stopped and caught a nap, but knowing that I was riding down to meet him he kept on. After meeting up with him I noticed he was riding a little erratically so I reached over and gently wiggled his handlebars.. it woke him instantly and we pulled off at the next restaurant for a little breakfast and some much needed rest. Also, it was freezing at the time. My faceshield actually iced over so I had to lift it so I could see!

[doylejj]

Let me know how you determined that the person who died had fallen asleep.

That's kind of what I was wondering...

 

Perhaps witnesses and an autopsy ruling out other reasons e.g. stroke, heart attack, general health of individual. Tho' question indeed valid...why not bad judgment, technique, etc.

I have third hand knowledge of a fatality from falling asleep and first hand knowledge of the trip that it occurred on.

 

The 40 year old rider, with only a couple of years riding experience, planned a solo cross country trip with 600 mile legs, day after day. Everyone who heard the plan cautioned of possible danger. He made it from DC to Sacremento, then made an evening visit to the coast and died on the way back the same evening. Witnesses said he slowly drifted across the freeway and hit the center median. Odds are pretty good what happened.

[AdventurePoser]

Right around 2:00 p.m. I usually get very drowsy on the motorcycle. It is very unusual-seems to happen whether I have had lunch or not, nor does it really matter what I ate...but it happens like clockwork!

 

My options are: get off the bike and take a very short nap or do the deep breathing, move about the bike thing as described above.

 

Once the feeling is past, it doesn't return, and I can ride for hours, tank-to-tank.

 

Only once do I believe I may have fallen asleep while actually riding. It was around 2-3 a.m. outside of Yuma, AZ. Outside temp was nearly 100, and I was, ahem, moving at a quite sprightly pace on my K1200RS. It was ethereal. I felt like I was in the groove, with the hot desert night rushing past me, and the stars dancing overhead. It was a truly magnificent night!

 

Suddenly, pulse pounding, I bolted upright in the saddle, and realized that I did not have any recollection of the past couple of miles...it was pretty scary! What an adrenaline rush!

 

Was I "sleep riding?"

 

At the nearest exit, I pulled to the side. Thing was, the experience scared me so badly, I no longer needed sleep! I got back on the K and rode home, determined to not let this happen again...

 

Cheers,

Steve in So Cal

[Wheels Rollin']

Let me know how you determined that the person who died had fallen asleep.

That's kind of what I was wondering...

 

Perhaps witnesses and an autopsy ruling out other reasons e.g. stroke, heart attack, general health of individual. Tho' question indeed valid...why not bad judgment, technique, etc.

 

But, we've all [many of us] gone that extra mile to get home, or fight off the drowsiness. It's foolish and dangerous, but then again, riding a motorcycle ain't the safest activity either.

UPDATE

I received a communication from this rider's brother yesterday regarding the outcome of the autopsy they'd requested be conducted... Paraphrasing the Medical Examiner, the report stated: '... In my opinion, the rider was in near-perfect health for someone of his age -- no visible signs of disease or illness... There was no heart attack... No stroke... No evidence of any other debilitating elements... Given the known facts of the accident, the factors leading up to it, and my experience in matters similar to these, it's my view falling asleep offers a plausible explanation for the rider losing control of the motorcycle and crashing...'

 

As with all accidents, multiple factors were involved here... Poor judgment? Most likely given the known facts of his riding day... Poor anything else? Who knows? He's no longer with us, so perhaps it's best we all learn as we have from his experience and those experiences shared here with us by others in this post...

 

~ Bill

[bmweerman]

I was just revisiting this topic after receiving a strangely belated PM from Stan....

 

Having spent the last 18 months recovering from the consequences of falling asleep while riding I will offer up what it has changed for me.

 

1) There are those days when you get that weird feeling you should not get on the bike....on those days don't!

 

2) On a long road trip do not EVER set out when you do not feel good just to save an extra days hotel expense. I think this was my biggest mistake. On May 14 of O7 I arrived in Page, Arizona sunburned, dehydrated and disoriented. Even from the phone my wife could tell I was in bad shape. After a cold shower, endless glasses of water and a nights sleep I felt little better. I KNEW I should just have chilled in the hotel for a day and recover, but, not wanting to spend the extra 60 bucks I headed out. Four hours later I was in a helicopter on my way to the Trauma Center in Farmington New Mexico where I would spend two weeks unconscious in the ICU. The rest of the story does not bear retelling here

 

3) If you fell yourself dozing on the road, the first time you feel it, pull into an Iron Butt Motel ANYWHERE and take a catnap!

 

4) Do not rely on coffee, soda, energy drinks or (God Forbid) other drugs to keep you awake, only rest works.

 

If I sound a bit preachy I do not mean to.

 

I only have the record of what I have done and what it has cost me.

 

A partial list would include..

 

Loss of my career

My savings wiped out

Near loss of my marriage

Permanent pain and disability in my legs, neck, and pulminary system.

 

Lest that me taken as whining, I merely state it that, in retrospect, if those factors are weighed against the spending of an extra 60 bucks early on......'nuff said.

 

Now here is the part that should strike terror into the hearts of all on this board. Although I am unable to return to teaching one of the careers I tested as fit for retraining for was motorcycle mechanic. Soooo....strangely enough, after an interview process I have been accepted into the Motorad training program at MMI in Pheonix where I will start school in late September.

 

Guess that will make me one of those evil people often railed against on the board here, but I promise not to go over to the Dark Side......

 

All that not withstanding....Please Please Please, pull over and rest whatever the cost!!!

 

BMWeerman....out.

 

 

 

[Bullett]

We're always on the look out for a decent mechanic.

 

Good luck with your new career.

[bmweerman]

We're always on the look out for a decent mechanic.

 

Good luck with your new career.

 

Thanks!

[smiller]

I don't. I don't get the iron butt people. To me, there is no rational reason to ride from coast to coast in under 50 hours, for example. What is the point? Is it really a good idea? Self congratulations? And who cares?

I get why they do it, but what I don't get is why 'endurance' riders are celebrated and drunk drivers are castigated all at the same time. I have no doubt that an extremely fatigued rider has had their riding ability compromised as least as much as one with one or two beers in them. And please no one say that they're somehow able to deal with it through experience... that's what every DUI says too...

 

[bmweerman]

And please no one say that they're somehow able to deal with it through experience... that's what every DUI says too...

 

Amen to that! I had just turned over 100k personal miles on my RT and thought I was bullet proof when I went down. I wasn't and neither is anyone else.

 

My enthusiasm for endurance riding has definitely faded. Did a 300 mile loop non-stop last weekend with another beemerdude and that was enough. For Me, the 1000 mile day is over. Just my opinion

 

 

[jpalamar]

And please no one say that they're somehow able to deal with it through experience... that's what every DUI says too...

 

Amen to that! I had just turned over 100k personal miles on my RT and thought I was bullet proof when I went down. I wasn't and neither is anyone else.

 

My enthusiasm for endurance riding has definitely faded. Did a 300 mile loop non-stop last weekend with another beemerdude and that was enough. For Me, the 1000 mile day is over. Just my opinion

 

 

I and a buddy recently completed a nearly 6000 mile trip in 11 riding days. We took off two days in Las Vegas. I was ready to buy my Porsche Cabriolet at the end of the trip. All is back to normal, and one might as, WHY? Better not to answer!!! And I did fall asleep on the bike; fortunately, grazed a plastic stanchion in a construction area and awakened without mishap. DUMB!