Most of us can’t go anywhere without easy access to our phones and personal communication equipment — especially when riding a motorcycle. Riders use Bluetooth motorcycle helmets to talk hands-free, navigate their route and look up essential information on the fly. But most of these devices require a reliable internet connection. So how do you and your companions keep the conversation going when there’s no cell service to be found? Discover how to stay connected to your team in remote areas, regardless of what challenges come your way.
What is rural riding?
Rural riding offers the best views with less traffic. The U.S. Census Bureau defines “rural” as nonurban areas with less than 5,000 people or 2,000 housing units. According to the 2020 Census, 20 percent of the population (66.3 million people) and 97 percent of the land area are considered rural. Simply put, rural areas have fewer people and amenities, forcing you to fend for yourself on a motorcycle. Leaving densely populated roads and towns behind will bring you closer to nature. You can navigate the road more freely with more space to spread out.
The risks of rural riding
Despite the perks of rural riding, you lose the convenience of being a short drive from anything you might need. There will be fewer places to stop for food, gas, repairs and lodging throughout your journey, which means more time in the saddle. The lack of traffic may incentivize you and your companions to ratchet up your speed, but exceeding the speed limit increases your risk of accidents.
If you get into an accident, there will be fewer people to stop and help. You’ll also have to wait longer for the authorities to arrive — if they can find your location. An injured motorcyclist had to wait two days to be rescued after flipping his bike in the desert.
Enjoying the rewards of rural riding requires more forethought, caution and patience than your average jaunt. Not having access to people or services raises the stakes for everything you do on your bike.
Prepare for service outages
Everyone in your group should be able to contact one another in the event of an emergency. If someone needs to eat, rehydrate, rest, gets too hot or experiences technical difficulties, they can ask the others to find a safe place to stop or get real-time feedback on how to handle the situation. You typically have three options for communicating on a motorcycle:
- Hand signals
- Wireless hands-free calling
- Syncing wireless headsets
Rural areas typically contain more debris and potential hazards than major thruways, and navigating them requires your full attention. It can be dangerous to take your hands off the handlebars to signal. With fewer customers to serve, cell service can be spotty, making your phone and GPS unreliable. Connect with your service provider to see where they operate. Check the service map for any outages along the route.
Wearing a motorcycle intercom is the best way to communicate in rural environments. Each unit utilizes Bluetooth to establish a wireless connection over long distances, directly linking to each rider so you don’t lose the thread when changing formation. Bluetooth doesn’t require Wi-Fi access or cellular service to connect. It relies on the devices’ physical proximity to one another to communicate.
Wireless headsets reconnect automatically if you fall out of range for seamless reintegration. The waterproof device mounts securely to your helmet and remains in place throughout the ride. With voice activation, you can speak into the receiver to initiate a conversation without disrupting your routine. Pair your headsets before hitting the road and recharge them at the end of each day to stay connected.
Connecting in rural areas
Communication begins long before you and your pals depart. Map out the details of your trip to keep everyone on the same page with marked routes and rest stops. Encourage everyone to have their motorcycles inspected and lubricated. Wear the required motorcycle safety gear to comply with local laws and reduce your risk of serious injury.
Discuss your communication plans with your crew to ensure everyone uses compatible equipment. Encourage the group to speak up if they feel sore, thirsty or overheated. Assess everyone’s comfort levels. Ask the others how long they can go before needing a break. Keep nonessential chatter to a minimum to focus on navigating your surroundings.
Alert each other to potential hazards, including road debris, poor visibility, weather changes and traction issues so that everyone can adjust their speed and driving style accordingly. Learn what to do when your bike breaks down to make the best of a bad situation.
Communicate wherever you go
A lack of cell service shouldn’t prevent you from communicating with your crew. Rural areas demand additional precautions and continuous feedback. Only Bluetooth headsets provide the functionality and reliability you need to keep the crew together in remote destinations. Use these tips to enjoy the journey without getting left behind.
Photograph by Nicholas Dias