Preparation & Packing
Welcome to the eRag gang!
We are pleased to be hosting you at our mountain headquarters in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Our team is prepping your dirt bike, designing new routes, reviewing the training curriculum, and planning delicious menus.
Take a careful look through the following sections to be sure you are ready for your time with the eRag!
We’re all looking forward to meeting you at the eRag ranch!
-Dallas and the eRag crew
Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way!
Cancellation Insurance
Life happens. Purchasing trip cancellation insurance can cover the cost to reschedule, to cancel your trip or to come home early. You wouldn't be the first person on an eRag trip to bail due to a sick family member, work emergency or (most likely) a dumb motorcycle injury a week before the event!
We highly recommend purchasing trip cancellation insurance right away. eRag guests have found that most travel insurance companies will insure trip cancellation only a short time after it’s been booked, and there is a risk of being refused coverage if you wait too long.
Don’t forget to look into any travel coverage you may already have through your healthcare plan, clubs, credit cards and workplace policies, you may be surprised!
Health Insurance
Canada has world class healthcare. Rest assured that if something unforeseen happens, you will be well taken care of by our medical system. If you are traveling from anywhere outside of British Columbia you will need to check what coverage you have now:
“Health plans may not cover all emergency medical expenses once you leave your home state or province, and typically cover only a limited portion once you leave the country.”
-Pacific Blue Cross
Blue Cross has a great list of considerations here, no matter who you choose for your insurance:
When you have sorted out your travel and health insurance please email the policy information to jean.tuyan@tractionerag.com
Safety is our number one concern.
You will be riding in potentially difficult and unpredictable terrain every day. Having the correct attitude and the proper safety gear will mitigate risk. You must, at all times when on your motorcycle, be wearing proper and complete safety gear.
It is your responsibility to make sure your gear is in good condition and is the proper fit. It is unwise to take untested gear on a trip of this magnitude. Ride with your gear several times before coming on the trip to ensure it fits correctly and is comfortable. Poorly fitting safety gear usually gets left in your gear bag, negating its function.
What gear should I bring?
Enduro motorcycle riding is very different than the ADV riding you may be used to. Enduro is much more physical, raising your heart rate and creating body heat. It is essential that you wear gear that will allow you to cool down while riding.
The perfect trainer
We say that learning to ride off-road with an ADV bike, is like learning to fly in a Jumbo jet.
A small, lightweight and easy to manage motorcycle will allow you to comfortably and safely work through the drops and tumbles required to progress your off-road skills.
Take advantage of our fleet of Honda CRF300Fs. These friendly and forgiving bikes are the perfect tool to learn the fundamentals of off-road riding without the physical and financial risks of dropping 500+lb adventure bikes.
And don’t think that the 300F is just a “beginner bike” wait till you see what these things can do in the hands of our instructors.
You will be riding from and returning to the mountain hideout of the Traction eRag World Headquarters every day. eRag HQ is nestled in the tree-covered hill tops 20 minutes away from the desert landscape of Kamloops, British Columbia. We are situated at altitude, off-grid and in the mountains.
You will be staying in either cabins or glamping style tents. You will not be sleeping on the ground. There are comfortable beds and cots with mattress pads and pillows in every unit. You should bring your own sleeping bag appropriate for the season. Keep in mind it will be much cooler up here in the mountains, ranging through 20C (68F) on the warmest night to 0C (32F) on the coldest. Keep in mind, sleeping bag ratings are survival ratings, not comfort ratings so choose wisely.
There will be limited power but enough to charge your phones and small electronic devices. There is a location with enough cell service to make calls and send texts as well as wi-fi that will be available for a few hours every evening.
There is a beautiful washhouse with hot showers and flush toilets next to the cabins.
Where will I be sleeping?
PERSONAL ITEMS TO CONSIDER:
Sleeping Bag (nighttime temperatures range: 20C /68F on the warmest night to 0C /32F on the coldest)
Bath towel
Bar of Soap/Shampoo
Camp shoes (comfortable shoes you would wear in a rustic forest camp)
Shower shoes (flip flops or similar)
Base layers - 3 pairs (to make a hand-wash/hang-dry rotation)
Tall MX socks - 3 pairs (to make a hand-wash/hang-dry rotation)
Packable enduro shell jacket
Wearable garbage bag (this is your emergency rain gear should things get hairy)
Medium to large sized hydration pack/backpack (enough room to bring your shell jacket & lunch/snacks)
Small personal first aid kit (for minor cuts and scrapes, plus personal medication)
Toilet paper/wet wipes (for on the trail)
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Camera/Phone (many guests have lost phones here. An orange or hi-vis case helps find them!)
Hearing protection/ear plugs (for snoring & bike noise)
FINAL NOTE: Overpacking is one of the most common mistakes we see. Bringing too much gear—especially extra electronics and unnecessary items—can make travel more cumbersome and take away from your overall experience. Our schedule is intentionally focused on riding and relaxing, with little downtime for anything else. Keeping your packing simple will make your trip smoother, easier, and far more enjoyable.
Mmmm, FOOD!
The eRag ranch is famous for the food! Every day has a full breakfast, a great packed lunch, full dinner and dessert. Our chef Alison competes daily to make the meals outshine the riding day.
If you have any dietary restrictions, Alison has received them well ahead of your arrival and will be prepared to take good care of you. Please introduce yourself to Chef Alison – but don’t try to sneak into the kitchen on your own, as she WILL stab you!
30 DAY SQUAT PROGRAM
Are you ready to stand on your bike 85% of the time for five days?
This video will help you prepare, no matter your fitness level. You can do it anywhere, anytime, with no special gear. It's excellent for improving flexibility, which is vital as you age.
Dallas, with two bad knees, is starting this in March to prepare for a summer of riding.
Don't let your age or lack of flexibility hold you back from joining in!
Preparing your Body
The number one thing that our past participants say is that they wish that they took a bit of time before the event to get their bodies in better riding shape. Riding five days in a row can be a challenge. Don’t worry, you still have time!
Keep in mind, you don’t need to train like it’s an Olympic event! This is just a suggestion to get into slightly better shape. A bit of cardio, strength or flexibility training will suffice, combined with more time in the saddle. Use this trip as an excuse to get your body into better shape!
Getting more seat time is always good for your body but keep in mind, there is a fine line between exercise and injury. From eight weeks before the event, we recommend being very conservative with your motorcycle riding to avoid injury.
Here are some videos that could help get you in shape!
MOTO-SPECIFIC WORKOUT
Designed for home gym enthusiasts and gym attendees, this full-body workout gets you ready for off-road motorcycling. It may better suit your personality, fitness level, and available resources.
PARTY OFF THE POUNDS!
This workout is a hit with our instructors for its fun factor and athletic style. Seriously, who wouldn't want some Richard Simmons in their life?
RIP to the fitness G.O.A.T.