Sleep Apnea and Adventure Touring

Sleep Apnea and Adventure Touring - Not strange bed fellows after all!

At 52 years of age, I can still ride long and hard in the saddle. It seems my agressive riding skills have not wained! However, many years of obstructive sleep apnea have proven to be a real concern and require a great deal of planning when it comes to doing the Out Back Adventure Touring that I love so much. That being said, I have been able to simplify the process and have come up with a dependable system that assures a great night of sleep anywhere in the back country.

I wouldn't normally write about my personal medical history but once I was properly diagnosed with sleep apnea it opened my eyes about this subject, as well as taught me about the challenge motorcycle travel can be without the right CPAP machine.

Most of my first weeks with a CPAP machine were actually at home, so the only major challenge I had was getting comfortable with the mask on my face. As springtime rolled in and I started riding to various motorcycle ride and such on the weekends, the size and bulk of my original machine really became a nuisance though. It restricted me to having a dependable power source which ment that I had to stay at a motel or haul a drop cord and camp in full hook-up camp sites. No back Country!

Fortunately a few CPAP manufacturers have been focused on accommodating travelers, and I was able to get my hands on the Transcend® Sleep Apnea Therapy System back about 2 years ago. Compared to the size of other machines that have their humidification options basically permanently attached, the Transcend® is significantly smaller, and lighter for that matter (check online for various product comparisons.) I got my Transcend® just days before heading into Hells Canyon on the Oregon / Idaho border. We camped the whole time during the trip, and I was glad I had purchased it, as the space and weight savings is hugely appreciated. 

Some highlights:

1. Weight: The machine alone weighs 426 grams, which is less than 1 pound! As we don't need any more weight than we already have loaded on to our adventure bikes, this is an excellent weight savings over more "traditional" CPAP machines.
2. Size: See for yourself and maybe compare one to your own machine, but I think the difference is obvious. Listed as 6.1"x 3.5" x 2.8," that's about the equivalent of an XL burrito, or 1 Liter water bottle when the machine is alone, without all the hoses and such attached.
3. Power Options & Backup: For camping situations on the road, or power outages at home, Transcend's P8 battery power system keeps me from having to rely on direct power sources all the time! Although I haven't needed to yet, this battery will keep the CPAP running for at least 2 consecutive nights (based on my pressure and breathing) without being recharged in between. The battery is small (about the size of a passport, but thicker) and will be appreciated for sure. You can also purchase it with a solar charger.
4. Humidifying Option: While it increases the size and challenge of packing, My mask has a self generated Humidifier™ for arid regions and or high altitude where I think I'll need extra moisture in each breath but I have never needed is because most nights outside provide and adequate temperature drop to produce condensation. Now there is no need for packing distilled water.

Packing the Transcend® system is still something I personally feel I have perfected. I have many options on my KLR for recharging the P8 battery while I am riding and if I am staying in one place for an extended time and I like having a solar charger in a pinch!

Aside from my own struggles to figure the best way to keep a fresh charge in the interim, the Transcend® CPAP itself has been absolutely great. Perfectly good for use at home or on the road, it's been an essential improvement and key to doing extended tours.

As your Doctor will likely remind you, sleep apnea is not something you want to let go untreated, as letting your oxygen levels drop throughout the night can lead to much more than just feeling tired and groggy throughout each day. If you are one of the growing number of people who is suffering from sleep apnea, and you also happen to be motorcycle traveler or any type of traveler for that matter, check out the Transcend® Sleep Apnea Therapy System, and I'm sure you'll appreciate the convenience and packability it brings to your motorcycle trip!