Long Distance ride advice

[Pugsley]

, I am thinking about riding from Newcastle to the gold coast in one day bout 900Ks, roughly.
No problems i hear you say, however I have not done a long ride like that in 1 day, so what is the general concensus, sensible or not. BTW it's back home the day after.
any advice thoughts from distance riders appreciated.

Cheers
Pugs

[Jhumphrey]

While I dont make that specific trip, I do a similar distance several times a year. I dont know what speeds you folks typically travel at, but here interstate traveling, on a trip of that length, I would expect to average about 58 to 60 mph and plan on stopping every second fuel stop for liquids. Total time would be about 10.5 to 11 hours for me.

If your not used to that much saddle time Ive found that if I do a few situps (50 to 100) each day starting a month or so in advance of the trip, it strengthens my lower back and abs and ease's my discomfort from leaning to much on my wrists and arms. Id also recomend some baby powder to reduce the chances of monkey butt discomfort.

As a member of this group, Im sure you inspect your bike every time, before you ride. Check tires for air pressure, oil levels, brakes, lights typical stuff. On the road, when stopping for liquids I usuall rotate the tires looking for any nails I might have picked up, also take this time to check lights and look for oil leaks.

I love these types of rides, have fun and do post back about your trip.

[RexxyPup]

Having done a 560m trip in a single day last year, I would second echo Jhumphrey's comments, but suggest you take on fluids at every stop. I know it's a pain carrying a full bladder, but it is scary what dehydration does to your ability to concentrate etc. I took 7 bikes down into France and one of the riders didn't listen and boy was he a mess by 400 miles.

Are you going solo, or with a group, because if you are with a group you need to allow at least 30 minutes for each stop!!!

Otherwise, take it steady and enjoy

Rexx

[ruscook]

Hi Pugsley
nothing wrong with a long ride. If you're not used to them fatigue is the biggest problem. If you're going to do the Pacific Hwy you've got 2 problems - coppers and tourists. Combining either with fatigue is more than double trouble :-) Watch the tourists, they're basically like turtles - slow, stupid and in a cage. They'll drive at inconsistent speeds and make it hard to pass (not on purpose they just don't look). Remember to check out where the fixed speed cameras are up north and also that mobile hwy patrol are nearly always around (especially Kempsey area).

So do the commonsense thing. Get a good nights sleep, leave early to beat the rush, stop for fuel and have a break when you do. If you're not tired, then make sure you at least take a 15m break every second fuel stop.

While the Sprint can do over 300k easily on a tank. Still I'd aim for about 180-250km to manage the fatigue factor.

So every 220k would be about 2 1/2 hours between stops, 4 stops (min 1hr total) so you'd be looking at 11hrs elapsed - easy :-) .

I mean nearly every one does 11hr days between leaving home for work and getting home again, so it's just another day in the office.

The advice above re: liquids is VERY important in our weather. In fact if it's hot enough you may not pee much because you'll sweat it out, that may make you think you don't need to drink - don't believe it. Caffeine as a mild pick me up is ok, but sports drinks or plain water (large sizes) are great for keeping hydrated.

What the above boils down to is - pace yourself. You can miss a rest stop if you like as towns are very close together on the Northern Pacific Hwy so it's only another 10-20k to find somewhere to stop. Don't be afraid to put your head down in a park somewhere.

I've done Caboolture to St Marys,about 1150km in 11 1/2 elapsed when young and stupid -cost of 1 ticket as well. I now do that sort of distance in 13-14hrs as I rest more :-)

With the back to back ride keep the same thoughts in mind and be prepared to rest more often as you get over the 1/2 mark heading back home again.

Good luck and have a blast.

Russ


[ This message was edited by: ruscook on 2006-03-14 02:49 ]

[rodneybrown]

I do 500 to 600 mile trips in a day several times each summer and 300-400 very often. First, if you haven't been riding several hour long rides in a while you get fatiques much faster on a long trip. You need a few warm up rides. I believe that the fatigue is cumulative. Move in the saddle early in the ride. Stand on the pegs early in the ride. Don't let the fatigue build. Lots of guys, me included pop an ibuprophen when they leave and maybe another later in the ride. If you pop one when your butt is hamburger, it usually doesn't help. Plan a couple of stops. A bit of a walk always helps. You probably have at least two fuel stops, make them a 15 min break. I have an AirHawk pillow I use on long runs. Sure keeps butt rot down. All the previous by others definitely applies too. Have a great ride.

[pushr0d]

My practice is to take a butt-break at half tank. 5-10 minutes to stretch out. Then you do it again when you refuel.

I get roughly 50mpg when on the road, so I end up stopping every 100 miles or so.

Sure it takes a liitle off your avg speed, but you feel a lot better. I always meet interesting folks when I stop at the place my fuel tank tells me to. Sometimes a little too interesting :razz:

+1 on the break-in rides. Do a 100 miler or two before you set off on your big trip.

Have a great run!

[DrTriumph]

I find that I can go tank to tank with the stops. I am 38 now and I find if I do a bit of a stop 10-15 min at each fill I am good. I have done a few 900k day trips and a few weekend trips averaging about 1100K per day. These are long days and you have to remember to eat and drink water regularly. I find the Sprint very comfortable so I have not problems with the distance. My old '84 Honda Interceptor was tough on the but.. so we tended to stop a bit more frequent to walk out the creases.

If your feeling tired like everyone stated rest. If your feeling good go on. That is the way I work. A camel back water system is awesome to keep you hydrated.

Have a great trip.

Dr. Triumph

[iceman]

your biggest problem is likely to be fatigue and discomfort.

You need to be especially careful if you are doing the return trip the follwing day as if you start the day sore you you will really struggle.

I find the trick is to take a brief 5-10 minute break - get off the bike and stretch your legs about 1/2 tank - about every 1 1/2 hrs.If you do it before the discomfort sets in you will stay on top of it.

Also some type of cruise control (o ring on the throttle,etc) will help give the right hand/wrist a break.

As you get older you need to be more careful of this fatigue thing.

Have a safe ride.

Grant

[Bundyon_Jen]

Not a bad trip.. I would tend to go the new england highway.l..ess nutters that way the pacific highway as you know its the worst for congestion etc....

You can cut accross to the pacific anytime you like but I would suggest getting past coffs before you do.. maybe the mountain via tenterfield ito grafton if ya up for some twisties to keep ya awake..

but same advice as everyone else..lots of breaks stretch regularly.. and most importantly carry some water with you so if ya stop on the side of the road you can still have some fluid on board (Old trick from riding in the territory I guess)

wouldnt suggest you turn around and do the same the next day as it does take alot out of ya.
I did 760km the first time I rode long distance in one day. was knackered for a few days afterwards.. but I had some one with me so I could keep focused..
travelling with another rider is always a bonus on long trips..either way have fun , enjoy the ride and if you can find some roads off the beaten highway.....
stay safe
cheers
Jen

[ This message was edited by: Bundyon_Jen on 2006-03-23 02:53 ]

[stevecro]

I did Adelaide to Junee in a day last October (920 kms) and Melbourne to Sydney via the alpine route (945 kms) the year before.

The Sprint is a great bike to do this sort of distance. Great fuel consumption with an indicated 110 on the clock (that's about 102-103 so you'll have no trouble with the law).

Make sure the tyre pressures and fluids are spot on and be prepared to have a walk (jog)
around and a good stretch for 10-15 minutes at re-fill time. I also take a container of sultanas and various nuts because a stomach heavy with food is more likely to bring on fatigue as you digest it.

Plenty of water to keep hydrated (coffee will make you want to pitstop too often).

Wear ear plugs and buy a throttle rocker. I always wear a scarf tucked up under the sides of my Shoei and that further cocoons from noise which is a big contributor to tiredness. Wear enough clothing to keep you snug but not toasted.

And if you DO get too tired a hotel can be had for $50... because we'd like to hear back from you afterwards.

BTW...I'm on the high side of 50 so your age shouldn't be a factor.

Have a ball!

[ This message was edited by: stevecro on 2006-03-23 04:43 ]