| Author | Message | ||
     Rpm4x4 |
Im a long distance riding newb. I put on close to 9000 miles last year but the most miles I have ever put on in a day was 450ish. I was not very sore but that was in the heart of summer. Its winter here in MN now and I my friend and I are planning on hauling down to Nashville TN meeting two others and riding south from there in mid Feb. We havent been riding in any quantity in 3 months at least. How many miles do you think we can realistically, enjoyably, and safely ride in a day? Im riding an XB9sx and he is riding a gxxr. I was hoping for 500 miles per day in a 5day period. That would bring us down through Suches GA, to Savanna GA, south to the florida keys and up the gulf side of florida back to Nashville. Roughly 2500 miles with sight seeing. I realize we could just shorten our trip by turning around but I would kinda like to have an idea of what to plan for. Am I going to be sore after the first 100 miles? May be a stupid question but if your butt gets sore is it gonna add onto the next days pain or do you just sleep it off? I dont want to be 2 states away from my pickup on my third day with a pillow duck taped to my a$$. Should I trim it back a bit? | ||
| Froggy |
No issues doing 600 mile days on both a Uly and a XB12SS. I haven't tried to push further. As for if you can do it, only one way to find out. | ||
| Smoke |
good gear will make the difference. under armour, good gloves, outerwear. you will be riding at a sketchy time of year weather-wise until you get further south. physical conditioning will make a difference, so if you are not excersising-start. crunches, situps,etc. know you and your friends limits, lots of bad decisions are made when overly stressed or tired. Best of luck!! oh yeah, 500 miles a day is easy, don't even have to ride at night. start early, watch out for traffic. tim | ||
| Buelltoys |
I've taken my Uly from Montgomery, Al to East Dubuque, IL in one day. Started early in the morning and ended in the evening. Mileage was 925 in one day took about 16 hours. The last hour or so was in rain and started to wear on me. I now do the trip in two segments. Leave in later afternoon to go to Nashville then stop for the night and start in the morning again. It leaves about 700 miles in one day which is easy to handle. Good luck with the trip. Brian | ||
| Twig |
Be sure to buy a pair of padded shorts. They really help out.I'm around 160 and can do around 400 miles before I stress out. If your your night vision sucks{like mine} , get to the nearest hotel before dark. Smoke is right about your physical conditioning. Get you a good stretch in before you head out, plenty of gatorade, you will be fine. Make sure you get Fat's to buy your lunch in Tennessee. He's a nice guy! | ||
| Ducbsa |
Are you going to take in Speed Week at Daytona? Motels in the area fill up pretty good. One time when I was riding back north after Speed Week, say March 7 or so, it was 32F in Nashville overnight, so watch the forecasts to judge the type of clothes to bring/wear. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Weather plays a VERY big part. I can ride 500+ mile days if it is warm, but cold I am zapped of energy within 150 miles. If you are planning to do this in February you will need heated gear, otherwise you will have to dress like the Michelin man. That can be fatiguing in itself. As for the bike, you will want to pick up a Laminar Lip for your cityx. That will ease the wind load on your torso. Honestly though I would be more concerned on what your friend can handle on his bike. His bike will be a torture rack after a few hundred miles. | ||
| Ulynut |
Make sure the bikes are in perfect running condition, and the rest is a mental game. I've done a few long rides,(Connecticut to Florida and back in 4 days, did that 3 times) and some "extended cruises" as well. You NEED to stop and rest when you start to "zone out". You CAN fall asleep while riding a motorcycle. Ask my brother in law, he did. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
My favorite tips for going long distances for more than a day: Get a drink each time you get gas Find a hotel near a shoney's or other all you can eat place. Wake up at dawn and LOAD up. Ride until hungry. (I usually make it to the afternoon) get a sub and find the next hotel with a breakfast place. Avoid riding at night/dusk. The deer want you to end their miserable lives. | ||
| Iamike |
When I did a 5,000mi. ride in a week through New England on the S3 I started taking ibuprophen (advil) fairly early each day. It really helps on the wrist and knee soreness and keeps you relaxed. But you also need to stay hydrated too. I have found that short stops every 100-150mi. helps ward off fatique. I never have quite understood these guys that like to get on their bikes and just blast for thousands of miles without stopping and checking out the locales. There are a lot of interesting things and people to see along the way. | ||
| Akbuell |
What has worked for me: Like any sport, you can "play" your way back into shape. So where possible, I would ride around the area for longer periods, up to 1 1/2 hrs at a time. +1 on exercise. I do sit-ups, push-up, and leg lifts. Torso and lower back stretches. Start now. +1 on stopping. I try to stop every 75mins or so. Walk around a bit, have some water, maybe a breakfast bar, ect. An ibuprofen or two during the day, as needed. Every other stop add fuel. I have found that 8ish PM is a good time to stop. Daylight is waning, motels really start filling up fast after this time, and places to eat are still open. Sounds like a fun trip. You two might consider a few short test rides to get things nailed down. Any be prepared to meet lots of interesting folks and to chat w/them about your trip. Always seems to happen at every stop. Enjoy! | ||
| Xb1200rick |
I can usually do 400+ days on my firebolt . I do all the things mentioned above. Heated gear is great. My friends on the gixxr's though seem to be in a little more pain. If you are going through Chattanooga area on your way to suches and need anything , I can send you my contact info Rick | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Are you going to take in Speed Week at Daytona? Wasnt really part of the plan but who knows. I am aware of it though. If you are planning to do this in February you will need heated gear, otherwise you will have to dress like the Michelin man. That can be fatiguing in itself. We will have under armor but no heated gear. I ride in cool temp quite often. With the gear we have I believe we will be good into the mid 30s for a distance. As for the bike, you will want to pick up a Laminar Lip for your cityx. That will ease the wind load on your torso. With the crossroads bars on my bike I actually prefer the wind on my torso. Honestly though I would be more concerned on what your friend can handle on his bike. His bike will be a torture rack after a few hundred miles. I am concerned about it. Im going to talk to him about physicly preparing for the run.} | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I started taking ibuprophen (advil) fairly early each day I had not thought of that, I definately will. So where possible, I would ride around the area for longer periods, up to 1 1/2 hrs at a time. I would love to but that will not likely happen. Its 1 degree outside and the Ice and salt on the road are the reason for going south to ride. I have however thought about putting the bike in the living room and sitting on it a few hours a night watching tv.  Im not kidding for those who are not sure. I would think that would help with getting in shape for the ride.  Thanks to all for some great advise. Feel free to add anything else you think of, Im not leaving for a few more weeks. (Message edited by rpm4x4 on January 04, 2009) (Message edited by rpm4x4 on January 04, 2009) | ||
| Akbuell |
Sitting on the bike in the living room can't hurt. As long as you wear the gear you will actually be using. It is really unfortunate to be 45mins into the first leg of the first day and find out, for example, that the seam on the little finger of the left glove that was just something you noticed before now seems to be the size of a Bic pen covered in tacks. DAMHIK. I have also found that my wallet belongs in the tank bag. Money goes in a zipped jacket pocket. Saves getting half undressed at each stop. Same with the ziplock bag containing the registration and insurance card, instead of under the seat where getting to it involves removing the luggage. And I put my wristwatch in a corner of the map pocket. Hard to get to when it's under the jacket sleeve and gauntlet gloves. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I rode 1000 miles from Albany, NY to Suches, GA over two days last March. It was 28 degrees when I left, and it likely dropped into the low twenties through the catskills. I didn't wear any heated gear, just layered up and was okay for the most part. Hands got a little cold, but that was it. I would do about 125 miles between stops. Fluids are key, but get the right ones. Gatorade and the like - you'll need less so you won't have to pee as much compared to water. For comfort, if you have a tight fitting leather suit or pants you'll be good. If not, get bicycle shorts. The tightness around your ass helps support and distribute your weight. I did this on a Firebolt and was painfree each night. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Anybody travel a distance with a backpack? Ive gone a couple hundred mile with one but never this far. Is this a bad idea? I have a small tail bag but I think I might want a few more things than I can fit in there. Im pretty good about traveling light. Planning on washing the outer wear we are wearing along the way. Just planning on throwing worn underwear and socks along the way to make room for shedded gear. I dont want a tank bag because I like to tuck in sometimes. On that note what do I need to carry. This is what Im thinking. Ibuprofrin zipplock in jacket Map Toothbrush/floss Rain gear Camera Might put that in jacket for quick access Clean underwear and socks I dont see why I couldnt fit this in the tailbag. I figure I can eat and get refreshments along the way at fuel stops. (Message edited by rpm4x4 on January 04, 2009) | ||
| Etennuly |
I had an '05 City-X. I did many 300 mile days on it and pushed to a 425 mile day once. I was tired and sore, I didn't have real riding pants then, so I was wearing jeans. The heat was bothersome. I have since learned that the riding pants would have fixed that. Just before I bought the Uly I got an Air Hawk pad, it made a big difference. The good news is that no matter how bad things were from being sore and feeling beat, I always was able to get going the next day as if I hadn't been riding the day before. When the Uly came out I was all over it for this purpose. | ||
| Babired |
I did a 400+ day on the Xb9SX in 2007. I used the Buell tank bag, and cortec over the saddle bags with the tail pack. Going up to Americade. I was never a tank bag rider until the cityX and now I love riding with it. I keep all of the fast grab stuff in it wallet, Ipod, snacks, maps, etc. In the saddle bags I packed stuff you don't use on the road. Tail pack I packed Buell parts and tools, emergency stuff. When I travel I use a camel back hydration system, extra sips of fluid while riding will wake your mind up from boredom. On the XB9SX I was like a sardine, now I ride the ULY for travel. Whitehorse press is a good source for touring equipment. K | ||
| Babired |
Here is a picture of the City X all packed up. Same set up going to Americade, but this time going south on the Blue Ridge Parkway  | ||
| Froggy |
My loaded up Long, Also not in picture I have a laptop in the Buell laptop bag on my back.  | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I did many 300 mile days on it and pushed to a 425 mile day once. I was tired and sore, I didn't have real riding pants then, so I was wearing jeans. How do riding pants make you less sore? | ||
| Etennuly |
They are double mesh, they are cooler, they are not as restrictive and circulation cutting as jeans. But really by sore I meant saddle sore on the butt and legs from lack of moving around. I am also old and fat, so there I said it.  | ||
| Iamike |
You do have to be careful on a long cold ride. You may not feel real cold but hypothermia can creep up on you and it affects your judgement. It is important to stick to regular stops to hydrate and warm up. On the training idea I played a joke on an old guy one time. There is a bicycle ride across Iowa every year and I always enjoy talking to the locals at each stop. One day I was talking to these 2 old guys and one asked me how I got used to the skinny bicycle seat. I told him that during the winter I just sit on a 2x4 while I watch tv. As spring got closer I would turn it on edge. One of the guys could tell I was pulling their leg, the other one bought it all the way. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I am also old and fat, so there I said it.  Im not too worried about being hot. At freeway speeds I have never been hot. Im more worried about the cold while leavin Tennesee. Im thinking I will stick with what I know works for me. I usually ride in Flannel Lined Dickies jeans. They take the edge off in cooler weather yet they are comfortable in temps up to 80 degrees. Below 45 degrees I usually wear a second pair of Carhartt Double-Front Logger Dungaree over the top of the Dickies. Whether I wear the second pair will depend on the forcast. Our current plan is to leave MN for TN thurs Feb 19 in the am. That evening we will unload and find a place to sleep and head out friday morning for Suches. If the weather looks bad for the area we may haul a little further south and head out from there. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
BTW, Open invite if anyone would like to join us! | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I thought of another issue, this one is a little morbid. I have always done this for longer rides. You need to make two print outs that have: Name: Address: Emergency contact info: Medical issues (including prescription medication): Medical insurance: You and your buddy need to fill both of them out, and each keep a copy. In a worse case scenario you do not want to be wasting valuable time trying to locate this info. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Corporatemonkey, Thats pretty sobering, but a good Idea. Thanks. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
Anybody travel a distance with a backpack? Yes. On a Cityx you have to choose between a tail bag, or a backpack. There is not enough seat room for both. If I am carrying anything of value (laptop) I always take the backpack. That way when you stop for a break I can leave the bike and easily take the valuable stuff with me. I use http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/backpacks/joe_r ocket/blaster_motorcycle_backpack.html for my backpack. I have found if I load it up, loosen the shoulder straps, the base of it can rest on the seat behind me. It takes the weight off my shoulders, and provides a basic back rest. The rest of my goodies are in my saddle bags. | ||
| Dynasport |
It sounds like everybody has their own thing that works for them. I am no long distance riding expert, but I have done the Saddle Sore 1000 (1000 miles in 24 hours) and I'm currently planning a Bun Burner 1500 (1500 miles in 36 hours). This is what has worked for me. First, for my actual Iron Butt type ride, I do it alone. More people mean more and longer stops. Next, I find it necessary to keep the stops as short as possible. You can really shorten the distance you can cover if you spend a lot of time standing or even walking around a gas station. Also, as has been said, hydration is key. If I was really serious I'd get a camel back. Since I'm not really that serious I just drink a bottle of water every stop or two. My riding has been hot weather, I'm not sure if you will need to hydrate as much in the cold. Now, for longer rides with friends, we usually limit ourselves to 400-500 miles a day. That seems to be doable for most everybody. It is a completely different frame of mind for me. More enjoyable really. I do tend to take the kitchen sink with me though, which I am working on. Just about every long group trip I have been on though, someone needed tools of some sort for something, so you might want to consider a small tool bag. An adjustable wrench, a few allen wrenches, even a small socket set take up very little room. But that is just me. All you really HAVE to take is a credit card. |
