How far can you ride in a day/week?

[Rogero]

So a while ago, I told my buddy that if I ever bought a bike, I'd ride out to the west coast for a visit. I'm near Ottawa, Canada (North of Albany, NY)

So, last night I plotted a fun course there ... 6,000 kms on the way there, 4500 on the way back (3700miles there, 2800 back).

Could you ever ride 500-600 miles a day for 7 days? Can you even do it for 2-3 days?

Currently thinking it'd be an awesome ride there, then fly home and crate the bike. Just wondering how doable it'd be, and in how long.

And for another 1000 kms, I could duck down through Denver and on to N California - 2 spots where I have free places to stay. Would like to see the Mile High city and do the full ride from Redwood Nat'l Park right up to Seattle

Comments? Experiences?

[tymanthius]

Get the right saddle!!

I grew up riding horses, and can still stay on horseback all day & be only a little sore. But my wonderful F650 is KILLING me after 3 hours because the saddle is so bad. It's high on the list of upgrades.

<rant>
Why does the same company who makes GREAT car interiors make such crappy seats for one of the best bikes in the world?
</rant>

Also remember the weather. It's one thing to ride in the rain/snow/sleet on the way home where clean clothes, warm shower, & comfy bed await. It's a whole 'nuther thing when you're not quite sure how far the next hotel is.

[jstark47]

There's going to be a wide range of difference in people's response. If you ask a serious Iron Butt Association rider, they'll tell you 500 miles is nothing. To someone who never rides more than 50 miles at a shot, 500 miles might be hell. Your physical condition / infirmities, experience, type of bike, and the weather conditions all factor in.

If you've never ridden 500 miles in one day, suggest you try it once before committing to do it every day for a week.

First six days of our Nova Scotia trip last year:
Day 1- 400+ miles, mostly slab
Day 2- 450+ miles, mostly 2 lane road
Day 3- 120 miles, 2 lane road
Day 4- day trips adding up to about 100 miles
Day 5- 360 miles, intense twisties and rain
Day 6- Wife was worn out, wouldn't get on her bike. Not even 10 miles down the road to see some scenery.

My lesson learned - to keep things enjoyable for her, keep days to 300 miles maximum, especially if lots of twisties, then plan to stay in destination longer. For us, an ideal trip turns out to be a series of 3-night stays in places 300 miles or less apart, within interesting local rides in between. I'm 53 and she's 50 - perhaps if we were younger we might ride longer.

If I was by myself, I might do three 500 mile days in a row, but the 4th day I would rest. YMMV.

[High_Side]

It's doable, but it sucks all of the fun right out of the trip. Bite off less, enjoy it more. When you plan for 1000km days and MUST arrive on time, you've gotta remember that sometimes, it rains. 1000km/day in the rain just plain sucks. I've learned my lesson!

[Gummiente]

I'm near Ottawa, Canada (North of Albany, NY)

Hey, good thing you clarified that otherwise I'd have thought you were from Kansas. FYI, this forum is based in Canada.

Could you ever ride 500-600 miles a day for 7 days? Can you even do it for 2-3 days?

Oh, absolutely. But would I recommend it - no, not in your case. Jstark explains it well; it all depends on the type of bike, your experience, physical condition, etc. If you intend for this to be a pleasurable journey, you'll need to rethink either your alloted time frame, total distance or both. Fun is the operative word here, and pushing yourself to the limit every day is not the the way to achieve that - just as High Side mentioned.

I used to go "balls to the wall, do or die" on my rides when I was younger and as I aged that part of me eventually settled down somewhat. But I was still all about reaching the destination and nothing about the ride. Then I met a wonderful woman who had her own bike and a more positive outlook on life; I had to adapt my riding schedule and technique to suit hers as she was new to the scene and could not be pushed until she gained experience. But you know what? She taught me to slow down and smell the roses and as a result my riding style has settled down to allow for much more enjoyable experiences. Like last year, while on our honeymoon trip to the east coast... when we met Jstark and his lovely wife half way around the Cabot Trail, on the very same trip he mentioned.

Go slow, learn, improve and enjoy the ride - the destination will happen along the way.

[JC Viper]

I did 630 miles in one day. Rested on the side of a road for an hour and a half and did another 600 to get back home. A lot of 5 hour energy and stuff like that managed to keep me awake.

I learned my lesson after coming home really fatigued and the next time I did something like that (a month later) I made sure to stop in a hotel/ motel or something after 1 day of all out traveling.

I had 6,500+ miles within a month and a half. 250 miles a week (weather permitting) is pretty normal for me as I never go straight home after work or school.

[king robb]

600 mile days arent bad if you dont mind riding all day long. I definately would not reccomend them to someone who hasnt taken a long trip before AND done 400+ each day of it. Fatigue is very real and it creeps up on you, not to mention dangerous. Drink lots of fluids and eat right.

Then follow the other fellas advice...plan shorter days...if you feel like going further on a given day you always can.

[JC Viper]

600 mile days arent bad if you dont mind riding all day long. I definately would not reccomend them to someone who hasnt taken a long trip before AND done 400+ each day of it. Fatigue is very real and it creeps up on you, not to mention dangerous. Drink lots of fluids and eat right.

Then follow the other fellas advice...plan shorter days...if you feel like going further on a given day you always can.

That's why a bike with good wind protection and ergonomics (eg. V-Strom or Versys) are great for the long hauls. Battling wind and vibration with poor seating and you'll be done riding a lot sooner.

[koji52]

Agreed with what was said above. When I rented a vrod over the summer I had a sixteen hour day out on that thing (not continuously riding...probably more like 10-12 hours on the bike) and six hours the next day (probably like 5 hours with lunch) and I was fine. That being said, I've been riding for a couple of years now and was used to the "roughness" of my Sportster (the vrod is smooth as butter). This was also mostly on twisty back roads not breaking 60 miles an hour for any long period of time. I probably got in 200 miles with 15-17 hours of riding time on the bike.

On the other hand, I ride 100 miles down to my parent's house and 100 miles back the same day on the sportster and I'm exhausted at the end. This is partially due to the vibrations of the XL and partially to wind resistance (no windshield).

I'm sure someone said it above, but if I were you, I'd practice before tackling a trip like that. Go grab a windshield too, I think it'd help you immensely. I would also recommend that you are confident in your slow-speed manuevering abilities before venturing out on a cross country trip.

Good luck man...rubber side down.

[Lion_Lady]

Okay. I've ridden 1700+ miles in 4 days. Twice within 2 weeks. Did 430 miles on day one. 250 miles on day 2 and had to do 500+ miles on days 3 and 4. Return trip 400+ miles the first 3 days... and 600+ miles on day 4. Not a big problem for me. But, I can already ride 300-400 miles in a day with no special preparation.

Two key factors:
1. You've got to be in decent physical shape.
2. Your bike MUST fit you well (or the little physical dsicomforts will start to distract you to the point of making safe riding difficult).

7 days is a LOOOONG series of high mile days. It can be done, but it isn't going to be much fun if you don't "train" for it. You've got to work up to it. Just as you wouldn't expect to be able to walk out your front door today and run 5 kilometers without some preparation.

Try a few 200-250km days and see how you feel. Also a good way to determine if you need to do any adjustments to how your bike fits you. A windshield is probably a good idea. It will probably extend your mileage.

If you don't already, get used to wearing earplugs while riding. Surprisingly, hearing protection can do a lot to reduce fatigue from wind noise (even if you don't feel pain or discomfort from wind noise, it has an effect).

P