Long Distance Riding

[Gadjet]

Where did you go for your first certified ride Gryphon?

September 18th, 2004.

I rode from Sylvan Lake Alberta to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan for lunch and then came home.

1726km in 20hrs1min.

6 months after I first started riding. I put 23000km on my first bike (16000 between April and November of last year), and so far I've put 2800km on my new KLR in the last 3 1/2 weeks.

[Renegade]

Where did you go for your first certified ride Gryphon?

September 18th, 2004.

I rode from Sylvan Lake Alberta to Moose Jaw Saskatchewan for lunch and then came home.

1726km in 20hrs1min.

6 months after I first started riding. I put 23000km on my first bike (16000 between April and November of last year), and so far I've put 2800km on my new KLR in the last 3 1/2 weeks.

Was fun was it not?

My first was the Lake Michigan 1000,

Ride report is here: http://www.dishers.com/IBSTNRideReport/Index.html

I have a couple others I need to write up, we were snowed out of the lower-lakes 1000 earlier this year. Rain is one thing, snow is another

We're looking at the GreatLakes 50 next.

-MD

[mattf]

Most of the riders I saw were doing about 10 mi. over the speedlimit..[ie: 75 in a 65 mph zone - more or less kept them in the traffic flow] so if you take a 15 min break every 90 min. , I'd be looking at a 5-6 hour day to cover 300-400? does that sound right?

I don't think this is reasonable for someone just getting into distance riding. I wouldn't plan to average more than 50 mph with stops, so that would be 6 hours for 300 miles. Push it to 8 hours to cover 400. If you travel with others, you'll be going even slower.

If you plan to be done in 6 hours but it takes 9, you get in a hurry and make bad decisions - staying on the biek too long, getting tired, not eating...). But if you plan for 9 and it takes 7, then everyone's happy!

Don't push too far until you know what you're getting into.

All that said, I ride 200 miles between stops and stop long enough to get gas, have a snack and a drink, stretch, go to the bathroom. Takes 20 minutes usually unless I'm in a hurry, then it takes 10. If it's all interstate and traffic is light, I can average 65 MPH that way all day. Any other factors and the average goes down rapidly.

[Renegade]

Some basic numbers...

Saddle Sore 1000 (1000 miles in 24 hours)

Most SaddleSores, if a proper route is chosen can be done in 16/18 hours. Proper being mosty interstate, little or as little traffic as possible.

To do that in 18 hours you need to AVERAGE 55 MPH, which means you're running on average 65-75 with limited stops that include gas, restroom breaks and maybe one meal stop (fast food type or bring your own).

If you take the entire 24 hours to do it, you only need to average 42mph.

Bear in mind that's NOT the moving average but the overall average. Maintaining an overall average of above 60 MPH is very, very tough.

It doesn't take much for a 10 minute gas stop to turn into a 25-30 minute stop if you're not careful. Sometimes it's not avoidable.

I know this thread kind of took an IB/LD tangent, and I'm sure that's not where he was headed.

But I think for the average rider, just starting out, on any trip, a 45mph average for shorter 200-400 mile trips shouldn't be that hard to maintain.

-MD

P.S. Conversion tip...

You can use Google to convert things for you as well as search.

Example, put this in the google search.

50mph in kph

and google will tell you that = 50 mph = 80.4672 kph

[Deletor]

Awesome google tip, didnt know it would do that

[TimeWarp]

I really appreaciate you all sharing your perceptions. Excellent thoughts.

I really hadn't considered "building up to" longer distances until it was mentiond.
Or the idea of planning concervatively and the group being happy when we reach the day's target early
Or the info about seats and seat covers and UNDERWEAR !!!

So much I have to learn. I am sure thankful I found this forum.

As far as IB riders... I was unaware of this.. now I have a new area to explore. Thanks for the link.


Thank you!!

[Renegade]

Do NOT, i repeat, Do NOT under estimate the benefit of good undies

In fact Campmor was blowing out some good ones recently...

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/store ... d=12500226

[ZooTech]

Do NOT, i repeat, Do NOT under estimate the benefit of good undies

In fact Campmor was blowing out some good ones recently...

Dude........yuck.......you shouldn't wear undies that someone else had a blow-out in....

[baldy110]

I rode a Suzuki SP600 from Northern California to Belize Central America. 4000 HARD miles in 12 days and it was a BLAST.

[Loonette]

Just pick a day when you have an eight-hour window for riding. Ride away from home for the first four hours (including the time it takes for the stops that feel right for you - toilet visits, gas fill-ups, food & drink breaks, etc...). Try riding on country highways - you can still get an average of 60-65 mph on the open roads, but the scenery changes and little towns help to break up the monotony that you otherwise will encounter on the interstate highways. Once you're done with the first four hours, go back home. Then start planning your big trip...

...Take along the following:

* Road atlas
* Rain gear (or warm gear if it might get chilly)
* water and snacks
* qt. of oil, tool kit, owner's manual
* basic first aid supplies
* clear shield for helmet in case you're out at night (on one of my trips, I had taken along a clear shield, except that - DOH!!! - it was the shield for my husband's helmet. Had to ride for two hours with no shield in the cold night air. My eyes dry up just thinking about it.)
* contact numbers in case you get into a jam

My first ride away from home was only about 5 hours. Once I got to my friend's house and took a one-hour siesta, we were out on our bikes touring the Detroit area. I believe I rode for about 9 hours that day. If your bike is comfy and you're prepared, the ride will become a breeze.

Cheers,
Loonette