General Category > LONG DISTANCE RIDING, Proper preparation, Safety and Tips

Fatigue and Motorcycle Touring

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StinkyPete:
Here's link to another great article, with tips on how to deal with fatigue while long distance riding.

http://www.rcmedic.com/images/MotorcycleFatigue.pdf

Whizz:
What a fascinating article. A really good read and very informative!!

Ta! :thumbs

Diesel:
Here is an post I submitted on FarRiders' Website Jun '11, regarding how I plan my longer rides with regards to fatigue, stamina, comfort etc.....




I recently attended FR#16 at Euston for a neat 3432km round trip.
This involved early starts, long days in the saddle, and backing up the next day for more of the same.
Although most enjoyable in every aspect, I take the planning stage very seriously, and the endurance/awareness side even more so.
I have been building up my stamina, endurance capabilities, hydration management and long range farkle assistance etc etc etc skills for well over a year before I thought I was ready to attempt the challenge of a FarRide. (I gave Mitchell - FR#14 a miss because I did not think I was quite ready yet).
I kept going out on ever increasing loops from my home testing....testing farkles, airhawks, handlebar risers, highway pegs, ear plugs/phones, camping and brief stops equipment, windscreen positions etc etc.

You can tell that I take the operation (and especially prolonged operation) of a motorcycle very seriously. For the newbies, this FarRiders' forum is an absolute goldmine of information on the prolonged operation of a motorcycle in two ways:
1 - it provides excellent links to informative, researched documents on the effects of fatigue and how to recognise the early stages of it, and its effects on the body's ability to perform - this also goes for the safety side of the machine's operation; AND,
2. - the depth of the knowledge and experience of the people (experienced FarRiders) who frequent this site is absolutely invaluable! I haven't met a FarRider yet who isn't helpful, friendly and willing to pass on their own experiences to anyone who asks anything of them.
Home on Monday from my 3432km FarRide to Euston, I had another 800km round trip to my daughter's Formal, held in Bundaberg on Wednesday. Although this trip was to be in the 'tin top' (yeah, I know! Sorry! - but I had to wear a 'bag o fruit'), I was very aware of the kms I had just done, and put in to practice all my endurance and planning skills for this trip.
I was to leave work at 1.30pm, do the 'Formal' thingy, and return back home the same night, ready for work the next morning.
It was 400kms each way with a dinner/dance in between. I planned it much like a FarRide. The traffic was treacherous (B-dubs and roadtrains - even at 2am) I took two stops on the way home - a snooze and a coffee/walk around stop near Gympie. I got home at 3am and woke to my alarm at 5am. I was remarkably OK the next day and surprised myself at my endurance. The cage trip was one of HEIGHTENED AWARENESS because of the number of trucks coming the other way.
There were no sphincter puckering moments because I took this drive by the balls and owned it - like the FarRide.
I monitored my awareness/fatigue levels like a hawk!
I can't tell you how much I would rather miss out on a FarRide check-in window, than risk anything grave to get there.
I urge you newbies to 'become great at your trade' as there is no end of support here to make sure Rule #1 can be followed each time.
I was pleased that I now have the tools and capabilities to do the Bundaberg thingy SAFELY because of advice and documentation I have accessed on and because of, this site - and these great people.
If I arrive feeling refreshed and aware, I can tell that I did everything right.
Diesel gets to ride again because of GOOD decisions - make sure you ALL are the same.
See you out there - anywhere, anytime.
Take care villains.....Cheers, Diesel   

tj189:
 :thumb

macdoc:
Hmmmph was just thinking about that factor.

I did a couple of days back to back recently- long days - not particularly long distance.

Thought I felt okay - especially the best day I had on the ST1100 yet ....really starting to wear the bike instead of just ride it.
Second day on the KLR - droning knobbies and up the Daintree so a bit "pay attention" riding.

Got home...was tired but not overly.

Got up in the morning....felt loggy....went back to bed....6 bloody hours later  >:()

Clearly I was bagged. Makes me think doing multiple day rides are we setting up for risky riding a few days in??

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