OzSTOC

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Streak on July 13, 2012, 09:36:07 PM

Title: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Streak on July 13, 2012, 09:36:07 PM: Question for all our experienced long distance, and FarRiders amongst us, for anyone of us who is wanting to get into riding any sort of distance

What's your number one peice of advice for anyone wanting to ride long distance? Breaks? What to pack? Fatigue?

(http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd499/ozstoc/906c316f.jpg)
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Brock on July 13, 2012, 09:52:11 PM: Make sure the sump plug is in before you roar off down the driveway....
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Smokeguy on July 13, 2012, 11:38:11 PM: Seat. Seat. Seat. Make sure you have got this covered :grin Excuse the pun. If your using the stock standard seat either stop every couple of hours to stretch or suffer the numb bum effect.
:blu13
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Streak on July 13, 2012, 11:59:45 PM: Mine is preparation, making sure your ready to do the distance, than finding out half way you have bitten off more than you can chew
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: alans1100 on July 14, 2012, 01:14:55 AM: After several trips across the Nullarbor I'll put down what works for me as it comes to mind but it may not work everyone for as I tow a trailer.

The most important are the first two:-

Don't exceed or over estimate you capabilities. It's better to stop and walk around than run off the road etc.
Take enough food/water to last about three days. You never know.....

Don't be afraid to stop and look at things along the way, take a picture etc.........you might not get back that way again.
I usually stop after every 100 kms or after every hour, more often if it's hot.
My fuel stops are planned at 300/350kms and entered in GPS as waypoints.
Spare fuel is all ways carried.
It's a relaxed ride for me so I usually have the throttle lock set to keep me at around 95kph.
Don't take anymore gear than what you need. It takes one or two trips to work that one out.
I never buy ice for my eski until 2nd or 3rd day. I freeze three or four 2 litre bottles of water. As they thaw you can drink the water or use it for cooking later.
The trailer is my table top unless I'm camped in a parking bay with tables etc.
One 12 volt power source for air bed pump/deflation, GPS etc.

On my first trip across to Perth by motorcycle I began to feel it was a rather stupid thing to do. Then I saw two guys on push bikes, I suddenly felt so much better.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Carsten on July 14, 2012, 07:55:50 AM: Planning. The right bike (of which we dont have a problem) and making sure you are comfortable with the bike and gear i.e. dry and warm so that the ride is immensely enjoyable and no other distractions ruin it. Love the long rides.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Aj1300 on July 14, 2012, 08:13:53 AM: All great advice guys. I was thinging of riding to Inverell in one hit. Having never done a big ride like that,I might have to do it in 2 days. I only have the standard seat,tried a air hawk off a mate and it slipped around the seat. Maybe too much air. Maybe a sheep skin? I usually can do a tank full before the bum is screaming to get off. Would a camel pack be good?has any one got any ideas on the best way up to Inv. I was going to go up the Newell hwy but it looks a bit boring,
Maybe I should plan to do 1000 k's so it leaves me a 3 hour ride the next day?
Cheers Adam :blk13
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: tj189 on July 14, 2012, 09:35:15 AM: Plan your ride, ride your plan

here are a few from the IBA

http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aowprintout.cfm (http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aowprintout.cfm)
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: royst1100 on July 14, 2012, 10:28:55 AM: good seat, comfortable ride possition, then at first a couple of hours between breaks then later on in the day breaks every hour or so. most of my big rides have been 2up with trailer
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Smokeguy on July 14, 2012, 10:37:21 AM: Excellent read tj , very well put together - when you think of it tho' it's all common sense isn't it ?
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Dan on July 14, 2012, 12:06:09 PM: Break the trip down in to smaller chunks - I did it fuel stop to fuel stop. I would have each leg as a separate route in the Zumo. I found it much better just dealing with one short-ish section at a time rather than dealing with the whole trip.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: terrydj on July 14, 2012, 01:51:32 PM: Hmmmmmmmmmm??? work on doing around 85 kays every hour. Don't worry about what the experts say, seems always regardless of the amount of stops I do or the time spent at stops. If the trips around a 1000kays + it always turns out close on 85 kays traveled for every hour on the road.

Always carry something to drink. When doing the kays, my jacket is the Dririder Rally pro. It has a Camelback built into it and pockets you can use with gloves on
Link: http://www.bikebiz.com.au/products/Dririder-RallyCross-Pro-2-Jacket.html (http://www.bikebiz.com.au/products/Dririder-RallyCross-Pro-2-Jacket.html)

A Tankbag with some goodies thrown into the top map part is always a bonus, and the Tunes :thumbsup Nothing like sitting on the correct kays and tapping out some tunes on the TankBag :runyay

Oh yeah, and stop when you want to and for how long you want to and where you want too

Had some of my best sleeps on the side of the road.

(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/terryjohns/Honda%20ST1100/IMG_0426.jpg)
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: SToz on July 14, 2012, 04:38:34 PM: As far as IBA rides go:

Discipline and mental strength.

You can plan the crap out of a ride.

You can watch your diet in the days leading up to a ride.

You can watch what you eat on the ride.

You can be as fit as you like.

But if you can't keep your arse on the seat for the desired time and distance (whatever that may be - 24 ,36 or 50 hours) then all of the above is totally futile and it's game over before you even start.

Discipline, to keep to a rough plan.

Mental strenght, to not talk yourself out of it if your sore or ache or tired. BUT it's important know the difference between tiredness and fatigue and when to pull the pin.

IMHO. :grin

P.S. There's no rocket science involved in LD riding........only opinions :crazy

P.P.S. As far as casual LD riding goes.......whatever feels confortable..... :thumb
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: kruz on July 14, 2012, 06:52:04 PM: make bloody shure that you REALY want to go first :rofl :dred11
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: horizontal on July 15, 2012, 01:50:57 PM: When I first decided to do a FarRide I really thought hard about how to go about it. Having come from a cycling back ground I realized that if you were going to do a 1000ks you should gradually ease up to it. Istarted of doing 300-400k rides. learned things like stretching, stopping need for hydration etc. Each weekend leading up to the FarRide I increased the distance till eventually I was doing about 700k. Doing this makes you think about how to approach the ride gear etc what you personally need to do to achive it. Each person is different as to there needs on a long ride for me I stop about every 250ks just for a smoke something light to eat muesli bar or what ever. After the FarRide to lightning ridge I basically stopped at Moree for fuel and Goondawindi for fuel and a toasted sanga and then straight thru to Bris vagas. Total of about 760ks in 9hrs.
Hopes this helps.
Cheers Greg. :wink1
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: terrydj on July 15, 2012, 02:04:43 PM: Quote from: horizontal on July 15, 2012, 01:50:57 PM
Each person is different as to there needs on a long ride for me I stop about every 250ks just for a smoke something light to eat muesli bar or what ever. After the FarRide to lightning ridge I basically stopped at Moree for fuel and Goondawindi for fuel and a toasted sanga and then straight thru to Bris vagas. Total of about 760ks in 9hrs.
Hopes this helps.
Cheers Greg. :wink1

Most excellent and an adverage of 84.44 Ks every hour :thumbsup. Yeap dont care how you do it, that 85 ks for every hour on the road seem to always be the go
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: horizontal on July 15, 2012, 02:12:03 PM: Thanks Terry,
learnt a longtime ago you can waste a lot of time standing still. consistency is the go get into a routine for fuel etc and it becomes easier. :thumbs
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: saaz on July 15, 2012, 04:36:09 PM: Keep on moving with little wasted time, but stop when you need to. I usually plan around the next goal whether it be the next fill up, the next town etc as it gives you a concrete goal to aim for. Just take a journey and break it into doable chunks/next goals. Pretty much what Terry says, a longer journey always seems to break down to a similar kph average anyway. I try and do any longer stints early on while fresh - say a maximum tank distance once or twice - then plan closer stops the farther on I get - more like 300 to 400kms (on the bike - more like 600+ in the car) unless the time/distances mean no fuel stops available, in which I case I just stop for a bit anyway. I have stopped a few times for a bit of a sleep when required, as no shame in that - better than running off the road falling asleep.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: terrydj on July 15, 2012, 05:55:16 PM: Quote from: horizontal on July 15, 2012, 02:12:03 PM
Thanks Terry,
learnt a longtime ago you can waste a lot of time standing still. consistency is the go get into a routine for fuel etc and it becomes easier. :thumbs
Maybe????? But a break at every fuel stop makes no difference. That extra 10 minutes does more for the ride and you than just getting petrol and heading off. A break of an extra 10 minutes or so every 200kays when you get petrol is only an hour over a 1200 kay trip. And for me that extra hour or so is worth heaps more than the 85kays extra that non hour break would have givin me. And if you really need that extra 85kays/hour you are doing something wrong.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: alphafang on July 21, 2012, 01:29:59 AM: Couple of things I have found
1. the UK is rubbish for long distance riding the sea keeps getting in the way.
2 a bit more serious don't do the energy drink thing, I found the down is longer than the up. A steady intake of energy is far better. Boiled sweets are good for that.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: tj189 on July 21, 2012, 07:34:52 AM: Boiled lollies :thumbs hadn't thought of that one, thanks Paul :thumbs
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: SToz on July 21, 2012, 05:29:12 PM: Quote from: tj189 on July 21, 2012, 07:34:52 AM
Boiled lollies :thumbs hadn't thought of that one, thanks Paul :thumbs

If you're doing one of those IBA rides where you need to be riding on the edge of tiredness...

...the sour lollies (or a Fishermen's Friend) are a good attention getter....tends to keep one awake a little longer..... :thumbs |-i :whistle :-((( :grin
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: terrydj on July 21, 2012, 06:38:28 PM: Quote from: SToz on July 21, 2012, 05:29:12 PM
Quote from: tj189 on July 21, 2012, 07:34:52 AM
Boiled lollies :thumbs hadn't thought of that one, thanks Paul :thumbs

If you're doing one of those IBA rides where you need to be riding on the edge of tiredness...

...the sour lollies (or a Fishermen's Friend) are a good attention getter....tends to keep one awake a little longer..... :thumbs |-i :whistle :-((( :grin
My advise. Go to sleep
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: tj189 on July 21, 2012, 09:35:57 PM: good advice Terry :thumbs

The lollies are just part of the diet for rides as is water and other food :thumbs
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: West Aussie Glen on July 22, 2012, 09:49:54 AM: Take a plane? :)
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Sabie on July 26, 2012, 08:29:55 PM: :crackup Fly :P
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Skip on July 27, 2012, 08:39:41 PM: Start closer to the afore mentioned destination. Saves time and fuel. :whistle
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: OzRider on August 07, 2012, 09:19:59 PM: After the WE a bloody good seat and LD shorts under your pants after a straight 24hrs in the saddle and only 5 x 10min fuel stops my usual rider underpants didnt cut it and irritated me to complete distraction - LD shorts ordered today.

In reality take all that has been said go for a ride and work it out Im still experimenting and will always be making changes as I progress,
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Sicman on August 07, 2012, 11:45:22 PM: Quote from: OzRider on August 07, 2012, 09:19:59 PM
After the WE a bloody good seat and LD shorts under your pants after a straight 24hrs in the saddle and only 5 x 10min fuel stops my usual rider underpants didnt cut it and irritated me to complete distraction - LD shorts ordered today.

Gees - I reckon riding in your usual G string would be uncomfortable :eek :o :crazy :fp No wonder you ordered the LD shorts ::) :grin :thumb :rofl :crackup

:slvr13
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Biggles on August 08, 2012, 12:22:41 PM: Quote from: OzRider on August 07, 2012, 09:19:59 PM
After the WE a bloody good seat and LD shorts under your pants after a straight 24hrs in the saddle and only 5 x 10min fuel stops my usual rider underpants didnt cut it and irritated me to complete distraction - LD shorts ordered today.

Ummm. What are Long Distance Shorts? Do they have a pad or a tube? :eek
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: SToz on August 10, 2012, 04:32:35 PM: Quote from: Biggles on August 08, 2012, 12:22:41 PM
Quote from: OzRider on August 07, 2012, 09:19:59 PM
After the WE a bloody good seat and LD shorts under your pants after a straight 24hrs in the saddle and only 5 x 10min fuel stops my usual rider underpants didnt cut it and irritated me to complete distraction - LD shorts ordered today.

Ummm. What are Long Distance Shorts? Do they have a pad or a tube? :eek

Try one of them on for size Biggles...ya don't even have to stop..... :rofl

http://www.stadiumpal.com/what-works.html (http://www.stadiumpal.com/what-works.html)

Brings a whole new meaning to having a strap-on...... >:()
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: BigTed on August 10, 2012, 04:48:05 PM: Great find, Rick!
I am soooooo printing out the sizing guide! What if XL isn't big enough?

Back to the topic, has anyone carried extra fuel on a standard top box and pannier setup? And how?
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: alans1100 on August 10, 2012, 04:52:27 PM: Quote from: SToz on August 10, 2012, 04:32:35 PM
Quote from: Biggles on August 08, 2012, 12:22:41 PM
Quote from: OzRider on August 07, 2012, 09:19:59 PM
After the WE a bloody good seat and LD shorts under your pants after a straight 24hrs in the saddle and only 5 x 10min fuel stops my usual rider underpants didnt cut it and irritated me to complete distraction - LD shorts ordered today.

Ummm. What are Long Distance Shorts? Do they have a pad or a tube? :eek

Try one of them on for size Biggles...ya don't even have to stop..... :rofl

[url]http://www.stadiumpal.com/what-works.html[/url] ([url]http://www.stadiumpal.com/what-works.html[/url])

Brings a whole new meaning to having a strap-on...... >:()

I would prefer to stop, walk around for 10 mins or so and get the blood flowing again.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: terrydj on August 10, 2012, 07:14:37 PM: Had bag on for a week when I got cut open. So kool when your taking a leak and talking to a really cute chick at the same time, while walking down the main st of the Gold Coast on a Saturday morning
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Brock on August 10, 2012, 07:45:03 PM: Way too much info Terry :law :law
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Biggles on August 12, 2012, 09:52:28 PM: Quote from: Rob on August 10, 2012, 04:48:05 PM
Great find, Rick!
I am soooooo printing out the sizing guide! What if XL isn't big enough?

Back to the topic, has anyone carried extra fuel on a standard top box and pannier setup? And how?

I carry one litre of petrol in my RH pannier all the time to rescue myself or anyone that needs it. Also a small plastic funnel to save pouring it all over the tank bra. I use a metal container. It came with Acetone in it, which FYI, is an excellent solvent and cleaner, and costs $10 for a litre. I use it often to prepare surfaces for glueing.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: alans1100 on August 12, 2012, 10:23:56 PM: Quote from: Rob on August 10, 2012, 04:48:05 PM

Back to the topic, has anyone carried extra fuel on a standard top box and pannier setup? And how?

When ever I go touring (with trailer) I take at least 1 x 10 litre plastic fuel container which will fit in one side case. Sometimes I'll have one in each side case (to balance the bike). Spare fuel is better carried in the bike rather than the trailer just due to possible fuel smell getting into food/clothing etc.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Biggles on August 12, 2012, 10:28:58 PM: Even in a sealed metal tin, the fuel smell goes right through the pannier. Many folk don't realise it, but steel is ever so slightly porous.
If you're going to use plastic, it has to be purpose-built plastic, or it will either dissolve slowly or weaken and spill.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: Biggles on August 12, 2012, 10:36:51 PM: Regarding the question first asked in this topic, I came up with another tip on today's ride.
Keep your shoulders loose.

Sounds odd, but here's what I mean. Yesterday I was under a bit of pressure. Left home at 5:00 am for a 6:30 pm function over 800 kays away. It was -2^o when I was near Warwick (went down the New England as rain was forecast for all the Pacific). When it's very cold, I tense up, and the trip down the Hunter Valley makes me very tense with lots of 50 kph hamlets etc etc. My shoulders were in agony.

Today I was relaxed and when I did something a bit challenging on the road I realised how much I tense my arms and shoulders. I consciously chose to relax them every time I felt a bit tense and the difference was huge.

That along with standing on the pegs occasionally you can deal with some of the hazards of cramped body bits.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: alans1100 on August 12, 2012, 11:02:58 PM: Quote from: Biggles on August 12, 2012, 10:28:58 PM
Even in a sealed metal tin, the fuel smell goes right through the pannier. Many folk don't realise it, but steel is ever so slightly porous.
If you're going to use plastic, it has to be purpose-built plastic, or it will either dissolve slowly or weaken and spill.

Metal ones tend to go rusty after awhile whereas the plastic fuel ones don't. I actually got one of those for free. We went for a 100km ride from Karratha to Fortescue river roadhouse for lunch one day. On the way back we pulled into a rest stop and beside the bin saw 1 x 10 litre plastic fuel container. No fuel in it but it looked brand new. Used once and then tossed.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: BigTed on August 13, 2012, 12:57:36 AM: Not that I've ever done it (or had reason to - yet!), but I don't like the idea of putting fuel inside any of the luggage (or any confined space) due to the issues with fumes/leakage mentioned above.

I was wondering if it's possible to mount/strap it underneath the topbox, but so it doesn't obscure the tail-lights (for obvious reasons). I guess it depends on the profile of the container. A quick Google has found this at JustGasTanks (http://justgastanks.com/product_info.php?products_id=1061). It's a bit pricey ($49 for 1 Gal), but certainly looks functional.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: tj189 on August 13, 2012, 05:40:35 AM: Quote from: Rob on August 13, 2012, 12:57:36 AM
Not that I've ever done it (or had reason to - yet!), but I don't like the idea of putting fuel inside any of the luggage (or any confined space) due to the issues with fumes/leakage mentioned above.

I was wondering if it's possible to mount/strap it underneath the topbox, but so it doesn't obscure the tail-lights (for obvious reasons). I guess it depends on the profile of the container. A quick Google has found this at JustGasTanks ([url]http://justgastanks.com/product_info.php?products_id=1061[/url]). It's a bit pricey ($49 for 1 Gal), but certainly looks functional.

(http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv353/TeeJay_019/IMG_0138.jpg)
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: terrydj on August 13, 2012, 06:59:06 AM: My pillions better looking and ahhhhhhhhhh can do more things than yours tj :rofl
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: tj189 on August 13, 2012, 04:50:20 PM: :crackup :crackup
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: alans1100 on August 13, 2012, 06:48:00 PM: Quote from: Rob on August 13, 2012, 12:57:36 AM
Not that I've ever done it (or had reason to - yet!), but I don't like the idea of putting fuel inside any of the luggage (or any confined space) due to the issues with fumes/leakage mentioned above.

I was wondering if it's possible to mount/strap it underneath the topbox, but so it doesn't obscure the tail-lights (for obvious reasons). I guess it depends on the profile of the container. A quick Google has found this at JustGasTanks ([url]http://justgastanks.com/product_info.php?products_id=1061[/url]). It's a bit pricey ($49 for 1 Gal), but certainly looks functional.

So far I've had no issues with plastic fuel containers in my side cases. Containers come with a pooring spout and providing I don't fill above the recommened level (leave air space for expansion) and the cap is screwed on correctly I have never had a pressure leak on hot days.
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: excopper on August 13, 2012, 10:24:20 PM: :wht11 best Ive found is to side back to pillion seat,steer with you body for few k's then back on riders seat, keep alternating extends you ride time huge
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: kruz on August 14, 2012, 12:41:14 PM: i sometimes lean on the bars with my elbows & dangle my hands over the dash, you get a bit of a breeze over your hands too & gives your back a bit of a streach. then like everyone else i move all over the bike. :butt
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: kruz on August 14, 2012, 12:44:00 PM: :wink1alans1100, i have a plastic gas can for my mower & i have not found any probs with that. :thumbs
Title: Re: Long distance riding, what's your No. 1 advice
Post by: alans1100 on August 14, 2012, 02:46:09 PM: Quote from: kruz on August 14, 2012, 12:41:14 PM
i sometimes lean on the bars with my elbows & dangle my hands over the dash, you get a bit of a breeze over your hands too & gives your back a bit of a streach. then like everyone else i move all over the bike. :butt

Standing up on the foot pegs for about half a km on a straight or in the 80kph zone approaching a town helps a little as well.