far ride

[hobs]

Tossing up whether to ride home to visit family. I am working in SA and will be going home for a couple of weeks at the end of the month. The cost of flying on 3 planes each way and spending all day to get there is painfully costly. Was wondering if riding would be an option, and using the ride to register for a far ride.

The distance from Whyalla, SA and Newcastle NSW is 1600klms. Have done similar distances when working in Victoria, but was driving a car. Haven't done anyway near those distances on my ST. Have any of you guys got some gem of advice of when you first rode a long distance and what you learnt from the experience. Have ridden 300kls in single runs without issues of fatigue or comfort issues.

Should I go for it and 'sieze the moment' and enjoy the ride or take the 'bus' and leave the STeed behind? How do you register and what needs to be done for a far ride and claim the prize at the end?

[Brock]

Do some practice runs, slowly increasing the distances so that you can learn your limits.  I did a run last year (an RTE) that was around 750Ks in the day, and did it quite comfortably with out any training. The beauty of your planned ride is, that if you are getting fatigued then you can stop for the night and finish the ride in your own comfortable time. You can then try it again on the return run if you wish to give it a go.

It will be cheaper than flying, not as quick, and you will have transport while on holiday.

[StinkyPete]

Hobs,
Just do it, and I guarantee that you'll love the experience.
If you don't want to carry camping gear, stop in cabins in caravan parks, and if you do carry camping gear, use the camp kitchens in caravan parks, and you'll meet lots of travelers with great stories.
Plan on three days travel to cover the 1600 if you haven't toured on the bike very much.
Leave after roo o'clock in the mornings and stop well before roo o'clock in the afternoons.
Make sure you have good warm gear to wear, including something to keep your neck warm, and waterproof pants.
Be prepared for rain, but pray for fine weather.
Do a decent check of your bike before you go, including all fluids and tyre pressures (42 psi)  and carry some puncture repair gear, available from your local motorcycle shop.
Join the OzSTOC RAN before you go.
I'm sure others will chip in with ideas, but keep it simple and just kiss the bride and go.   
You have the best bike for the job, and it'll be doing exactly what it was designed for.
Depending on when you are going, we may be able to hook up and I'll ride with you for a day.  PM me it that appeals.   

I wouldn't do the rather remote Broken Hill, Willcannia, Cobar route for your first solo tour, but would choose the slightly longer  Mildura, West Wyalong, Bathurst run, and come home the same way.

[alans1100]

Yeah!! go for it.

Agree with Pete

1600 kms with two nights on the road shouldn't be a problem if you're not used to longer distances. Also gives you time to site see along the route.

You have easy day rides to Ceduna and Port Lincoln so go for a weekend ride and to one of them and see how you feel.

Oh!! don't for get to let us know if you're going through Peterborough and we can meet down the main street.

[Wombat]

Hobs
First things first. The ss1600 is an Iron Butt ride and you must conform to their rules. You can get all details from their website. Basically you need a start witness who signs a suitable form. You fill up and get a start docket. Every time you fill up you get a docket with time, date and place. During your ride you have a log on different things that happen when you finish you need a finish witness and finish fuel docket. You put all these together with a map and send it with payment to the IBA association. I am sure if you want to do this someone like TJ can give good advice.

The second is the ride itself. I have just done this and it showed what I did wrong so here is my advice on top of all the other info available here and on the FarRiders site. You have 24 hours and take up as much of this as possible. Riding a STead 20-24 hours is tiring. Plan your route. I use google maps because i am a cheap bastard. Allow at least a five minute break every 1.5 hours. I fuel up around the 3 hours or 300 kms. You can stretch this but I wouldnt because you need to take it easy and safely. The week before I would bank sleep. That is early to bed and you will feel better on the day. Plot your stops and the expected times for arrival so you can keep track and not rush and make bad decisions when tired.
Take small snacks and dont have big fatty meals for breakfast or on the road. snack bars and plenty of water are essential. Use sun lotion during the day even if it is overcast. It gets cold at night so have thin layers on so you can slowly take each off or on as needed. Go over the bike carefully and fix those things you have been meaning to do. I have a check list of all the things I need to do or take so every ride becomes easy not having to worry about things left behind.

After all of this HAVE FUN

 

 

[StinkyPete]

Wombat, I'm sure that Hobbs is talking about a 1600km touring ride, and not a sanctioned FarRide or IBA ride.

[Wombat]

Still applies 

[alans1100]

Wombat, I'm sure that Hobbs is talking about a 1600km touring ride, and not a sanctioned FarRide or IBA ride.

That's what I thought at first but I missed his last sentence.

Having seen that I would suggest that he forgets the FarRide thing for a while.

A more casual two or three day ride over 1600kms and back home again would certainly give him insight to anything he might need to do for at least 1000 km day ride. The Border Ride in August might a good first one for him.

Not that I should be so thoughtful with having done 3800kms with three nights on the road and only 200km on the last day without any training what so ever. But I was younger in 2007...lol

[StinkyPete]

Wombat, I'm sure that Hobbs is talking about a 1600km touring ride, and not a sanctioned FarRide or IBA ride.

That's what I thought at first but I missed his last sentence.

I agree, and I missed the last sentence as well.  Wombat's nailed it.   

[ST2UP]

Great information so far 

If your goal is to challenge yourself but obviously remain well with in your personal safety limits could I suggest you don't decide on 3 days of 500 k's and pre-booked accom, because that is just what you will do....instead travel the more populated route even if it is a little longer, don't pre-book accom but have researched accom options at say 500, 600, 700 kilometre marks.....then if you arrive at 500k's feel fresh then move on. Constantly assess and reassess your fatigue and be honest with yourself......in addition small meals often, hydration and hydration.

 

[Biggles]

And just to add the final definition:
FarRides are scheduled by the FarRiders several times a year in the East, West, Tasmania and recently, North.  They have their own rules, which you can read on their website.
Using the correct terms will keep us all off your back so you can just go and have some nice long day rides utilising all the above wisdom.   

As others have said, the key is to enjoy the experience.

[Gadget]

Web Address for FarRiders. http://farriders.com/


These FAQs are worth a read. http://farriders.com/farriderte.php

Upcoming and past FarRides http://farriders.com/FarRides/

Iron Butt Association or IBA for short. http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm


Enjoy your ride, whichever way you plan to do it, and stay safe.

[tj189]

plenty of good information above for you.

I have noticed recently some riders attempting what may be perceived as a bit of a loose interpretation of the rules  which are are located here http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/getdocument.cfm?DocID=30  should you have any questions regarding these may I suggest contacting Ira at the IBA forum to ask for clarification here http://www.ironbutt.org/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=21