My First Long Ride - November 15th-25th Roughly

[jf3000]

Good Morning, Good Afternoon and Good Evening to the Fine Ladies and Gentleman on the forum,

Somewhere between the 15th to 25th November I am embarking on a massive journey to South Australia - Mount Gambier. I've done the whereis thing and it says using tolls 2300klm roughly. I wanted to find out from first experience riders the best way to get there. I will also have a car following me as well plus am stopping too for lots of rests including a hotel somewhere or the tent pitched off the back of the bike.

I've never undertaken such a massive road journey, especially going into another state, almost sounds foreign. If you can offer all of your useful tips for me this would be much appreciated.

So fuel stops, how much fuel will be needed, how long does the trip usually take, ins and outs of everything please.

This is a one way trip as well. I am moving there.

Just need to get my net back on so I can get my gaming happening again.

So thank you to all who reply.

Also being such a long ride isn't there some sort of badge I can get or something I can join to say yeah!! Never again lol or something, being pretty clueless I have no idea. Am going to miss stalking Big Brother in Brisbane City and Rodd from Maryborough even though I hardly see you cos you're so quiet.

Thank you.

[StinkyPete]

Hi Jason,
Let me say from the start that there are awards for distance riding, and for information have a look at http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/.   A number of us from OzSTOC undertook the entry level ride a couple of weeks ago, riding 1770km in under 24 hours.   I rode from 0200hrs to 2100hrs with minimal stops to achieve this goal, so it's a pretty epic undertaking and may not be for you if you haven't done much touring or distance riding.

My advice would be to take route that avoids the capital cities, to minimize the stress and navigational difficulties.
Prepare your bike, and ensure fluids are good, and tyres are in good condition and pressures are correct.
Carry a plug type puncture repair kit, and a pump or CO2 tyre inflation kit
Take your time and build on your daily distances to find your comfort zone, perhaps starting with a pretty comfortable 500km per day.
While your bike will do 450km comfortably between fuel stops, you may need to stop more often to stretch and have a drink.
Wear ear plugs, which make riding far more comfortable and less tiring
Drink lots of water as you will dehydrate quickly on a motorcycle, particularly if the weather is hot
I calculate that at 5.5 litres per hundred kilometers, you will use around 126 litres of fuel for the trip.
If you are camping, stop in caravan parks which have hot showers, toilets, camp kitchens, and other travelers with stories to tell.
The most important tip is to enjoy the journey and smell the roses, as you have the prefect bike for the trip

[Marcus]

Unless you're doing it in one go. Don't stress. Just think of it as lots of little rides. As you have a car following just stop when you want. There are plenty if towns to rest at. Just remember it's not the same as sitting in a car for 10 hours

[tj189]

use googlemaps and take the route it suggests.  2238Km and 27 hrs.  Use more than the 27 Hours and take 3 days to get there, just over 700Km per day.  This should give you comfortable morning starts and late afternoon finish with one refuel each day. Plan for lunch stops and morning and afternoon tea if that is what you normally do.  Take you time, ride safely and enjoy the trip.

[Gadget]

What has already been said is very good advice. 


Having spoken to Shiney, he was using a Camelback to keep his fluids up on the SS1600k and recommends them.  Taking a sip every 20 minutes, stretching while riding, basic callisthenics, also helps prevent cramping up.  Rotating you wrist, flexing your fingers, reaching to touch the seat behind etc.

Just out of curiosity, what is your starting point.  Because if it is North of Brisbane, stay clear of Brisbane for the weekend of the 15 and 16 Nov because of G20.  So detouring out through Toowoomba is a good idea.

If you can, make a holiday out of it, (looks like you've allocated 10-11 days), so stop and take a look at Dubbo Zoo, check out the Telescopes and Observatories at Parkes.


Look for other places to visit along the way via http://www.visitnsw.com/

Check with ST2UP and Pockey as they could be on your route, stop in for a cuppa/break/night.


I believe we have a friendly member at West Wyalong who might be willing to put you up for a night.

Don't ride tired and if you are riding early morning or evening be aware that is when the Roos, Wallabies, Wombats and believe it or not Tortoises and others like to be on the road.

And most of all Enjoy.  You will be surprised what you can handle.

[alans1100]

use googlemaps and take the route it suggests.  2238Km and 27 hrs.  Use more than the 27 Hours and take 3 days to get there, just over 700Km per day.  This should give you comfortable morning starts and late afternoon finish with one refuel each day. Plan for lunch stops and morning and afternoon tea if that is what you normally do.  Take you time, ride safely and enjoy the trip.

My first longish trip by bike was in 2007 was from Adelaide to Port Hedland via Perth (to see sis) with my first night in Whyalla. Only 400 km from Adelaide but it was also time with the granddaughters.

As above, don't rush it, I plan my fuel stops to the fuel warning light or the nearest fuel stop before then.

I knew I had compulsory fuel stops along the way and they were logged as way points in the GPS and I allowed for an optional overnighter in Boulder with Heather's brother. I ended up having two overnight stops between Whyalla and Boulder and stopping every 100/150 km to stretch the legs/take a photo etc.

In 2008 Heather moved up as well so I had her in front most of the way while I followed on the bike and used car as a buffer.

Googles suggested route. Plan on three days riding but allow four

[hobs]

Having just done 1700klm in 2 days twice (return trip), the thing that stood out the most for me was that I wished I had cruise control on my bike. My right hand and wrist suffered from rigger-mortis and cramps from constantly holding the throttle in one position. Fit an after market unit and you will be very appreciative of it being there. I intend to fit one before my next big ride.

[alans1100]

Having just done 1700klm in 2 days twice (return trip), the thing that stood out the most for me was that I wished I had cruise control on my bike. My right hand and wrist suffered from rigger-mortis and cramps from constantly holding the throttle in one position. Fit an after market unit and you will be very appreciative of it being there. I intend to fit one before my next big ride.

I've never been rich enough to get the MC cruise so I've made do with a throttle lock but I'm keeping an eye on these two and have one on mine before the WA rally

http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=7892.msg90801#msg90801

http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=7572.msg86909#msg86909

[Gadget]

Quote from: hobs on 25 October 2014, 12:00:40

Having just done 1700klm in 2 days twice (return trip), the thing that stood out the most for me was that I wished I had cruise control on my bike. My right hand and wrist suffered from rigger-mortis and cramps from constantly holding the throttle in one position. Fit an after market unit and you will be very appreciative of it being there. I intend to fit one before my next big ride.

I love my McCruise!  Set it, and relax the wrist, even take your hand off the grip and rotate and flex it to relieve the tension.

[jf3000]

I did specify it was one way, there is no me coming back. Those dates that I have given are the dates somewhere in between that when I will be leaving. There is no me doing this in 24 hrs or something, I am taking my time, cos I noticed its a massive long way on a bike.

Def a long way to go and see Shiney too :P

The problem with the cruise control is I know nothing about the wiring of he bike and would end up doing more damage than anything.

The bike is going in for its service, 2 new tires, those angle plug things so i can fill the tires up and also that stuff in the tired so if i run over something im good, something Shiney showed me, he has like a few hundreds bottles laying around everywhere, had no idea what they were, front brakes and a massive service, im gonna enjoy every minute of this.

[Shiney]

...

Def a long way to go and see Shiney too :P
...

SA is a bit of a long trip
I'll have to get some better cameras at work to spot you riding around


I'm sure you'll have a great time. As the others have said just take lots of breaks and stop for a rest whenever you feel the need.
Have fun

[jf3000]

Gonna miss you Shiney, hopefully once I have settled and another big ride comes up I can see you. Just checking out those CamelBak things.

[Shiney]

Gonna miss you Shiney, hopefully once I have settled and another big ride comes up I can see you. Just checking out those CamelBak things.

You will be missed my friend but you will get to meet up with some of the awesome SA guys and you never know one of these days I might get the time and money to cruise down there

As for the CamelBak have a chat to Streak, I got mine through his shop

[jf3000]

Streak owns a Camel shop, well I never

[denis]

Hi Denis here, The angle things your talking about, if you have ABS they can hit sender and bugger it so check it out. Learnt at DICKS Saturday. Enjoy the ride and safe riding, Denis.

[Kev Murphy]

When you move and settle in, I am only 100k away, Jason. 

.. and you might be able to do the RTE at Nelson 6/7 Dec?... (37 k/...short trip for you?)
Kev

[jf3000]

I dont even know where we're living yet all I know is we're going to Mt Gambier, I have already started looking for a place. I wouldnt mind getting the camel thing as well, let me sus streak out. Does he have an online shop? Okay PM sent, I await.

100klms in what direction? Man the more I read about this place the more I am seeing that its pretty much in the middle of nowhere. I think I am going to miss my 40mins ride to the beach.

[Kev Murphy]

South east of Mt Gambier, Jason, Portland on the coast in Vic
Plenty to see around the Mount, scenic country, but watch out dawn and dusk near the pine plantations, there are plenty of furred grasshoppers and bush chooks.
Several nearby towns near Mount Gambier, and some nice rides in the area.

[Gatey]

" Man the more I read about this place the more I am seeing that its pretty much in the middle of nowhere."

Hadley the middle of nowhere I assure you.
I've lived in that region throught the late seventy's to the nintys. I've lived in the middle of nowhere too and they do not look the same. 

positioned nicely between Adelaide and Melbourne.
Not far from the coast and places like Beachport or Robe or Portland and Bridgewater Bay.

[jf3000]

Wanted to ask cos this is probably easy but how do I plot the route for the map like how to drop pins etc so I can map out how I want to ride? Whats best to use and how?

[Gadget]

Do you mean something like this?



I use http://www.google.com.au/maps or http://here.com/-27.534,160.9091561,5,0,0,normal.day

[jf3000]

I know I can go to whereis or google maps type in where I leave from and go to but wanted to know if I could do my own route instead of them auto making one for me?

[Kev Murphy]

do the auto route in googlemaps, then put mouse on the route given, and you can click and drag the route to different waypoints.

Demo screenshot video here ...  click on the link ... hold down the Ctrl key, and scroll mouse button for a larger view

http://vid154.photobucket.com/albums/s277/cool_blue_ice_2002/anims/travel/map.mp4

[Gadget]

Quote from: jf3000 on 02 November 2014, 13:51:47

I know I can go to whereis or google maps type in where I leave from and go to but wanted to know if I could do my own route instead of them auto making one for me?

If you click on my map above you'll see I set start, finish and two way points.

What you can also do is click on a blue line between to points and drag it to another road or town or sightseeing point you want to go to. 



This image above top left shows the start, stop and way-points but if you look at the map, I've dragged the route out of Brisbane to Toowoomba (it is not in the waypoints) and I've also dragged it via Bathurst.

Give it a go, you can't break it. 

[jf3000]

So this is the way I am going to go, only because I don't fair myself out in the middle of nowhere and then something happening and being stranded.



For my journey I have some questions:

1. What to take (Am getting a camelbak)
2. Tools repair kits for tires anything?
3. Hotels / Places to stop sleep
4. How long should i ride for each day or try and cover without over doing it.
5. Drinks, ive seen different drinks that are could for riding like Gatorade or something

If there are any other riders that want to come for a ride so far be sure to let me know as the company would be awesome.

The bike went in for its major service today and I will pick it up next week 13th or so.

As much information that you can bombard me with will be awesome, so far everyone has been awesome.

Cos I don't have the charger thing installed on the bike like Rodd (Haven't seen him in ages) I am taking those batteries that let you charge the device via USB I have heaps. I guess I don't want to be taking to much stuff as I don't want to weigh down the bike and end up using more fuel, the less the best :)

More to come.