Best Safe Riding Tips for Long Bike Trips
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
If you're going to write an article about something, come across an an expert at, offering advice to others with little-to-no experience? Why would I read your article and use whatever you say if you don't have the experience?
I ridden on quite a few trips. I'm hardly an expert.
My advice to you is to ride on a dozen or more multi-thousand mile trips and then write your experience. Maybe I'll read it then. Until then...
I ridden on quite a few trips. I'm hardly an expert.
My advice to you is to ride on a dozen or more multi-thousand mile trips and then write your experience. Maybe I'll read it then. Until then...
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 292
From: Pennsylvania
Do your drinking after you make camp or have your motel room. God forbid you have an accident, alcohol in your blood will complicate things.
Bring along a good rain suit. Even when it's Pretty warm out, when you're soaked, it isn't pleasant and could lead to hypothermia
Bring along a good rain suit. Even when it's Pretty warm out, when you're soaked, it isn't pleasant and could lead to hypothermia
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 15,967
Likes: 7,069
From: Sandy Eggo's North County
Do your drinking after you make camp or have your motel room. God forbid you have an accident, alcohol in your blood will complicate things.
Bring along a good rain suit. Even when it's Pretty warm out, when you're soaked, it isn't pleasant and could lead to hypothermia
Bring along a good rain suit. Even when it's Pretty warm out, when you're soaked, it isn't pleasant and could lead to hypothermia
It isn't needed and only "takes away, never gives more."
The rest of the advice above is very good.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 3,411
From: Idaho Panhandle
Long rides breeds fatigue. Stop, rest, hydrate and stretch.
Don't let mind wander and daydream, stay focused.
Monotony breeds complacency, expect, plan and prepare for anything unexpected.
Inspect load security, lights and tires at every stop.
Look at the horizon, peripheral vision will watch the road in front of you.
If hot, start travel at dawn and quit early afternoon.
Don't ride faster than you can safely stop for unexpected hazards.
Know your deer habitat and when they are most likely to be seen.
Eat granola bars on the road.
Two lane roads are more dangerous than interstate super slabs.
Don't let mind wander and daydream, stay focused.
Monotony breeds complacency, expect, plan and prepare for anything unexpected.
Inspect load security, lights and tires at every stop.
Look at the horizon, peripheral vision will watch the road in front of you.
If hot, start travel at dawn and quit early afternoon.
Don't ride faster than you can safely stop for unexpected hazards.
Know your deer habitat and when they are most likely to be seen.
Eat granola bars on the road.
Two lane roads are more dangerous than interstate super slabs.
If you end up staring, say at the white line, stop, you are no longer seeing ahead of you. Riding west, into the sun after 3 is murder, after 5 stupid. Better to pull over and do your final miles after the sun sets.
Of these, the first is most important. Stop, rest, hydrate, stretch. Next for me is start early, get off room mid afternoon and relax. Third is good equipment, know your bike, tires, tire and shock pressure, brake pads, fluids, etc. Bring a sheepskin, air hawk, bead seat cover if you have any issues riding more than three hours. We use an airhawk and sheep skin for our long trips. Just removes any doubt about monkey butt for both of us. Go light on alcohol and coffee. One really great cup of coffee is way better than 3-4 average cups. Treat yourself and let that stay with you.
If it is hot, cover up. A long sleeve tee is cooler and less dehydrating that a short sleeve tee. A helmet with face shield is cooler than 105F air being blown across your face at 70 mph. Plus, you'll eat fewer bugs. We use 3/4 with flip shields. Especially handy when you hit rain. Get several pair of sunglasses that work for you, so if you leave a pair on top of a gas pump, you don't need to ride 20 miles back to find out someone already is wearing them. Mix several long days with a short day.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,550
Likes: 1,842
From: Albuquerque, NM
I try to stop for gas every 100-130 miles if possible. I drink water and have a small snack with every stop. This seems to keep me more alert. If the ride is over 500 miles, I start the day with some vitamin I (ibuprofen) and have a little more in the afternoon. This seems to keep fatigue down.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
Safe in regards to crashing? Much of the same advice applies to all riding, not just longer rides. Watch what is happening around you, ride like nobody can see you, expect the unexpected, all good tips for any length riding.
Rider fatigue to me is one of the bigger risks on long rides. Keep well hydrated and eat regularly. Drink before you get thirsty- when you take a whiz it should be clear or close to it- if not you are getting dehydrated. Stay cool in hot weather, stay warm in cool weather. Take frequent breaks and get off bike and walk around. Know when it's time to hang it up for the day. Some people may be all shot after a 200 mile putt, some may be fine going 500 miles or more in a day.
Have adequate rain gear. Nothing worse than getting all wet with 100 miles to go before you get to your destination.
Self service car washes- the kind you drive into and wash with the pressure washer- make a great place to wait out a storm. If it's raining, nobody will want to be using the wash. Plenty of room in there to stretch out.
Rider fatigue to me is one of the bigger risks on long rides. Keep well hydrated and eat regularly. Drink before you get thirsty- when you take a whiz it should be clear or close to it- if not you are getting dehydrated. Stay cool in hot weather, stay warm in cool weather. Take frequent breaks and get off bike and walk around. Know when it's time to hang it up for the day. Some people may be all shot after a 200 mile putt, some may be fine going 500 miles or more in a day.
Have adequate rain gear. Nothing worse than getting all wet with 100 miles to go before you get to your destination.
Self service car washes- the kind you drive into and wash with the pressure washer- make a great place to wait out a storm. If it's raining, nobody will want to be using the wash. Plenty of room in there to stretch out.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 120
Likes: 2
From: Jeddo, TX
Long ride, short ride - that car up ahead on that side road that wants to turn onto the road you're on? She's going to hit you.
Maybe not, but ride like she is. Get ready.
I also agree with the "Ride for the Slide" previous comment.
Maybe not, but ride like she is. Get ready.
I also agree with the "Ride for the Slide" previous comment.