How long does it take...
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 1
Rode from Denver to Council Bluffs, IA a couple weeks ago. 560 miles and interstate all the way. Only stopped twice combining fuel/food/water intake.
Made it in almost 9 hours exactly.
Would have been better but there were several 25+ miles strips of highway that were under construction and that slowed things down a bit.
Split the ride home into 2 days so I could take it easy and enjoy the sights on the way back. (Not that there's a whole lot of sights to see through Nebraska and NE Colorado)
Made it in almost 9 hours exactly.
Would have been better but there were several 25+ miles strips of highway that were under construction and that slowed things down a bit.
Split the ride home into 2 days so I could take it easy and enjoy the sights on the way back. (Not that there's a whole lot of sights to see through Nebraska and NE Colorado)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 1
From: British Columbia
anything that is a 'minor' irritant on a short ride is chinese water torture on a longer ride. and even some things that you don't even notice will become a major pita on a long ride.
doing some shorter rides before hand will help to bring those areas out so you can take care of them before hand.
doing some shorter rides before hand will help to bring those areas out so you can take care of them before hand.
I went and bought a wooden bead seatcover from the local parts store for about $20. It's meant for a car but I use it with no problems on the bike. so with my tourpack on I have a backrest. The bead seatcover goes over my seat and runs up the tourpack to the top where I usually tuck it under my sleeping bag so it stays. a bungy cord or two and the bead seatcover stays where it is put.
THAT makes all the difference in the world in how long I can ride for in a day. I get the air movement under my *** and up my back as well, with no pressure point problems anywhere.
may wish to look into that
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 987
Likes: 31
I've tried those beaded seat covers in a couple of cars, and I can't stand them - the beads always seem to hit me in the wrong spot.
But that's just me.
As for the OP - leave early and stop often. If you only have four days for the whole trip, a car might be a bit more comfortable. You won't be sight-seeing either way.
But that's just me.
As for the OP - leave early and stop often. If you only have four days for the whole trip, a car might be a bit more comfortable. You won't be sight-seeing either way.
Rode from Denver to Council Bluffs, IA a couple weeks ago. 560 miles and interstate all the way. Only stopped twice combining fuel/food/water intake.
Made it in almost 9 hours exactly.
Would have been better but there were several 25+ miles strips of highway that were under construction and that slowed things down a bit.
Split the ride home into 2 days so I could take it easy and enjoy the sights on the way back. (Not that there's a whole lot of sights to see through Nebraska and NE Colorado)
Made it in almost 9 hours exactly.
Would have been better but there were several 25+ miles strips of highway that were under construction and that slowed things down a bit.
Split the ride home into 2 days so I could take it easy and enjoy the sights on the way back. (Not that there's a whole lot of sights to see through Nebraska and NE Colorado)
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,394
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I went and bought a wooden bead seatcover from the local parts store for about $20. It's meant for a car but I use it with no problems on the bike. so with my tourpack on I have a backrest. The bead seatcover goes over my seat and runs up the tourpack to the top where I usually tuck it under my sleeping bag so it stays. a bungy cord or two and the bead seatcover stays where it is put.
THAT makes all the difference in the world in how long I can ride for in a day. I get the air movement under my *** and up my back as well, with no pressure point problems anywhere.
may wish to look into that
THAT makes all the difference in the world in how long I can ride for in a day. I get the air movement under my *** and up my back as well, with no pressure point problems anywhere.
may wish to look into that
I've tried those beaded seat covers in a couple of cars, and I can't stand them - the beads always seem to hit me in the wrong spot.
But that's just me.
As for the OP - leave early and stop often. If you only have four days for the whole trip, a car might be a bit more comfortable. You won't be sight-seeing either way.
But that's just me.
As for the OP - leave early and stop often. If you only have four days for the whole trip, a car might be a bit more comfortable. You won't be sight-seeing either way.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 1
I'm friends with KFAB radio DJ Crash Davis. He invited me out for the Quaker Steak & Lube bike night and the Ted Nugent concert. Figured I had some vacation time to burn and wanted to put some miles on the bike so I said why not.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
I have read several people on here talk about doing 500-600 miles in a day and was wondering how many hours it took you to do it at a comfortable pace on the interstate. I have rode several 300 mile days, all secondary roads, and including fuel stops and one sit down meal it usually takes 8-9 hours. The reason I ask is I am planing on rideing to Michigan this summer which according to google maps is 619 miles all interstate and was wondering how much time to plan for. Thanks in advance for your help.
I can ride all day sun-up to sunset- the weather is a major factor, extreme high or low temp will fatique you fast-you might have to bag the ride and rest very frequently or get a room until you recover.
A seven hour ride may take you 18 hours.
Your riding gear and bike equipment will help/hinder your fatigue level- full face helmet or a windshield will help reduce the "hanging on" feeling you get after riding against a headwind most of the day.
http://www.mapquest.com/
Last edited by Sling Blade 14; May 21, 2012 at 05:14 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: Delray Beach, Florida
You should easily be able to average 60+ miles per hour on the Interstate.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
620 miles in 10 hours is a comfortable pace and will allow you a modest amount of time for a sit down lunch or dinner.
Weather and fuel stops will be your unavoidable time sinks.
Send me a note if have specific questions.
Weather and fuel stops will be your unavoidable time sinks.
Send me a note if have specific questions.
Last edited by Jonesee; May 21, 2012 at 06:03 PM.