Need advice for a long trip
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Need advice for a long trip
Need a little advice guys and gals...I've got about 45 days left until we leave for our trip from Louisiana to Arizona. The first leg of the trip is about a 10 hour ride or 555 miles to Amarillo. This will be the longest trip on a motorcycle that I've ever taken. Before this, the most miles I've logged in a day was somewhere between 250-300. I'm just kinda wanting to know what to expect that first day. The second day will be alot shorter, going from Amarillo to Albuquerque. The third day we will go from Albuquerque to Flagstaff/the grand canyon area. I have a total of 9 days I can be gone and I just want to make sure I've allowed myself enough time to see a lot of stuff in Arizona and still not have try to ride 1000 miles in a day. I'm by no means a rookie rider, however, I've just never had the time to take off from work or the means to take a long trip. We will be riding Wide Glides, so not the comfy street or ultra classics. If everything works out the way we plan, it will be a 2400-2800 mile ride there and back. Any other advice or information will be greatly appreciated. I'm the planner of the trip, my husband just kinda leaves most of the decisions up to me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 6
From: Indiana
Since you don't have experience with longer rides, here's a few tips:
1. Take lots of breaks. When you start getting restless, or need to stretch the legs, it's a good time to stop for a while. I'd say every hour or so, but play it by how your bodies are feeling. Fatigue is hard to overcome...don't go long that you get really tired without taking a break.
2. Stay hydrated!!!! Can't stress this enough. Even when you aren't thirsty, you are losing fluids through the wind hitting you and sweat.
3. Take the necessities: Maps, cell phone, credit card (with enough on it to fix a major problem), cash.
4. It takes a lot of energy to support the bike when fighting crosswinds, bad traffic, etc. Throw a granola bar in the pocket for a quick pick me up.
5. Tons of good threads on here with tips. Check them out, and decide what will work for you.
Enjoy your trip...ride safe!
1. Take lots of breaks. When you start getting restless, or need to stretch the legs, it's a good time to stop for a while. I'd say every hour or so, but play it by how your bodies are feeling. Fatigue is hard to overcome...don't go long that you get really tired without taking a break.
2. Stay hydrated!!!! Can't stress this enough. Even when you aren't thirsty, you are losing fluids through the wind hitting you and sweat.
3. Take the necessities: Maps, cell phone, credit card (with enough on it to fix a major problem), cash.
4. It takes a lot of energy to support the bike when fighting crosswinds, bad traffic, etc. Throw a granola bar in the pocket for a quick pick me up.
5. Tons of good threads on here with tips. Check them out, and decide what will work for you.
Enjoy your trip...ride safe!
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, Georgia
Drink lots of water. Sometimes on a long trip the legs can start to get cramps. It would not hurt to take some aleve in the morning and some the next day. Some ride 80 to 100 miles and take 30 minute breaks. I ride from town to town,(normally 40 to 50 miles) and take 15 to 20 minute breaks. Eyes needs protection because they can dry out. Good tunes is a must! If you have an ipod and listen through headsets make sure they are comfortable. Proper undergarments can also make a difference. Just make sure you are comfortable and you will have a great time!
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: St. Paul, MN
I would check out a sheepskin seat pad. I got mine from alaskaleather.com after reading all the rave reviews on this forum. I can honestly say it made for all day comfort on my stock streetglide seat. I left London Ontario Canada, rode through Niagra, down through NY, on through Chicago, Madison WI and back to St. Paul with just a 6 hour sleep break.
Eat something every 3 hours. Protein bars, granola bars, etc make good snacks between main meals. Start off with a good breakfast.
As mentioned, drink a lot of water. Even if you are not sweating, you lose hydration through exhalation. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already getting dehydrated. Stay ahead of it.
Start your trip with the higher mile days in the beginning if possible and taper to lower mileage days as your trip progresses. There are a lot of good tips for distance riding at www.ironbutt.com.
Eat something every 3 hours. Protein bars, granola bars, etc make good snacks between main meals. Start off with a good breakfast.
As mentioned, drink a lot of water. Even if you are not sweating, you lose hydration through exhalation. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already getting dehydrated. Stay ahead of it.
Start your trip with the higher mile days in the beginning if possible and taper to lower mileage days as your trip progresses. There are a lot of good tips for distance riding at www.ironbutt.com.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 4,119
From: Michigan
I just listen to my bike hum & take a little break when I gas up, (4.8 gallon tank). If you stop every hour for 20 to 30 min, it will take you forever to get anywhere! You say you ride wide glides? If their half as comfortable as my low rider, you'll do just fine.
PS. drink plenty of fluids.
PS. drink plenty of fluids.
Last edited by Bricklayer; Apr 8, 2011 at 02:16 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Chi-town
that first day for me sets the tone for the rest of the ride. i've done just about all my long rides on my sporty. 2800 miles in 9 days puts you at a little over 300 a day and do-able, but if you plan on getting off the beaten path, sight seeing and stopping often, you'll have to fit in a few 500 mile days. if i ride with my wife, we tend to get out early ahead of traffic and don't make our first stop til we get the first 100 out of the way, grab a light breakfast and then it's usually a tank before stops (about 150-175 on my 4.5). you can always keep it loose and ride by how you guys feel. if stopping over night in cities, keep rush hour in mind. we like to find a spot at the far end of town at the end of the night so we don't sit in traffic in the morning. enjoy the ride. the OG and i plan on riding out west this fall. 6,500 in about 3 weeks, our longest ride together by far. you two stay safe!
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
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From: In your head rent free
Start early.
100 miles before breakfast.
Don't get overly hung up on the clock or the odometer. You'll get there when you get there.
100 miles before breakfast.
Don't get overly hung up on the clock or the odometer. You'll get there when you get there.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,728
Likes: 9,235
From: Snow Hill, NC
Pull out very early... we usually leave around 5 or 6... cool and you can get a lot of miles in and not care if you see anything...500 in a day is easy ...sheepskin is a must... Get good underwear... Under armor, Franklin baseball shorts, LD comfort... I like to use compression stockings as i am Diebetic ... it helps the circulation in the legs....I used them last week while i flew to Vegas and was on my feet for 8 hours at the time as a security guard. Hydrate, Hydrate, hydrate and 50 SPF sunscreen...If you have a t-bag you can lean on that would be a bonus if you don't have a backrest. I usually stop for gas fillups and i'm good...
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 444
Likes: 2
From: St. Paul, MN
Good point on the underwear. I got rid of the cotton briefs and switched to Underarmor boxer briefs and shirts. That, combined with the sheep skin seat pad were great tips from long distance riders. You will be amazed at the difference. Cotton absorbs moisture and chafes the skin where the "performance" fabrics wick it away and allow for evaporation.