Interstate riding question
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I do several rides of 1K days each year. When I tour I don't like to go in for the night without 600 to 700 miles. Two years ago I went for over 22 hours.
My procedure developed over the years is go 150 to 180 miles. Pull in and fill one tank empty the other and have a sport drink (large) while walking for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then repeat as needed.
I do skip the lunch. Have a big breakfast and a big dinner at the evenings destination. I do carry a candy bar for the last leg of the day if I fade any.
At 74 I don't know how many more years I can do this. The big test for me is this year. I am planning a 40K year and am 7K already. I have a Yellow Knife trip, Sturgis, Laughlin, North Carolina and a Sol Cal trip scheduled.
What has helped me so far is that I feel like I'm 19 again when riding. So there is incentive not to stop and find out that I'm a real old dude!
That is why most of my riding is west of the Mississippi where most are 75 mph and I run 75 to 80. As of today South Dakota is 80 on the interstate. It will be an interesting challenge to see how the Street 750 does that. It is the bike that I have selected for the Sturgis ride this year. Past years have been a FXSTC, XL1200L, Street Bob, VTX 1800, Ultra, Road Glide, Nomad and once for God's sake I used a TRAILER in 07. I have never forgiven myself for that. But the heat, A/C and bunk was nice. Traded in last year on a bike.
My procedure developed over the years is go 150 to 180 miles. Pull in and fill one tank empty the other and have a sport drink (large) while walking for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then repeat as needed.
I do skip the lunch. Have a big breakfast and a big dinner at the evenings destination. I do carry a candy bar for the last leg of the day if I fade any.
At 74 I don't know how many more years I can do this. The big test for me is this year. I am planning a 40K year and am 7K already. I have a Yellow Knife trip, Sturgis, Laughlin, North Carolina and a Sol Cal trip scheduled.
What has helped me so far is that I feel like I'm 19 again when riding. So there is incentive not to stop and find out that I'm a real old dude!
That is why most of my riding is west of the Mississippi where most are 75 mph and I run 75 to 80. As of today South Dakota is 80 on the interstate. It will be an interesting challenge to see how the Street 750 does that. It is the bike that I have selected for the Sturgis ride this year. Past years have been a FXSTC, XL1200L, Street Bob, VTX 1800, Ultra, Road Glide, Nomad and once for God's sake I used a TRAILER in 07. I have never forgiven myself for that. But the heat, A/C and bunk was nice. Traded in last year on a bike.
Last edited by lh4x4; Apr 1, 2015 at 10:01 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
A few years ago during an annual physical my doc asked me if I smoked. I told him an occasional cigar. He replied: "Define occasional". I told that that from April to October or so, when it was nice enough to sit out on the back deck, once or twice a week I would have a cigar and a nice scotch, and watch the sun go down.
He told me: "Go for it! You're getting so much benefit from the stress reduction that the small amount of nicotine you're getting is trivial".
Now I have an occasional cigar and a Harley. I'm gonna live forever!
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I assume you meant 5 to 10 minutes. Yes?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 4
From: missouri
I think a lot of it is in your head just like you said. I use to be the same way. But like someone said the interstates are safer than your neighborhood or the back roads. When I say Interstates I don't mean The highway that runs thru the city at rush hour bumper to bumper, I mean out cruising 70 in Semi Regular Traffic . Now Im more relaxed on the highways than the back roads. I set the cruise at 70, run in the slow lane, and just keep an eye on the mirrors to see where the cages are at. Lean back against the old lady, grab a hand full of leg, and Jam the tunes.
I run 120 miles a day interstate... and part of that is through San Antonio.
My buddy can't ride the highway, so he sold his.
It is just riding, yeah, you have to pay more attention, but it's just riding.
My buddy can't ride the highway, so he sold his.
It is just riding, yeah, you have to pay more attention, but it's just riding.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I never understood the notion of freeways being more stressful? They are much safer than surface roads! No intersections with divided one way traffic and lanes to pass. When I was working in LA I would make the 400 mile slog on 5 to the bay area in 6 hours on my sporty. Most folks I ride with know if they want to stop they better get out in front and do it because I just don't think about it often. I love 2 lane twisties but some times ya just want to make time... If ya think interstates are stressful ya really aren't being safe on two lanes imho. Anyway ENJOY, but please let me by...
Last edited by 0ldhippie; Apr 1, 2015 at 07:31 PM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 21,132
Likes: 12,693
From: South Carolina
What could be stressful about having an 18 wheel truck 5 feet away from you at 75 miles an hour on the DC Beltway, with some idiot tailgating you at the same time..?
Interstate highways may be safer statistically, but that doesn`t mean they are less stressful to ride on.
Interstate highways may be safer statistically, but that doesn`t mean they are less stressful to ride on.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 222
Likes: 11
From: Erie
Interesting. I have ridden from erie to the eastern shore of md, about 5.5 hours and only stopped once. Most was on the PA turnpike. Other than not having a ride backrest I was good. Freeway riding doesn't bother me. I agree breaks help. I think is key to have a truly comfortable riding position. On the ride back to erie I had a rider back rest and it made all the difference both in comfort and confidence. Cruise and tunes helps as well.