First Long ride in a Long while

[rprothero]

All -

Im about to take a 500 mile ride North Ga to Central Fla and was wondering if there were any tips , specifically from those who may have trek'd this path. So far I have
- Rain Suite
- All Fluids and pressures good
- bike has been tuned within last 3000k

Any tips on comfort on the "cheap"...IE I dont have money to buy a new seat so using stock..should I ride until it hurts or take frequent breaks ..IE inbetween gas fills..

Any and all tips welcome

Looking forward to this trip...

[hank]

Get yourself a sheepskin to cover the seat, your butt will thank you for it.

[garr2]

Get an Airhawk cushion http://www.airhawk.com.au/products.php? ... gory_id=28

It won't guarantee comfort but(t) it will make it tolerable.

Ian

[towerworker]

+1 on some sort of sheepskin. That will help. Also some sort of "cruise control", there are a handful of devices out there, throttlerocker to name one. I don't know how well they work but I can tell what I did some years back. Went to an auto parts store and looked at various sized of rubber "0-rings". All different materials, rubber just being kinda generic. I have the 0-ring just makes a snug fit over the bar-end weight. I roll the 0-ring toward the twist grip to where it is tight enough to kinda jam the twist grip and bar-end weight together. It provides just enough friction to either hold the throttle in place or at least let the throttle back down slowly enough to where you can shake your hand out and alleviate hand cramps. "Poor Man's Cruise Control"

Wear a good vented jacket--it's hot. Drink lots of and carry fresh water (no soft drinks with caffeine unless you need it to stay alert). The caffeine will work against you for quenching thirst.

As far as how long to stretch out breaks---every one is different. But my vote would be to take enough breaks to where you're not beating yourself to death. When you ride "tank-to-tank" (in my opinion) you're more apt to get really tired quick, thereby reducing rider alertness. Take your time--better to arrive late than not at all.

[garr2]

There's nothing better than a beverage of known quality by the side of the road at a place of your choosing. So ......
For beginners
Take a thermos (vacuum flask in the northern hemisphere?) full of hot water, tea, coffee, sugar, a spoon, some single serve long life milks and a couple of mugs. This is the minimum beverage kit.
For the more discerning
An expanded version also includes a small espresso machine, short black glasses, ground coffee, a compact burner, small disposable gas cylinder and matches.
For those who won't compromise
Include an Atomic cappuccino maker http://www.atomiccoffeemachines.com.au/, some 250 mL longlife tetrapak milks, a small stainless steal milk jug, your favourite cappuccino cups and 2 Kermit chairs http://www.kermitchair.com/

I myself am in the discerning group but seriously considering moving up.

Ian

[Dr. Strangelove]

500 miles? in one day? if two, you're good to go as is. Check your tire pressures and your tires.
If one, that's a little far if you not accustomed to a long day in the saddle, but definitely a doable thing and , yeah, your rain suit. And sunglasses, And sunblock. And plenty of water
If your seat is otherwise not a bother to you, I'd wait for any cover. If you start getting itchy or hot, take a break off the bike.

If you were doing it in one day, leave early am to beat the heat, but that's about it. Wet your T shirt at gas stations, wet your helmet.
What would concern me more is what roads you'll travel. There isn't much of interest, and I 95 is I 95.
be safe
John

[towerworker]

Another thing I just remembered:

Underwear---boxers or briefs? Sounds silly but any underwear that has a definitive seam on your back side (or arse) will literally be a pain in the ass. Buy some of the undergarments that have no seam, or at least the seam is farther down your leg where there is no pressure. After many hours in the saddle you could sit on a stick of gum and tell what flavor it is.

[pietervn]

+1 on the boxers. I use a sports "brief" that extends 1/2 way down my thigh. It works very well, especially if you are wearing kevlar pants.

Enjoy the ride

Pete

[rprothero]

So I made it..512 miles to destination...Long..My A$$ hurt about 5 hours in so last 2 were painful..Yes Boxer briefs are not the way to go..Feels like each one of my rear's hairs was getting pulled out in clumps..
Hydration was also important at about 90 degrees with 80% humidity any stopping and immediately the sweat would pool.
All in all was a great experience and looking forward to the fall when weather is cooler and maybe a new cover for the seat..

Thanks guys for the advice

[garr2]

Good to hear all went well. And yes, 500 miles is a long way - ask any A$$.
This experience will better prepare you for the next - and it sounds like there will definitely be a next.

One thing that wasn't said before - perhaps because it goes without saying - is no matter what the conditions (hot/cold, wet/dry), no matter what the trip (long/short, twisty/straight) wear all the gear all the time. Helmet, gloves, kevlar pants, boots and an armoured jacket don't sound appealing when the weather is hot but they will save your A$$ and other bits if things turn nasty.

Ian

[jwagreen]

Sounds like a nice ride. What roads did you travel? I 75? or 441? I live in Orlando and was thinking of doing this trip heading north on 441 then 129 to Warner Robins.

[rprothero]

Yeah it was a straight shot using I-75...Not the most scenic route, I was more doing it to see if I could handle the long ride..Next time Ill pick a route that takes a more exciting path..441/41 would be a good option but there are a lot of lights and with lights come cars and knuckleheads, not that interstates dont have them too. Just on an interstate I can get around folks ...My next trip will probably incorperate both..Advice: Dont go to florida in summer..Rains every day and we arent talking drizzle ...SO unless you feel like a bath on two wheels wait til fall..My next ride will be in Oct/Nov timeframe..less weather activity and cooler temps...

[ron prior]

Yeah it was a straight shot using I-75...Not the most scenic route, I was more doing it to see if I could handle the long ride..Next time Ill pick a route that takes a more exciting path..441/41 would be a good option but there are a lot of lights and with lights come cars and knuckleheads, not that interstates dont have them too. Just on an interstate I can get around folks ...My next trip will probably incorperate both..Advice: Dont go to florida in summer..Rains every day and we arent talking drizzle ...SO unless you feel like a bath on two wheels wait til fall..My next ride will be in Oct/Nov timeframe..less weather activity and cooler temps...

Just an opinion...if you take a more interesting route? It sometimes takes your mind off your negative comfort? I firmly believe the monotony of a boring road adds to it.

Another note...one of the worst downpours I've experienced was in Florida in October coming home to Ohio on I-95 near Jacksonville. So I crossed over to I-75, and it rained on me all the way home. Temps around 50 from Tennessee up......Brrrrrrr!