I seem to have struck a nerve with the word "warrior" particularly with the military and military affiliated on here. That wasn't the intent of my post and I think everyone knows that I wasn't trying to equate achievements on a motorcycle with any other achievements -- war included. I was responding to the comments of those dismissing long distance achievements as silly or only for certificate collectors. But I will also add here that there is a memorial in the Black rock desert bearing the names of past IBR winners and I consider them all to be warriors, whether or not they every wore a uniform.
Long distance training
- Thread starter Epyon
- Start date
I seem to have struck a nerve with the word "warrior" particularly with the military and military affiliated on here. That wasn't the intent of my post and I think everyone knows that I wasn't trying to equate achievements on a motorcycle with any other achievements -- war included. I was responding to the comments of those dismissing long distance achievements as silly or only for certificate collectors. But I will also add here that there is a memorial in the Black rock desert bearing the names of past IBR winners and I consider them all to be warriors, whether or not they every wore a uniform.
Just as band members with letterman jackets in high school are athletes ... whether or not they ever wore a jock
That statement requires a reiteration of my previous statement: I don't mean to be dismissive of anyone's accomplishments but that doesn't mean every endeavor is equal. Apples aren't oranges.
Tom
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Shawn K
Professional Cat Confuser
I wouldn't lose sleep over it. There are a lot of people in the world who are quickly offended and who don't understand the concept of speaking in metaphors.
Agreed, everyone who merely participated in the discussion doesn't deserve a concept understanding certificate!
Tom
OP
OP
Reading about others riding 1000+ miles in a day is always nostalgic for me. About 1980, my wife and I and some close friends were in Colorado, heading back to Indiana on our bikes (we had a Yamaha 850 back then). While sitting at lunch and on a whim, I said something to the effect of "why don't we try for a 1000 mile day today?". I had no inkling of such a thing as Iron Butt rides and did not know it was a thing. I just thought it would be a cool thing to try. We rolled into a motel late that night and the wife was crying, she was so tired. We did the 1000 miles, I got to mark that one off the list and the wife forgave me sometime in the early 2000s.
We have some business interests and family that are about 1000 miles from home and I would love to be able to do it on the ST in one day, but two back surgeries, a pinched nerve in the neck and a wife with a good memory and a large club suggest that may not be the smartest idea for me.
Don't lie to us, we know she hasn't forgiven you. You just thinks she has HEH.
This is the time of the year I start thinking about my 2020 motorcycle trip plans. On the mandatory list is National Bikers Roundup in Atlanta Ga. About 600 miles from me one way. Plan is start early before the sun comes up and stop every 150 miles for fuel and water for hydration. In other words I don't care if I make it in 10 hours or 14. I don't rush now that i'm retired. I did a 700 mile ride on way to Gulfport this year and stopped half way for the night each way. It is a totally different experience than traveling at break neck speed and just enjoying the ride. This is the way I should have approached my Dallas Texas hellish ride but didn't.
Shuey
Site Supporter
This is a . . . really fun thread! Some random thoughts.
Why ride long distances? Why jump out of an airplane; climb 1,000 feet of shear cliff without a safety line, participate in a triathlon, drive fast cars around a race track, swim across the English Channel, sail single handed across an ocean . . . ? Just because you want to. What more reason do you need than that.
Helmets? Modular or non-modular is not as important as fit. Different brands, different models fit different heads. Some heads are round, most are not. Lots of advantages for modulars riding long distance as noted previously by others, but . . . be sure what you're wearing fits your head shape.
Can't ride 700 miles in a car? Me neither, but I can ride 1,500 miles on a bike. On the bike I have good posture because the bike has been modified with risers and a better seat (custom Sergeants) that allows me to sit upright, weight evenly distributed along my spine to include the added weight of my helmet. I have yet to own a car with seats that allow proper body alignment. Even with lumbar adjustments, they're still torture racks over a long haul.
Carry tools in your tank bag? Really? If you're horse requires that kind of attention, you need . . . a different horse. For me: right bike pannier has everything I'm carrying along to support the bike; left bike pannier carries clothing and everything I need to support me when I make an extended rest stop (hotel); top box carries what I might need along the way like heated gear, flashlight, extra gloves, odds and ends, laptop (the only place it safely fits); and my tank bag has what I might need more quickly during the ride, pen/paper, trip notes, sunglasses, extra pair of gloves, cleaning cloths for my glasses/helmet and snacks.
Distance riding tip: carry some Red Hots (or something like them) and some sweet or sour hard candies in your tank bag. When you start feeling tired, excite your taste buds (stimulate your brain) with something attention getting and you'll perk back up for another 30-60 minutes.
Earplugs? Absolutely essential. In helmet speakers don't work well for me, still to much road and wind noise to contend with. I rely on in-ear custom fitted stereo ear plugs that plug into my Sena 20s. Much MUCH quieter and less fatiguing. On long highway stretches I listen to music, stories or briefly catch up on the news (XM Radio), but when in city traffic, carving the curves . . . silence rules - no distractions from the task at hand as I smile away every mile.
Physical conditioning? For a single day distance ride; 1,000 or more miles, it doesn't make a lot of difference. Just go for it and you'll know when to quit. For multi-day long distances, think Iron Butt Rally where you might be riding 1,000 miles/day for 11 days . . . yeah, you need some preparation. Before my 1st IBR ride, I sought advice/assistance from physical therapists, a nutritionist, and a sleep specialist as well as my doctors (I'm old enough to have many friends all named "Doc").
Getting sleepy? This is a serous topic for long distance riding. Like Uncle Phil noted, if you feel your eyes wanting to blink shut "just for a second or two", DO SOMETHING. Initially, I'll go to my red hots and hard candy to perk back up and make a few more miles to a good place to pull in and take a break or check in for the night. More dangerous than the nodding most of us are familiar with from our school days are micro-sleeps.
Micro-sleeps? Even more dangerous are "micro-sleeps" where your eyelids aren't feeling like they need a "short" rest; you're feeling fine, or so you think. Your brain adjusts to a lack of sleep by closing down the portions you're not using as you ride along a monotonous stretch of your ride. Your brain will keep you on the road, making the gentle turns but you'll basically not be aware. My example is being half way around an off-ramp and not knowing how I got on it from the interstate I had been riding on. After stopping I determined I had passed my intended exit several miles back down the road, completely unaware. Best indicator you need to stop is when you find yourself unable to maintain a constant speed. You realize you're going slower than you want and accelerate back up to your cruising speed only to find that shortly after you're doing it again, and again . . . Time to STOP and get off the bike. A former Navy Surgeon General, also an IBA rider, published an excellent paper on this. If interested, let me know and I'll try to find it and send a copy.
Riding 1,000 miles in 24 hours or less seems impossible until you do it. Then you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
Shuey
IBA 423
Why ride long distances? Why jump out of an airplane; climb 1,000 feet of shear cliff without a safety line, participate in a triathlon, drive fast cars around a race track, swim across the English Channel, sail single handed across an ocean . . . ? Just because you want to. What more reason do you need than that.
Helmets? Modular or non-modular is not as important as fit. Different brands, different models fit different heads. Some heads are round, most are not. Lots of advantages for modulars riding long distance as noted previously by others, but . . . be sure what you're wearing fits your head shape.
Can't ride 700 miles in a car? Me neither, but I can ride 1,500 miles on a bike. On the bike I have good posture because the bike has been modified with risers and a better seat (custom Sergeants) that allows me to sit upright, weight evenly distributed along my spine to include the added weight of my helmet. I have yet to own a car with seats that allow proper body alignment. Even with lumbar adjustments, they're still torture racks over a long haul.
Carry tools in your tank bag? Really? If you're horse requires that kind of attention, you need . . . a different horse. For me: right bike pannier has everything I'm carrying along to support the bike; left bike pannier carries clothing and everything I need to support me when I make an extended rest stop (hotel); top box carries what I might need along the way like heated gear, flashlight, extra gloves, odds and ends, laptop (the only place it safely fits); and my tank bag has what I might need more quickly during the ride, pen/paper, trip notes, sunglasses, extra pair of gloves, cleaning cloths for my glasses/helmet and snacks.
Distance riding tip: carry some Red Hots (or something like them) and some sweet or sour hard candies in your tank bag. When you start feeling tired, excite your taste buds (stimulate your brain) with something attention getting and you'll perk back up for another 30-60 minutes.
Earplugs? Absolutely essential. In helmet speakers don't work well for me, still to much road and wind noise to contend with. I rely on in-ear custom fitted stereo ear plugs that plug into my Sena 20s. Much MUCH quieter and less fatiguing. On long highway stretches I listen to music, stories or briefly catch up on the news (XM Radio), but when in city traffic, carving the curves . . . silence rules - no distractions from the task at hand as I smile away every mile.
Physical conditioning? For a single day distance ride; 1,000 or more miles, it doesn't make a lot of difference. Just go for it and you'll know when to quit. For multi-day long distances, think Iron Butt Rally where you might be riding 1,000 miles/day for 11 days . . . yeah, you need some preparation. Before my 1st IBR ride, I sought advice/assistance from physical therapists, a nutritionist, and a sleep specialist as well as my doctors (I'm old enough to have many friends all named "Doc").
Getting sleepy? This is a serous topic for long distance riding. Like Uncle Phil noted, if you feel your eyes wanting to blink shut "just for a second or two", DO SOMETHING. Initially, I'll go to my red hots and hard candy to perk back up and make a few more miles to a good place to pull in and take a break or check in for the night. More dangerous than the nodding most of us are familiar with from our school days are micro-sleeps.
Micro-sleeps? Even more dangerous are "micro-sleeps" where your eyelids aren't feeling like they need a "short" rest; you're feeling fine, or so you think. Your brain adjusts to a lack of sleep by closing down the portions you're not using as you ride along a monotonous stretch of your ride. Your brain will keep you on the road, making the gentle turns but you'll basically not be aware. My example is being half way around an off-ramp and not knowing how I got on it from the interstate I had been riding on. After stopping I determined I had passed my intended exit several miles back down the road, completely unaware. Best indicator you need to stop is when you find yourself unable to maintain a constant speed. You realize you're going slower than you want and accelerate back up to your cruising speed only to find that shortly after you're doing it again, and again . . . Time to STOP and get off the bike. A former Navy Surgeon General, also an IBA rider, published an excellent paper on this. If interested, let me know and I'll try to find it and send a copy.
Riding 1,000 miles in 24 hours or less seems impossible until you do it. Then you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
Shuey
IBA 423
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Not too much experience from me but I was able to complete a SS1000 this year. We started earlier in the morning(2:30 AM). We got a good start before stopping for breakfast. I think the biggest help was the Russel Day Long seat. I also had custom earplugs that could have made a difference too but I always ride with them so I would not know the difference. I also wore my water pack and I think that was a huge contributor. Why I say that is shortly after I came back from my SS1000 I when on another 600 mile ride and I took it again. This time a made mental notes and every time I started to get tired I made sure to drink water for the next 5-10 miles and the weary feeling when away. The nice part about the water pack is I can take drinks without having to reach for anything, just grab the hose a suck on it. This is a "Osprey" day pack that I use for day hikes so it fits great over my riding gear. I also think it helped for my back getting sore.
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skipcurt
Skip
This is a . . . really fun thread! Some random thoughts.
Why ride long distances? Why jump out of an airplane; climb 1,000 feet of shear cliff without a safety line, participate in a triathlon, drive fast cars around a race track, swim across the English Channel, sail single handed across an ocean . . . ? Just because you want to. What more reason do you need than that.
Helmets? Modular or non-modular is not as important as fit. Different brands, different models fit different heads. Some heads are round, most are not. Lots of advantages for modulars riding long distance as noted previously by others, but . . . be sure what you're wearing fits your head shape.
Can't ride 700 miles in a car? Me neither, but I can ride 1,500 miles on a bike. On the bike I have good posture because the bike has been modified with risers and a better seat (custom Sergeants) that allows me to sit upright, weight evenly distributed along my spine to include the added weight of my helmet. I have yet to own a car with seats that allow proper body alignment. Even with lumbar adjustments, they're still torture racks over a long haul.
Carry tools in your tank bag? Really? If you're horse requires that kind of attention, you need . . . a different horse. For me: right bike pannier has everything I'm carrying along to support the bike; left bike pannier carries clothing and everything I need to support me when I make an extended rest stop (hotel); top box carries what I might need along the way like heated gear, flashlight, extra gloves, odds and ends, laptop (the only place it safely fits); and my tank bag has what I might need more quickly during the ride, pen/paper, trip notes, sunglasses, extra pair of gloves, cleaning cloths for my glasses/helmet and snacks.
Distance riding tip: carry some Red Hots (or something like them) and some sweet or sour hard candies in your tank bag. When you start feeling tired, excite your taste buds (stimulate your brain) with something attention getting and you'll perk back up for another 30-60 minutes.
Earplugs? Absolutely essential. In helmet speakers don't work well for me, still to much road and wind noise to contend with. I rely on in-ear custom fitted stereo ear plugs that plug into my Sena 20s. Much MUCH quieter and fatiguing. On long highway stretches I listen to music, stories or briefly catch up on the news (XM Radio), but when in city traffic, carving the curves . . . silence rules - no distractions from the task at hand as I smile away every mile.
Physical conditioning? For a single day distance ride; 1,000 or more miles, it doesn't make a lot of difference. Just go for it and you'll know when to quit. For multi-day long distances, think Iron Butt Rally where you might be riding 1,000 miles/day for 11 days . . . yeah, you need some preparation. Before my 1st IBR ride, I sought advice/assistance from physical therapists, a nutritionist, and a sleep specialist as well as my doctors (I'm old enough to have many friend all named "Doc").
Getting sleepy? This is a serous topic for long distance riding. Like Uncle Phil noted, if you feel your eyes wanting to blink shut "just for a second or two", DO SOMETHING. Initially, I'll go to my red hots and hard candy to perk back up and make a few more miles to a good place to pull in and take a break or check in for the night. More dangerous than the nodding most of us are familiar with from our school days are micro-sleeps.
Micro-sleeps? Even more dangerous are "micro-sleeps" where your eyelids aren't feeling like they need a "short" rest; you're feeling fine, or so you think. Your brain adjusts to a lack of sleep by closing down the portions you're not using as you ride along a monotonous stretch of your ride. Your brain will keep you on the road, making the gentle turns but you'll basically not be aware. My example is being half way around an off-ramp and not knowing how I got on it from the interstate I had been riding on. After stopping I determined I had passed my intended exit several miles back down the road, completely unaware. Best indicator you need to stop is when you find yourself unable to maintain a constant speed. You realize you're going slower than you want and accelerate back up to your cruising speed only to find that shortly after you're doing it again, and again . . . Time to STOP and get off the bike. A former Navy Surgeon General, also an IBA rider, published an excellent paper on this. If interested, let me know and I'll try to find it and send a copy.
Riding 1,000 miles in 24 hours or less seems impossible until you do it. Then you'll wonder what all the fuss was about.
Shuey
IBA 423
I'm not an IBA rider. But, I had done over 1222 miles 2/3 back roads in 17 hours, plus 2 stops for an hour nap each from Minneapolis to Driggs, Idaho. Lots of my speed was in 3digits.
You may be right....previously mentioned club is never far from her, and she has threatened to sew me into the sheets some night and get in some batting practice
OP
OP
I'm not an IBA rider. But, I had done over 1222 miles 2/3 back roads in 17 hours, plus 2 stops for an hour nap each from Minneapolis to Driggs, Idaho. Lots of my speed was in 3digits.
On the XX or the ST? Very naughty, good work
FJR.On the XX or the ST? Very naughty, good work
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OP
OP
Yeah FJR's will do that. I've made "very good time" heading up to Brainard to help my buddies race in CRA many times. Top cases are like stealth augmentation. No one looks at you with one on.... O
Yeah FJR's will do that. I've made "very good time" heading up to Brainard to help my buddies race in CRA many times. Top cases are like stealth augmentation. No one looks at you with one on.... O
Attachments
OP
OP
Oh yeah! I wish that Yamaha knew how to make a transmission. I'd go buy another FJR if they did. Well being a Honda man if another stumbling block to that. I need to try an ST next year for sure!!!!
Pop-Pop
Site Supporter
U guys are loco! 700 mile days? Holy
Smokes. Im planning a xcountry in sept and hope i can do 400 per day. Im not experienced in distances, but i hit most rest areas for a break. I would estimate i get off every 70 ish miles.
Im sure things will b completely different than here in boston, but speeding in heavy traffic wears me out fast. Up its speed or get tail ended.
Smokes. Im planning a xcountry in sept and hope i can do 400 per day. Im not experienced in distances, but i hit most rest areas for a break. I would estimate i get off every 70 ish miles.
Im sure things will b completely different than here in boston, but speeding in heavy traffic wears me out fast. Up its speed or get tail ended.
cyberwolf009
Eric
Yeah, heavy Boston traffic would definitely take its toll. I was surprised on the ST1300 on my first 300+ mile ride a few days after I bought it. Even with some rain, it just ate the miles and I found that I wasn't nearly as fatigued as I thought I would be. I didn't feel like 750 was punishing at all.
Pop-Pop
Site Supporter
I had a 1100 rt last year and the seat killed my butt after 30 min, so i learned about rest stops.
Since i got the 1100, ive put over a thousand miles on it. The seat is much better but i still take many breaks. Like i said, im heading across the country in sept and estimate 400 per day. If i do more thats cool too. Just put on a sheepskintoo!
Ill tell ya, we have bumps here that can throw you off the bike.
I suggest two things:
1. Whenever you stop, like even for gas, walk around for a minute or two.
2. Stay hydrated. Drink water, tea, coffee, Gatoarde-type drinks, anything.