Long distance training

[drtyrrel]

Having comfortable gear helps me the most when riding 700 plus miles a day. I have comfortable riding pants and jacket that are waterproof so no need to switch to rain gear. I wear wool socks and water resistant boots. A comfortable modular helmet so no need to take it off when refueling. Non cotton athletic boxer briefs help prevent monkey a$$. I stop for gas usually @ 220 miles and drink a regular size bottle of water at each stop (keep several in my trunk). If I don't have to take a leak at the next stop I drink 2. I make a PB&J sandwich the night before and eat it around lunch time on a gas stop. The stops are what kill you for making distance. Plan them out so you can minimize them. Nothing like stopping for gas then having to stop to pee 60 miles later. then stopping again another 60 miles to eat. Minimize your stops and you can go 700 miles in under 12 hrs. on the right highways.

 

[Trussellcma]

I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate riding in the rain.

I hate riding in rain more than I do in snow.

The one thing worse than taking off wet clothes is having to put wet clothes back on.

Yes, I have a rain-suit, but I don't like being in it much.

Did I mention that I hate riding in the rain?

I would rather ride in the rain than in strong wind. You can dress for rain, but not for wind.
Terry

 

[ST Gui]

I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate riding in the rain.

I feel your pain and give a +1 x7. BTDTWDIA.

 

[Shawn K]

I’m contrary to forward pegs. I prefer my feet under me even on long trips. I’ll dangle a foot down off the peg to change up position or shift to a passenger peg.

Stamina is built over time. A 300-500 mile ride once a month can be a goal in prep for longer ones plus the experience of what works for seats, bars, pegs and clothing.

Stopping all the time is a time killer. Try shifting positions in the saddle and go another equal distance before stopping.

Re: forward pegs...

On the ST, I never paid too much attention to highway pegs because I could simply stand up if my legs got stiff. In fact, occasional bouts of standup / sit down were good for flexing muscles, getting blood moving, and elevating the heart rate for a moment.

On my Wing, though, I learned that it's different. I rode ~9600 miles for the MS5000 this year (from Sept 1 - Oct 20), and I found that my right knee would object to long periods of being locked into a 90-degree bend. Unfortunately, standing up on the Gold Wing - while possible - is not as feasible as it is on the ST because I have to pull on the bars to maintain a standing position (on the ST, your feet are almost directly under your butt... the Wing puts your feet in front of your butt). As a result, my only reprieve was to dangle my legs in front of the footpegs. It was effective, but it put my heels less than an inch off the ground. I always had images of my foot hitting some object in the road and breaking my leg as a result.

I'll probably end up getting some highway pegs for the Wing, just so I can extend my knee from time to time. It also goes a long way toward changing the pressure points on my bum.

 

[dduelin]

Re: forward pegs...

On the ST, I never paid too much attention to highway pegs because I could simply stand up if my legs got stiff. In fact, occasional bouts of standup / sit down were good for flexing muscles, getting blood moving, and elevating the heart rate for a moment.

On my Wing, though, I learned that it's different. I rode ~9600 miles for the MS5000 this year (from Sept 1 - Oct 20), and I found that my right knee would object to long periods of being locked into a 90-degree bend. Unfortunately, standing up on the Gold Wing - while possible - is not as feasible as it is on the ST because I have to pull on the bars to maintain a standing position (on the ST, your feet are almost directly under your butt... the Wing puts your feet in front of your butt). As a result, my only reprieve was to dangle my legs in front of the footpegs. It was effective, but it put my heels less than an inch off the ground. I always had images of my foot hitting some object in the road and breaking my leg as a result.

I'll probably end up getting some highway pegs for the Wing, just so I can extend my knee from time to time. It also goes a long way toward changing the pressure points on my bum.

Stand on the Wing’s passenger pegs.

 

[Shawn K]

Stand on the Wing’s passenger pegs.

I tried that and couldn't get on with it. I felt like I had to do push-ups against the bars.

Not complaining. Just learning what does (and doesn't) work for me on this particular bike.

Truth is, I've put almost 14,000 miles on this Wing since June 26, and got on with it just fine. Now I'm looking for those minor ergonomic tweaks that will turn my attainable 800-mile days into attainable 1200-mile days.

 

[dduelin]

I tried that and couldn't get on with it. I felt like I had to do push-ups against the bars.

Not complaining. Just learning what does (and doesn't) work for me on this particular bike.

Truth is, I've put almost 14,000 miles on this Wing since June 26, and got on with it just fine. Now I'm looking for those minor ergonomic tweaks that will turn my attainable 800-mile days into attainable 1200-mile days.

Funny, it doesn't seem like I ride the Wing that much yet it's gained 32,000 miles in two years and several months. I have a bit of forward lean when standing on the passenger pegs but the wind blast balances that. Madstand windshield too, the stock one even cut down some wasn't good for me. The wind over and around it is different from the stock screen so maybe that makes a difference. I don't stand up that often though, dangling a leg seems to do it for me.