Long distance riding advise

japbike · 04-28-2005, 10:52 PM

Well here's the deal-ie-o, I'm going to ride down to Florida (Port St. Lucie) in a few weeks May 14th -22nd ... and I was just wondering if anyone had any advise on how it feels to ride that long? What to expect (besides a soar ass and back

) what I should take along (I'm taking my .357 along, just in case) It's about a 15-16 hour trip from my front door to my SO's door... This is my first LONG ride. I've done the Phoenix to San Diego, Minneapolis to Milwaukee thing (<~ not a big deal).. but nothing this long...

Thanks....

alaska cajun · 04-28-2005, 11:14 PM

Rain gear
Flat tire repair kit
First aid kit(ya never know)
One of those small space age blankets(comes in a little pack about the size of a pack of cigs)
Bug dope(your going to a swamp)
small pack of wet wipes(your going to a swamp,bugs on the shield)
Camara(we need pics of your trip,place in jacket pocket for easy access)
Stop and smell the roses(you will enjoy it more)
Take a 1/2 hour break at every fuel stop(you will need it)
Learn the words to the song "I am Woman"(when you get there you will be able to bitch slap him for moving so far away)
Since you're a woman,if it's that time,,,,,don't forget your coochie plugs.(the only person that will take long trips with me is a female,I know this)
Eat 3 meals each day(you will need it)
Drink water at every stop(you will need it)

Above all else........do smell the roses,it will make it that much more fun.

Enjoy yourself Macie.

fotocycle · 04-30-2005, 12:00 PM

I would add healthy snacks to that list as well, like granola bars or something. Have a quick bite every other stop if you feel like it - you'll burn up enough calories while riding, trust me. I lost a coupla pounds on my ride to Houston, especially after three 600+ mile days.

And earplugs! They'll make the ride a lot better.

Also, go over your bike and replace anything that needs it. My brake pads went to hell on my trip, and by the time I came back, my chain was making funny noises. Neither proved to be a major problem, but you never know... If an oil change was coming up, do it now.

Make sure your paperwork is good - having expired bike documents while out of state is not gonna be fun if you get pulled over.

Move around on your bike frequently, your butt will thank you for it. Don't take a backpack, strap everything down instead. I bought a set of Teknic Speedstar saddlebags and took my tank bag along too.

That's all I can think of right now. Have fun on the ride!

powerplant · 04-30-2005, 08:33 PM

Moving around on the bike is key to keeping your blood flowing. I usually end up with my feet on the passenger pegs. Not pretty, but after several hours in the saddle pretty doesn't matter.

+1 on the rain gear. Also rain-x helps keep your view clear. Gloves that have the little wiper on the finger help a little too.

On my first long trip I remember thinking as I set out that I wish the tank was bigger. At the first gas stop I realized that's about as far as I wanted to go without stopping and walking around a bit. Definitely plan on some stops and diversions.

Scorpion954RR · 04-30-2005, 10:46 PM

All very good points...I take energy bars along. Very quick and easy. If you move around a bit on the bike the soar ass isn't that bad. I would say the worst part is keeping your self entertained. I have done quite a few LONG distance rides and you go a little crazy after a while. If you are taking all back roads its a diffrent story...but highway sucks.

Squid Killer · 05-01-2005, 09:27 PM

Ear plugs really help.

busarider54 · 05-02-2005, 02:34 PM

"coochie plugs"

dennisred69 · 05-02-2005, 02:42 PM

Enough money to fix what ever migh break along the way. Or atleast enough to rent a u haul to carry your bike if wors comes to worse.

fengler · 05-02-2005, 03:16 PM

chain lube, an mp3 player, basic tools. have fun and take some pics!

jim schmidt · 05-02-2005, 03:20 PM

Make sure you force yourself to take breaks early in the trip or you'll burn out more quickly.

Hippie · 05-02-2005, 08:48 PM

keet · 05-03-2005, 06:39 AM

,,,,,,if u got stopped, and they found your "357"...wouldnt u be in deep shit?...gun laws, etc....interstate transportation?....i wondered because i have often thought about "packing"...but never did....O..have fun, and enjoy the ride.

japbike · 05-03-2005, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keet

,,,,,,if u got stopped, and they found your "357"...wouldnt u be in deep shit?...gun laws, etc....interstate transportation?....i wondered because i have often thought about "packing"...but never did....O..have fun, and enjoy the ride.

Kentucky recognizes valid carry concealed weapons licenses issued by other states and, subject to the provisions of Kentucky law, a person holding a valid license from another state may carry a concealed deadly weapon in Kentucky. All the states that I'm traveling through recognize this law. So I'm safe. And even so, it wouldn't matter, I posses a Florida License (meaning I can CCDW in every state in the U.S except WI.... besides, it won't be strapped to me while I'm riding. I only road that way in AZ....

Thanks for the advise all.... anything else you can think of, post it up... I KNOW I'll forget something!! I always do...

jim schmidt · 05-03-2005, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by japbike

I only road that way in AZ....

Back when I lived in AZ, you could always tell which bikers were on probation because their passenger would have the big hogleg strapped.

ZeuSeason · 05-03-2005, 10:41 AM

On a trip like this, I wouldn't ride solo. Do you have a riding partner besides your .357?