Sorta Long ride advice

[Rexsname]

I will be going on a sorta long ride this coming weekend. So far the longest ride I have done has been about three hours or so. We will be going over to Payson for the first night (only about two hours) but the next day will be a long one. Payson to Happy Jack to Flagstaff to the South Rim and then around to the North Rim. From there we will head north to Kanab and then finish up in Mesquite Nv for the night. I'm thinking we will take breaks fairly often (I want photos) and so, we will stay well watered.

Any advice you can offer? I guess I don't even know what to ask.....

REX

 

[Dave Bennett]

Get some motrin now and have plenty of ice packs for yer butt - its gonna hurt! :Wow1:

Camelbaks are great for long rides like that especially in the heat!

 

[CoastalDefender]

Get some motrin now and have plenty of ice packs for yer butt - its gonna hurt! :Wow1:

Camelbaks are great for long rides like that especially in the heat!

+1

I have found taking motrin about 1/2 hour before bed yields the best results...

And get the smallest camelbak you can stand, more weight on your shoulders doesn't help anything.. I ride with a 3L Thermobak in Coyote, works great.

Get some Gold Bond medicated foot powder and rub that all over your bum, crotch, and inside thighs... Will help with sweating and chaffing.

Take a small stop every hour or so... Get off the bike, touch your toes, stretch your back, get back on the bike and go.

When you stop thinking about having to find a good place to stop to urinate, you're not drinking enough. A quality stopping place should be in the back of your heads at all time if you are hydrating properly. *I put hydration at high priority on a bike after a friend died in a crash due to dehydration.

 

[HMR]

1) Change your riding position several times per hour. For example, put your feet on the rear foot pegs, try holding your legs straight out in front of you, move full forward and back on the seat, stand up, etc. The key is to move before you get sore in any one position.

2) A throttle lock or Wrist Rest is worth it's weight in gold.

3) Try to put your stuff in a dry bag or duffel and strap it to the bike where it can be used as a back rest. Even if you can only put a few pounds of pressure against it, it'll make a huge difference.

4) Have fun!

FWIW- My buddies and I consider 600-800 mile days "normal" when on long cross-country rides.
The first 3 tips, above, make #4 possible. :bike_rider:

 

[Rexsname]

The plans have changed a bit. Instead of going to the south and north rim of the Grand Canyon we are going to ride along the Mogollon Rim. Alot fewer miles and hopefuly cooler.


REX

 

[blatant]

what's with the second giant long as hell day? Is it really necessary? That's a bender as hell. I'd advise breaking it up simply to enjoy the various things you'll be able to check out. If it's a question of having to do that just to "accomplish" a ride, why bother. Shorten it up and take some time to enjoy and explore things on a shorter loop.

You can always hammer out that big loop.

Also, why the south rim anyway...it's played out.

 

[bat]

I am not sure if you have been on the rim before, there is a really cool old bridge and river spot along the way.

 

[Rexsname]

Never been on the rim, but I am looking forward to it. I love seeing new country and going to new places.

REX

 

[Martinjmpr]

Is this on the CM400 that's in your signature?

I've done a fair amount of long-distance day rides, and I'll second the hydration recommendation. You should be drinking at least a pint of water every hour.

Do you have a mesh jacket? Nice thing about mesh is not only does it let air flow through but it also keeps sweat from evaporating too fast so it will keep you nice and cool while still offering protection.

Some people recommend earplugs for long rides. I don't care for them but then again I have hearing loss, too.

If you're riding the CM400 then I assume your range is ~125 miles or so to reserve. That being the case you'll want to make a note of where the fuel stops are - out West they can be few and far between. It only takes one town where you "assumed" there would be a gas station but there wasn't to turn a pleasant ride into a bad situation (like being out of gas miles from nowhere on a 100+ degree day.)

If you don't have a windshield you'll probably want one after the ride.

Other than that, have fun and take lots of photos.

 

[UK4X4]

Around here we offroad enduro / rally ride...........probably a bit much for what your doing

but here's a pretty normal list

3 ltr camel back min- ( its not what you normally use, its what you need if you brake down)

spare tubes and tire spanners- for flats- I run with slime and to date no punctures

standard tools
duct tape
insulation tape
tye wraps
spare nuts and bolt kit
sparkplug spanner
1 or 2 clutch plates( for that get you home repair)
first aid kit
leatherman
a length of wire
usually a 500ml water bottle for extra water and a funnel - liquids container
I added a 14 ltr tank doubling my range as sand sucks fuel
multimeter
mountain bike tire pump
Emergency blanket
GPS
Phone
team phone numbers - inc wives not with us
cash

and a huge smile for the locals !

PS usually all in a rather heavy backpack - waist pack and cunningly attached bits and bobs all over the bike

Duro is hard in spanish !

 

[scarysharkface]

Don't wear any cotton. The ExOfficio travel undies are great. A sweaty bum is a miserable bum.

Hydrate, as everyone else has said. If you don't have to pee every 30-45 minutes, then you need to drink more.

In considering your gear, make sure that your wrists and back of neck are covered. I delivered a bike for my brother a month ago and used his gloves, which are no-gauntlet, and my wrists were crispy.

Stopping often for pictures is an excellent plan.

Have fun!

John

 

[Rexsname]

Thank you to everyone that made suggestions!

I have a Tourmaster Intake mesh jacket that I am very fond of and will bring the wind/wet liner but not the thermal liner.
I also will be wearing my Olympia mesh pants. I will bring my Camelback based on all of your reccomendations.

As far as tools go...............uh, not so much. Rear tire is new, chain is only a couple of months old, I will be carrying a two gallon spare fuel can and uh, hope for the best.

I don't have Ex-Officio undies but the ones I will be wearing are kinda like the UnderArmor kind. I'll be sure to lather up the back of my neck with sunscreen.

Yes, I will be on my CM400T. It is my first bike, not the bike I want when I grow up. I've got some stuff to get paid for before I get a V-Strom :drool:

I hope to post up a ride report when I return.

REX

 

[T.Low]

Granted I ride enduro...but maybe the point is the same. After about 5-6 hrs in the saddle I sometimes ask myself outloud "How's your judgement, T.Low? Are you still quick and alert, or is your mind beginning to write checks your body and reflexes can't cash?".

Never hesitate to pull over and splash water on your face or whatever it takes to keep your wits about you.

Have a good ride.

Oh, of course, I use padded under bottoms, I mean I ride ATGATT, but I think I'd ride the padded anyway.

 

[Motojournalism]

... After about 5-6 hrs in the saddle I sometimes ask myself outloud "How's your judgement, T.Low? Are you still quick and alert, or is your mind beginning to write checks your body and reflexes can't cash?

You know it!
I find after a week on the road it's not hard to do sun-up to sun-down (with lots of breaks) But on short trips and the first few days of long trips I'll find myself pretty fatigued by late afternoon. And you said it T.Low, your mind and reflexes take a dive when you're tired. You'll follow a car too close or get irritated and distracted my something minor. It can get dangerous quick!
Same when you're excessively hot or cold. You just gotta pull over or stop for the day when ya start gettin' stupid

 

[robert]

Anti-Monkey Butt powder is worth its weight in gold on a long. I like it better than Gold Bond. A sheepskin seat helps a lot too- especially with black seats that have been sitting in the sun while you play tourist or grab a bite to eat.