To ride or to drive...

[womper]

Originally Posted by Basso

I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but I need some "encouragement."

Me: New rider...about 1000 miles on my bike, most of it doing MSF practice skills and local county highways at 45-60 mph. Not much freeway time.

Bike: M50.
Car: 03 Maxima

me: new rider about 2500 miles, rode about 620 miles in a day (REALLY long day) and that's in 3 1/2 weeks.

bike: m50

the 620 mile day was 45 mph bendy roads... my ass hurt like hell for a day after (stupid stock seat)

personally i'd say go ride it. take a few days if need be. the "experience" will be worth it.

heh.. the next day i wanted to ride even more. it's one of those things...

[Clint]

That's the way it is, too. You get used to the discomfort, and you become in synch with the bike and the road. After the second day, you feel like you could live on the bike. It's really quite wonderful.

[Rickster]

I have done 100 mile bicycle rides, and 1000 mile motorcycle rides, and they are nothing alike. Your legs will be tried in a different place, inside thigh on the M50, and if your "M" still has the stock seat, your butt will be sore in the tail bone area. If you don't have a windshield, you will feel it in your arms from the wind pushing you back, so you will be pulling yourself forward, instead of bushing yourself up, like you would on the bicycle.

With all that said, I agree with RowdyRed, go for it. Bring some rain gear, and budget 10 hour days, to go 500 miles. Stop every 100 miles for gas, and a 30 min break.

[brutus]

Ride the damn bike. Just be safe. Enjoy the trip. If you have 2 kids of your own already, don't worry about mom. Your old enough to make your own mind up about what you want to buy.

[ShonR]

As a new rider myself and after riding with several people on this site, the ***MOST IMPORTANT*** thing I've learned is to do what you are comfortable with.

I'm practicing for my own little road trip by hitting the highway and going for a half an hour to a full hour after work. Like someone else said, I just turn around and come back. If traffic, the speed, or road conditions make you nervous, consider the car. Rickster put it well. You will feel it in different places than you are used to. 200 miles of slow, curvy country can be easy compared to highway speeds against the wind...

Either way you decide, have a good, safe trip.

[SNAFU]

Originally Posted by ShonR

As a new rider myself and after riding with several people on this site, the ***MOST IMPORTANT*** thing I've learned is to do what you are comfortable with.

I'm practicing for my own little road trip by hitting the highway and going for a half an hour to a full hour after work. Like someone else said, turn around and come back. If traffic, the speed, or road conditions make you nervous, consider the car. Rickster put it well. You will feel it in different places than you are used to. 200 miles of slow, curvy country is can be easy compared to highway speeds against the wind...

Either way you decide, have a good, safe trip.

[jimr]

My response had nothing to do with wether or not he ( or the rest of us ) had the nerves or cajones to make such a trip, or even his physical condition. Mine was simply based on his mental attitude. Is he very close to the relative in hospice ? Can he remain focused for that long of a ride ? I don't know, so I err on the side of caution. While I would like to say RIDE THE DAMN BIKE !! , I can't in good conscience do so. Only he knows for sure. MSF course recommends not riding if you are angry, upset, sad, tired or otherwise distracted.

[dcstrng]

The ride would be nice so long as you and your bike are ready for it – otherwise it can be less enjoyable and more of an ordeal than you bargain. For a rider who normally runs the long-pavement 1K isn’t much -- so long as the bike is ready… But many riders with years of experience rarely ride more than a few hundred miles at a time, and even for them 1000 miles (actually nearly back-to-back 1000 mile runs) would be a serious undertaking…

You know your own make-up, and there is good advice here, but doing 2000 miles in a couple of days with a short family visit in between isn’t really a smell-the-roses adventure… that’s some fairly serious traveling on a bike – and frankly, a longer run than I’d bet half the riders on the planet have ever done… think about it.

I like long runs, before I ever rode (forty something years ago) that’s all I dreamed about, hitting the long-pavement, and I still love it… but many riders with more riding years than me dislike the long-pavement and would plan for months how to tackle such a trip… If you’re (mentally) a long-pavement rider, then you’ll enjoy most of it and probably come back with a mental list of things to do differently next time so it will be even more enjoyable… if not, your mental list will be short; “don’t do this again…” In any case, the trip will be more taxing than you expect – so plan for several stops along the way…

Lastly, stop over at the Iron Butt site and read their guidelines… you’re not making that kind of run, but the check-list is good for anyone contemplating serious mileage…

Ride safe (I assume you’re going by bike… I would…)

[BlaznBlu]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I have to wonder how many who say to take the car have the experience to offer advice. I'd hate to see Basso discouraged simply because some of you don't have the nerve to do it yourself. Folks have hopped on bikes and made road trips for decades. Modern reliability and cell phones have all but eliminated the risks not inherently present in motorcycling. Just do it!

I have to wonder how many who say to take the bike have the experience to offer advice. I'd hate to see Basso encouraged simply because some of you (not you, Rickster) have been riding for so long that you forget what it is like to be a new rider who is sincerely questioning their ability to tolerate a long ride while being distracted "mentally/emotionally". In addition to the fact that they have "little highway experience", riding in 100+ degree heat, and completing back-to-back 1000 mile rides with less than 24-hours of recovery.


Bottom line Basso, do what you feel is best for you. You know in your gut what that is. There will always be opportunities to take long road trips, no need to push it if it doesn't feel right.



P.S. some of us "worrywarts" have the "nerve" to do long rides (and have done so repeatedly), but we also are sensible enough to do so when we can focus on the ride - not on other significant stressors/distractions. Kinda thought one of the missions of this site was to offer advice for those with questions and not to belittle other members who may not agree with anothers opinion.

[themeatmanlandry]

I really think people are making too much of the risk. It's only a highway motorcycling trip . . . you're not signing up for front line infantry.

Can you sit on a bike for 4 days, that's the freaking question. You're not going to wreck driving straight down the highway just because you're new to riding.

[tallannie]

I value a diversity of opinion....and I recognize there is often a gender difference in perception of risk. It wouldnt surprise or bother me if he rides the long ride...chances are very great it will only cause him a sore butt.

As others noticed, what bothered me here was having my viewpoint labeled unqualified...lacking in nerves...and worrywart. In a debate, such attempts to persuade others based on suggestions about the qualifications of the speaker always leave me cold. In fact this is a common logical fallacy called 'argumentum ad hominem".

Annie

[dcstrng]

In addition to the fact that they have "little highway experience", riding in 100+ degree heat, and completing back-to-back 1000 mile rides with less than 24-hours of recovery.

Yep, I agree, that's the worry... even "experienced" riders can get fairly fuzzy-headed if they don't watch things in those conditions... concentration get's replaced with road-hypnosis; pleasant but risky...

Still, if he builds in enough time to take regular breaks (whether he thinks he needs to or not...) it could be a refreshing trip... just need discipline.

[themeatmanlandry]

(100+ degree heat) + (65 mph windchill) = <some as-yet-undetermined temperature>

He won't melt out there in the wind.

[themeatmanlandry]

[%%%%ry voice]
That there's a link to a post by a young lady that rode her machine for 500 miles in a day . . . took her 22 hours . . . she wasn't on the interstate for 90% of the time . . . she made it through unscathed . . . and she isn't crying about it one bit.

[themeatmanlandry]

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...tml#post346581

Oops. Here's the link (last post wouldn't edit).

[Clint]

I'm going to mostly ignore all the oversensitivity to my previous posts and simply define "worrywart": Anyone who worries more than another deems necessary. It's subjective. Perhaps I should've merely said "those who worry more than me".

I stand by my inquiry into the experience of some of you. If you're offended by that simple question, tough. It's highly relevant, despite any highbrow Latin terminology.

[Dave Nadeau]

Originally Posted by dcstrng

In addition to the fact that they have "little highway experience", riding in 100+ degree heat, and completing back-to-back 1000 mile rides with less than 24-hours of recovery.

Yep, I agree, that's the worry... even "experienced" riders can get fairly fuzzy-headed if they don't watch things in those conditions... concentration get's replaced with road-hypnosis; pleasant but risky...

Still, if he builds in enough time to take regular breaks (whether he thinks he needs to or not...) it could be a refreshing trip... just need discipline.

Speaking of fuzzy headed and road hypnosis!! 1970 heading from Bridgewater, Mass to Little Creek, Va. 567 miles. I was on a 1970 Norton Commando. 13 hours in to a 10 hour trip...The night cold ate me up. I actauly feel asleep will doing about 70 mph. Just a nod out that felt SO GOOD and woke up riding between the left white line and the left guard rail. EVer so slowly I turned back into the high speed lane. That was my 4th bike with God knows how many miles under my belt. But you can get really, really tired. We did not have the equipment around that we have today. Just an old guys.02 worth. BE careful and just ride your own ride.

[tallannie]

...and you will, of course, then acknowledge that it can also be subjectively true that those who worry less than me can be defined as risk-takers by me.

....I submit that the experience of a relative newbie in gaining distance riding skill might be more relevant here than some long long expeirenced person who may have forgotten even what it was like to be unsure of themselves on a motorcycle.

...finally, in my subjective assessment, I also dont appreciate your manners. What is gained by belittling someone's education, nerves, and being so challenging to me with your language?

Annie

[Easy Rider]

Once more into the breech. Let's see if I can make EVERYBODY mad in a single post:

Originally Posted by tallannie

....I submit that the experience of a relative newbie in gaining distance riding skill might be more relevant here than some long long expeirenced person who may have forgotten even what it was like to be unsure of themselves on a motorcycle.
Annie

With you 100% on this one, Annie. Those who are most forceful in advocating "ride the bike" seem to be ignoring the factors that make it obvious to (seemingly) most of us that the bike is not the best option in this case.

Originally Posted by tallannie

...finally, in my subjective assessment, I also dont appreciate your manners. What is gained by belittling someone's education, nerves, and being so challenging to me with your language?

On the other hand, some people here seem to have a talent for finding an insult where none was intended.

Most of us are somewhat imprecise in our use of language. That is not likely to change; old dog/new tricks, etc. One needs to consider that when (trying to) evaluate the "true meaning" of a group of words.

[Clint]

I'm sorry you feel that way, Annie, but I don't object to being called a risk-taker, and I'm not sure why anyone would be offended by being called a worrier. That's what some of you are doing - worrying about what might be in store for Basso.

As for the Ad Hominem assertion, it would only apply if I'd actually suggested one of you were objectionable somehow, not by questioning your riding history. It doesn't apply here. Your experience certainly isn't in question.

Anyhoo... no "belittling" intended anywhere by me. Thanks to E.R. for realizing that.