Long Trip Coming Up - Advice?

[DragonGold]

I am riding out to Ohio solo in 2 weeks. Its about a 650 mile ride each way.

I'm hoping for nice weather but I have some good rain gear ready just in case. Anyone have any advice on things I should make sure I have or other things to make the ride more enjoyable?

Thanks in advance!

[Clint]

Try some earplugs if you don't already use them. Noise doesn't have to be painful to cause hearing damage, and studies show that long term droning is actually fatiguing.

Make sure your bike is ready, and pack some first aid items, including bandages and pain releiver. In fact, you might take some as a preemptive strike against sore back. Carry water. Dehydration occurs in all weather and can cause headache and drowsiness. You need to be alert.

Clean your helmet up well, and carry some cloth to clean bugs up periodically.

More as it comes to me.

[inspiron]

After my ride to work this morning, all I can say is "Grip Heaters" ... even with the best gloves, your fingers will get cold this time of year.

[SuzukiGirl1]

Make sure you're stopping often enough so that you don't get "highway hypnosis". It's easy to zone off and start thinking of other things, especially when you have that constant sound of the engine and wind in your ears and you're by yourself. When you start to feel yourself not being as alert as usual, pull over at a gas station, etc and take a break. Drink some water and then get back on the road.

Bring an extra pair of gloves. If it rains and your hands get wet, they are going to get really cold. That way, once the rain stops and you're on your way again, you've got a dry pair of gloves that you can slip on.

[wavyredlaurie]

I found a neat site by googling "motorcycle touring for beginners". He listed most of the things already suggested. One thing he stresses that the weather changes very dramatically at highway speeds, you have to come prepared for all the extremes, from very hot to very cold. And very wet, too!

Here's things I don't leave home without:
1. sunscreen, and coat that neck good.
2. two Aerostich triangle neck thingies - one that absorbs water for cooling, the other fleece/goretex for warmth and dryness. They're small to pack, and add a lot to the comfort. The cooling one can also be used to clean off your helmet visor.
3. a good lip balm. I like Kiehl's. It even comes in 2 nice tinted shades,for us ladies, and it it's in a tiny tube (not a stick that melts in the heat!).
4. he recommends a long sleeved cotton tee under your gear, and lycra tights (full length). Haven't tried this yet, but will on my next longer ride. Another alternative is bikershorts, you can buy these cheap, or go for the higher-end Dri-max or Cool-max. Wicks moisture, prevents chafing.
5. foam disposable ear plugs. Just bought 100 pairs on Ebay for 14 bucks (as compared to 5 dollars for 6 pairs at the local Home Depot!)
6. Swiss Army knife - but then, I never leave home without it.
7. sunglasses that work okay with your helmet. Polarized helpful.
8. A tank bag. But don't put any credit cards near the magnets!
9. Water bottle - especially good if you can grab it while riding (but without losing control of your bike)
8. Duct tape, and some of those plastic tie thingies. You can do a LOT with these!
9. cable lock, if you want/need to stow your helmet and gear and leave the bike. You can lock the gear to the bike, at least.
10. Energy bars, or other portable, high protein foods, like almonds. Try to go easy on sugar stuff, which gives a quick boost, but then crashes you.
My biker brothers prefer jerky and trail mix type stuff.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by wavyredlaurie

Here's things I don't leave home without:
<snip>
4. he recommends a long sleeved cotton tee under your gear, and lycra tights (full length). Haven't tried this yet, but will on my next longer ride. <snip>

Can I come along?

[wavyredlaurie]

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

Can I come along?

Ah, real men like lycra?!?

[themeatmanlandry]

Depends where ya' put it. On a man, no. On a wavyredlaurie . . .

[wavyredlaurie]

And I was having visions of you in Lycra tights........LycramanLandry!

[themeatmanlandry]

I think the body hair would penetrate the air spaces in the tights and become a fire hazard.

[wavyredlaurie]

Well, thanks a lot, MML. I just spit my soda all over the keyboard. And my Lycra tights.....

[DragonGold]

Well, I made it.....lol...but not without some problems......


The trip out there was awsome....It took a bit longer than it does in my car, but I was stopping about once and hour for 10 mins or so to take a break...the weather was great the entire ride out...


However...

The ride home was without a doubt, my worst experience...ever..lol


I woke up monday morning and and turned on the weather channel right away...I saw the remnants of hurricane jeane coming up from the south..and decided to leave a bit earlier than I had planned..just so I wouldnt hit any bad weather..

I made great time early in the morning..and was about 150 miles into the trip when I decided to stop for breakfast. Went inside, sat down and took about 30 mins to eat some McDonalds...came back out to my back..and my bikebag had been stolen. Someone cut the 2 little locks holding it on right off, and took the entire bag...&%#&#&@%&%#..

all my gear was in there...rain gear, gloves, glasses, WALLET!.

So basically I was out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but the clothes on my back, and 10 bucks in my pocket....and an empty tank of gas..

I tried to get my wife to western union me some money out right away, but there was no western union place anywhere close to my home, or where I was...

The only thing I could do is turn around and head back to my friends house to borrow money from him....

I got back to his place around 12:00 in the afternoon...looked at the weather channel again, and decided to try to make it home before that storm hit PA.

I had no choice but to leave that day...my work doesnt allow it..

All went well until I crossed into PA, and then it started pouring...This was around 6 at night....I got home at 4:00 in the morning, soaking wet, and damn near hypothermic...

I still dont know how I made it back...something was looking out for me. Riding in the rain sucks very, very badly, espcially at 60+ mph and no rain gear. I was so cold


I don't want to sound like some thug, but if god every lets me meet the %%%%%%%s that stole my bag, I highly doubt I would be able to contain myself.....


My guess is I did close to 1000 miles in a 22 hour timeframe, most of which was in 50 deg F temps, raining, in jeans and a sweatshirt....

[c50tiger]

Originally Posted by DragonGold

Well, I made it.....lol...but not without some problems......[snippage]
My guess is I did close to 1000 miles in a 22 hour timeframe, most of which was in 50 deg F temps, raining, in jeans and a sweatshirt....

DG, real glad you made it with no permanent damage (other than the loss of the gear). Anyone who would steal your tank bag off your bike would probably steal a kid's dog, too.

[Clint]

Ahh, but what an adventure, right?

Sorry about you wallet. F'king thieves. I fart in their general direction. I wave my private parts at their aunties.

[Nexus242]

bring plenty of clean underwear. :o

[themeatmanlandry]

May the fleas of a thousand camels infest their armpits.

Sounds like you pulled through. Good one!!

The scumbag that took your stuff will probably surface somewhere, trying to use one of your cards.