Advice for first REALLY long ride?

[evile]

I am about to embark trip to PEI. It's about 650 miles each way and I've never come close to this, the most I've ever done in a day was jay Peak which is maybe 200 miles? It was on my SV650 and I recall lots of lower back pain etc. I've done 100 miles on a bicycle and felt better when it was over.

Chime in with tips kiddos. I need some help getting my head around this kinda mileage. Tips on gear, comfort, care and feeding of the bike, etc all appreciated. FWIW I'm on a Duc ST2 with the benefits of a Corbin seat and factory luggage. I don't have rain gear but guess I should be carrying some?

Attempts to talk me out of this are appreciated as well.

-evile

[flintoid]

I asked the same question a week or two ago and got some really really good advice from alot of experienced people.

Here's the thread:

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...port-bike.html

[butcher bergs]

Plug/ Patch kit
Chain lube
Tools for rim removal (plan for both front and rear)
Rain Gear is essential

I'd go through the bike, check for any issues and fix them. For example, a small fork seal leak can turn into a big one in no time.

Stay hydrated at all costs. You won't regret it.

A throttle lock might not hurt for extended time in the saddle.

Good luck bro! Take pics and post 'em!

[evile]

I asked the same question a week or two ago and got some really really good advice from alot of experienced people.

Here's the thread:

http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...port-bike.html

Aw shit another one of those "use the search tool dummy" threads, only this time it's me

thanks for the tip flintoid, I'm off to read ur thread!

[flintoid]

No problem mang. Bergs added some good new shit too, so it's still good.

[ThisBitch]

I didn't read through all of the other thread, but the best advice I have is...


STRETCH!!

Stretch in the morning before you get on the bike, especially your hamstrings and your lower back. Stretch every time you get off the bike and take about 20 - 30 minutes to stretch at night. I've done several 300 - 500 mile trips and that's been the best thing I've done. I actually used one of those big rubber bands they give you in PT. Also, eat plenty of potassium

[DucDave]

...been there...and all of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, Newfoundland...on an ST2.

Point to my website and under links click on Touring Punch list for an idea of how I pack.

You could also read a couple of my trip reports if you are really bored.

And do you know where you are staying on PEI? If not, I highly recommend Shaws Hotel...

Consider taking the Ferry out of Portland one way. Much of the ride through Maine and New Brunswick is worth doing once but not twice!

Join the Seacoast ride this Sunday. Good shakedown and we could talk at lunch!!!
Have fun...its an awsome ride.

[BCT748]

Do 150mph the entire time. It will knock the trip down to 4 hours instead of 8.

[ZX-12R]

As part of your preparation, ask Bruce (mycircus) about sprockets!

[Ericthejet]

The coffee at Tim Horton's is safe to drink.
Gas is about $5.75/gallon.
Cavendish, PEI is kind touristy but clean.
Some of the beach areas are rocky and the water is cold.

[markbvt]

I was just in PEI (and Nova Scotia, Cape Breton, New Brunswick, and Quebec). Beautiful up there.

As far as PEI itself is concerned, they let you in for free but you have to pay to get out. So my advice would be to take the ferry over from just north of Antigonish, NS, and take the Confederation Bridge back over to NB when you're heading home. The bridge is a lot cheaper than taking the ferry back to the mainland.

While you're there, go to Cardigan and treat yourself to a 5-course lobster dinner at Cardigan Lobster Suppers. The first course is all-you-can-eat seafood chowder (the best I've ever had), then you get a salad, then a big bowl of steamed mussels, then your lobster with veggies, then dessert. And it's only $35.

As for the long ride... don't push yourself. Schedule two days to make it up to PEI, since you've never done such a long ride, and two days to get home (also, speed limits are generally lower in Canada -- remember they're in km/h -- and there are quite a few cops out on the major roads). If you can make it in one day, so much the better -- more time to explore PEI. Take breaks when you feel like it, and carry along some Power Bars or Clif Bars or equivalent and eat one every couple breaks or so. Also bring a bottle of PowerAde or water and drink some every break.

That said, I think you'll find that you'll reach a certain point at which you get a second wind and don't feel the need to stop as often. My first 500+ mile ride was down to DC to visit my folks; I stopped four times in the first half of the ride (including a gas stop, and the fourth was a lunch stop). In the second half of the ride I only stopped once, to get gas. I made it to my parents' house with the trip meter reading about 530 miles and could easily have kept going for another hundred or two with a short break and maybe a meal. (But for what it's worth, I was already comfortable doing 300-350 mile days.)

Change your bike's oil before the trip, and make sure the tires are in good shape and inflated to the proper pressure and that the chain tension is within spec.

Pack light. Just bring the barest necessities. And yes, this includes rain gear. Otherwise, toiletries and a couple changes of socks, underwear, and t-shirts should do.

Have a great time, and be safe. If you're getting exhausted, don't push yourself to continue.

--mark

[zachary6]

Rain gear, rain gear, rain gear. Having just ridden 100 miles in the rain on sunday I can truly say a dedicated rain kit for a long trip would be the most important thing to have. Throttle lock or wrist rest is going to make long highway stretches nicer and earplugs do make you less tired especially at high speeds. Dying to go to PEI after reading this http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/...lots-pics.html
The pics are amazing. Have fun.

[taxonomy]

I just did an ironbut certification ride. 1100 miles in 22 hours. Before this my longest ride was 800 miles in about 15 hours.

Get a Camelbak.
Coffee won't help. The bounce isn't worth the drop later.
Use gas stops wisely, stretch, walk around a bit.
Go hard early on, make the miles add up while fresh.
Eat a lot of protein stuff. I ate a ton of jerky. Carbs will case you to get tired later on.
Wear ear plugs.
Get a rabbit. Wait to get passed by a faster vehicle and keep them within sight, maybe 1/2 mile ahead of you. This works pretty good, pace them.

Have fun.

[evile]

Thanks for all the excellent advice.

As for gear, I already have a Camelback and was planning on wearing bike shorts under my Fieldsheer textile suit (fully waterproof). Just have to figure out something for the hands, I don't have waterproof gloves but I do have waterproof boots.

Having thought about it more I am not even going to try making it up in one day. Leaving Friday afternoon and trying to get as far into Maine as possible then hit up the rest of the trip Saturday. Going to try to avoid slab as much as possible once I'm north of Portland. Range on the Duc is under 200 miles so I'll be stopping every 2 hours or so for gas, where I'll stretch and eat something light. I'm shooting for 6 hours max per day riding, that should get me there in 2 days.

We're staying in Tignish which is in the middle of nowhere. Rest of the fam is heading up Saturday in the cage. Point of taking the bike is to spend at least one day touring the island in the middle of the week. Rest of my time up there will be spent doing long-ass bicycle rides, eating lots of lobster and mussels, taking lots of pics, and generally lounging around.

Will post pics next week!

[Hardleft]

Wicking undies and a synthetic t-shirt helps a lot if its warm out. I find that having a tank bag to lean against helps.




An ipod that can play video on a ram mount is great for the slab. Load up some cartoons and you will be there in no time!

[schleppy]

Wicking undies and a synthetic t-shirt helps a lot if its warm out.

Big yes to this one. If you can only get one piece of synthetic clothing, make it your underwear. It helps immensely.

[DucDave]

When you have a chance you HAVE to visit this shop...

PEI Galleries | The Dunes Studio Gallery and Café

One of the coolest stores I have ever been in....actually a series of Galleries!

On Brackley Beach...north end of PEI. Oh, and the National Park Beach there is fantastic too.

[stoinkythepig]

Take Ibuprofen before you start and then every couple of hours. If you wait until you need it for discomfort, it's too late.

[richw]

Don't wear briefs wear boxer briefs without the lower seam

baby powder crotch and ass.

Stand up every 20 miutes or so for a couple of minutes

EAR PLUGS !!!! or tune plugs if you got them

2hrs go for coffee and a Naproxin Sodium (ALEVE)

wear gloves even if its warm