Longest ride you've ever ridden?

[shrub]

About 12 years ago I rode my Moto Guzzi Le Mans 2 from browns Bay in Auckland to ChCh in one day (Xmas eve) so I could spend Xmas with my kids. If anyone has ridden a Lemon, they're not a touring bike by any stretch of anything, and I walked like Quasimodo for about a week. 1095 kms all up, and I did it in daylight - I left at about 0600 and arrived about 9.00 pm.

I also rode around the outside of the South Island a year or so ago in 3 days - 2100 kms and one of those journeys I'll never forget for all the right reasons - including a wrong turning in Southland that had me doing a 34km detour on a gravel road in the rain.

I know that compared to many people that's pretty ordinary stuff, and with the TT2000 coming up I'm curious to know what other people have done.

[gw555]

did 1020km in one day on my GT250 couple of years ago - said I would never do it again!!! I did used to regularly do >750km daily trips on this bike

have done a couple of 800km day trips on the GT650 thinking about doing a >1000km in the next few weeks...............

[Whynot]

Have done a few days around 800-900km on a CBR600
London to Nurburgring
London to near Le Mans
and Basel - Dunkerque

few others as well but i forget.

[Grubber]

Did Dunedin to Auckland in one hit once on my Harley. Straight to Picton with a 2 hour wait and onto boat then gone. 7 1/2 hours later i was home in Aucks.
Stretch from Welly to Aucks was from 9pm till 4.30am on a nice calm winters night. Awesome ride it was. Ya just don't forget those ones eh!:woohoo:

[release_the_bees]

For me, the longest trip in a single day was Auckland to Cape Reinga and back. I left at 5.30am and got back at 8.30pm. It was a great ride, especially the way there up the west coast. It was around 920km riding in total if I remember correctly.

[trailblazer]

shit my biggest ride was only whakatane to taupo then back to whakatane around 300ks i think but ain't got nothing on you guys.

[shrub]

Stretch from Welly to Aucks was from 9pm till 4.30am on a nice calm winters night. Awesome ride it was. Ya just don't forget those ones eh!:woohoo:

I bet the desert road was, um, interesting. I rode the desert road at night in January once with a couple of mates who had never done it - they couldn't figure out why I put on all my thermal kit when we stopped at Palmy.

[C.Linnell]

I feel like there's too much to see on the way, so I limit myself to 400km in a day. Maybe I like the stopping part too much to be a *real* biker? :scooter:

[shrub]

I feel like there's too much to see on the way, so I limit myself to 400km in a day. Maybe I like the stopping part too much to be a *real* biker? :scooter:

Nah mate, the stopping is often the best part and too many of us are too hung up on "getting there" to stop along the way and enjoy the scenery.

[Voltaire]

Munich to London, on a R75/5 in February back from the Elefant Treffen, about 900kms....it was bloody cold.

Same trip a year later with a sidecar....was snowing from Dover to London.....

Kaikoura to Auckland a year later of way back from Brass...same bike and sidecar....snowing again....

[raftn]

Nah mate, the stopping is often the best part and too many of us are too hung up on "getting there" to stop along the way and enjoy the scenery.

I did 800kms one day, I think that was my biggest, took me 12 hours one day to do 550 kms, stoped for morning tea, stopped for lunch, stopped for soffee, stopped to talk to locals, stopped and admired the scenery...stopped for a smoke, I wasn't in a rush ... felt like a long day, but not that many KMS in reality.

[martybabe]

The English midlands to the south of France on an XS750...about 700 miles, urm 1100 ks ?? Had a puncture in there too so that counts as a rest period I suppose. It took me two days to walk without bow legs again. These days maybe 600k before I start crying in my helmet :yes:

[willytheekid]

....About 12 years ago I rode my Moto Guzzi Le Mans 2 from browns Bay in Auckland to ChCh in one day (Xmas eve) so I could spend Xmas with my kids. .

GOD DAMN!...respect! :not:

There not nick-named "torture racks" for no reason.

[shrub]

GOD DAMN!...respect! :not:

There not nick-named "torture racks" for no reason.

I rode that bloody thing everywhere - even commuted on it (now THAT is an achievement). I did have an aftermarket seat made up by Dave Sewell though.

[phill-k]

So with those sorts of km's and thinking of the TT2000, how do you guys judge your performance drop off over that sort of riding time - say first part of the trip to the second part. 100% down to 70% or what? just curious

[Taz]

I've done the grand challenge twice on a BMW R1100GS 1600+ kms in 19 and a bit hours and that was keeping fairly close to the speed limit too.

[DEATH_INC.]

Sydney to lands end on a FZR thou via all the backroads, dunno how many k's but it took all day. As for performance, I wore the sides of the tyre out on the last 200 k's or so....

[Taz]

So with those sorts of km's and thinking of the TT2000, how do you guys judge your performance drop off over that sort of riding time - say first part of the trip to the second part. 100% down to 70% or what? just curious

Performance drop off? Whats that? Seriously.

[Kickaha]

I've done the grand challenge twice on a BMW R1100GS 1600+ kms in 19 and a bit hours and that was keeping fairly close to the speed limit too.

Same but riding a Ducati Darmah, 15 litre tank meant a stop every 160kmh

[MadDuck]

From Wellington to Whangaparaoa in one hit on the Harley. Was a pretty good ride and not too sore or tired at the end of it. :scooter:

[phill-k]

What I'm asking and I'm aware that saddle time creates a level of fitness, but your situational awareness, response times, ability to process information, reactions to situations, all the things we need to ensure our safety on the road. How is that effected by spending the time in the saddle to cover the distances mentioned.

I recently drove Napier to Whangarei, stopping once for fuel, but realised that as the trip progressed my reaction times slip, hesitation creeps in, I become aware remaining focused requires more effort.

Personally over the years I've trained myself when driving to become aware of when my scanning slows up, I watch the rear view mirrors a lot when driving and riding, and when I notice i'm not scanning as much as I normally do, I then make a more concerted effort. On the bike I get really pissed off if someone can come up behind me without me seeing them coming, to me this indicates I'm not at 100%

[shrub]

So with those sorts of km's and thinking of the TT2000, how do you guys judge your performance drop off over that sort of riding time - say first part of the trip to the second part. 100% down to 70% or what? just curious

A good question. I know of one guy who did the TT2000 last year and was so tired he ended up putting diesel in his bike. Personally I don't trust my ability to remain focussed after riding 2000 kms in 48 hours, so will probably never do the ride. I find around 700 kms is pretty much my limit before I start finding myself getting vague.

[ukusa]

Christchurch to New Plymouth a couple of years ago. 2 up as well (the mrs' arse was sorer than mine :yes:)
Left 8.30am, Ferry 12.30pm (5.5 hours of rough sailing), then through to NP. Had to stop for a while to repair visor in Wanganui servo as it was fogging up & falling off. Got to NP around 11.30pm. Not sure how many K's it was. Was a bloody cold Easter though, around 6 or 7 degrees from memory.

[george formby]

Amsterdam (Holland) - Mulhouse, Alsace (France)

A very long way indeed, far enough to lose all sensation from the waist down,nearly killed me & in hindsight a very silly thing to do.

[avgas]

"Longest" trip I did was 7.5 hours, and covered 30kms........ I rode that far in about 30 mins then spent the other 7 pushing the bike back.

But the longest distance I did in one go was 827. So not that far. Mind due it was done in only 6 hours and 30 minutes. Which isn't bad considering I went through heaps of towns etc.

[willytheekid]

I rode that bloody thing everywhere - even commuted on it (now THAT is an achievement). I did have an aftermarket seat made up by Dave Sewell though.

I use my 95 sport for everyday transport.....and that hurts!
But the thought of riding from Auck-ChCh.....Arrrrgh the pain!

Once again shrub...Respect! :not:
....I'd still be in wellington crying & crippled! lol

[Kickaha]

A good question. I know of one guy who did the TT2000 last year and was so tired he ended up putting diesel in his bike. Personally I don't trust my ability to remain focussed after riding 2000 kms in 48 hours, so will probably never do the ride. I find around 700 kms is pretty much my limit before I start finding myself getting vague.

I've done 1000km days without a problem, the step up to a 1600km day was huge though

It also depends on the time of day/night you're riding

[Mad-V2]

One day I needed a part urgently for my work truck to get a job done that night. I decided it would be quicker to jump on the bike and get it myself, instead of having it overnighted by courier and get in trouble for doing it the next day. I went from Ohope Beach to New Plymouth and back in around 7 - 8 hours (800k's) not realizing I would be to sore to install the part and get the job done when I got back. It turned out the job wasn't ready for me when I got back anyway :facepalm:
Won't be doing that again!!!! But it was an awesome ride :2thumbsup

[onearmedbandit]

Bored at home on a day off a few years back I jumped on my 750 and rode up to Nelson and back, Lewis Pass on the way up and via the East Coast on the way back. Stopped for cigarettes, petrol and food only. Oh and the nice policeman between Cheviot and Home. Had nerve compression damage in my hand for about 2 days afterwards, just a numb tingling feeling.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[slofox]

I did 1100km in 28.5 hours at New Year but it was in two bites with a night's sleep between mouthfuls...so not really "one" ride I suppose. And I stopped for petrol and coffee a couple of times each day.

Last year I did 470km with one brief stop. That was on the SV. Arse took weeks to recover. Bloody uncomfortable seats on those SV's...

[Crasherfromwayback]

I did just under 1000 miles when I was in the States in '07' and an XB12SS. Was well rooted when I finished up for the day! But years and years ago, one of my best mates rode non stop (apart from fuel) from Adelaide to Perth! Tough cunt.

[gijoe1313]

Hmmm methinks I have done my fair share of long rides, but I'm mostly interested to see how Gremlin fares on his epic road trip in the South Island. He has set an impressive goal of some mad milage (even for me) in a very compressed amount of time.

Even I would have to train to do what he is contemplating on tackling! I think one of the more memorable trips I had was a ride from Auckland down to Wellington, called Colapop (as he was known then) and he was blimm'in up in Tauranga with DMNTD!

So I turned around and visited him there and rode part of the Coro loop (before that was terminated shortly due to a crash from one of the group members). Then I beetled back off to Auckland.

But I do recall a trip to get a magazine from Sylvia Park ended up with me riding to Cape Reinga and back (because I got side-tracked). Wait, more of these sorts of rides are coming back to my confoolzed memory now! :blink::facepalm:

[Elysium]

Entire loop of the South Island on the Honda CB900 Hornet about 2 years ago.

[banditrider]

Longest in one hit? On my first Grand Challenge we got lost and did a few extra miles and then we rode home to Palmy straight after lunch - so probably around 1,900km without sleep.

One other memorable day was Cromwell to Palmy - we hadn't planned on it but when arrived in Hokitika we thought why not? Adding the ferry in made the approx 1,100km seem a lot longer. Left at 7am and and got in at 3am the next day. Probably my first really long ride.

I agree with others that going from 1,000 to 1,600km in a hit is a big jump - the first 1,000km are a piece of cake but sooner or later you start getting tired - know when to stop!

The Rusty Super Tour guys are the real distance heroes - 10,000km in 10 days.

http://rustynuts.co.nz/default.aspx?PageID=455

[ac3_snow]

My longest would be auckland to Waverly to try and buy a ute, turned out to be average so had to get back on my bike and ride straight back. Bloody long ride and all on a little cbr250rr (I'm 6 foot 3) so pretty painful and exhausting, ride there was brilliant, trip back not soo much.
don't know the exact distance, Waverly is half way between Hawera and Wanganui so a reasonable trip.

[Taz]

I think being a shift worker helped me with both my GC's as I found them easy and struggled to get to sleep afterwards.

[banditrider]

I think being a shift worker helped me with both my GC's as I found them easy and struggled to get to sleep afterwards.

I wondered about that too - when I first started doing them I was also a shift worker. I think mental toughness and a bit of common sense is probably the key...

[cheshirecat]

Several London to South of France and various parts in Euro. Depends very much on what you are up against, traffic/ road conditions, weather. Worst was when DRing London Chester (240k) and return - doesnt sound much but it snowed almost closing the motorway down, then black ice just out side London. Left 3pm and got back 2am then straight back on the bike 8 am for another 12 hours in London traffic. And it was only Monday. DRing taught me to pace myself and watch for those low concentration moments (and the second wind) - Best part was comming back down park lane amongst all those playboys in their lambos 2 in the morning - I was in no mood to take prisoners oops that second wind taking over.

[Shadowjack]

TT2000 last year, which came right after a 9 day, 4,000 km trip around the North Island. About half the days on the trip were spent with whanau and friends; a fair few involved some shingle. All in all, the trip served as useful training for the TT2K, but I'd have to say that the riding preempted the sight-seeing.

No major issues with the TT2K, and would be doing it again this year but for a partially torn right elbow tendon.

The TT2K instilled one thing - Total Respect to the 10K kms in 10 days riders!

[EJK]

around the block

[trailblazer]

around the block
the block just happens to be the east cape i guess.

[Oakie]

In one day ... not far. Wanaka to Christchurch. 422 km. In one trip over a few days ... not far. Ch - Queenstown- West Coast - Ch. 1400 odd km in 6 days.

[Blackshear]

Did trip from Aucks to whangamata with a mate that added up about 500km in one day, decided to do it by myself and add the coro loop onto it. I think it ended up being 720-odd.
Sore ass was sore. Turned off my music after 500km and just threw those gel-earplugs in. Fuck.

[nallac]

mines only a paltry 1100 and abit k's, half on my old R1 the other half on the X1 i swapped the R1 for. It was a nice Friday jaunt by myself.

Didn't wanna stop when i got home..

[Hitcher]

I've ridden 1,600km in 24 hours. Five times.

[Gremlin]

1720km in 22 odd hours
1640km in under 18 hours
2300km in 27 hours (overnight stop halfway through tho with a few hours sleep - not counted in 27 hours)
1000-1200km is a reasonably regular trip (done one the last 3 weekends)

Did Auckland to Wellington, left Auckland at 3am, Wellington mid morning. Visited two clients for work, left Wellington at 8pm, back in Auckland shortly before 5am. I did have to stop at Turangi for about an hour though, on the way up, as I was starting to feel a bit shattered
Did Auckland to Wellington, left late on Friday evening (after a full day of work), got to Wellington just before 0630am, in time for the Capital Cruise, did the cruise, back to Wellington, and then had an excellent sleep on a nice bed offered by KoroJ, before going back to Auckland on Sunday afternoon.

It doesn't really matter when I leave, even left at 4pm before... just ride through the night or day...

Will attempt 3200km in 40 hours on this coming TT2000.


So with those sorts of km's and thinking of the TT2000, how do you guys judge your performance drop off over that sort of riding time - say first part of the trip to the second part.
The stats say its the equivalent to riding drunk, concentration wise, by about 20 hours. I think it depends on the person, your fitness, riding ability, how often you do it etc.

Some people "pack" for 200km and call it a day trip. Some head out for a burger and end up in Wellington (from Auckland) - where's GiJoe for this thread.

It also depends on terrain and weather conditions. Too straight, gets boring and fatigue sets in even earlier than if its twisty, but too twisty and you also get tired. Bad weather conditions can destroy your energy. I did 1600km one weekend, felt shattered, did 1600km the next without issue...

edit:
GiJoe was in here... didn't see that
Yes, your sleeping pattern makes a massive difference. The GC is an easy example. Guys used to being in bed at midnight hit the wall around 1am, usually an hour or so after your normal bed time is when it gets hard for a while. My sleep pattern is all over the place, so I hit the wall around 9am - 10am, when I'm supposed to hand emergency overnight jobs over to someone on the day...

[sinned]

The Capital 1K cruise is a good daylight ride. 1000 to 1100 kms is easy to do although I found I was getting a little saddle sore about 800kms. Heaps of lower Nth lslanders have done that cruise. 1000kms in a day is not hard to do on a decent bike.

[ernie953]

Just done Whakatane to Welly to see Nitro Circus. Went down via Taupo,Napier,Waipukurau,Ekatahuna. Back home via Hawera,Stratford,[forgotten highway]Taumarunui,Turangi,Kopuriki,Whk. 1400kms, 16.5hrs riding time, av 84kph.

[phill-k]

cheers very interesting reading thanks for your responses it seems you guys are more or less remaining saddle fit by the regular amount of big miles you do.

[shrub]

cheers very interesting reading thanks for your responses it seems you guys are more or less remaining saddle fit by the regular amount of big miles you do.

I think that's a big part of it. I haven't ridden more than 500 kms in a day for several months, and most of my recreational rides have been 150 - 200 kms, and that's only been once every 2 or 3 weeks, while I ride several times a week, it's mostly round town and short trips, so if I were to do something like the TT2000 now it would be foolish.

However I am physicaly reasonably fit and train 4-5 times a week, so that would stand me in good stead.

[nadroj]

I remember KoroJ doing the GC + extension (2100km) 3 years ago in under 24 hrs. A certain rider from Auckland completed the 2100km ride leaving Turangi at 3pm and returning at 10:20am the next morning on a stormy cold winters night.

[puddy]

(15th) GC 2400kms in 36 hours + 10 normal GCs. Take my hat off to the Rusty Nuts 10K in 10 days group. And xgnr and friends if they pull off their Aussie Adventure.

[Spearfish]

This probably doesn't count but,
West Auck to Mt Wellington -Clevedon -Hopu -Paeroa -to dickeys flat (bit before waikino SH2) DoC camp, stayed night then back again last weekend on a 50cc moped.

[KoroJ]

So with those sorts of km's and thinking of the TT2000, how do you guys judge your performance drop off over that sort of riding time - say first part of the trip to the second part. 100% down to 70% or what? just curious

You know you're fatigued but ornery determination to finish plays a part. Standing on the pegs and shifting to the back seat in towns, dropping one or both legs at regular intervals keeps the aches at bay. Riding curly roads is easier on the butt because of the constant weight shifts. Fast, hard riding brings the fatigue on.

Then there's the bio-rhythms or whatever... I've done GC's and been totally shattered and finished others fresh as a daisy.

Last Southern Cross, Steve and I managed Cape reinga to Welly in 12hours and Bluff to Picton (& Welly). Both of those were great days as well as the two 1100+ Kms on the TT.

[FJRider]

I've successfully completed five Chatto Creek 1000 milers ... four on a FJ1200 and one on a XJ750. 1635 km's in each ... (within 24 hours)

500 km rides are regarded (by me) as an "afternoon" ride ...

[Badgerclarke]

Did just over 800 miles in a day a few years ago on a Triumph Sprint RS. Left Inverness, headed up to the north Scots coast and then home to Norfolk. Knew about it for a few days too!

[Jantar]

My longest single trip was an attempt at Kaitaia to Bluff in under 24 hrs. I missed it by 20 minutes. But in those days you could fly across the straight in a Bristol Freighter for not much more than what the ferries charged and save around 4 hours at the same time. Check in time with bike at Wellington airport was 15 minutes prior to departure compared to 90 minutes for the ferry. 25 minutes flying time and 5 minutes to unload the bike and already in Blenheim instead of Picton. 45 minutes instead of 5 hrs. Please bring back those Bristols. :yes:

Now I regularly ride 800 km for a full day ride or 500 km for a half day (like I did today), and 1000 km+ rides are not uncommon.

[Mystic13]

The Accidental Long Ride

My wife and I went for a short ride from Auckland. Then further. And further and ended up in Kaitaia at 3pm and thought what the heck lets do the Cape. We weren't dressed for a colder night or rain. At Whangarei just after midnight stopped to stuff our clothes with whatever we could find. Newspaper is really useful when it's cold. I said to her I hope it doesn't rain. Then it started. That would have to be the coldest I've arrived home but certainly one of the more memorable rides. I am deeply grateful that my wife is an avid, all weather, all condition pillion.

The Just because It's There Ride - Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge

The Rusty Nuts Grand Challenge is 1600km in 24 hours starting mid afternoon and going through some very winding roads. And that's 1600km's if you make all the right turns. I came through the desert road and it was sleeting witha snocone building up on the screen. They're doing the 25th Rusty this year if any of you feel mad enough. I did my first one with over 21 hours of non-stop riding. Ride, gas, snack, drink, ride and repeat till you've finished the course. And then rode back to Auckland without a sleep, a further 320km. Like some have posted. Sometimes you feel fresh and sometimes you don't. I also play with the time. As the evening progresses At 10pm I'd tell myself it's 9pm, then eventually 9.10 etc until by the time I'm telling myself it's midnight and this is just another late night it's actually 5 to 5.30am. About this time through to 7 I'll be looking for a good breakfast.

The In Love Ride

The "in love" ride was when I was living in Wellington and my girlfriend lived in Auckland. At the start of the weekend, Friday night I rode to Auckland, picked her up and rode back to Wellington Saturday early. Then Returned her late Monday arvo and returned to Wellington (long weekend). Ahhh... the power of love. Back when gas and speeding tickets were cheap. (and when she lived with her folks and I had my own rental accommodation).

Other than that we're always up for a long ride.

[Conquiztador]

Lately: Hawke's Bay - Auckland fastest way in the morning, then back through Tauranga and Gisborne in afternoon/evening. Somewhere around 1,250 Km's on the K1. And also on K100.

In youth Stockholm (Sweden) - Genova (Italy) little over 2,000Km's. Only stop for fuel, feed and toilet. And there was a ferry between Sweden and Denmark too, but only approx 40 minutes. The German Autobahn helped with cutting down the travel time. Done it inside 24 hours on a 750 Bonny and also on a 48 Panhead with rigid frame and 22 inch extended springer forks.

[Gremlin]

cheers very interesting reading thanks for your responses it seems you guys are more or less remaining saddle fit by the regular amount of big miles you do.
That's pretty much it. I find if I get stuck in work for a few months, barely get out on the bike for decent rides, you do 600km and feel tired. It's almost training like an athlete to maintain that edge that's needed.

You know you're fatigued but ornery determination to finish plays a part.
ah... the head games. When you're feeling shattered, you're not even halfway through, and still heading away from home, it plays with your mind a lot more. When almost home, the pain is forgotten, the desire to stop gone, and its only a few more km.

Its vital to eat right, coffee and pies does not good nutrition make. Keeping warm is also crucial. It's ok for a few hours to be cold, your body burns energy to keep itself warm. After 15+ hours, the body doesn't have energy to burn to keep itself warm. By keeping yourself warm from the beginning it saves energy and stands you in better stead when you're a few hours in.

[Grubber]

I bet the desert road was, um, interesting. I rode the desert road at night in January once with a couple of mates who had never done it - they couldn't figure out why I put on all my thermal kit when we stopped at Palmy.

Actually it's funny you should say that.....brrrrr. Had all my gear on and it was still a tad chilly....but fun though!

[sinfull]

In my younger fitter days i could go for hours, but that really depended on the ride too, some just can't handle it for too long !

Edit: opps wrong thread !

[Motorcycle Recovery]

I remember when I was about 15, I stole my brothers 250 suzuki while he was at work and rocked on over to Manukau from Manurewa. I cruised around the shopping centre for about 30mins and stopped at the lights by Rainbows End on my way home. Loe and behold there's my brother pulling up on the other side of the lights, I'm on GSR and he's waiting to pull out of Wiri Station Rd! :facepalm: :gob:I wasn't sure if he saw me or not but I hooned all the way home as fast as that lil 250 could go and managed to sneak it up the driveway. Realising it was hot I grabbed the hose and a bucket and started to wash it down. My brother came home and wanted to know what I was doing with his bike out so I said "oh I was bored so I decided to wash your bike for you, I couldn't get it up the path from the shed so I started it and rode it up" he goes oh ok then before he walked inside I added "oh and I could smell fuel when I walked it up, I think it's leaking" so he walks inside and then came back out and him and I spent about 2 hrs looking for the "fuel leak" that had managed to drain half the tank and not leave a drop anywhere on the shed floor lol. The trip from Manukau to home only took 10 mins but it was most definitely the longest ride I've ever done lol it seemed to take hours.
To this day he still can't explain the mysterious fuel leak:woohoo: Whether he saw me or not I don't know but he's never said ;)

I know its not the sort of ride you meant but I couldn't resist.

[george formby]

This thread has got me thinking, I need more time off so I can ride some decent miles. My little bu-tocks are quaking at the thought of riding down to Paeroa on Saturday. I used to ride that far for a decent bacon sandwich. How times change.

[nonie]

Regular rides Whangarei to Wairoa Last time it was real icy and freezing cold. Whangarei to wellington (and return) Never get tired on that one cos can't wait to get there !

[Bass]

My longest continuous ride was about 18,000 km of mostly dirt and sand round outback Oz, but it took a day or two.
Was supposed to be around 23,000 km but the going was quite a bit tougher than expected.

[raftn]

My longest continuous ride was about 18,000 km of mostly dirt and sand round outback Oz, but it took a day or two.

Holy crap........you must have been busting for a peee when you finished.

[Bass]

Holy crap........you must have been busting for a peee when you finished.

Naw - adventure bike - mostly standing up so no problem. Only hassle is hitting a good bump in the middle of pumping bilges and the Ol' fella slips back into your tweeds.
Oh yeah.......corrugations could get a bit messy too.

[neels]

Longest ride in a day was christchurch to catlins via tekapo, 750k's with a few breaks for a coffee or a smoke. Then about the same home again a couple of days later.

What seemed like the longest ride was christchurch to bulls on a CB360.

[Hellzie]

my longest ride (not counting the times I was pillion) = 70km. BEAT THAT!

NOOOBIE!!!!

[rocketman1]

Done Wanaka to Hamilton in one hit. With a 3 hr sleep on the ferry.
On R1150GS no problems at all.

[Flip]

Only 800km for me Milford sound to Diamond Harbour. Was stuffed afterward.

[BMWST?]

Queenstown to Wellington on a ducati 900 s2 with a break in Chch for a early service,i was bloody sore when i got to picton.The suspension was so hard on those bikes it didnt really move til you were going 140 k plus......

[sondela]

2,586 km's from the top of Zimbabwe to Cape town on a Moto Guzzi Le Mans in a day and a half....

[trailblazer]

wow you guys have had some awesome adventures. Man do i have to get out on the bike more. I guess whakatane to paeroa and back on sunday is a start.

[MaxB]

This thread stirs up memories.

In July '86 mates had scored me Queen tickets for the Newcastle UK gig. I was working on OE in Devon 650 kms away and was going to use the concert as the start of a touring holiday up north. When I got the bike (Honda 400-4) to my Grans house in Gloucestershire I was told my Uncle was crook in hospital but it was OK to carry on.

I swapped bikes for my Beemer twin, loaded up the gear and off I went. 7 happy hours later I rocked up to my mates and they had a message from my Gran "Come home, your Uncle wont make it through the night and wants to see you." 4 and a bit stressed out hours later I was at my Uncles bedside and I got his message.

He wasnt dying, just had a mild stroke. So I was now free to get back up to the concert but not before dropping 30 pound coins into the hospital payphone catching up the rellies back here.

I rode through the night and made it to the concert 22 hours and 1050 miles after leaving Devon. Saw the show, met a group of nurses and had one of the best weeks of my life.

BTW the message from my Uncle I'd risked my life for "When you get back to NZ could you send me an Auckland rugby tie I've always fancied one of those?"

[LBD]

In recent times it has to be the GC/10K super tour and TT2000's.... but back in the day...in the dim and distant past as it were, I would say the coastal most roads excluding culdesacs.... around the SI from Chch including the Catlins, Bluff, south coast Haast Wet coast, to Wetport, Nelson Picton and back to Chch. Two up on Honda 750, back when much of the way was gravel....over a 2 day weekend + friday after work

[orangeback]

i rode Auckland to Invercargill in 1 1/2 days and fell off about an hour after getting to my destination heading to the petrol station , ( morel of the story don't pull wheelies for your mates, when you don't know where the roads works is) (it cost me a brand new zx9r back in 94, but at least I put on 2000km)

[awa355]

I bet the desert road was, um, interesting. I rode the desert road at night in January once with a couple of mates who had never done it - they couldn't figure out why I put on all my thermal kit when we stopped at Palmy.

Back in the early 90's I organised a run for our group, the Matamata road riders, A winter midnight Matamata to Wellington breakfast ride. Middle of July. Only Brian Hickson and I were stupid enough to do it.

I had a borrowed XS750 custom, Brian had his old CX500. Was awesome crossing the desert road at 3am, Scattered clouds, a full moon and the XS sounding like a GM diesel at full revs.

Incidentely, The 1000 miler, Haven't done it myself but the likes of Brian H did several of them on that CX500, Scott Baigent did the first two on his old KZ440.

Would it be any easier on today's bikes compared to the slower heavier bikes of the 80's?

I remember one old buggar saying years ago, they needed to throw in a decent stretch of metal roads to put the challenge back into the ride.

What do you think?

[FJRider]

Would it be any easier on today's bikes compared to the slower heavier bikes of the 80's?



Speed is not the answer to 1000 milers ... 70 km/hr average speed will get you home under time allowed. Mental stamina is required. (AND a comfortable bike ....)

Ride fitness plays a good part of it too ... but the mental aspect plays a bigger part ...

I recall a certain gentleman from Dunedin (in the Motorcycle trade) doing it on a BSA 350 (under time required)

[banditrider]

I recall a certain gentleman from Dunedin (in the Motorcycle trade) doing it on a BSA 350 (under time required)

Not to mention an RG50 one year...

[FJRider]

Not to mention an RG50 one year...

I heard it (RNGC) was done on a RG50 ... and the rider had to be lifted off the bike at the end ..

[banditrider]

I heard it (RNGC) was done on a RG50 ... and the rider had to be lifted off the bike at the end ..

Yep - 2001 (http://banditrider.weebly.com/the-first-three.html). I didn't see him finish (he left 2 hours ahead of everyone so other riders could keep an eye on him as they caught him). It took us quite a while to catch him. He stopped at the checkpoint in Gisborne, fueled his bike and was back on the road in no time (I reckon he was in 3rd by the time he left the forecourt). We then mucked around and caught him about 20km south of Gissy. He was carrying spare fuel and I'd say she was wide open for the whole ride...

It's hard enough on a good bike!

[Kickaha]

I heard it (RNGC) was done on a RG50 ... and the rider had to be lifted off the bike at the end ..

Not sure about an RG50 but in 1992 when I did it a guy completed it on a NSR80, he wasn't walking very well the next day when I left

Just checked their site, it was completed on a 50 in both 2001/02

[MarkH]

Onehunga => Christchurch on my 400cc scooter was a pretty good ride. I shoulda left earlier and gotten an earlier ferry, it was after 2am when I got to Christchurch.
The following day it was a much shorter & more relaxed ride to Winchester followed by a great weekend at the Magpie Madness rally.
After the rally it was Winchester => Palmerston North, some sleep over night and then Palmerston North => Auckland with torrential rain and gale force head winds, still better than being at work though.

This was Thursday - Monday. Onehunga to Winchester to Onehunga over a 5 day period.

[NC]

about 700kms, done on a 250, 400 and 1000

[Highlander]

I think being a shift worker helped me with both my GC's as I found them easy and struggled to get to sleep afterwards.


I wondered about that too - when I first started doing them I was also a shift worker. I think mental toughness and a bit of common sense is probably the key...

I think being a shift worker you get to know how you react when you are tired, you recognise the signs earlier than the average person and know what to do about it, so take action to keep up with what is going on around you.


...I agree with others that going from 1,000 to 1,600km in a hit is a big jump - the first 1,000km are a piece of cake but sooner or later you start getting tired - know when to stop!

The Rusty Super Tour guys are the real distance heroes - 10,000km in 10 days.

http://rustynuts.co.nz/default.aspx?PageID=455

Them guys are legends. I have done several days of 1,000 km plus but stringing 10 to them together - not for me thanks. Two in a week with a couple of 6 or 700km jobbies in between is quite enough.
I have ruled out a crack at the Grand Challenge, because I do stay up for close to 24 hrs at a time on a regular basis and know my riding suffers badly.
Couldn't rule out the TT2000 one year, but would work it in with a couple of quieter days or even a rest day.

I guess you never really know your limit until you cross it, but I think if you are getting close to what you think your limit is, push gently rather than give it an almighty shove.

[doc]

Easy rider: After 56 years and 700,000 miles it's finally time to sell my motorbike... for £40,000



When Stuart Jenkinson paid £385 for his Vincent Black Prince motorcycle in 1955, he thought he would only keep it for a year before swapping it for a car.

But now, after a 56-year romance on the road that saw them travel more than 700,000 together, Mr Jenkinson, 83, is finally going to part with the bike he calls 'Vinnylonglegs'.

The 998cc machine, which has covered the length and breadth of Europe, is set to land its owner a windfall too, because it is expected to sell for £40,000 when it goes under the hammer at auction.



Good runner: Stuart Jenkinson, 83, is finally hanging up his leathers and selling his beloved Vincent Black Prince after 56 years and more than 700,000 miles

For many years Mr Jenkinson and wife Anne led touring holidays on the continent, which accounted for about half of the bike's incredible mileage.

From 1962 the couple travelled to Greece at least once a year for their holidays, but Anne gave up riding pillion after a crash in Yugoslavia 15 years ago.

Mr Jenkinson has taken the bike through Germany, Belgium, Austria, Slovenia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Albania, Macedonia, Czechoslovakia, Montenegro, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Hungary and Greece.

His longest tour was a three-week mountain jaunt to Greece that clocked up more than 2,355 miles out of its current total of 721,703.

He enjoyed the continental roads where he could push his machine up to 120mph - but he says he rarely gets to 100mph any more.

Mr Jenkinson's touring business continued until 2008, but now he says he doesn't have the strength to pick up the bike if he were to drop it.



Newly purchased: Mr Jenkinson pictured with the bike in 1955

With much regret he has decided to sell it and give up motorcycling for good. Instead he will drive his VW Passat.

The former university lecturer from Whitley Bay said he has had about 100 crashes, mostly when driving to work in snow-covered Northumberland.

When I bought it I never dreamed I'd still be riding it,' he said.

'I thought I'd have it for about five years then buy a car.

'It was my third Vincent and I loved riding it so I kept it.

'At first I just used it to drive to work on, but then I started going abroad.

'From 1962 my wife Anne and I started going to Greece for our holidays. We'd also go away for weekends.

'Then in 1980 I retired from my job and set up a touring company, taking motorbikes around Europe.

'It was on these tours that I clocked up about half the mileage.

'My wife always came until about 15 years ago when I threw the bike down the road with her on it.

'It was in Yugoslavia and there was a big thunderstorm and we were on a narrow country road with agricultural debris on it.

'We were only going about 30mph and I came to the crest of a hill and suddenly realised there was a sharp bend and I braked and the wheels locked and we slid along on our backsides.

'We weren't hurt and after we got back Anne didn't do any more tours on the bike.

'I never wore a crash hat until you had to; when I got it I just had goggles.

'It has been rebuilt three times and I have modified it for touring and done all the work myself.

'It must be one of the most travelled bikes in the world and has gone through hundreds of tyres.

'I am very sad to be selling it - it's like selling your child. I really hope it will be bought by someone who will ride it rather than going to a museum.

'In the last few years I have lost a lot of strength in my arms and shoulders and I can't pick it up any more.

'Once I weighed it with myself and my wife and all our camping gear on it and was about 750lbs.

'I don't think I could ever ride another bike - I've only had Vincent's.

'Rather than get a lighter bike I think I'm going to give up and just use my car.'

'I call it "Vinnylonglegs" because it is a Vincent and because it has done so many miles.'

The bike is to be sold by Bonhams on April 24 at the International Motorcycle Show in Staffordshire.

[Gremlin]

Damn that's impressive for the old boy.

In comparison, I bought my KTM for 24k, just over 2 years later, I sold it for 8k, only 62k on the clock.

I'm doing something very wrong compared to the old boy. :weep:

[shrub]

I bought my KTM for 24k, just over 2 years later, I sold it for 8k, only 62k on the clock.

That's pretty impressive.

When Charley Lamb bought his Thruxton a couple of years ago he picked it up on a Tuesday after work. He dropped it off on the Thursday morning before work for it's 800k service, which in itself is pretty good, but he worked a normal day on the Wednesday so the 800ks were ridden outside work time.

[Gremlin]

That's pretty impressive.

When Charley Lamb bought his Thruxton a couple of years ago he picked it up on a Tuesday after work. He dropped it off on the Thursday morning before work for it's 800k service, which in itself is pretty good, but he worked a normal day on the Wednesday so the 800ks were ridden outside work time.
I use another bike for work, and over the 2 years, it probably did 30k. I also work long weeks, nights, weekends, but don't have a wife or kids :lol:

GiJoe collected his new bike one afternoon, went off to run it in, and was home the next day having accidentally gone over the first 1000km... He put the bike through more weather and conditions in the one ride (storm fronts across the country that night) than most do in the entire life of ownership of a bike.

[shrub]

I use another bike for work, and over the 2 years, it probably did 30k. I also work long weeks, nights, weekends, but don't have a wife or kids :lol:

I am even more impressed! My son did well - he had his 20k service on his Street triple after 10 months. I generally only ride 10 - 15000 ks a year, but I do use my bike to commute and I probably ride about 7 - 10000 ks a year open road. I think the biggest year for me would have been around 20k, but that was on my Mk2 Le Mans, so that's like about a million Ks on a normal bike.



GiJoe collected his new bike one afternoon, went off to run it in, and was home the next day having accidentally gone over the first 1000km... He put the bike through more weather and conditions in the one ride (storm fronts across the country that night) than most do in the entire life of ownership of a bike.

I find it mildly offensive when I hear about bikes that are "never ridden in the rain" or are taken off the road for winter. I really like seeing my bike covered in shit and mud from a long ride and some of the best rides ever are winter rides - I'd rather ride in all my thermals on a cold day than cook and many of the best rides ever were on cold and/or wet days. I remember years ago I had stopped for a coffee on a very wet day. I was completely soaked and a guy looked at me and said "I bet you wish you were in a car right now". I said "Shit no, I wouldn't trade places with anyone for anything", and it was true, I was having an awesome ride.

[MarkH]

I find it mildly offensive when I hear about bikes that are "never ridden in the rain" or are taken off the road for winter.

Some people are just a bit soft!

I have been riding in the rain and thought "wow, it looks wet out there, I'm glad I'm warm & dry in here!" - 'in here' being the inside of my wet weather gear & helmet.
I've also been offered a ride in a car because it was raining (me and a friend both heading to the same place) and I said "you'll get more wet than I will" - he had to get from the car to the pub (to play poker) crossing the road, I parked near their front door (on the footpath) and I was wearing my wet weather gear.

It doesn't even cost much for a pair of over-pants and a pair of over-gloves, staying dry while riding in the rain is easy as!
I ride all year round and after 40,000kms of riding through 2 winters I still have no desire to go back to driving a car. In fact I was on the motorway today at around 4:30pm and my desire to be in a car was less than nil.

When it rains I feel even more sorry for those poor suckers barely moving in Auckland traffic - when wet it is worse than ever.

[Highlander]

I ride my wifes bike to work and use mine for fun.

Often she lies there listening to the rain on the roof and says "
You can take the car to work if you wnat" to which I say "Why?"

Have taken the car 3 times in 5 years because the bike has been out of service.

[jacksteel]

I did the 2005 Rusty Nuts Southern Cross Road Rally on a MKIII Lemans - approx 5300km in six days, my arse was flat for three months afterwards. I quite regularly do 1000km day rides and used to do delivery rides to the South island for a dealer mate and then fly home. The quickest return trip I have done was a delivery from Hamilton to Christchurch - left at 5:30pm Saturday, caught the 1:30am ferry and flew back to be home (only 5 minutes from the Hamilton Airport) by 11:30am Sunday. Another delivery trip was a R1200GS Hamilton to Oamaru, flew from Oamaru to Christchurch, picked up an R1 and rode back to Hamilton the next day. I am doing the Southern Cross again in a couple of weeks, on my R1100S this time - far better seat.

[Mr Merde]

My longest single ride was from Cardiff to Edinburgh and return in one hit. About 800 miles (1300 km). To deliver a live trout.

Over a period, 250,000 miles in two years (400,000 km approx) All weathers.

the joys of intercity courier work in the UK. One bike worn out, one bike destroyed by a cage driver who didnt see me and the final bike stolen after two weeks of ownership.

[Jantar]

...I am doing the Southern Cross again in a couple of weeks, on my R1100S this time - far better seat.

Yep, looking forward to it. The TT200 is my pratice ride for it. :scooter:

[Gixxer peter]

more information to come but my best is 3258kM in 39 hours and 56 minutes. (TT2000)

[marty]

914km on a DRZ400SM last week - Cambridge to Blenheim via the scenic route (included Western Byass, Desert Rd, Fields and Paihatua Track) 780km on first day and the rest at 0600am the next day to Nelson. Note the time is 12 hours out on the instrument cluster.

I've done longer(twice that) on the 'bus, but that hardly counts

[shrub]

8 kms by foot from the centre of town to my home on 22nd of February.

[aprilia_RS250]

WOW how do you guys do it! After about 150km I need new tyres, knee sliders, am dripping in sweat, did about a million gear changes, can hardly put my feet somewhere as pegs are all worn out....

[Dave Lobster]

I did RAF Brawdy in the SW of Wales to Poolewe in Scotland on an R6 in 6 hours. I'd have been faster, but the panniers slowed it down. Seven hundredish miles.

I was a bit younger then, so it didn't even hurt. :)

[Rback]

Rode to Chch from Kerikeri over a 2 day trip. then to Queenstown via the West Coast. The was awesome. Back to Chch the next day. New Years eve I rode from Chch back to Kerikeri in one long haul. Had half an hour wait for the ferry. AND all this on my Blade. My arse was flat for weeks.

[one-speed]

Rode to Chch from Kerikeri over a 2 day trip. then to Queenstown via the West Coast. The was awesome. Back to Chch the next day. New Years eve I rode from Chch back to Kerikeri in one long haul. Had half an hour wait for the ferry. AND all this on my Blade. My arse was flat for weeks.
lol Nice one Pat!!
One of the best i have done was Leaving Tauranga 4am headed down to Carterton just in time to enter the 1/4 mile sprints then road home again :)

[malfunconz]

tuatapere to ngatimoti . because i could . :scooter::scooter::drinkup:

[\m/]

Longest ride so far was Raglan-New Plymouth/Stratford-Taumaranui-Otorohanga (about 600km). Came close to matching it today at 550km Otorohanga-Putaruru-Paeroa-Whangamata-Thames-Paeroa-Morrinsville-Raglan.

[EJK]

Fine I'll share my story then.

I'd never done long rides over 600kms+ in a single day but went on a tour down to Wellington and back from Auckland on a wee FXR150. Good times. Thread here

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/83210-Wellington-and-back-on-FXR150?p=1754315#post1754315

Total kilometers covered: 1716kms in 4 days.

[Katman]

I'd already done an 11 hour day and at 6pm I got a job going to Preston (north of Manchester). Got back at 3 in the morning. Was back on the bike 4 hours later for the next 12 hour day's work. Managed to last till about midday before I realised I'd become a liability to myself.

[awayatc]

Managed to last till about midday before I realised I'd become a liability to myself.

You reckon it will eventually wear off?..........:shutup:

[Camshaft]

march next year me and a m8 or two r gonna do auckland to bluff and back in 8-10 days, down the west coast and up the east, its about time i saw the country im from.

[Big Dave]

Did 6,000km SW to NE Aus once. Two-up.

<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/david_cohen_design/.public/10pics2/nullabor_3.jpg">

[SWERVE]

Calais off the cross channel ferry - Lake Geneva (Lusanne) Switzerland 6 bikes left calais - one hit a series of central lane markers just south of Riems and we had to wait for a AA rescue - we made hotel at 9.30pm after starting at 7.30am.
1600/1700kms with detours.... map reading errors and some twisty excursions.............. some of the speeds were very naughty.:facepalm:
Oh good times:sunny:

[Hans]

Departed Lisbon at 11am Monday, arrived in Prague 2am Wednesday. I was in a bit of a hurry.

[Oakie]

Posted earlier but just remembered I did Oamaru to Balclutha two up on an XL175 once. Not a hell of a long trip in terms of km but my arse felt like it had circumnavigated the world after that one.

[unstuck]

Longest ride in one hit would be auckland to gore with only 3 hr rest on the ferry.:innocent: 23 hrs including ferry.:yes:

[GrayWolf]

UK itself, the obligatory and very tiring Lands end to John O groats 874 miles or 1406km's. That is a bloody hard ride beleive me.
Other wise and a lot easier due to European Motorways and Autobahns, 'a 5 day weekend' return trip London/Madrid 1700km's each way.

[Premature Accelerato]

Longest one day trip! Wgtn to Omaha, mow the lawns and back. 1500 Km

[paulmac]

17000 km in 3 and a half months. Started in North Queensland and ended up in Perth . biggest day was 1562 km. 6 am till 11 pm including fuel and food stops !!

[ellipsis]

Posted earlier but just remembered I did Oamaru to Balclutha two up on an XL175 once. Not a hell of a long trip in terms of km but my arse felt like it had circumnavigated the world after that one.

...Lyttelton to South Westland on a 1968 Honda SS90 two up, way back when you didnt need brains, only skellerup sneakers a paisley shirt and a wrangler jacket...I remember my helmet being way oversize and bouncing up and down over my eyes and having a bruised head, arse and frozen gloveless fingers...that was only at this side of Porters Pass...got to where our mate was supposed to be and he had left a couple of days earlier...came straight back...very clever 16 year olds....things have not improved a lot since then...

[SWERVE]

Did a 200mile (320km) round trip on my Yamaha FSIE 50cc when i was 16. Was bored one sunday so i thought i would go to Skegness for the day from Norwich. Those of you who know this route thru the Fenlands of UK will know it is much like the canterbury plains (flat and no windbreaks) it was lovely day in the morning.....on the way back it was a fierce headwind and then it was horizontal rain. (down to almost walking pace at times) The longest day......... but fondly remembered:facepalm:

[GPS MAN]

Did the TransAm Trail in the states in 2003, somewhere around 4000 miles! Longest I have done, Iron Butt ride 1000 miles in 24 hours, or 1610 K's in 24:yes: Planning on doing the Rusty Nuts Ride in October...another 1600 K's in 24 hour ride:facepalm:

[LBD]

march next year me and a m8 or two r gonna do auckland to bluff and back in 8-10 days, down the west coast and up the east, its about time i saw the country im from.

Rusty nuts? see you there!

[kusaj]

done about 600km, wanganui - taranaki(coast way) - stratford, forgotten highway, taupo and napier
had then 1981 suzuki gs650g..

[kusaj]

done about 600km, wanganui - taranaki(coast way) - stratford, forgotten highway, taupo and napier
had then 1981 suzuki gs650g..

i should add that it was one day ride,
the longest bike ride was in Europe with my partner on 1999 suzuki vz800 marauder,
done about 20000km through pretty much every country in europe, starting from slovakia, hungary, serbia, kosovo, macedonia, greece, romania, bulgaria, czech republic, poland, austria, germany, belgium, holand, uk, france, spain, portugal, andorra, italy, monaco, yeah thats about it, took us about 2 months,
spending money only and solely for fuel and food, never paid for a single night of accommodation. we washed in petrol stations, slept in tent, ditches, fields etc. ;) never took a high way, never had spare money to pay tolls, and to be honest its boring. all the time on small side roads, the only navigation was our A4 350pages map of europe with big cities scaled to A3, we managed to get through all big cities, like paris berlin etc with that ;)
I have to say that kiwi girls are the best, slovak chic wouldn't put up with me hehe, kiwi gals ruleZzzzzz!!!!!