300km too far for newish rider?

[zmlam]

Hi all,

Just trying to get some advice from you all experienced riders.

Am considering doing a ride that is ~300km in one day, and am wondering if I am biting off too much than I can chew? Hopefully its not one of those 'how far is the string' questions too as I assume its how much experience/tolerance, etc I have.

But have been on my bike for just under a year, and have done a number of 100km rides (open road of course), but nothing like 300km. I'm certainly aware of the fatigue, especially with wind/rain factor. I will be following a car, driver I know drives slower - which can play to my advantage (or not).

Will be planning on taking many breaks (and have to possible start planning towns where I can top up tank).

Any advice, thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[nzspokes]

Just do it. Not that far. Would have thought you would have got 300 out of a tank.

Ive been riding 4 months, done a couple of 200+ and a 300. Not that bad at all.

[nathanwhite]

If you have decent stops along the way including lunch, you should be fine.

3 weeks into riding, I went on a 200km ride. I was pretty exhausted by the end, and couldn't properly focus, but I made it. Since then ~200k rides haven't really bothered me.

[Usarka]

I I'm certainly aware of the fatigue, especially with wind/rain factor.

Will be planning on taking many breaks (and have to possible start planning towns where I can top up tank).


Sounds like you have it covered bro.

Edit: be careful following cars when your fatigued that you don't think all's ok la-de-la-la then they suddenly turn a corner and you go bang into a bank.

[BuzzardNZ]

depends on how comfy your ride is. I can't stay too long on the SV as the stock seat is as hard as a rock and my (__!__) gets numb after too long on it! :violin:

[oneofsix]

depends on how comfy your ride is. I can't stay too long on the SV as the stock seat is as hard as a rock and my (__!__) gets numb after too long on it! :violin:

same issue with the GSXF, hourly coffee breaks help keep the (bum) fatigue at bay

[BoristheBiter]

same issue with the GSXF, hourly coffee breaks help keep the (bum) fatigue at bay

I think the same goes with most bikes, and some cars for that matter.

[Ender EnZed]

You'll be fine.

[dogsnbikes]

Any advice, thoughts?



As the signs say "enjoy the ride not the race"

If your worried about being bike fit?here's a tip for you, ride for 30 minutes and then turn around and ride home,tomorrow ride for 40 minutes before turning around for home and so on until you get too a level where you are comfortable before stopping

If you use your bike for commuting take the long way too work...

[george formby]

Yup, go for it. Allow plenty of time for stops & butt rubbing. Then you can bask in the glow of a day well spent when you arrive.

I used to ride silly distances on small bikes when I was a yoof &, in hindsight, loved every minute of it..

[EJK]

If you ride it at 300kph then it only takes an hour :yes:



in theory ofcourse

[Stirts]

Hi all,

Just trying to get some advice from you all experienced riders.

Am considering doing a ride that is ~300km in one day, and am wondering if I am biting off too much than I can chew?

I don't think it is all about the distance either...depends on how "technical" the roads that you will be riding. More challenging roads take it out of you quicker. I would plan my stops around that.

[buggsubique]

300km on a small low-powered bike will be harder than a heavier more powerful bike, especially with a bit of wind. But what i found was i loved riding my new 250 that much that it was worth every minute of getting blown around the road at 90km/h.

Just did 840 k's last sunday, and thats taxing, no matter what ya ride!

Make a mission of it and you'll be fine. Just stay focussed.

[Flip]

You will be fine. Don't push it. If you want to stop, do so. I stop every hour, it just what seems to work for me. Don't follow too close behind the car, I find riding in the turbulance behind cars tiring.

Oh and have fun.

[bogan]

You will be fine. Don't push it. If you want to stop, do so. I stop every hour, it just what seems to work for me. Don't follow too close behind the car, I find riding in the turbulance behind cars tiring.

Oh and have fun.

+1

I'd say get the car to follow you instead, you set the pace, and decide when to stop for breaks.

[magicmonkey]

I'd only been back on 2 wheels for a couple of weeks before I did a 500k journey in a day, it really helped me to get back into the swing of things. I was only on 2 wheels for about 9 months before that as well. I'd say go for it, just make sure that you take plenty of breaks as you can lose your attention to detail without noticing it pretty quickly when you're getting a bit sore :)

[martybabe]

I don't think it is all about the distance either...depends on how "technical" the roads that you will be riding. More challenging roads take it out of you quicker. I would plan my stops around that.

Precisely, I did 200k on the main highway today and about 60k up and down a tight twisty back road with an awful patched up surface. The 200 was a breeze, the 60 was knackering on wrists and arse. Sound advice above.


+1

I'd say get the car to follow you instead, you set the pace, and decide when to stop for breaks.

More sound Advice, with the car behind you can travel your own pace and any mishaps 'punctures, breakdowns' or just your need to stop and help/company will be just a few minutes behind you.

Do it mate, you sound like you've got it pretty straight in the planning department, enjoy.

[zmlam]

Wow - thanks all the excellent advice and insight! REALLY appreciate them all! Will certainly take those pointers onboard, and I think I will go for it! :) Getting excited thinking about it!

Haven't had too much problems with the seat, comfy-wise. Though at times I've had the odd cramp on my left leg (for seemingly no apparent reason).

Have a safe long weekend and thanks again!

[FJRider]

depends on how comfy your ride is. I can't stay too long on the SV as the stock seat is as hard as a rock and my (__!__) gets numb after too long on it! :violin:

Get a sheepskin ... and you might be able to do 300 km's too ... :shutup:

[FJRider]

300 km's ... a tad over ONE tank of gas ... just go DO it ...

[Daffyd]

Get a sheepskin ... and you might be able to do 300 km's too ... :shutup:

Or an Air-Hawk

[FJRider]

Or an Air-Hawk

Don't need one ... got an FJ ... SKY hawk ... :innocent:

[xXGIBBOXx]

Go for it man , you will learn the feel of the bike by the end of it . I did palmy to welly and back a week after i got my bike . my mate came with me on a CBR1000. just take your time , watch ya mirrors and let the dicks passed when they taill gate . no need to get hot under the collar and going faster that you want to be going . :Punk:

[\m/]

If you can do 100kms without problems, then you should be fine for 300. I was doing 400km+ rides not long after going on the open road for the first time.

[The Singing Chef]

Easy as bro, on the third day of having my bike i rode from Auckland to Taraunga, killed me but if you can do a 200k ride you can do a 300k ride, just remember to take all weight and pressure of your upper body and arms, if you feel your legs cramping or your ass gets sore stand up on the pegs while you ride, adds a new feeling to cornering. Good luck mate :wari:

[KoroJ]

Different strokes for different folks!

As I recall, one special little lady, known in these parts as Sweetpea, rode the Capital 1000Km Cruise in 2007 on her FXR150. At the time she had only been riding about 5 months and she finished with a grin from ear to ear!

Just get on ya bike and ride it as far as you can. If you feel a bit tired or sore, have a break.

As for straights vs twisties, my personal experience is that one will get a sore arse way quicker on the main highways because when riding on curly roads, there's lots of subtle weight shifting going on (and I'm not talking about lame arse hanging off the seat and trying to scrape knees). Fatigue on a curly road is caused by pushing too hard.

If you want to see some hard arse riders, there will be 200 odd at Turangi next weekend, some doing 900Km on Friday and all doing 1600Km starting 1pm Saturday.

[KiWiP]

Haven't had too much problems with the seat, comfy-wise. Though at times I've had the odd cramp on my left leg (for seemingly no apparent reason).

As has been said "just do it"

Cramps, check your clothing particularly if it's tight in places with leathers. If you have compression points this can affect large areas. Took me a while to connect loss of leg function with boxers riding up! :facepalm:

[Brett]

300 aint that bad, I think you should be fine. As said, take regular breaks and just take it easy. With biking it really just about getting to your destination, it is the whole experience along the way. Treat it as such. I know a few blokes that would clock up 1200km rides in a day, I never managed to do that myself, I think my biggest daily ride would have been around 600-700kms.

Have fun!

[Shadows]

300k is nothing.
It would only take 4 hours to ride that distance very slowly. In a year you must have spent four consecutive hours on your bike.
It'll all be good.

[DR650gary]

Check your oil level before you set off and when you fill with gas.

Enjoy the ride.

[Armi]

Any advice, thoughts? Thanks in advance.

It'll be a piece of cake :niceone:

Coming from someone that has been riding for less than half a year.

[Jantar]

Go for it. It'll be fun and you'll love it.

My first longish ride was only a few months after I started riding, and it was 300 kms from Dunedin to Queenstown on a 125 cc two stroke, and it was 2 up. :ride: :ride:

These days 300 km is less than a tank full of fuel and isn't even a half day ride. Try 1632 km over 24 hours from midday thursday. (and NO, I won't say where I went :D )

[Premature Accelerato]

Just do it. When I was fit and young some mates and I rode from the Manawatu to Waitangi in a day on our 250 trail bikes. Make a couple of stops to eat and you will be fine.

[sleemanj]

One word: earplugs

Stop at mitre 10 or bunnings or somewhere and pick up a handful of plain old 3M plugs. They'll cut out the wind noise, prevent hearing loss long term, and much better for your comfort too - less tiring.

[Oakie]

+ 1 for earplugs. Apart from that, a comfy seat and hydration (try Powerade or similar) are your friends. Rest when you need to.

[Usarka]

+1 to people who said cehck tires, oil, petrol etc. Not because they need checking but so you don't get paranoid :cool:

[GrayWolf]

been a longgggggggg time since I did distance on a small bike, BUT as a wet behind the ears yoof I did 20,000 miles in a year on an RD250E-DX. Yup an old air cooled 250 stroker. The VT will have similar performance, and 100-110kph is an easy on the motor cruising speed, so no worries about road speed.
As far as fatigue goes, the biggest issues will be concentration levels, and; COMFORT!!! if the bike is well suited to your body, footpeg, handlebar position, seat padding? then that will contribute to 'freshness'. There is nothing worse than a sore arse, aching wrists,neck,back etc to make the ride difficult. Which WILL affect concentration.
You have the bases covered for stops, etc... and I would agree with a previous comment about following a tin top... not just the sudden turn, but learners usualy do not have the 'forward scanning' skills of experienced riders.... you could end up a little tired and the brain starts to rely on the brake lights of the car etc... if you have the confidence to do it? Then just do it, maybe agree certain stops to meet up with the car/support... that way you can speed up/slow down on the ride to suit your road skills level.

[Crusty_Junior]

im relatively new to roadbikes , played with dirtbikes/quads as a kid , but after 6 months on my 250 ninja ive done 10,000+ k's , one trip was auckland to fielding , i think the kill factor is trying to travel too far before resting event momentarily , if you feel tired or sore , have a break , stop an get a coffee etc , it definately has helped me