How many hours of riding is enough for one day?

[bikemike]

When growing up, advice-for driving-was always along the lines of:
No more than 300 miles (480k) in one go
No more than 3 hours in one go
No more than 3 days in a row.

That would be a good recipe I reckon, on a long ride that's meant to be a holiday. I also think that's about what we did on the two week riding holiday we did here in 2000 before we immigrated.

However, I used to do 800 k several times a year, overnight. I'd sleep in the pm, get up and set off about 11pm. I'd usually arrive for breakfast. Nice thing was doing it in summer when the sun was up early, the motorways (real motorways) were empty and I could do 160 kph routine, and 200 kph at times. And that's 20 years ago...too old for that now.

Worst bit for me on last year's big ride was drop in concentration after too heavy a breakfast. Eat well, not lots.

[LBD]

When growing up, advice-for driving-was always along the lines of:
No more than 300 miles (480k) in one go
No more than 3 hours in one go
No more than 3 days in a row.

That would be a good recipe I reckon, on a long ride that's meant to be a holiday. I also think that's about what we did on the two week riding holiday we did here in 2000 before we immigrated.

However, I used to do 800 k several times a year, overnight. I'd sleep in the pm, get up and set off about 11pm. I'd usually arrive for breakfast. Nice thing was doing it in summer when the sun was up early, the motorways (real motorways) were empty and I could do 160 kph routine, and 200 kph at times. And that's 20 years ago...too old for that now.

Worst bit for me on last year's big ride was drop in concentration after too heavy a breakfast. Eat well, not lots.

I remember those days....when riding 300 miles meant 200 miles of gravel....

I like getting an earlish night then away at 3 or 4 am...and the ride is relaxed...I focus on the ride and switch of from work and other distractions. A good multi day long ide is a good holiday for me...

[beyond]

Longest run I did in a day was just under 1200kms to Te Araroa and back with quick riding on mostly twisty roads. Took just over 13 hours and I got back home and could have done it all over again..... well most of it

[AllanB]

I wondered about this thread this morning when I saw one of those motorcycle policemen - do they spend a 8 hour shift on the bike each day?

[2wheeled Gasman]

12 hour day including stops, On a mission to the Waioeke Gorge from the Hawkes Bay to Opotiki and back via Rotorua.Awesome day of it.About 750km.All good.Great suggestion from Nzsarge.cheers mate

[pritch]

When growing up, advice-for driving-was always along the lines of:
No more than 300 miles (480k) in one go
No more than 3 hours in one go
No more than 3 days in a row.

That's actually sensible even on todays roads. You could do a lot more, but when you got home you'd know SFA about where you'd been.

Ride two or three hours, stop for lunch, go for a walk, ride some more. Four or five hours riding in a day leaves time for visits to local museums, meeting KBers or whatever. A relaxed schedule also allows for any dramas of the unplanned kind even if it's only bad weather.

When I went around the South Island I thought my schedule was probably a bit soft. The Ducati Owners Club were touring the Island at the same time though and I kept bumping into them so we were doing similar distances.

If you're going to be gone for a week or more you might as well be comfortable.

[Pussy]

stop for lunch

.... couple of pies.....

[NONONO]

Can I ask, how close is the beer? and who's in the bed? It's relative.

[mansell]

Before I moved to the South Island I used to ride from Auckland to Cromwell on a yearly basis. Made the mistake of spending an extra day in Wellington once (she was blonde) and covered Picton to Cromwell in a day - it was hard work - but back then I was used to long distances and never thought about it.
Now I would probably stop after about 6 hours (or around 500km)
Respect to those who can handle more

[LBD]

and covered Picton to Cromwell in a day - it was hard work - but back then I was used to long distances and never thought about it.

Down the east or west coast?

[mansell]

Down the east or west coast?

Both ways in different years, west coast I stayed overnight in Haast. Rode from Haast to Cromwell Xmas morning and run out of gas 100m from the gas station in Cromwell

[XP@]

Fortunatly due to the limitation of 24 hours in a day, one should never need to say enough.

You would probably be pushing it to attempt much more than 2000km's on NZ's roads. Especially in Ocrober, at overnight and in the rain. (done 5 times but only twice in the rain)

[RnB Fan]

Once did just over 700kms in about 12 hours (having done 400 kms the prvious day) and that was plenty enough for me. Mentally I was fine but my arse was killing me and one of my knees was complaining loudly. Next time would definitely split the trip better i.e. 500 - 600 kms per day.

[insomnia01]

I did a tour of Nth Isld at the end of Nov managed 890km on the first day took @ 12hrs, 2nd leg was similar milage,but took @3hrs longer due to rain & the rain effecting the route I was planning on doing ( Forgotten World Highway in the pouring rain is not a bright idea ) so had to make a slight detour..... I have gone from Te awamutu to Kaitaia via SH12 in a day @14-15 hrs when I had me Ohlins shock fitted just had to try it out, felt good at the end of it

[Gremlin]

Depends on the day, what sort of ride etc.

Some of the longer stuff have been 1100km day trips, Grand Challenges, and did a Christmas Tour with Toto a few days ago. 520km ish day 1, day 2 no riding, day 3 560, inc a fair bit of gravel, and 760km on day 4, with a fair bit of gravel again. Worked out to about 2000km in 4 days (3 days of riding).

Roll on March... TT2000 means about 4-5000km in 6 odd days