HOW FAR DO YOU RIDE?

[sealfloorboards]

Hi gang,

In planning for my first MAJOR ride, from Oregon to SpyderFest, I'm curious as to how far is a reasonable days ride. Is 450 miles doable on the freeway? I'm trying to figure how many days it will take, what tons to stop in and how many miles per day. Any and all help is appreciated.:chat:

Ride in comfort,

John
eal FloorBoards

[Lamonster]

450 miles is a half day ride for me nojoke

It all depends on what your body and your mind tells you. I wouldn't set your trip by miles as much as hours on the road. There's still a lot of daylight left at 450 miles if you leave in the morning. :doorag:

[BikerDoc]

It clearly is a personal thing and should be tailored for each person's comfort. To the BRP event I am planning 3-700 mile days to get there. While I could push it to Lamont's 1000 mile day, chances are I would pay for it at night..

450 seems very doable for almost anyone.. Have a good ryde

[NancysToy]

At an average speed of 60 mph, 450 miles is 7.5 hours. Add two hours for fuel and food stops, and you are looking at a 9.5 hour day. That is plenty for most people...too much for some, and too little for the iron butt crowd. I think it is a good target for your first epic journey. You'll know more after this one, and you can adjust to suit your personal style and needs on the next go 'round...or the trip back.

[stevedfive]

:agree: I do between 400-450 at the most. Especially if we sight see along the way or my back starts hurting. To me the journey should be as enjoyable as the destination.

[docdoru]

1,200 miles on highways. :doorag:

[Derk]

The spyders are so comfortable to ryde, imho you will get a minimum of 600 miles or more on the freeways. You will need to stop for gas every couple of hours, so walk around, stretch, and you're good to go again. A 5 hour energy drink helps for after lunch. On the interstates, you can ride until dark and not worry about gas or motels in most cases, so I wouldn't try to plan what towns to stop in, I'd just ride until I felt like stopping. Main thing is be safe and do what you are comfortable with. See you there.

[MarkLawson]

For me, it depends on the butt. I've set up the Spyder to allow me to rise off the saddle a couple of inches, just enough to let the blood flow again. I can ride in that position as long as I want with either one or two hands on the handlebars. Made all the difference for me. I now ride tank to tank without breaks for the butt.

[dave01]

1,200 miles on highways. :doorag:

I went only 1100. I found a shortcut.

[arntufun]

1,200 miles on highways. :doorag:


Way to represent the RS crowd Doc. !!! :firstplace:

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

1200 MILES,....DOC YOU ROCK...MIKE...:gaah:..:agree:..

[GnA]

They all have it wrong..... you cannot do 450 miles on a spyder. :lecturef_smilie:

You have to stop for gas, eat and $#!+, every so often!:clap:


I just did 600 miles on an RT from SF to Lake Havasu City last month... in about 12 hours with stops. Didn't start until 10AM.
Comfort level was 10 of 10... it's sure nice to have forward foot rests!!!
The disappointment was how many times I had to stop for gas... I was only averaging just over 25 miles per gallon.

It's easier to get more miles in, in the summer when it's warmer and lighter longer. :thumbup:

[dancogan]

When on a trip most people will find that they cover the greatest number of miles the first day or three, but their mileage declines after that. Plan accordingly and you'll do fine. People who can do 1,000 or more miles a day didn't start out at that, they build up to it. The Iron Butt Association has some great guidelines for covering miles safely. Hopefully you'll find it here: http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aow.cfm

[flamingobabe]

Lamont's morning and my morning are 2 different animals.......I start about 8am - 9am and travel until I'm tired....450 mile is an easy day...if I need to make some miles...I leave earlier......

[effgjamis]

HUmmmmmm very interesting..... the best statement was 2 hours rde or 100-120 miles, gas walk about 5 minutes and do your things, Hop back on and go for another 2 hrs or 100-120 miles and repeat.

Now if you have a long bungie cord you can follow Doc and Dave.

[Roadkill]

+Sit here, turn that. Stop when you're ready. YMMV.

Ride on.
Roadkill

[ARtraveler]

My longest :spyder2: rydes to date were when I went to Whitehorse, Yukon Terr. and Skagway, AK. We averaged about 300-400 miles per day with stops. I had no issues with being sore or to tired.

In the "good old days" I was not adverse to 600 plus mile days.

I will have to see what I can do this year, continued back and hip issues were forcing me to get off the bike and move around between every 50 to 100 miles towards the end of the season 2011.

IMO: for the "average" person, 400-600 miles should be doable, with the usual gas, and eat stops.

[spyder-dude]

The group of guys I ride with average 450-550 per day. The longest day was 725 but it got very cold and that forced us to stop for the night. My biggest adventure was 3100 miles in 8 days and 18 states....that was great. Hope to beat that when we go to Durango, CO this year from Staunton, VA.

[sealfloorboards]

Wow,

Thanks all for the great info. Makes me feel much more confident. The farthest I've gone in a day is 325 miles, but it was a group ride with stops and a long lunch. I'm sure that my Utopia backrest, Elka Shocks and of course my Seal FloorBoards will give me just the ride I need. I'm gettin' antsy to hit the road!!!

Ride in comfort,

John
SealFloorBoards

[TuckMiddle]

And there-in lies the problem. If it's 1-3 guys/gals who ride together all the time, lots of miles and smiles. When we take a HOG ride with a bumch of bikes, it's an adventure if it's got a schedule. Talk, talk talk. My God, we're out there to ride a bunch and talk some, but not all day. I'll never have another CB. Call my cell and I'll let Garmin talk to you. Lost my good buddy Gregg Gammack 17 months ago. He would ride 900 and up every day when by himself. We were both retired and Gregg would still think he's 25. I like 600 as an objective and if I do more, fine. If not, who cares, I'm retired, remember? I don't recall signing anything that I'd ride 900 every day I push the starter.
Do what you want and if the others don't like it, tough stuff. My only limit is that I have a helmet sticker that says it all "I rode my bike to trailer week." That ought to clear that up.:yikes:

Tuck

[StanProff]

Wow,

Thanks all for the great info. Makes me feel much more confident. The farthest I've gone in a day is 325 miles, but it was a group ride with stops and a long lunch. I'm sure that my Utopia backrest, Elka Shocks and of course my Seal FloorBoards will give me just the ride I need. I'm gettin' antsy to hit the road!!!

Ride in comfort,

John
SealFloorBoards

My wife and I rode cross country on the RT S pulling the 622 trailer and averaged 350 to 400 per day. The most we covered in one day was probably 480 or so from rapid city South Dakota to Colorado Springs Col. with a lot of traffic in Denver due to Broncos game traffic along with rush hour traffic. 550 or so would not have been a problem I don't think. We were on Vacation so most days we just took it easy and stopped to see the sights. Going non stop between gas stops on the RT is not a problem due to the comfort and the fact that you'll need gas every couple of hours or less anyway. At first you think you are having to stop for gas too often but actually as others have said, getting off and walking around and relaxing somewhat keeps you refreshed and ready to keep going. For me, I do like to have a good idea of where I will be every day around 5 to 6 p.m. and have an Idea of where the motels are. I don't like letting it get dark without a plan of where I am stopping for the night. Take your time and allow a little extra time for weather conditions.

Stan

[Fly boy]

1,200 miles on highways. :doorag:

Damn, I went 1300 in less then 36 hours - thats including sleep.

Also did a 1000 miles in about 24 hours - including sleep.

Both were all highway. I just really depends on the rider. You might get out on the highway and after 450 still think I have plenty left. I didn't PLAN a stop either trip. Just knew where the big towns were, and went for it. When I road 2-wheels we went any where from 500-650 a day. It really comes down to what THE RIDER will feel comfortable with. Plan for a couple long days out, then maybe extend a day on the ride back if needed.

[Grandpa Spyder]

I can do very comfortably 550 mile a day and have done so. I didn't get uncomfortable until the wife started beating me on the head. She has a built in sensor that tells her when we reach 500 miles and it goes off until I stop for the day. If she was not with me, I believe I could do 650 to 700 a day. But the main thing is not to over do it.

[cgroh360]

The real answer is the bike can do unlimited milage you have to ride your own ride and enjoy it, time, weather, money all will dictate how many miles a person does a day more than anything else. You will have to watch the weather during that time of year coming from the north, the weather in southern Missouri should be nice but then again look into some heated gear before you leave.
If you can match up with another person riding from your area you will have a better ride and enjoy the trip better but you have to make sure your compatable with each other. Either way enjoy the trip and we will see you there.

[Bob Denman]

Either way enjoy the trip and we will see you there.
:agree: It's not aobut miles... It's about smiles! :thumbup: Do what you can without making the ryde a chore or a timetable that needs to be followed!

[sealfloorboards]

I have built in a two day window for sightseeing and/or problems. I know where all the dealers are along the way. This is my dream ride not just a destination ride. I'm very open to what other riders might want to see or do.

[ARtraveler]

A little more: Since I am not a fan of camping, I usually book rooms ahead of time, to try and avoid surprises while on the trip. The rooms are always booked within my comfort zone--300-400 miles down the road.

Since the rooms are booked and guaranteed, I do not feel I am on a rigid time schedule. We always take time to stop and see the sights, get off the bike and stretch, eat when hungry, etc.

In the earlier days, I was a go from destination A to B in the fastest time possible, or had the destination booked 600 miles away. After a couple trips like that, I found that the laid back approach to traveling was best for ME. I have no disagreements with those who wish to cover a 1000 or more miles a day. More power to them.

[sealfloorboards]

A little more: Since I am not a fan of camping, I usually book rooms ahead of time, to try and avoid surprises while on the trip. The rooms are always booked within my comfort zone--300-400 miles down the road.

Since the rooms are booked and guaranteed, I do not feel I am on a rigid time schedule. We always take time to stop and see the sights, get off the bike and stretch, eat when hungry, etc.

In the earlier days, I was a go from destination A to B in the fastest time possible, or had the destination booked 600 miles away. After a couple trips like that, I found that the laid back approach to traveling was best for ME. I have no disagreements with those who wish to cover a 1000 or more miles a day. More power to them.

I couldn't agree more. I may be a lot of things but an Iron Butt is not one of them. I'm more of a Boney Butt:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:!!! My goal is not to ride far, but to..........

Ride in comfort,

John
Seal FloorBoards

[Pincushion]

Last year we rode 800 miles our first day from San Diego CA to Albuquerque NM on our way to Spyderfest.
Doing it again this year!

[Questions]

Think the only limitation would be whether or not you have a throttle assist. I rode 4 and half hours(245miles) to San Antonio and felt great...expect for my throttle hand...it was cramping pretty bad. I averaged about 70-75 mph, fueled when necessary, and took breaks for water from the camelback I had in the frunk.

[SpyderAnn01]

450 a day is a nice ride for me. I can and have gone 800 but I prefer 450 a day.

[sealfloorboards]

450 a day is a nice ride for me. I can and have gone 800 but I prefer 450 a day.

400 to 500 miles sounds like a very reasonable ride. Time to sightsee, eat, stretch and land somewhere early enough to look around. I would think that the more people riding the shorter the daily distance. I prefer to give a bit of time for side trips or any problems that migh pop up.

[NancysToy]

400 to 500 miles sounds like a very reasonable ride. Time to sightsee, eat, stretch and land somewhere early enough to look around. I would think that the more people riding the shorter the daily distance. I prefer to give a bit of time for side trips or any problems that migh pop up.
When we are sightseeing, we usually do more like 250-300 miles a day. Of course speeds are slower on the side roads nad in the mountains, so that shortens the distance you can manage in a day. For freeway work, 400-500 is a good day, and gets you in the motel in time for dinner if you leave early in the AM. I will do a 600-750 mile day if I am trying real hard, but those end up being 14-16 hours on the road, and you are dead meat after much of that abuse...at least at my age and odometer reading. Sounds like you have some wiggle room built into your schedule, so I would think figuring 400-500 a day would be a good way to learn what you like best. You can press on beyond 400 if you still have the urge, and shorten things up if you find the long days are just too strenuous or tiring, you want to visit some attractions, or if the weather beats you up. You're gonna do just fine!

[sealfloorboards]

When we are sightseeing, we usually do more like 250-300 miles a day. Of course speeds are slower on the side roads nad in the mountains, so that shortens the distance you can manage in a day. For freeway work, 400-500 is a good day, and gets you in the motel in time for dinner if you leave early in the AM. I will do a 600-750 mile day if I am trying real hard, but those end up being 14-16 hours on the road, and you are dead meat after much of that abuse...at least at my age and odometer reading. Sounds like you have some wiggle room built into your schedule, so I would think figuring 400-500 a day would be a good way to learn what you like best. You can press on beyond 400 if you still have the urge, and shorten things up if you find the long days are just too strenuous or tiring, you want to visit some attractions, or if the weather beats you up. You're gonna do just fine!


I'm trying to keep my ride to SpyderFest as open and relaxrd as possible as I'm hoping to hook-up with as many other SpiderLovers as possible along the way. It is definitely about the journey, not the destination.

[NancysToy]

I'm trying to keep my ride to SpyderFest as open and relaxrd as possible as I'm hoping to hook-up with as many other SpiderLovers as possible along the way. It is definitely about the journey, not the destination.
...or in this case, maybe the destination, too!

[Questions]

For me, it depends on the butt. I've set up the Spyder to allow me to rise off the saddle a couple of inches, just enough to let the blood flow again. I can ride in that position as long as I want with either one or two hands on the handlebars. Made all the difference for me. I now ride tank to tank without breaks for the butt.

One key "mod" I made for long trips.... I got a "coccyx pillow" with straps, it's built for a wheelchair but it solves the butt problem and relieves pressure on your spine at the base, since the stock seat has that stupid hump that pushes against your spine base. This pillow has a cutout where your spine ends, the straps can go right under the seat to hold it in place (got to love velcro tabs), and for extra comfort I add a second pillow under that one so that all the pressure of sitting a long time is on the back of my thighs, not my spine. I have a herniated disk, yet I can easily ride 10 hours with no problem now. With the velcro tabs you can even undo it fast and bring it in with you for a long day sitting on folding chairs, great for my all day sessions of duplicate bridge.

While riding, I can vary position easily, sit up totally straight, or lean over the handlebars, changing position is key to a long ride too.
:doorag:

[JolyStNick]

My last long easy ride was from St. Clairsville Ohio, to Orangeburg S.C. 689 miles total in 10 hours flat. No fooling around, fuel,pee stop gas and go, all the way, just got tired at the end or could of made more miles heading back to Florida. All interstate.
This was done on my Rune, not my Spyder, my first long trip on my spyder will be to Franklin Tenn. for an up coming Cave Degree. It's about 720 miles and I plan on doing it in one day. :yikes: