Lets talk about rider fatigue.

[PrairieSpyder]

I also get fatigued (as in sleepy) during long rides. Then after I stop, I'm awake! I think there are several factors involved:

1. Eat light during the day - no heavy breakfast or lunch. Then go heavy at night when you'll be able to sleep.
2. Get a good night sleep. This is what I have trouble with. I have trouble getting to sleep and don't always sleep well. When I can afford it, I may look into if I have sleep apnea.
3. As others have said, shift your position as you ride. On the Alaska trip, I learned to stand for a while while riding. Joe said just the adrenaline from the fear helps keep you awake!
4. I don't try to set any records as to how far I can go. I figure if I get to 300 miles and want to stop, I stop!

 

[Orange Spyder Man]

don't make "mileage" a factor when riding... I think its a physical/mental thing ... some can ride 12 to 14 hours in a day... some a lot less.. riding should be fun... when you feel tired... S-T-O-P... take rest stop, walk around, get a bite to eat.... if you still feel tired or uncomfortable in the saddle.. stop for the day... there will be another day... if you get tired/uncomfortable your attention span may suffer.. that's when accidents happen... like someone mentioned earlier...
the more you ride.. the longer you will be able to ride..

osm

 

[Bob Denman]

If you stretch as good as you float/swim, I'd save the stretching for when you make pit stops.

I have to admit; it DOES make traffic move away from me!

As far as the "float/swim" characterization... Let's call it what it is: SINKING!! :shocked:

 

[Bfromla]

More pics!

Sux for time but great for everything else. ,not every mom& pop shop but there is SO much to see & enjoy, , dont underestimate the lil things

Loading pics here however:banghead:

 

[kbwitt]

.We are 64 years old ride 2 up
We usally go two or three days then take a full day off.
On a 6,000 plus mile ride right now, layed up waiting for a drss moduler.

1. Drink a lot of water
2. Eat light - breakfast we have yogurt with fruit , lunch a salad , diner what ever we want.
3 never drive at night.
4. Drive 90 to 150 miles per stop, tends to be longer in morning and getting short during day.
5. Stop even for 5 minutes if very uncomfortable. 5 min stop can make the rest of that stretch very comfortable.
6. High quality moduler helmet . we have Shuberth BMW dealers sell them. Get a good fitting size.
We were half helmets alot on short rides at home, but on a long ride the helmet stops the head from being bounced around from wind, noise reduction and we use head sets for conversation and music.
Remember it is all about the ride and fun, so find your comfort zone. It might get longer with time.
Hope to meet you on the road.
Kenn

 

[robmorg]

MANY good suggestions above. For me, what helped a lot is the Air-Hawk air cushion. I also like to stop frequently and walk and stretch as many have suggested. I think age also plays an important factor. As your bones get older, you're simply not going to feel comfortable doing as many miles/day that you once could, no matter how often you stop and stretch. :sour:

Here is a good article on this subject of comfort while riding. Many in this thread have already mentioned some of the suggestions in the article.

https://rideapart.com/articles/stay-comfortable-long-motorcycle-rides

 

[NorthStar]

Noise

Just thought I would add my two cents to the great advice already doled out.

I found that when I wear a set of ear plugs I feel far less fatigued when riding longer distances. I had custom made plugs made at a hearing clinic and was amazed at how effective they were in shutting out wind noise and just how much they reduced the fatigue factor.

As for sore body parts, the comments made about seating position, frequent stops, walkabouts are all valid. Each of us have our limits and tolerances, so it is all about finding yours and recognizing at what point it is time to stop and reset your body.

 

[JayBros]

A couple of thoughts: First, stretching has been addressed by OP. No, I'm not an OOOM type dude but yoga exercises have helped as I've made more trips around the sun, particularly for an old neck injury as well as other joints and muscles. Second, posture can contribute to fatigue. At Spyderfest I heard a seat vendor say that if you had good posture you didn't need a backrest. YMMV on that and some folks must have one because of certain conditions but it pays to watch it as the miles roll on.

 

[Robertsepolen]

Just thought I would add my two cents to the great advice already doled out.

I found that when I wear a set of ear plugs I feel far less fatigued when riding longer distances. I had custom made plugs made at a hearing clinic and was amazed at how effective they were in shutting out wind noise and just how much they reduced the fatigue factor.

As for sore body parts, the comments made about seating position, frequent stops, walkabouts are all valid. Each of us have our limits and tolerances, so it is all about finding yours and recognizing at what point it is time to stop and reset your body.

Agree on the earplugs. Much less fatigue with them than without. Will occasionally do short runs without just to hear what the bike is doing. But wear them 95% of the time.

I have also found 55-65 mph to be much less fatiguing and extends gas range significantly. I also see a lot more scenery. But sometimes traffic demands higher speeds.


2015 RT-S

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Once again I'm late joining this conversation as I was out riding. For me a 5-hour Energy and a box of Hot Tamales and I'm good for 500 or 600 miles.

 

[Desert Spyder]

Once again I'm late joining this conversation as I was out riding. For me a 5-hour Energy and a box of Hot Tamales and I'm good for 500 or 600 miles.

So thats your secret. Wonder if Katlynn and Geoff had those coming from Utah.

 

[Desert Spyder]

While traveling to and from SITR I was in so much pain in my seat, especially coming home. I have the AirHawk2 cushion which is highly recommended for ryding, but the problem was what was covering my butt. I forgot to bring my ryding underwear. It DOES make a difference. Do not wear cotton underwear. LD Comfort makes cycle underwear butt its not cheap. Do not wear underwear that has seams or leg holes that will ride up your leg thus causing you to sit on th seams or give you a wedgie. I have never worn bicycle underwear but those people are on narrower and harder seats than us for hours at a time. Has anyone ever used these?

 

[Bob Denman]

Once again I'm late joining this conversation as I was out riding. For me a 5-hour Energy and a box of Hot Tamales and I'm good for 500 or 600 miles.

Don't tell your Hubby this, but you seem like my kind of Lady! :2thumbs:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

While traveling to and from SITR I was in so much pain in my seat, especially coming home. I have the AirHawk2 cushion which is highly recommended for ryding, but the problem was what was covering my butt. I forgot to bring my ryding underwear. It DOES make a difference. Do not wear cotton underwear. LD Comfort makes cycle underwear butt its not cheap. Do not wear underwear that has seams or leg holes that will ride up your leg thus causing you to sit on th seams or give you a wedgie. I have never worn bicycle underwear but those people are on narrower and harder seats than us for hours at a time. Has anyone ever used these?

Cycle Gear has some good riding undies called Heat Out and they are pretty reasonably priced

 

[flamingobabe]

we have been traveling for a long time....but after retirement we took off for 8 weeks.....we started traveling only 300-400 miles a day....the first 2 or 3 days of a long trip is the excitement period and you just need to find your happy place...posture, leg position ( you need about 3 different...forward, under you and behind you), seat position... head and neck....then go, go, go....we enjoy and have fun at 300-400 miles...but now and then we'll pull a 500-800 mile day to be somewhere at a certain time.....we hate reservations...setting dates to meet up....this is for us and to have fun.....every year we like to make our big trip....usually around 6 weeks....just ride and be a tourist.....long weekends are hard...we tend to try to put too much into it....the last day of a trip , either 3 days or 3 months...you are headed home...you get tired....just make it end.....Mark always gets grumpy the last couple of days....I know this and just ignore him.....never eat carbs during day...they make you sleepy......eggs...bacon...sausage...salad with meat....we usually only eat breakfast...9am and dinner...when we stop....this riding thing is suppose to be fun....make it fit your life style

 

[3-togo]

Tamale update

Once again I'm late joining this conversation as I was out riding. For me a 5-hour Energy and a box of Hot Tamales and I'm good for 500 or 600 miles.

Wow ! Where is that taco stand. I did 470 miles fri leaving SITR and I still have no feeling in my tamales. Thanks for help at the rally and see you at the end of October. For some more work.
Pete