Hey Nobs,
I Just finished an unplanned ride Detroit MI, to the Florida Keys and back. I was off work for a while and found out I had to be back to work in two weeks. So I figured a long motorcycle ride would do the trick.
1st day, Thursday, Motown to the ATL 748 miles about 12 hours with stops. Talked to Erskine the night before but decided not to stop until the return trip back north. The temp in MI was 29 degrees so the 1st couple of hours were a little unpleasant. After Cincinnati the temps increased to about 50 so it got nicer real quick. I really needed that heated vest. I stayed in ATL with the guy that started my interest in bikes about 12 years ago. A Bro named Doug H. He still rides a real nice orange Wing. But I busted him! He has a Kendon trailer in his garage. Man, all these years I thought he was riding the Wing to all of those bike rallies. It's OK, he has 60,000 miles on the Wing.
2nd day. Breakfast at the Pancake House in ATL, and Doug rode his Wing about 60 miles down the road with me. I was headed to "J"ville to Sargent Seats. I have a Sargent seat on my K1200GSA and thought I wanted to check out the factory and test ride the GT seat. I also found out in ATL that this was the last weekend for Bike week in Daytona. So the plan was to stop by Sargent, then on to Daytona. The seat was nice so I ordered one. I met a Bro at Sargent seats who recommended that I stay in Palm Coast in order to find a room anywhere around Daytona. He said I should get a room on the 1st floor and roll the bike into the room at night. Man, do I really need to go there? I got the last room at the Courtyard in Palm Coast, Two night minimum, DAR_! Oh well, I guess I'll be check'in out Bike week for the next two days. At about 9:30 pm I rode down to Bethune Cookman, otherwise known as "Black Bike Week".......... Yeah, Yeah, Yeah! You really don't need to see any other bike rallies.... More to follow. . . . .
RM,
ReplyDeleteSpontaneity is the key, sounds like a cool trip. BUT I'm a little confused. 748miles in 12hrs w/stops? Thats like 12hr 30min non-stop. You had the GT rolling my brotha. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of the trip.
Yeah man! I was trying to get to some warm weather and I was in a real hurry.
ReplyDeleteOk, here are the "tricks" I use to ride long distances in record times.
ReplyDeleteBeside the obvious, going fast!
1) Wear nylon but not "sexy" drawers - keeps moisture away from sensitive areas so your butt & junk won't hurt.
2) I wear a water bladder on my back and drink plenty thru a tube (20 ounces/day) - keeps you well hydrated and less fatigued. Even though you don't visibly sweat you are indeed sweating and the wind is taking it away so you don't see or feel it.
3) Wear ear plugs - cutting the noise level, especially the high pitched wind noise greatly reduces the fatigue factor.
4) Take an Advil a day or similar drug to reduce muscle pain and discomfort. Don't take anything that can cause drowsiness!
5) I drink half of a "Five Hour Energy" at each fueling stop. They really work well to keep you alert.
5) Carry food supplements like nutritional bars or health drinks - at fuel stops popping a few food bars or drinking an Ensure only takes seconds. Getting food then sitting down to eat takes more time than you think.
These techniques keep me as a solo traveler "on the move". Of course you have to ride differently if you are in a group. All this is not necessary for those casual days. However, the combination of all of those techniques allow me to ride pretty long distances in a day.
My personal record was Detroit MI, to Jackson, MS. In one day. 950 miles In 14 hours on my K1200LT. I had to get to a funeral. No it wasn't mine!
Sounds like a lot of work - have you ever heard of airplanes? You could have gotten to Jackson in a few hours. When you really want to ride I'm sure you will slow down and enjoy the scenery. I hate to see when you guys retire. You might not ever come home....
ReplyDelete