I've not ridden much in the past year or two, and I was thinking about the tour around Scotland, and what biking I'm gonna be doing out in Italy ... I'm trying to ride as much as I can to get back into it, and also to get kinda warmed up as I know a long time on the bike will make me ache and walk like John Wayne for ages afterwards (which is why I'm not gonna be touring on the duke).  I have to be sensible having had hip problems (am shure I'm not alone as we all seem to suffer from aches) but I'm actually feeling purty good, and getting a lot fitter.

Anyway, on the times when I have been going a fair distance I've stopped for breaks, but I have no idea what would be a sensible time to ride for.  I mean I know if yer heading somewhere not too far, well you have break points, but you still have to get there ... but when yer touring (specially in a group) how do you work out how far yer gonna go in a day?  Or do you just wing it depending on the weather/breakdowns etc?

Miss Notusedtotouring Numb-bum of Dundeeshire

Generally speaking, I ride until I need to stop-not very helpfull I know I know

If you're in a group then decide where your rest points are going to be-but be flexible-2 hours on a Ducati(if it goes that long) could well be like 10 hours on a ZZR(which will go forever )
Seriously linz,
If your aching all over or you cant feel yer bum then its time to have a break.
You aren't concentrating on your riding if your thinking about all the aching bits!
5 mins at the roadside for a bit of a stretch could well make all the difference.
HTH

A lot depends on how quick you are going and the roads you are riding on.  For example I have done many a mile on the M6 going up and down the country.  When cruising at a sensible speed I can go for as long as the bike has petrol (nearly 200 miles or a little over 2 hours) before needing a break.  I reasonably regularly go down to my parents in Cumbria (they would dispute this) and back which is about 150 miles each way and mainly A roads with the odd short dual carriageway and have no problems. But I remember one occasion of getting caught in traffic on a bank holiday weekend trying to get home from South Wales with all three lanes nose to tail for what seemed like about 100 miles.  For the majority of this it was filtering between lanes 2 and 3 looking out for the last minute lane changers and drifters closing the gap at no more than 30 mph.  This was tough going particularly on the wrists with no wind blast to take some of the weight and by Abington I was in so much pain in my wrist I could barely move the throttle or use the brake. Same bike, same road similar distance but totally different riding conditions.

I guess the answer is to check what sort of roads you are likely to encounter and plan from there how long it is likely to take rather than go for distance alone.  200 miles on A roads littered with towns and 30 40 and 50 zones can be harder work and take longer than 200 miles of M way.

Cheers DP

I wouldnt tour on the duke hon, not because of breakdowns, but just because of the riding position and the fact that I dont think it's a good all rounder.  I love riding the duke, but it's quick and extreme, and because of that it nakkers me if I do anything over a couple of hours!  Not just physically either.  I tend to have a huge grin and my heart in my mouth most of the time, which is why I love it.  I've got a long stint in Italy soon, so I plan to leave her up north and when I come back do runs using my folks's as a base.  I can't wait to do that as I think it's gonna be loads of fun!   I would rather ride a 9/12R on longer stints.  I havent tried riding the STs yet    

I was just curious as to what experience you lot have, I'm only a pup remember  ::  Most of my knowledge/experience comes from racing and riding alone or with me other half/a few mates.  It's been years since I rode in a large group, and since loosing confidence and being too fat I keep meself to meself.  And I do have sensible moments, even tho I'm a 'live for the now person', I dont ride if I ache.  But I need to learn, and, ask silly questions sometimes

Linz, we all learn ALL THE TIME.
NEVER ever think you're asking daft questions-my reply,on reflection was a bit tongue in cheek,
But I cant be serious all the time!
If you are riding in a group-try riding in front-its sooooo much easier being the lead rider
or alternatively-ride a loooong way behind the last one in the group-much safer-trust yer auntie DP.

You never know-Jen & I might just be up your way touring ourselves next year-perhaps we could meet up & you could show me some of the good roads up there?

DP hon Of CORS!!! I'd *love* to ... I know the roads north of Inverness like the back of me hand ... beautiful up there (if it's not freezing fog or gale force wind!).  I told me folks to half expect bikers appearing, and my Dad's reply was that you can all help decorate the extension    They're about to sell my gran's house, and they're using some of the money to build a conservatory and porch onto the house, and finish off the other bits.

I know your reply was tongue and cheek ... and I know to ask questions, it's something I'm having to learn to do too.  The men in my family (ie my Dad and bruv) are quite bad when it comes to letting my sister and I into conversations about bikes/cars/mechanics.  They support us with what we do, yet almost push us out of conversations!  Having said that I've met many guys who have gladly shown me the ropes and been really approachable.  I have to ask questions now, and I also have to speak up cos it's part of my job.  I'm a quick learner, and guys have already commented how different I am - am not saying all woman are airy fairy cos even I have my moments - but I've always been a bit of a freak, built like a brick sh!thouse and not afraid to get my hands dirty.  But I warn you now ... I will ask silly/different questions sometimes!

I dont tire of hearing ppl's stories or experiences tho  So if you try to be daft, I'll try to be sensible and we'll meet in the middle  

Linz, we believe in sexual equality on ukbikeforum, did you not notice your member title is hairy arris mechanic.  :O  :bowdown:

Yes ... I wish you'd get it right ... i'm a hairy ersed DESIGNER not mechanic  ::  :laughcont:

Linz, I usually reckon onm stopping when I need fuel - but gets iffy when you're out with Falcoholic cos he need s a fag break every 15 minutes  :laughcont:
Worst trip was with some guys I met while on a course elsewhere.  1st stop after 22 miles, 2nd after another 28!
I gave up at that point and went off on my own.

Hey TC - those sound like decent rules - but not sure about

1  When riding in convoy on Motorways or Dual Carriageways, ride in a staggered formation, front wheel level with the back wheel of the bike in front.  This allows the group to ride closer together thereby keeping everyone together, whilst still providing sufficient margins of safety.

Doesn't that mean that you're likely to be less than a bike's length from the guy in front?

heheheheheheh that doesnt surprise me Rex, just call him puff the magic dragon with fluffy bits!

Yeah that first one confused me a bit, and wot happens if yer wheel accidentally on purpose goes in the air or if yer going up or downhill  ::  And would you not want the gap to be a bit greater if you were riding in the wet?

Nah seriously can you explain that one again TC?

Good guidelines tho

Oooh it seems you have

at the beginning off this thread i was going to go into how we ride as a club but it looks like TC has saved me the bother lol


thanks TC.

Linz,

TC's points about riding in a group are, as usual, excellent. I'd emphasize two things though. Get yourself up the front!  :eyebrow:

If you've got the leaders "making progress", the guys and gals at the back will be looking at bans in order to keep up - and they're usually those with the least experience and least comfortable about the group's rate. Thie leads me on to ...

Roide your own ride.
In a group, you are at increased risk in that there are more things to keep an eye on, and it's harder to do unless you make yourself some space as you have to watch the guys in front and behind as well as other traffic and the road surface etc. But with TC's general rules and a bit of common sense it works well. Falcoholic, 3Rex and myself were part of a group of about 13 or so who headed to Oban one frosty morning last March or April. That line of bikes heading up through a gloriously sunlit Glencoe at a nice steady pace was a very purdy sight.

Also, look out for other riders or groups passing through yours. Those headlights behind changed angle or appearance? It might be one of your group working his/her way forward or another rider entirely trying to get past this mobile roundabout ....  :laughcont:

As for touring, I've got a Super tanker so refuelling happens when I get round to it. However, the point about the road dictating the breaks is very important. I did a day-trip to Ardnamurchan point. It's about 350 miles all in. About 160 or so of that was single-track - very single track - that's what took it's toll on my butt and concentration. It was low speed but with gravel, missing road (it had collapsed) and wandering sheep and the usual low-flying locals, you had to pay attention.

You've got the right approach though. Get out more. I aim to!! I took a wee run out today for an hour or so .... it was grrrrrreat!

As I usually (nearly always) ride alone (Billy no-mates :verysad: ) then I'm pretty flexible. Sunday jaunts tend to be about 70 miles before a smoke break. That puts me in Moreton in Marsh, after a nice quick blip down the Fosse, which is a nice place to stop, handy shop for a Mars bar, can of Fanta Apple and a couple of Winfields.

If I'm going somewhere with a purpose then it's fuel stops only, with a cig of course, so that makes it about 140 miles a leg.

My only advice on this.. keep Falcoholic behind you (OK so it's bloody near impossible) or you will lose your hearing!

Totally agree with T.C's "Easyrider" formation... best way to go for a cruise, but if you're gonna scratch a little I'd suggest you stay further apart....

Thanx TC ... i get what you were meaning now

Spud, years back I used to ride on roads just like that!  Most of the ones up north are single track ... but are fantastic cos they're either twisty with gravel/sheep/deer/the odd cattle grid, or up in Caithness, straight as far as the eye can see.  I love the road between Latheronwheel and Thurso (now the A9), we call it the Caseymire (right spelling I think) which means causeway over the mire (bog).  Chuffin tanfastic main road, humpy as hell, only thing is it's the main lorry route up to the ferry  

Scooby hon ... just cos you blokes fear yer selective hearing is gonna become permanent deafness  :: I on the other hand am deaf anyways, due to working on racing teams, playing the pipes, and riding a duc  

OK so I don;t ride a Dcuk.. but after a few years with the Forres Pipe Band and then the Elgin City Pipe band... followed by several years playing guitar in a rock band who decided that volume would compensate for lack of ability... my deafness is not selective

I also don't wear earplugs on the bike. I've tried them but find it disorientating, so no doubt the wind noise is messing up my hearing even further....

but back to the topic.. how far??

well, ZX-6R has 18 litre tank (or is that 18 ounces?) and consequently can cope with about 150 miles between fill ups.

I've always had a thing that I like to stop about every 100 miles, whether bike or car. Just means that most stops on the bike include adding petrol..

..

Most of my distance riding is done on my own and I don't ride very fast - no screen and no fairing.  But anyway, there are a couple of things I'd like to add..

The above posters would not be particularly conscious of the fact that the male of the species is better equipped for comfort stops than the female - ie, how far can you go without a wee?  Cos the blokes just stop and face the hedge, but we sometimes need a little more cover.... so bear that in mind.

Also, someone said that a ten minute break can be refreshing - it's true, and I always carry with me something to drink (cold energy drink in summer, flask of coffee in winter) and something to eat - preferably something high calorie, which can make a lot of difference to energy level and therefore concentration  (my current fave is Eccles cakes!).  This helps if you are getting tired, or if you are getting cold.  (supplementary to that, DON'T get cold cos it's dangerous).  If you're carrying food and drink there isn't the same need to stop where there's a cafe so you don't waste so much time (when you're trying to get somewhere)

I may be dislecix but shurely that should be "designer arrisd hairy" now you're in the world of design?

Oh, I forgot about the original question - when I'm off for a week or so doing the Round Britain Rally, I find that somewhere between 200-300 miles in a day is plenty - because I'll be doing the same again next day.... and next day....

So with all this brill advice on long distance & group riding does this mean that all you up there in Scotland will be riding down together for our rally in April lol

( I can but try to sell these tickets lol)

I will be requesting a ticket shortly.

As will I Womble, as soon as BD gives me the nod.

2 down 51 to go

lol  :eyebrow:  :eyebrow:  :eyebrow:

Back to the question:

It depends on the weather!!

Stop when your bum's numb or you can't feel yer fingers!!

Other than that I stop when I need petrol, but then that was when I had a comfy bike to ride on and was out galavanting everyday!!!

Ash:P

Gawd I'm famous at last, even if it is for smoking(not always fags) and bursting everyones ear drums.

As Scooby, Rex and Spud have already said our riding group tends to have pretty much everything sorted.We know who'll be at the front and we have a guaranteed back marker who hates having bikes behind him.Everyone else just fits in the middle. 60 or 70 miles before a break (fag, leak, tea and Kit Kat) We usually plan our routes to take in a few tea stops anyway.

I was at the back the day we went down through Glencoe. It was the 11th April last year and it turned out the best run for the entire year. It was great to see all the bikes winding down through the Glen all evenly spaced out. Superb!!

There will be a reunion this year on that weekend if anyone cares to join us

I think thats the weekend of the Celtic warriors bash.

By George I think he's right!!

and the following weekend is Easter.

Hmmm, further planning required

Still haven't decided on the Warriors Bash yet.

That'll be me then.

I am the offishel SBBM.  Gerrofmatailyabam!

Barra

Glencoe anniversary?

I'll be in Cyprus at that time - probly on a cruiser-type machine - enjoy

well i am looking forward to meeting a few off you at least at the CW BASH.