tips for long journeys

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BonnyJonny13

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okay, im doing about 250miles which wont seem like a lot to most of you, but for me its quite a lot on a DRZ.

do you wise old owls have any advice to me regarding this journey?

most of you seem to have done some serious mileage.
 
BonnyJonny13 said:
okay, im doing about 250miles which wont seem like a lot to most of you, but for me its quite a lot on a DRZ.

do you wise old owls have any advice to me regarding this journey?

most of you seem to have done some serious mileage.

Top up with fuel before you go... xD
Check oil levels, Wear something warm, go for a pee before leaving, all that kind of stuff
 
my dad taught me p.o.w.e.r - petrol, oil, water, electrics, rubber. all of which i did tonight, but the pee one sounds good.
 
Tips for going 250 miles? Uh...let me see...yeah just do whatever you do for a short Saturday ride, that's not far enough to be any different. :P
 
As mentioned, check your bike is fit and ready. Pack luggage well. Take waterproofs, spare gloves. Road side assistance. Satnav/map. Charged mobile. Tyre puncture kit. Stop regularly.
 
packed my big skiing bag and put everything in a bin bag aswell as my saddlesacks!

hadnt thought of spare gloves or puncture kit though, but have RAC cover.

good advice so far fellas!
 
Keep hydrated, take breaks, move your butt around on the seat so it doesn't get too sore...shouldn't be a challenge really. As far as DRZ specific advice, I've got none.
 
probably the biggest issue i had last time was how sore my butt was. im wearing some padded shorts over my riding trousers so this might help a bit too.
 
Hate to blow my own trumpet but I'm gonna have to here... I rode my DRZ Surrey, England to Cape Town, South Africa (East Africa Route), 4 months in the saddle doing high mileage gives me some experience.

I'd suggest something I've learned since the trip, set yourself a goal... 60 minutes, 60 miles, or just the name of a town... and ride at a set speed (if doing motorway), or at a set style for that period. Stop have a break and reward yourself once you get there. Stretch out good (lots of emphasis on this). And then set your next goal.

Also, just because there's only 20/10/5 miles left, it doesn't mean you don't need a break (I still haven't mastered this fully). I find I begin to make stupid mistakes and errors in judgement as I get knackered. It's always advisable "that last little bit" isn't worth not taking a break if you feel you just need it.

Some years ago, riding back from the Pyrenees on one of my DRZs I cained the length of france in about 36 hours with a little sleep on the ground at a service station, and then as night fell and the ferry hit Dover (and 50 miles left) and not having any tail-light or headlight dipped beam, I carried on in the dark... like an idiot full beam on, right hand gently on the brake so the tail-light would show. I was exhausted and no urgency to get home. I would have benefited just from camping up the night and making my last 50 miles home in daylight. I got home a train-wreck... brakes on the bike knackered, and cramp in my wrist from holding the throttle open (and brake applied) for so long. Totally worthless. Plus I just ended up spending the next few days lounging around at home anyhow wishing I was still on my bike.
 
experience usually means you know what youre talking about and ive seen some of your videos so can definitely say you can blow your trumpet as much as you like, sir! all sounds like sound advice and will definitely take it into account.

ill be filming all of it but i dont have a mic so i dont think i count as a motovlogger yet but hey, usually see some funny/weird/dangerous things on most of my journeys.

i think my problem is not taking enough breaks, but im slowly trying to do bigger and bigger journeys, hopefully culminating in a trip to Kazakhstan with my dad in a few years.

you've all been rad! thanks a lot!
 
@Neilisin: good experience, thanks for sharing

@BonnyJonny13: try cycling shorts, they're pretty good for long distances, but you might want to take the elastic part out.
 
it all helped a lot! i did film my journey but it was boring as hell and just featured me getting angry and swearing at someone who almost knocked me off.
 
BonnyJonny13 said:
it all helped a lot! i did film my journey but it was boring as hell and just featured me getting angry and swearing at someone who almost knocked me off.

well close call are allways interesting to see, I know quite a few close call vlogs have allowed me to look for dangers I might not have thought of before
 
This is obviously your first trip on the bike... later you'll look back at a 250mi ride as a short daytrip where no preparation is needed. Anyway...

So far the biggest suggestion has been left out! Don't forget to have fun. You'll be on a bike you love!
 
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