What is a good length riding day for you?

[schoeney]

Just curious. Especially for those that do a lot of long distance multi-day touring. What is the ideal day for you?

Let's assume you are going cross country on interstates and not alot of twisties....just eating miles but can go at your own pace for the most part.

In the few long distance rides I have done, a 9 hour (7 in the saddle) day is a good range for me. I usually allow 45-60 minutes for lunch and 2-3 gas/stretch stops.

In these assumed conditions it would translate to a 400-450 mile day.

I don't do many of these....usually do alot of rural 2 laners with scenery and plenty of site seeing /stretching stops...more like 250 mile day.

[goldstar225]

I regard a good day ride for me and the wife as 250-400 miles, usually on two lane back roads. Neither of us like riding the interstate unless we have a timeline to meet.

[flavor]

For two lane roads 250 miles is a good day when catching all the scenery. Not a 9 hr day though unless you're stopping and hangin. My longest day last was 534 miles. Left RI, went up to easten NH, through the Kangamangus Hwy, west to the VT border and then south on the return home. My theory for a long day leaving from my house is to take Hwy for the 1st hr and a 1/2 or so just to put miles on in the beginning. I do the same thing for the last hr and 1/2 on my return. (I always travel the roads closest to out home base more often so when I plan a long day I want to make tracks to get to those areas I don't travel often). The 534 mile day lasted about 12 hrs. Mind you almost everyone has a little different riding style. For me, I try to stop every 80 to 100 miles no matter what. On long trips I think your body recovers quicker than if you go as far as you can if you only stop when gas dictates. For me there also seems to be a point that if you go too long, you never recover and are sore pretty much the rest of the day.

[redjay]

Hi, I tend to do most of my longer trips in the Fall. There is an area that I particularly enjoy as the trees are changing colour which is a 500 mile round trip from home (Southern Ontario).
Most other rides for me are closer to home in the 2 to 3 hour each way range.

[nomad561]

My longest day was 700 miles on my Nomad,but my average day is usually 400-500 miles.

[ringadingh]

Ive done a few 400-500 mile days just going for rides on the backroads here in Ontario. My longest single day trip was from home to Elkins West Virginia for the rally last season. I took the interstate all the down and it was almost 550 miles and about 8 1/2 hours. For me its all a frame of mind, some days after 100 miles Im ready to get off the bike if Im tired, then there are times I could ride and ride all day long.

[Cajunrider]

350 miles is my longest to date. Will have to do 550 on the first day heading for Custer from home to Decatur, TX. That's long enough for an old man and his younger wife.

[coacha]

We have done 600+ to 50 miles. I think it depends on your mind set. To and from Helen, we did 500+, first day on secondary roads, return trip on interstate. We can't go more than 125 pulling the trailer with the '99, so that is something nice, mandatory break. I kinda figure that we will go about 4 tanks or so before I call the ride over.

[emu]

I do about 400 miles of back roads a day when going somewhere, less if I'm not in any rush to be anywhere at any time. ... Try to stay off the Superslab as much as possible ... They are just not as much fun as a back or secondary road. And from the Superslab, you see so very little ... bypassing all the good stuff along the way.

[mrfuni]

Riding with Coach A we've done 500+ miles days.

But....

Remember....

RIDE YOUR OWN RIDE!
Some are comfortable 12 hours a day in the saddle, others are not. Don't push yourself and compromise safety. Your body and mind will tell you when you've reached you limit. Listen to it and don't push yourself and sacrifice safety..

[cactusjack]

I've done several 500+ mile days. If I'm coming back from the north or NW, the last 100 miles is in urban traffic. I try to avoid that, when possible.

I think 400-500 miles (give or take a few) is a respectable day on the road.

[lw]

My "personal best" is currently a 450 mile day. Between my throttle hand and my backside, I don't know which was more relieved that the ride ended.
Hopefully the addition of a Mustang seat and a Vista Cruise will help in those areas and allow a little greater range in relative comfort.

[radco]

If Im slabbing it fot time a 600 mile day is fine,, or 10 hrs in the saddle.. I did Inverness Fla. to my Fathers in Edenton NC, on the Va Border slab and side roads 13 hrs,, NEVER again LOL...13 Hrs ...
If its a real twisty ride and I have to work at it the 300/400 mile is a long day.... I gas abour 125 to 150 miles so thats a good break,,, Rich

[landman]

my longest ride to date was to hyder,alaska.i road secondary
highways and tried to average 500 miles per day due to limited
time available.in reality the days ranged anywhere from a low
of 380 miles to about 560 for a high.i can tell you that on a long
ride like this which took 8 days,an average of 500 is ambitious.
in the future i will plan for 400 miles per day.

[audiogooroo]

When I'm planning a road trip, I shoot for about 400 miles per day, unless I'm just trying to get to a destination to have fun, then I'll go as high as 600. I've found that, at least for me, 400 still leaves me feeling good at the end of the day. At 600, I'm a little tired, but still functional. More then 600 leaves me feeling pretty spent.

[dabull]

ride to Helen was the longest ride I've taken (1100 mile weekend)...was fun too!

Normally, around here when scootin about we ride 300'ish...and thats fun too!

[taranis]

250-300 miles average for us. That's a full day with breakfast, lunch and dinner out. Our longest was 457 miles in about 14 hours. We were spent at the end, but had a great time.

I've found the key is to take frequent breaks at the beginning of the ride, then space them further and further apart as the day goes on. After that long day, I got home and had no saddle soreness or much physical fatigue at all. Mentally I was whipped.

[dogdoc]

Depends on if Im on my Nomad or my GW.

[waterman]

The longest riding day for me has been 540 miles in about 11 hours. This was a trip from NE Colorado to SW Colorado. Not much time to enjoy the sites but I needed to cover the miles and it was still fun. Couldn't leave until after 10 a.m. and pulled into Cortez around 9 p.m. Other than that I have done some 400 mile days with plenty left to go for the next day. Generally enjoy the ride rather than make the miles.

[jamiep24]

Today was my longest to date. 420 miles in 8 hours coming home from Eureka Springs, mostly in the rain or wet roads. You know I wasn't even tired. I was really surprised. I've gotten so used to her that all I got to do is stop and stretch every 100 to 120 miles for a couple minutes. Jamie

[foztex]

500 miles is a full day for me if I'm on a trip; 150 -200 is nice for goofing off (if I have the time). Frequent stops seem to help.

[biscuitsngravy]

I've done as much as 630 in a 12 hour day, but was uncomfortable toward the end. (My rear was screaming at me!)

But early this month I rode 298 miles from Gowrie, IA to Columbus, MS; 528 from Columbus, MO to Corinth, MS; and 110 from Corinth, MS to Madison, AL. Stayed overnight with friends. Then headed north from Madison, AL to Paducah, KY for 256 miles; 394 miles from Paducah, KY to Burlington, IA; and 245 miles from Burlington, IA to Gowrie, IA. I used an AirHawk under a sheepskin this trip, and the days were generally well received by my rather large patootie. BnG

[skeeter]

For me its all a frame of mind, some days after 100 miles Im ready to get off the bike if Im tired, then there are times I could ride and ride all day long.

Me too.

Couple tanks of gas run thru the bike is usually all I have time for. With time off the bike to relax 4-500 miles is a good lunch run and a 10- 14 hr day.

I ride easier with less fatigue in cooler temps.... if dressed properly for it.

In the heat keep your cool
do as much as you can early.
hydrate
take more breaks to cool down
cover up with light clothing to keep from burning (sun and wind)
use sunscreen for uncovered areas
ride with a buddy if possible and watch out for each other.

It's after I've left my buds and I'm on the way home alone that I get the most weary. Went to Corpus Friday after work, stayed the night, rode around all day and came back Saturday evening. I had no problem stopping along the way at a roadside park and stretching out on a cool bench. Got home about 8pm

Beaded seat helped. No swamp butt.

[schoeney]

Thanks All,

I think 400 miles max per day is a manageable average in these circumtances. I will stick to that to keep it safe.

[flavor]

Thanks All,

I think 400 miles max per day is a manageable average in these circumtances. I will stick to that to keep it safe.

Your body has a way of telling you when you've had enough. Listen to it. Having to be at a certain place at a certain time can take the joy out of the ride if you push.

[Jared]

I just did an iron butt ride last Monday(1062 miles). That was a good ride! :)

Honestly these bikes are awesome and I'm young, so I could ride all day long.

When I'm with my wife I wouldn't try pushing 400 miles.

[phenrichs]

My longest was just under 250. Stopped only for gas. Not a bad ride but that was on my vmax and was one hell of a workout. I was sore by the end. Wish I owned my Nomad back then. Custer will be my longest. It is 387. Will stop for gas and lunch will be around 6 hours. Leaving Wednesday morning and going to try to make it out there for the afternoon group ride so my "day" total will be considerably more.

My wife will only be riding for the afternoon ride. She would do a long day as long as we can stop about once per hour.

[Blue Rebel]

I traveled between El Paso, TX and Durango, MX several times last summer. It was a 795 mile trip one-way which took 12 hours due to gas stops and several toll booths.