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Stamina building: One-day trips
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One of the first things you discover that you want to do is travel somewhere on your bike.
You've been riding around town, to and from the "biker hang-out restaurant/bar" near your neighborhood, and even traipsed around White Rock Lake, or crossed Lake Ray Hubbard on Highway 66.
But now you feel the desire to head out at the break of dawn while the temperatures are still in the low 80's and the sun is till a brighter sliver of sky in the eastern horizon.
You want to ride to some destination outside of town, outside your comfort zone, and then be able to get back by nightfall...back to that biker's hang-out so you can regale your fellow biker buddies with details of the road adventure you just completed.
There are many ways to go about doing your day-long rides. All it takes is a little planning and common sense preparation. And it won't take you all day to do this, either.
Except for daily commuters (like yours truly) and other avid riders, your bike's tires and general condition will likely to be in pretty good shape. If in doubt, stop by your local motorcycle shop and have them give it a once-over. It pays to do this as their motorcycle mechanics may check things you would otherwise fail to consider.
All it takes is one minor malfunctioning part to end your ride, so err on the side of [pre-]caution and have your bike checked.
Training your body
On average you probably ride about 5, 10, 30 minutes as you go from home, to park/eatery/event then return back home.
After you rode for a full hour going from Babe's Chicken in Frisco to the Fort Worth Zoo you notice that parts of you, like your thighs, your derriere, and even your shoulders are a little soar . Further more, you really feel how soar these areas are the next day!
That is because your body is not used to riding your bike for that long. This is where intentional hour-long rides come into play to help you condition your body to the rigors of extended riding. It does take doing these longer rides so you can accustom yourself to sitting on your ride during longer trips.
Don't get discouraged; during most extended riding trips 2-hour riding stints are factored, after which you stop, rest, stretch, re-fuel, etc. Notice that on average one's fuel will last about 2 hours of constant riding. Coincidence?
Something else to keep in mind is that you are riding for the sake of the ride: you are enjoying the scenery, the outdoors. So it is natural that you want to ride at a slower speed, especially on back roads and highways. You may want to stop along the way to snap pictures, or simply make a pit stop to enjoy a particularly enticing stretch of road and the surroundings.
When on your bike it is more about the ride than the destination.
Making these short stops along the way will also help in reducing rider's fatigue and soar muscles.
Get into the habit of stretching. Even a light stretching of your back and legs will provide a feeling of refreshment to your weary body. Doing so during each stop will help keep the muscle fatigue at bay, and will also lessen the severity of soar muscles.
On average it may take a few weeks worth of riding to become used to sitting your bike for extended rides. Your mileage may vary depending on your riding habits.
Eat sensibly, rest when you can - that includes 15 to 30 minute cat-naps, and drink plenty of fluids.
I would advise strongly against alcohol consumption. Even one beer, or other alcoholic drink can be enough to affect your bike riding. And if you are riding as part of a group you are placing not only yourself, but everyone in jeopardy.
It is simply not worth it.
Day Ride Agendas
Even though your ride will last only 1 day, it is still good practice to know where you are going, what conveniences are close by, and what your best estimation for arrival time will be. Having these things done before you head out will give you the added measure of confidence that you can enjoy your ride and not worry about a possible delay due to break-down, or getting lost, etc.
There are many resources for planning out your day ride.
Here are a few links to help you find that perfect route:
- http://www.motorcycleroads.us/regions/tx_north.html -- great place to find rider-submitted routes and points of interest discovered by fellow bikers.
- http://www.motorcycleroads.com/ -- A good site for finding roads to ride in Texas and abroad.
- http://www.ridetexas.com - a magazine dedicated to riding the back roads of Texas. Look for sections on the site that list recommended destinations, eateries, and scenic routes.
- http://www.lets-ride.com/event/texas.htm -- another site that lists events throughout Texas
Gearing up
As I write this article the weather for North Texas is slated to be lows in the 80's and daytime highs in the 100's.
During Texas summers rides often wish they could just ride in shorts and t-shirts and maybe flip-flops.
Be practical when it comes to your gear. Safety is still important and that includes wearing proper safety gear:
- Helmet - whether it is a full, half, or "shorty", keep that skull of yours protected.
- Face - for those of you wearing half helmets or "shorties", consider a balaclava to wear over your nose and mouth. Even its thin material will help again wind-burn, insects, and other objects that may strike your face during the ride.
- Eye-wear - have a decent pair (or two) of eye goggles. Wind, heat, dust...your eyes will thank for protecting them agings all of these road factors.
- Gloves - your choice as to which type/style to wear, but wear them nonetheless. having a pebble hit your bare knuckles at highway speeds is no fun.
- Jackets - which type of jacket to wear will vary according to who it is you're asking. Ideally, wear a jacket with "armor". Preferably, a mesh or other breathable material type jacket will be a good choice for summer riding. Do bring along the inner lining in a backpack in case you are surprised by a chill morning or evening leg of the trip.
- Feet - over-the-ankle foot gear is ideal and can be a leather, or other riding-friendly material. A note about foot gear: it is designed primely for riding, not walking for extended time (i.e.: at a fair or other social event). So plan accordingly an consider bringing along a simple pair of tennis shoes, et al.
- Pants - jeans seem to be the norm, followed by leather. Wearing chaps will help protect against debris encountered on the roads such as pebbles, and other air-borne objects.
Other essentials
Grab your backpack and stow a few things like first-aid kit; a fully charge cell phone; maps with the router marked out including alternate roads in case you encounter unexpected delays or detours.
Give your riding partners copies of the maps. In the event you get separated your buddies will know where to meet up with you.
Plan your stops according to the bike with the smallest gas tank, etc. On average a tank will get most bikes about 140 to 175 miles down the road.
Have an emergency number to call, for break-downs and other emergencies.
Flash lights, tool kits, portable air pump...all of these can also fit into your backpack or sissy-bar bag, assuming you don't already have saddle bags on your bike.
Lastly, visit your favorite on-line community for bikers. A quick search will help you find topics on what to take when going on a trip.
Now, get some rest, gear up and be ready to rumble down your favorite roads! Now, where'd I leave my Starbucks macchiato?!?
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