I have written an article about the need to take frequent breaks, fatigue factors and other considerations when riding your motorcycle. You can find the article on my Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog here: http://www.bikerlawblog.com/index.php?blog=3&title=riding_your_motorcycle_taking_frequent_b&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

It's not where you are going, it's the ride that counts!!

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Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog
www.bikerlawblog.com

Another great article!  You are right on the mark with this one.  I haven't taken too many really long rides.  400ish miles in a day is my best.  Fortunately, we are much in favor of pitstops.  We're in no hurry to get anywhere.  One other thing to think about is what sort of conditions you are riding in.  Extreme cold and extreme heat will change the length of time you can ride before you wear out.  Trust me, 110 degrees just ain't no fun for hours on end.

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Only a biker knows why a dog hangs his head out the window.

A common mistake riders can make when going on a long ride is to commit to being somewhere at a certain time or day. Its easy to push too hard and to be foolish just because you didnt leave room to be flexible in your travel time.

I travel from 1 to 3 weeks at a time and although I have places I want to see I dont commit to the time I get there. This allows me to take a break when I need or even take a whole day off.

vstar_pilot, and Squid Killer you are both right on point!

I am going to be writing an article about the 4 Corners Rally I rode to a few years back. I rode with a gal who had her own bike; a vstar. We ended up in Durango Colorado on the last day of the rally, and ended up not making it to the rally because the rain and conditions were so bad in the mountains it would have been crazy to continue on.

We therefore turned around and rode back home in 2 days.

Yes I would have liked to have made the last day of the rally, but risking my life was not worth it. I always say that "it is not where you are going, it's the ride that counts!" I have another saying; "wherever you are going is gonna be there when you get there!"

The decisions we make while riding motorcycles ultimately determine if we will be home for dinner or in the morgue. You all know that it is that serious!!

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Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.
Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog
www.bikerlawblog.com

I generally break at 50 miles in the mountains, or 100 on the interstate. Just a little walk around, and some water will do wonders. I aways leave early, and usually arrive late, but most of the time it's because I found some interesting little side road. There ain't no rush. It's not about the destination, it's the ride. The destination will still be there tomorrow, even if the event isn't. If I absolutely have to get there, I leave earlier.

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"DUCK" WV

I found out the hard way that no matter how much water I would drink I could not stay hydrated when riding in high heat.  I was rested, took frequent breaks and anxious to ride but still went down with a heat stroke.  Anyone from the southwest have any reccomendations on how to stay hydrated when riding long distance? 

 Maggie      Adventure is the spice of life. 

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Adventure is the spice of life.

I'm in the Southeast, and I've added something called Cytomax to my track day regimen in the summers. Seems to keep me hydrated better than plain water, and that was in full leathers where my lap timer said 105 degrees on the track.

You might also consider a backpack-type hydration system, like a Camelbak, that has a drinking tube so you can drink while riding.

Also, your gear choice can hurt you. Yes, leather is a great thing, but you might think about some of the new textile gear that is very abrasion-resistant but is a loose weave. I have a hybrid jacket (textile body with leather in strategic places) that feels like riding in a T-shirt, keeps me cool so I don't dehydrate as quickly.