Unleash dem horsies!

[missyburd]

So in a few days I will be home, back on the mainland with actual roads and more importantly back to tackle the SV #gulp# / #yippeeeeee#

After two months away and no safety net of the YBR to fall back on, I will have three weeks to fully accustom myself to the 650 before potentially riding to Scotland end of July. I am off to another island but only for a week this time and it's possible I'll be able to wangle a bit of a lift anyway but obviously depending how I get on with the SV I'd love to ride up seeing as I've missed the GM this year. Tis about 350 miles but I wouldn't be doing it all in one go. Do ya think I can do it? Or is it just pure madness to be even contemplating it...


Just out of interest, how long was it before you launched into your first long distance ride after passing your test? Time for a small poll (purely because I haven't made one for ages :-P) ...

[Lozzo]

When I was a young lad of 16 with a battered FS1E I used to spend every 48 hour leave from the army with my girlfriend. That meant riding 120 miles each way between Arborfield near Reading and Narborough just outside Leicester, via Bedford to pop in to see my mum. Max speed 40mph with my kitbag tied to the back seat and rack, with no waterproofs or leathers. Couldn't use motorways either because it was a 50cc even though I had a full moped licence.

You'll be fine... do it.

[timwilky]

Define long distance. I had mates who thought it was from Preston down to Cornwall. I hadn't even got a licence when I rode a kettle from Preston down to Antibe. in the 70s

[The Idle Biker]

I've never done a long distance ride. Used to tear around the roads winding the police up when I was was younger but not now of course!! This was before they had decent cars and cameras right, so it wasn't hard.

The longest ride I'll do will be to the AR this year. I don't think you'll have any problems, just set some stopping points and you'll be fine. It'll be fun, better than watching birds all day anyway;)

[missyburd]

Ok well long distance where you would consider kipping over somewhere to break the journey up?

[minimorecambe]

My first long distance ride and 1st time on the motorway on my own was riding down to Southampton from Morecambe (270 miles)

I think that you will be absoloutely fine if you decide to do it and it will up your confidence tons :) Maybe YC can ride part of the way up with you?

[missyburd]

My first long distance ride and 1st time on the motorway on my own was riding down to Southampton from Morecambe (270 miles)

I think that you will be absoloutely fine if you decide to do it and it will up your confidence tons :) Maybe YC can ride part of the way up with you?

I am slightly dreading first time on motorway but might not be too bad. Combining that with first long distance ride though would be a bit much, well done you 8-) And you're definitely right about the confidence/experience thing.

[Jayneflakes]

I was nervous about the motorway first time, but I chose a quiet time and then went for a trip down the M5 by one junction. Did me a lot of good and as a first time experience I enjoyed it. These days I hate motorway riding, seems like such a waste when the SV is so nimble and enjoyable on fast A and B roads.

As for a first long ride, I wanted to see my Mum, so my first long trip was 100 miles, however my brother wanted a lift so my long ride was also my first with a pillion. That was some trip and taught me a lot about riding the bike.

If I am honest though, I struggle with long trips due to poor bike fitness. I start to ache after about 100 miles and really hurt by 200! People riding 300 or more miles in a day amaze me!

[JamesMio]

You'll be fine, treat it like a holiday and not an endurance trip and it'll make all the difference.

Motorways (very busy ones aside) are only to be feared on a bike for their boredom factor, they are uber-tedious and best avoided where at all possible.

Long trips is motorcycling at it's very best for me, as nice as a wee afternoon pootle is, there's just nothing better than chucking some stuff together on the back seat and heading off somewhere.

[xXBADGERXx]

When I was a young lad of 16 with a battered FS1E I used to spend every 48 hour leave from the army with my girlfriend. That meant riding 120 miles each way between Arborfield near Reading and Narborough just outside Leicester, via Bedford to pop in to see my mum. Max speed 40mph with my kitbag tied to the back seat and rack, with no waterproofs or leathers. Couldn't use motorways either because it was a 50cc even though I had a full moped licence.

You'll be fine... do it.

I thought you were at the CTCRM ?

[andrewsmith]

MYC Everyone is different.
If your unsure about the M'Way get YC to do 50 or so miles with you.

I didn't to any big miles till about the March after I got the bike (Bought it in December).
But try and avoid the M'Way if possible way more fun

[Milky Bar Kid]

Furthest I have been was from here to Chez n Dans and I stuck to motorway because firstly, I have no sense of direction, and secondly I don't have a spak nav.

You'll be fine, just go for it and stop when you feel tired. If you need to find a premier inn or something a bit earlier than you had planned, do it.

[Owenski]

My longest biking days havnt been those where I was actually going anywhere, Im sure I've ridden more miles on certain days just riding than I ever have with any perticular route A-B. The morning I picked the SV up I topped up straight away, topped up after lunch and topped up again mid afternoon and didnt finish the day with much in the tank either - So thats 300+miles easily.
Same with the first Calrsberg, 3 tanks of fuel consumed by the time I was home.

It'll be the journey which tires you, not the ride.
Make sure you know your route perfectly and you'll manage it no trouble. We have faith MYC.

[Geodude]

Workmate of me bro's passed his test and within a week bought an old 750 africa twin and went on a tour of the alps for a week. He said it taught him loads.

[Luckypants]

I voted within the first week, as that is what I would have done if I could. I rode my new bike up to Scotland within a month of passing, as soon as I had secured a garage for it to sleep in. :D

[dizzyblonde]

.....more importantly, will it be ready?

Anyway, can you remember a small trip to Whitby of 100 miles there and back, with dark bits in October? New BIGGER bike, 6 weeks old caesarian scar, padded up to stop it banging?

Or riding to S France on a new bike that was three weeks old?


There is no reason why you couldn't do it.....unless of course his royal highness hasn't performed his monkey job ;)
You've been riding for a fair old while now, and 2 months off, ain't like 18 months, so get on with it.....and don't forget to come out to play with me while your at it :)

[-Ralph-]

Your biggest problem is nerves before you start. Once you've started your biggest problem will be a sore rrsss. Go do it.

[-Ralph-]

PS: I picked up my SV on the Saturday, and it was run in (1000 miles) by the Friday afternoon, when I was on my way to Skye in the ****ing rain. It wasn't my first big bike, but I hadn't ridden more than occasional holiday rentals for at least 10 years.

[punyXpress]

First weekend after getting my new 'bike' - 125 Lambretta, does that count? 250+ miles, but then had been all week 25 miles each way into Lunnun Tahn. Long before even thinking of the teast.
Just beware the last few miles back - we know the roads and relax at a time when we SHOULD be ueber-alert.
Whatever, have fun.

[Quedos]

300+ miles in the first real week of biking ( bought my may didn't do a lot as He still had to pick his up)
end of July we went rouns Glencoe Oban and the like and 300 miles late we went back home.

Longest hardest ride was to Wales - motorway all the way for speed and ease. Its get boring real quick.
best advice - if you feel like you need to stop then do at the next services - don't try to push on.
Unless time is a factor then take as long as you need

Personally - I would have a go on the m-way before you come up just so you know what to expect.
and mask sure you say hi when you come up - I'm sure I can do a brew if needed!! ( and a bed)

[85jas]

Everyone's different of course, as a complete noob to riding (passed a few weeks ago with no prevoius riding experience) I just did my first 'long distance' this weekend, southampton to oxford return. Granted that's only ~80 miles 8-[ on the M3 / A34, but they were fast miles! I think the worst bit is the anticipation, once you've set off it's fine. Just focus on the road / traffic, relax and you'll quickly realize you can do it! Try not to focus on getting there, just concentrate your brain on the next hazard instead of the end goal and you'll soon be grinning to yourself on that well planned and executed overtake :)

With distance like that planned in the near future (nxt weekend) I'm certainly going to make sure I've got some checkpoints (ahem, pee / tea stops!) lined up.

Bloody good advice here, you guys and gals rock :notworthy: :salut:

[dizzyblonde]

lol Q, nowt like being thrown in the deepend on a motorway. My first was like this.
I went to my mates down the road, not long after passing test, for a bit of a bimble with him and another mate.
'wheres yer bike Dave'
'oh its at Dereks house, down in Wakey'
'how we getting there?'
'We're going in dereks car, and you can follow, its a couple of junctions down the M62!'

They say they'll never forget the look of horror as I ran up the slip road, cause they were giggling at me in the rear view mirror. Never been so petrified in all my life, but a baptism of fire, made me enjoy riding mways, and I feel they're a breeze!

[Nobbylad]

.....more importantly, will it be ready?

There is no reason why you couldn't do it.....unless of course his royal highness hasn't performed his monkey job ;)

I'm with Dizzy...

1) YC may not have finished his Monkey Magic by the time you get back

and

2) If he hasn't, I expect you'll both be too 'busy' when you return, for him to stand any chance of working on it ;)

[Viney]

Longest ride i have completed in one day is about 250 miles and that was to the Cat n Fiddle Ar, whenever that was.

I hate distance riding, well, it hates me.

[Teejayexc]

Just get out and do it MYC, you'll not know till you've tried it.

Longest ride I had was from Lincoln to Oxford, Oxford to Shoreham on Sea, 150 mile ride-out whilst down there, and the rode back to Lincoln from Brighton ! Set off at 6.00 am got home at 2.00 am the next morning, 563 miles all on a Street Triple not renowned for being a long distance tourer.

[Balky001]

missy

when you feel like doing it then do it then. My first long ride was City of London to Bristol about 3 weeks after I passed my test. I had a rucksack and tank bag which I'd never used before.

The only issues I had was West london traffic and a terribly numb posterior (it's more insulated now!), heading west for a couple of hours on the motorway with the sun setting right in my eyes. But it really was enjoyable.

You'll be OK as long as you feel fairly confident and up for it. Once you get going it's like a series of smaller journies anyway with petrol stops and wee wee breaks!

[missyburd]

Thanks for the words of advice and encouragement as usual everyone, I wholeheartedly agree with 85jas :D



Personally - I would have a go on the m-way before you come up just so you know what to expect.
and mask sure you say hi when you come up - I'm sure I can do a brew if needed!! ( and a bed)

Cor, you don't do stuff by halves eh Q? :) I will definitely be going on the motorway before I even think about going to the Bonnie home of the Scots!


2) If he hasn't, I expect you'll both be too 'busy' when you return, for him to stand any chance of working on it ;)

Bloody 'ell that's a dilemma! Bike riding or that other sort of riding...8-[:safe::mrgreen:

[kellyjo]

DO it, you'll love it!!

I passed mod2 on the thursday, rode 18 miles on the friday then on saturday rode 100 miles into essex and completed AR09!!