Any southerners going to GMIV?

Just written a reply and Euan came along and clicked my mouse and lost it!

In short, for various historical reasons I measure progress from Solihull northwards by how long it takes to get to the M55 J32.

My car at 'cough mph' = 1hr 45
7.5 tonne truck at 56mph = 2 hrs

The whole journey from Solihull to Harthill (308 miles)

My car at 'cough mph' = 4hrs 30
Wife's 1.2 litre 3 pot at 75mph = 5hrs
7.5 tonne truck at 56mph = 5.5 hrs
Kilted Ginger taking his Triumph Tiger home = best part of 9 hours (but he had traffic and weather, 7 hours is probably more realistic if you don't stop for long to eat)

So speed doesn't make a huge difference, it's stopping your wheels from rolling, traffic, comfort breaks, toilet stops, fuel stops, etc that affects journey times. Sub 200 mile tank range, and possibly a shorter sore ar$e tolerance range, is why it takes so long on a bike. If I'm on my own, or at night with wife and son asleep, I usually drive it 4hrs 30 in one stint without stopping.

I have to admit I'd ignore commercial speed limits in a transit van, but I'd have the cruise control firmly set to 65 with a trailer, don't want a diddy little bike trailer to start snaking when it has my pride and joy onboard.

[fizzwheel]

I rode all the way back from GM1 to Somerset in one go. It can be done, you just need to make sure you stop and take plenty of breaks etc etc. As long as you have not set agenda or time you want to arrive by you can then just go with the flow.

I'd personally avoid riding a in a big convoy and tag along with some riders of s a similar mindset / speed you wish to ride at, as that then takes the pressure off needing to keep up etc etc.

It is doable. I didnt feel to bad when I got home. But I knew I had done some miles. I recently rode all the way Across Ireland and then from Hollyhead back to Yeovil in one day, again stopping when I needed to / felt like it. Bit of a long day but approached in the right way it can be done.

For me with GM1 part of the challenge was getting there and back and doing that side of it as well and the ride itself once I had got up there.

If you are new to riding or not very experienced, then TBH the van idea is a sensible option. Also you can kip in the van once you have got up there. Which might be handy if it rains and your tent leaks / It also cuts down lugging luggage on your bike as that can go in the van with it.

I'm ready for a stop at about the same time the GSXR needs it fuel tank filling up so 120 miles or so. Like Ralph says the more frequent stops on the bike do add more time to the journey on a long trip.

I do prefer travelling a long way at night, just seems to take the stress out of it as the motorways are much quieter....

In all fairness people have different approaches to what they want out of a trip. I have the use of my sons racehome but that is not what it is about to me and am only explaining the "easy" way to do it on a bike. The fuel costs will be double for a van as in comparison to the bike so what you save on the roundabouts you loose on the swings unless the costs are shared three ways and that is not including any hire charge if applicable. I do have one advantage with my bike in that I have 240-250 mile tank range before the light, then +40 miles and on a cumfy bike so maybe a bit unfair of me to comment as I would normally ride for at least 200 miles before a stop when on my own.

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by rictus01

riding is as boring and mundane as you choose to make it on any occasion, I choose to make the whole experience pleasurable when I'm out, I wouldn't fancy a van trip to scotland......

I can vouch for Ralph not being afraid of chucking his bike at hedges in the name of a fun ride up

Originally Posted by Dicky Ticker

The fuel costs will be double for a van as in comparison to the bike

Dunno about that one Mac, a modern diesel transit will do 40mpg on a motorway run, my Daytona won't do an awful lot more.

Originally Posted by Dave20046

I can vouch for Ralph not being afraid of chucking his bike at hedges in the name of a fun ride up

And I can pick it up, get back on it and ride it away with no levers, quicker than you lot can pull a U-turn, and still beat you all up to the Hartside cafe car park

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Dunno about that one Mac, a modern diesel transit will do 40mpg on a motorway run, my Daytona won't do an awful lot more.



And I can pick it up, get back on it and ride it away with no levers, quicker than you lot can pull a U-turn, and still beat you all up to the Hartside cafe car park

I reckon you've sacked off your stunt double so have decided on this van lark ...

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

Dunno about that one Mac, a modern diesel transit will do 40mpg on a motorway run, my Daytona won't do an awful lot more.

Not sure about that mate, I've got the smaller connect and can't get much more than 30-35 even empty.
My mate has an 05 diesel, he gets about 25-28 tops and he drives like a nun.

Originally Posted by specialone

Not sure about that mate, I've got the smaller connect and can't get much more than 30-35 even empty.
My mate has an 05 diesel, he gets about 25-28 tops and he drives like a nun.

Really? OK. I thought they were better than that. I got 40-45mpg out of the 2.0 TDCI Ford Galaxy (140BHP) I had when the Vectra was in France, the Mondeo with the same engine gets 50-55 with better aerodynamics, so I assumed a Transit with similar TDCI engine would get about 35-40.

They are just a house brick trying to cut through the air though, nope you'd struggle to get 35 I think, would have to drive it really really carefully to get it anywhere near.

Yep, ignore me Mac, claimed mpg for Fords new Transit Econetic 2.2 TDCI 115bhp is 39.2 mpg, so it seems only the very latest Vans are getting near 40 mpg. The "Man and a van" I rented when I moved house was bull$h1tting then, he said he was getting 50mpg from his Nissan Primastar (Vauxhall Movano/Renault Trafic rebadged).