Pine Tree,

What is a good avg speed to figure for long distance riding?
Using the info you have above, I'm coming in at 50-53 mph.

FWIW, both my riding partner and I are more than comfy running at or above regular interstate speeds (70-80 mph).

Presuming 160-170 miles between fill ups, this gives just over 2 hrs per stint.
I might could go further, but the fuel warning light is on and the needle is indicating empty - though the gas pump generally indicates about 4.5 gallons to refill - The thought of pushing an Ultra down the interstate sucks, so I don't dare try to go much further.

Do you suggest we try for maybe a 500 mile first day and then make a hard push at the end? Or mayhaps we go to early church and hit the road by 10:30 am and have a easier day??
Total trip is coming in at 2350 miles +/-

FWIW, our goal is to make Temecula by Wed night for the G2G with our friends and fellow members at Black Sheep HDFC M/M.
Thurs, Fri, Sat we do the conference, then back on the road for home either Sat afternoon or bright and early Sunday morning.

BTW, Thanks so much for helpin' me noodle this out.


Another thought... We leave at O'-rooster-thirty Saturday am and make a relatively comfy ride on the way out...So we are not totally spent when we get there....then flog the mules on the ride home.
What do you think of this strategy?


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i just want to add to be careful if you're thinking about going through central/northern new mexico in march. we usually have snow then. definitely stop in new mexico for sopapillas and green chile!

 

Thx Chica!

I think we have pretty much decided that we are going to run the southern route.
I-85 from Atl to Mobile, pick up I-10 and stay with it all the way to Tuscon.

Haven't decided the final leg, so am looking for additional info on I-8 over to San Diego or I-10 through Phoenix and Palm Desert.


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Fuel stops can eat some time even if the gas station is close to the road. Some gas 'n go while others like to stretch, smoke, have a cool beverage, or drain the radiator. Just consider your own experience and then add a bit of time for additional riders...

But even at highway speeds, slowing down, getting off the road, stopping to gas, and then getting back on the highway can take more time then many realize...averaging 55 mph is a pretty safe bet.

Yea, I know riders that can do 10 consecutive 1000-mile days but that's sometime that requires a great deal of advanced planning and preparation. Generally speaking, those riders don't do any more riding for at least a few days following such a ride.




If you think pushing an Ultra sucks, trying dragging one out of a ditch



Statistically speaking, the first day tends to yield the most miles (assuming you're not riding with a large group). The second and third day can see a decrease in mileage by as much as 25%. By the fourth day, daily mileage can be as little as 60% of the first day's ride.

I think you said your trip was planned for March...remember that while the days are growing longer, sundown still comes pretty early and heading west means you're looking into a setting sun. I don't know how you feeling about riding west Texas and beyond after dark, but have a good set of headlights if you do.

It's always nice to have one extra day then pushing yourself beyond a safe limit to meet a deadline.

But hey, getting there an hour late is usually better then not getting there at all.

Hope that helps!

 

Fuel stops can eat some time even if the gas station is close to the road. Some gas 'n go while others like to stretch, smoke, have a cool beverage, or drain the radiator. Just consider your own experience and then add a bit of time for additional riders...
On our shorter tour trips (usually 300-400 miles) we like to fuel, drain the radiator, and maybe eat a fast snack....Usually depends on the itinerary and how close we are to schedule.. sometimes it's just a gas-n-go. I generally like the opportunity to walk around for a few minutes and clear my head, get the legs awake, and just relax.

But even at highway speeds, slowing down, getting off the road, stopping to gas, and then getting back on the highway can take more time then many realize...averaging 55 mph is a pretty safe bet.
Roger that.. It's not too far off how I used to plan trips in the big truck, just longer times in between stops....Any way you slice it, it's at least 15 minutes...sometimes more. I'll time the legs accordingly.


Yea, I know riders that can do 10 consecutive 1000-mile days but that's sometime that requires a great deal of advanced planning and preparation. Generally speaking, those riders don't do any more riding for at least a few days following such a ride.
Holy crap..!! That's some punishment..
I have done a few at 300-400 back to back, and even did just under 500 miles on back roads in a single day, but didn't back that up with any significant miles the next day.

If you think pushing an Ultra sucks, trying dragging one out of a ditch
That sounds like a bad story. I tipped mine over in a construction driveway full of 57 stone and thought that sucked pretty bad...I can't really say I'd want to try a ditch.

Statistically speaking, the first day tends to yield the most miles (assuming you're not riding with a large group). The second and third day can see a decrease in mileage by as much as 25%. By the fourth day, daily mileage can be as little as 60% of the first day's ride.
I'll keep that in mind...

I think you said your trip was planned for March...remember that while the days are growing longer, sundown still comes pretty early and heading west means you're looking into a setting sun. I don't know how you feeling about riding west Texas and beyond after dark, but have a good set of headlights if you do.
Not a big fan of night riding in general, but end up doing it quite often..weird huh?
Having lived in Texas, and seen what happens to cars that hit large bovine type creatures, and what happens the vehicles that hit elk in Arizona, I'm not terribly inclined to toss those dice on a bike unless some rather urgent situation just really demands it.. Being a few hours late is not does not generally rise to that level.
There's more than one reason that pickups in out west have 6" tube steel bumpers...
I'd like an additional set of lights, but budget is killing that right now.

It's always nice to have one extra day then pushing yourself beyond a safe limit to meet a deadline.
But hey, getting there an hour late is usually better then not getting there at all.
Wise words....

Hope that helps!
Yes it does ! Thx

 

Mr Cujo, on my trip I limited myself to no more than 550 miles per day. I have done longer in the past, once did 800 and swore I would never do that again. It just plain wears you out. But for me (I went from Las Vegas to Phila., PA) 550 worked. I was not overly sore the next day and even on the last travel day I was still looking forward to riding. Now if only the weather would have cooperated (18 days of rain out of a 21 day trip) LOL. Have a great trip!