First Long Ride - Planning Tips?

[Electrical_Tech]

Alright, here's the story:

My mom's in the hospital recovering from her surgery (Hernia) and is expected to be in the hospital for a week until she's released on her own.

I was planning to make a day trip to my home town where she is, some 420km or so away (one way). I hope to leave early in the AM (7am ish) and travel there. Spend a few hours with her and Dad and then make the trip back, arriving home preferably before nightfall.

What items should I pack along with me for the trip? I will likely wear my camel pack. There are plenty of gas stations, so I just have to be sure to stop at timely locations. One stop between aught to suffice in any event as I can score 300km before reserve if I ride sensibly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated guys.

Thanks,

Trev

[LaurenOE]

One day? 420km? Isn't that 260 miles?
Get on your bike and go. That's just a day out with your buds!
Thats' not a long ride...unless you're in the Mountains and have never ending twisties, but even then 260 miles is just another long day.
I take a tire patching kit when I am going on long day trips and whatever I need for the day. I also take my clear face shield incase I get caught in the dark.

Other than that...it's just a good day.

[Builtgypsy]

Camelback, a rag for cleaning the visor, rag for cleaning the tank in case gas pours over, cell phone, and maybe a change of clothing if you want to look more presentable after smelling and looking like you've been on the road for a few hours. Unless you plan on taking a multi-day trip of being on the road often, even for about a 500 mile day trip, there's really not much you need to pack, especially if there're facilities often along the trip.

Music, too, if you can make headphones work with the helmet. 420 km one way can can pretty damn boring on the mind, unless it's great scenery the whole way. Are you just taking the freeway straight there?

If you can get away with it, I'd suggest taking a day and a half. Leave in the morning, stay there overnight, and then head back the next morning. Because you're looking at a 6 or so hour trip in one day, plus time to visit, and wanting to get home before it's night? That's a tall order.

[LaurenOE]

Oh! 260 miles ONE way! So it's going to be an over 500 mile day!
Now you're talking!
500 miles in a day is a bit much. The most I have done in a single day is 600 or so (Baton Rouge, LA to Orlando, FL)
Take breaks, drink lots of fluids, pee and poop when you get gas. Definitely have your tire plugging and some basic tools and if you're expecting alot of rain, then some chain lube.

[LaurenOE]

Originally Posted by Builtgypsy

Camelback, a rag for cleaning the visor, rag for cleaning the tank in case gas pours over, cell phone, and maybe a change of clothing if you want to look more presentable after smelling and looking like you've been on the road for a few hours. Unless you plan on taking a multi-day trip of being on the road often, even for about a 500 mile day trip, there's really not much you need to pack, especially if there're facilities often along the trip.

Music, too, if you can make headphones work with the helmet. 420 km one way can can pretty damn boring on the mind, unless it's great scenery the whole way. Are you just taking the freeway straight there?

If you can get away with it, I'd suggest taking a day and a half. Leave in the morning, stay there overnight, and then head back the next morning. Because you're looking at a 6 or so hour trip in one day, plus time to visit, and wanting to get home before it's night? That's a tall order.

Agree 100%!

[Electrical_Tech]

It is freeway / highway riding 99% 100km/h limits. With slowdown zones it's a 5hr drive, I'm anticipating able to do it without being a lunatic in 4 or slightly less. Norm is around 4.5. The clothing change isn't a bad idea, but it's not gonna be excessively warm, so sweating etc won't be much of an issue and I don't sweat much anyway .

It doesn't get dark at home now till close to 10pm so it shouldn't be HARD to do. May have to ride a short ways in dusky conditions.

Rags/wipes for the visors is definitely a great plan .. conidering the bugs

[LaurenOE]

Oh yeah! You're up there in the Maritimes!

We did a round trip of Nova Scotia back in 2008

Nova Scotia 2008

The pictures at the start of this day were taken at 4:30AM!!!

June 25

The picture below was taken at 4:30AM!!!!

[Builtgypsy]

I guess being titled a little closer to the sun has its advantages.

[Electrical_Tech]

Yip sure does. That pic is beautiful Lauren. We aren't actually part of the Maritimes. That includes only Nova Scotia, New Brunswick an Prince Edward Island (my wife's home). Newfoundland is part of the Atlantic provinces, but not the Maritimes, just as an FYI

[LaurenOE]

Originally Posted by Electrical_Tech

Yip sure does. That pic is beautiful Lauren. We aren't actually part of the Maritimes. That includes only Nova Scotia, New Brunswick an Prince Edward Island (my wife's home). Newfoundland is part of the Atlantic provinces, but not the Maritimes, just as an FYI

Cool. You guys are WAY up there!!!
Someday we might make it up to Newfoundland. The logicstics from Florida are formidable!