 longest day trip
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 497
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 497 |
Well, I took my longest ride today. I rode from Kings Mountain, NC to the Raleigh Rose Garden for a wedding. I was running late leaving so I was nearly full throttle the whole way there. Running the 650 V Star that hard lowered my mileage to the high 30's and I had to stop twice on the way during the three hour trip. Having two thirds of a tank leaving and taking a more leisurely ride back at 65mph I only had to stop once on the four hour trip back. As a plus my mileage jumped to the mid 40's.
I've ridden in rain, in 18 degree temperatures, and on rough terrain with loose gravel, but I must say that this trip changed the way I look at my bike. This seven hour riding experience left me with the stark reality that my bike does not meet my needs. I'm only 5'9" and found my bike to be a cramped, uncomfortable, beast, lacking for leg room even using the highway bars I've added. After my 420 mile round trip I don't think I've ever been more ready to ride in the driveway and just drop the thing on its side and leave it there.
If there's nothing wrong with me,
maybe there's something wrong with the universe!
-Dr. Crusher
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Drop like a heap of clothes in the upstairs hallway... yeah, been there done that! Have a good rest!!
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
I went on a 400+ mile Poker Run on Saturday and am still feeling the effects. That long of a ride (for me) early in the season is a killer. The ride was for one of my Franchisees and it was over 100 miles just to get to the starting point. Unfortunately, the poker route was set up by a non-motorcyclist and we had to cover about 60 of those miles on jam-packed I-95 from VA back to the DC Beltway. Near the end, I hopped on my buddies Road King's Corbin seat. Wow, much firmer and comfortable than my OEM/gel pad seat. What hurt the most when I got home was my throttle hand. Even with the Kury throttle rocker my grip had is still sore this morning. I guess some more miles will build up those muscles.
Al
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 200
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 200 |
Every year fron the Nelson BC rally to my home in Alberta. Depending on which route I take Min 530 miles Max 600. This is always done on the Sunday after all the festivities are over. Needless to say dehydration is a big problem even before I hit the road.
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 277
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 277 |
Well, have to say, I cant complain about my rides... My longest was on a bone stock 02 BA in 03, I went 770 miles in a day with the stock seat and all and got off like I hadnt been riding
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
I guess my longest day trip was on the way to the GA. rally last year. Tulsa to Lawrenceburg, TN. 573 miles. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 235
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 235 |
1283 miles.....From Kent in southern England to the Costa Blanca in Spain. A bit more than a day though, took me a little over 29 hours with fuel stops and a couple of short naps.....slept for 14 hours solid once I arrived at the villa. I vowed never, ever again after the ride !!!! 
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Running the 650 V Star that hard lowered my mileage to the high 30's and I had to stop twice on the way during the three hour trip. .... This seven hour riding experience left me with the stark reality that my bike does not meet my needs. I'm only 5'9" and found my bike to be a cramped, uncomfortable, beast, lacking for leg room even using the highway bars I've added.
Sounds like it is definitely time for you to get yourself an America or Speedmaster.
Soren
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 285 |
Yes get a new bike. My friend has a vstar 650, (and its an excellent bike), she has taken it on trips from PA to NC... I'm only 5'4 and I felt cramped the times I've taken a spin on it. Guess my Speedy has spoiled me.
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
I take Min 530 miles Max 600.
Great Scott Kit,
In dog years, that's between 853 & 965 kilometers, no wonder you're wore out.
Canadian customs gives us a metric quiz upon entry. Fail & they make you spend 2 days in North Dakota, it's like purgatory.
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 225
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 225 |
512.5 miles on a BSA 250. Of course I was much younger then but even so I almost had to have help to get off the bike when I got there.
Yes! I am a Redneck. Any Problems?
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
450 miles home from Daytona which is too long a day for me, especially as I get older. I now try to limit my day rides to 250 miles or so.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Wimps.  23 hours, non-stop, 18 of them in the rain, leathers only and no shield, on a 1969 Bonnie. Not in a strait line, and have no idea of the miles, but from Myrtle Beach to somewhere on the west side of Indiana. 
Fidelis et Fortis
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 198
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 198 |
650 miles to Rapidcity SD. done it 4 times right at 10 hours all 4 trips. The first time I thought "theres no way this bike will run 5000+ rpm's allday. 40,000 miles later Idont even think twice about it.
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
I think my longest trip no sleep was straight through from here in north east PA to 100 miles the other side of Knoxville Tn, changed head gaskets on a small block Chevy in a Howard Johnsons parking lot and the straight through home. No sleep.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
I love all the Toppers on this site. Doesn't matter if it's the length of a ride or a day, or if it's the odometer reading, or date the bike was built, etc. Always entertaining.
(Yes, I've done it too, but I try to hold back until someone asks.)
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,236 Likes: 63 |
They did ask, read the title of the thread. I have others that were long, maybe longer some bad weather some good. The Tenn. trip came to mind.My Yellowstone trip was probably the longest.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains. Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
There's no question mark in the title or original post. "Longest day trip" is a statement, not a question, in which the author describes his longest day trip. Responses could've gone a bunch of different directions.
Hey, man, it's just an observation. I even owned up to doing it myself. If you want to take it personally, feel free.
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,836 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
I love all the Toppers on this site.
Tru dat, FJ!!!
Quote:
There's no question mark in the title or original post. "Longest day trip" is a statement, not a question, in which the author describes his longest day trip.
U B Right again, FJ!!! Poor guy wants to share his story and he gets everybody elses - only longer, better, in the snow, with gale force winds... But, since everyone wants to share - My longest day ride was, ah, yeah, about a day. Yeah, that's the ticket. It was me and my soon to be wife, Morgan Fairchild. Morgan Fairchild Flanaggle these days. She always had a flair for motorcycles and long day trips. That was the day I knew I'd won her heart. We stopped along the way and did some fishing. I caught a 48" blue gill. It fought like a tiger shark. Morgan wiped my brow and kept me hydrated while I reeled the beast to shore. Morgan filleted it and we had a lovely picnic lunch. We then fed all the homeless in St. Louis with the scraps. That Morgan, what a wife. There - Top that you guys... 
2004 Triumph Speedmaster (J Lo) 2006 Yamaha Stratoliner (Adele)
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
My longest day trip happened at night... I was riding home after work when a bright circle of light surrounded me from above. I blacked out and awoke days later laying on a sidewalk somewhere in St. Louis. I thought I was still asleep and dreaming as out of nowhere Morgan Fairchild appeared and offered me what looked like the dorsal fin of a giant bluegill. Being extremely hungry and confused, I ate it, and got a giant bluegill dorsal fin fishbone caught in my throat. I passed out and woke up on a gurney in my garage with Linda Hamilton leaning over me telling me not to die as I was her son from the future. I told her I promised not to, so she knocked me off the gurney and loaded it in the helicopter. I opened another beer and stood in the driveway waving goodbye as she flew away, guns a-blazing........
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 533
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 533 |
My longest day trip invariably occurs on the summer solstice. 
2018 FLHCS
2014 Surly Straggler - 16,000 miles and counting!
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
I thought I would try an Iron Butt run from CT to IN, and so I set up the bike with a spare tank, & gee gaws aplenty. Hahahahaha Let's just say I wrote a check my body couldn't cash. The blessing in disguise was a farkle meltdown at departure time, which delayed me a few hours to repair, then a downpour in the dark that steered me toward the nearest hotel in Western PA something. I learned then that there isn't enough Morphine on earth to get my 52 year old severly abused rusty bones that far in that time, but I do greatly admire those who can. I've since sequed into an AARP appropriate style quality over quantity riding style, with stops to see the world's largest ball of twine type stuff as part of a ride plan. Signed, Tin Butt Longest day trip - 650 or 700 miles / x-teen coffees and Ibuprofen. Around 500 miles a day is plenty for me. Maybe a wide saddled Goldwing or BMW spaceship type bike would be a different story. Unless I win Powerball, I may never know, and that's OK too.  Triumphs rule!
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 Re: longest day trip
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
I passed out and woke up on a gurney in my garage with Linda Hamilton leaning over me telling me not to die as I was her son from the future. I told her I promised not to, so she knocked me off the gurney and loaded it in the helicopter.
Why did Linda Hamilton load an empty gurney in the heliocopter?? Was fasteddy on the flight crew? Maybe he has the answer. 
I've heard the "Long Ride Linda Hamilton" dream sequence retold around campfires.
Of course there was a ride across the central Washington wheatfields last August. Hot, windy, duststorms. Everything seemed normal until some laughing lady wearing a long black dress riding a bicycle crossed my path 100' above my head. That was wierd 
jh
Last edited by freedom; 05/29/2009 9:26 AM.
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