| Author | Message | ||
     Estresco |
Hello all, I traded up my 02 SV650S for a 06 Ulysses last year and am so glad I did, I love my XB12X! I have not been able to ride it more then a few hours every now and then due to being deployed so often and only being home for weeks at a time. I am about to finish up my current deployment and my father wants me to ride w/him from our hometown in Portland, Or to the Testicle Festival in Missoula end of July. I have traded messages with a few BBD members about a few things to make the bike better suited for LD trips. Just wondering if anyone is going or has a good route they suggest, or any tips or advice? Thanks! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Welcome to Badweb. Here's some great tips on long distance riding from the experts, the Iron Butt Association: http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aow.cfm | ||
| Froggy |
Tips? Get on it and ride! | ||
| Skinstains |
For starters, who the Hell is Miss-Oula and why is she having a testicle festival ? Sounds like it could be fun but how many testicles could she celebrate in a day ? | ||
| Edgydrifter |
It simply can't be said enough--take Hwy 12! It isn't much to write home about from Walla Walla through Lewiston, but once you get to Kooskia it's heaven on earth. Watch your fuel, as there is no place to fill up between Kooskia and Missoula (I ran dry and had to buy hand-pumped "mystery gas" from a barn near Lowell a few years ago; now I'm more careful). | ||
| Panhead_dan |
Get across the Columbia wherever you like with full tanks (Bridge of the Gods is a toll bridge) and ride the Washington side (sr14) to Plymouth. Cross back to Oregon and fill your tanks again. Take the 730 right on up the river to Wallulla. Hang a right there and I believe you will be on hwy12 from there to Missoula. If that's not 12 it becomes 12 at some point near Walla Walla. Call if you have any trouble or need any help. I'm in Hermiston, Or. 541-567-8645 | ||
| Panhead_dan |
By the way, Lolo Pass (hwy12) is a secret. Please don't tell any of the riders back east that think that tail of the dragon thing is sooo great. The Columbia Gorge on the Washington side is a hoot too. In fact, there is a kind of zoo that no one knows about just past Dallesport. It's right on the 14. It's not a zoo exactly. It's set up as a car tour and not real large but it's kinda cool to ride past zebras, cape buffalo, american bison, giraffs, emus, elk, big ass camels with two humps and Lord only knows what else. It only takes 15 or 20 minutes and costs nothing to see. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
One more piece of advice; If you are riding to the Testi Festi, do not bring your women... | ||
| Atoms |
All of this is probably hugely obvious, but if your father is riding his own bike, hanging your feets on the passenger pegs for a while goes a long way toward alleviating stiff legs. My favorite LD farkle is a some kind of throttle lock or assist. I use the Kakao http://www.kaokousa.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CT GY&Store_Code=KU&Category_Code=KAOKO_BUELL Also, a tank bag is a great thing on long trips for water, snacks, maps, extra ear plugs etc. Consider ear plugs even if you normally don't use them. Long days of wind noise really contribute to fatigue, not to mention damage to your hearing. And lastly, THANK YOU very much for serving our country! | ||
| Marks3tbillet |
I just rode my '07 Uly to Alaska from Ohio and highly recommend the Kaoko throttle control, it allows moving around a lot more on those long days. Mark | ||
| Florida_lime |
Consider ear plugs even if you normally don't use them. Long days of wind noise really contribute to fatigue, not to mention damage to your hearing. +1 I don't use earplugs for local riding (the quieter ride can make me go faster - think blue lights !), but I always wear them for long trips. The reduction in fatigue is hard to believe, but is very real. | ||
| Gs750t |
+1 On the ear plugs. Ibuprofen before and during the day. | ||
| Thunderbox |
Testicle Festival? That's just nuts. | ||
| Fast_eddie_1956 |
Plus 2 on earplugs, I have IR6 ear buds that provide sound protection and music from my Ipod. Also make sure you have riding pants/underwear that have no seams on the butt. The worst pain on an LD ride is butt burn from seams. Bicycle pants a good set of riding pants over them, or, I wear work out shorts under my riding pants. Then make sure the pants are smooth where your sitting. Have a great ride and thanks for serving. | ||
| Hooper |
It takes a lot of balls to make a trip like this. | ||
| Pso |
+3 on ear plugs, +1 on Gs750 Ibuprofen. I also find using rideing pants versus jeans because of rear pocket seams helps a great deal.I also use sheepskin pad for 10-14 days on the road. It breaths well, cool in the hot, warm in the cold. also at my age We break for about 10 minutes every hour water (both in and out for me). We have found if you get tired it is hard to shake off, but by resting never tired on 8-10 hour days.Have a great trip. | ||
| Trevd |
If you don't want to get bicycle shorts, I've found that baby powder in the underwear helps with butt burns from seams. Also, if you're doing long days, a sheepskin is a good addition to the seat. I bought mine at Ikea for about $30. | ||
| Od_cleaver |
Estresco, Thank you for your service to our country. Like others have said, US12 in Idaho to Missoula is a nice ride. I did that July last year with my son when he came home from 15 months in Iraq. We went west to east. Somewhere on the western third of the road it started to suck (the old man was tired and hates traffic – traffic = more than two cars in sight at the same time). The eastern two-thirds is definitely the best part. For a good part of it you are following the Lochsa River. Just watch the road. Are you camping or moteling it? I am sure that you have all sorts of advice on bike set up and gear to take, but here are a few things that work for all occasions. 1. Never make any trip decisions (other than to stop) when tired and have that place to stop picked out by about 6PM. (Note: I did not say stop by 6PM) 2. Swap lead rider at fuel stops. 3. Perform maintenance, tire changes, modifications well before the trip starts (gives you time to get the mistakes worked out). 4. Four changes of underwear, four pairs of socks, a pair of jeans, a shirt and a towel will fit into one standard size washing machine (defines the limit on how much clothing to bring). 5. Expect heat, cold, rain and beautiful days. 6. Enjoy, you have earned it. | ||
| Rightpecial |
All good tips. If you are fair skinned do not forget to pack the sunblock if there is any segment of your trip that you are not wearing full gear. Water and possibly asprin are also your friend. | ||
| Scooter808484 |
Beautiful little road between White Salmon and The Dalles up the Klickitat Canyon, (WA side.) 142 from Lyle to Goldendale. Trout guide told me about it last week. | ||
| Madduck |
I hate to say this, do not wash underwear and socks. Pitch em and buy fresh at walmart,target etc. This is a diposable culture, relish it. Pack only what you know your heirs would like to receive in the will. | ||
| Pso |
MADDUCK, I save all my old underwear for a year before my 2 week trip, then I just toss it everyday. As the trip progresses my kit gets lighter. Coming from a military family my mom did this so when father was reassigned we could travel and just leave dirty worn out underwear along the road. | ||
| Court |
Interesting. I'm cheap and have been picking up fairly decent used underwear along roadsides for years. Life, it seems, is a zero sum game.  Lotta GOOD advise in here:
I'm a fan, on the road, of the bicycle shorts. East to clean in a motel sink and dry quickly. I use them for "transit". For socks I'd go the wear'em and toss'em route. I keep . . . like my skivvy saving pals . . . old running socks and use/toss'em. The most important decision you'll make is about decisions. . . (see the 6pm deal above) not gear. Long distance riding is mental. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Go to Walmart and get yourself a Hydration Pack. For about $20 you'll get a small backpack with a removable water bladder. Trust me, hydration while riding is something I will never ever again do without. Deydration = quick fatigue. Single best investment I ever made for long distance riding. If you don't want the backpack part, just buy the bladder and keep it in your tankbag, or under your jacket. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
2 Words. Gold Bond. +10 on the sheepskins too. | ||
| Froggy |
Or you can get a handle bar mount cup holder and an extra long straw (both from Aerostitch), that way you can drink while riding. | ||
| Kimberley |
I'd install a set of Odie's Special Ops heat barriers. I just came back from the beach (Oregon) with temps in the upper 60's and my leg was warm. Mine are on order........ | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Or you can get a handle bar mount cup holder and an extra long straw (both from Aerostitch), that way you can drink while riding. Goldwing or Kawasaki Voyager sold separately. | ||
| Old_mil |
I second the heat barriers. Without them, you may end up being the main attraction in Missoula. A tank bag and GPS are always good for touring - the GPS will easily point out nearby hotels and gas stations in unfamiliar territory in addition to keeping you from getting lost. The nicer Garmins will allow you to get XM satellite radio audio, which is the nicest sounding radio solution for a bike. the 37x series will also put weather radar on the map if you're so inclined. I prefer hard bags as they are weatherproof. | ||
| Madduck |
Simple rule to remember, don't drive into the sun. Heading east start later in the day, heading west stop sooner. Never drive at dusk or dawn in deer/elk country. Try it once and you will always remember. | ||
| Pso |
+1 on Madduck particularly the dawn and dusk. |
