Thought I would copy this over from what I posted at the time. This was my 1st IBA certificed ride
One day, 1600+km ride
Left home just after 4am, back home just after midnight - 20hrs
Was actually on the bike for I reckon 18hrs. Longest break was 25mins in Cooma, all other breaks were 5-15mins
Bike - 2007 SV1000s
Route -
So after a good night sleep the wash up and what works for me:
20hrs total
18hrs of that on the bike
Total cost fuel & food $159.60
Longest break about 25 mins in Cooma; all others 5-15 mins. I pushed myself early so that there would be time for more frequent and longer breaks later in the day/evening if needed. I did stop more often, but pretty much just pull over, stand up on bike for 1-2 mins was ok to relieve sore legs so finished earlier than I expected to
Food - on a ride like this treat food purely as fuel for body/mind. For the day I had 4 coffees, 4 bottles water, breakfast bar, snickers and a kebab. Ate 1/2 the snickers at a time just to boost energy and concentration levels, ate 1/2 the kebab for lunch at 2pm then wrapped it back up and finished it off for tea around 8pm (was still luke warm). No soft drink as it tends to make me feel a bit bloated and I can't even stand the smell of energy drinks so coffee is the go to for caffeine
Route - chose a route that didn't have much long straight riding, going via Sth Gippsland Hwy to Sale & back instead of Princes Hwy which is just straight fwy. This really helped keep concentration, though the rest so of animals early morning and evening was higher.
I like a mix of 100km roads with also some slow, tighter stuff, varies the interest and if you plan around some great scenery you'll have some great memories. This was the first time I'd ridden Bright to Cooma and the section from Kankhoban to Threadbo is a must!
Rode multiple mountains and sea level in the same ride - what more could you want? Weather was generally good, mid 20s during the day with a cool start, only down to about 10 in the evening and one rain shower for about an hour of steady drizzle
Wildlife - near miss with a hare near Dinner Plain, wallaby watching from the the side of the road Sth of Eden and clipped a snake crossing the road near Cann River
Gear - leather jacket with compression singlet, t-shirt and thin wool mid layer for morning & evening; textile w/p pants with skins under (helps move around a lot as they don't stick to you when sweating); neck buff when cold and normal boots/gloves
Music - I always have music in for a long ride, the earbuds help cut down wind noise (which can be fatiguing in itself) and it helps concentration. Don't have too loud, just enough that I can hear over the wind at speed while still hearing the bike
What works for me may not work for everyone but reading tips have helped me a lot over the years so maybe this will give others some ideas
Feel a little stiff today but up and walking around and feeling good
Quick stretch & fuel in Sale before sunrise
Always love this view - top of Hotham
Halfway between Khancoban & Jindabyne...what an awesome road
Always stop for a pic here whenever I'm passing through
5 min relax after filling up in Cann River
Saw something to look forward to when stopped in Bairnsdale for a stretch...
On the home run
The reward
One day, 1600+km ride
Left home just after 4am, back home just after midnight - 20hrs
Was actually on the bike for I reckon 18hrs. Longest break was 25mins in Cooma, all other breaks were 5-15mins
Bike - 2007 SV1000s
Route -
So after a good night sleep the wash up and what works for me:
20hrs total
18hrs of that on the bike
Total cost fuel & food $159.60
Longest break about 25 mins in Cooma; all others 5-15 mins. I pushed myself early so that there would be time for more frequent and longer breaks later in the day/evening if needed. I did stop more often, but pretty much just pull over, stand up on bike for 1-2 mins was ok to relieve sore legs so finished earlier than I expected to
Food - on a ride like this treat food purely as fuel for body/mind. For the day I had 4 coffees, 4 bottles water, breakfast bar, snickers and a kebab. Ate 1/2 the snickers at a time just to boost energy and concentration levels, ate 1/2 the kebab for lunch at 2pm then wrapped it back up and finished it off for tea around 8pm (was still luke warm). No soft drink as it tends to make me feel a bit bloated and I can't even stand the smell of energy drinks so coffee is the go to for caffeine
Route - chose a route that didn't have much long straight riding, going via Sth Gippsland Hwy to Sale & back instead of Princes Hwy which is just straight fwy. This really helped keep concentration, though the rest so of animals early morning and evening was higher.
I like a mix of 100km roads with also some slow, tighter stuff, varies the interest and if you plan around some great scenery you'll have some great memories. This was the first time I'd ridden Bright to Cooma and the section from Kankhoban to Threadbo is a must!
Rode multiple mountains and sea level in the same ride - what more could you want? Weather was generally good, mid 20s during the day with a cool start, only down to about 10 in the evening and one rain shower for about an hour of steady drizzle
Wildlife - near miss with a hare near Dinner Plain, wallaby watching from the the side of the road Sth of Eden and clipped a snake crossing the road near Cann River
Gear - leather jacket with compression singlet, t-shirt and thin wool mid layer for morning & evening; textile w/p pants with skins under (helps move around a lot as they don't stick to you when sweating); neck buff when cold and normal boots/gloves
Music - I always have music in for a long ride, the earbuds help cut down wind noise (which can be fatiguing in itself) and it helps concentration. Don't have too loud, just enough that I can hear over the wind at speed while still hearing the bike
What works for me may not work for everyone but reading tips have helped me a lot over the years so maybe this will give others some ideas
Feel a little stiff today but up and walking around and feeling good
Quick stretch & fuel in Sale before sunrise
Always love this view - top of Hotham
Halfway between Khancoban & Jindabyne...what an awesome road
Always stop for a pic here whenever I'm passing through
5 min relax after filling up in Cann River
Saw something to look forward to when stopped in Bairnsdale for a stretch...
On the home run
The reward