where to start... part two

[lucydad]

All,

The recent, and excellent "where to start" thread prompts me to ask.  HOW to start expanding my range in miles, tolerance for over night longer range rides and rally attendance?  This week I did three back to back 150 miles with a buddy.  Great fun.  Spent two nights.

However I found these specific challenges:  a) navigation thru unknown roads and towns sometimes a challenge, b) my typical sore back muscle issues, c) limit of about 150 miles/day, maybe 200, then pooped and focus drops.  Then there is summer heat/humidity and rains. And luggage issues for the V7R:  I have a rack, and soft side and top bag (unused).  Have the camp gear, also unused :(.

How to over come and push a bit?  Is the answer "just do it"? And deal with the stress?  Is the answer get motrin for the back issue?  Or more core exercise? Or ditch the V7R for a bike more upright like my Triumph?

Dunno.  But, I had a hell of a lot of fun exploring some new roads, hills and curves and such.  Thinking seriously of executing my long desired dream of riding to BIL house in Bulverde, TEXAS north of San Antonio.  Hence staying nights with him, and riding the local hill country and famed 3 sisters.  On the Guzzi, of course.  Wary of riding with him as he runs fast, smooth and my nephew on his Yamaha triple dumped his bike trying to keep up. 

Comments invited.  Remember my signature line though.  And age of 62, but in pretty darn good shape for those many decades.

As always, thanks in advance.  I truly admire many of you. 

[twowings]

a) Butler Maps
b) Tramadol + Tequila (apply every 4 hours)
c) ADVRider "Tent Space" thread

I'm 63 and still ready to rock...YMMV

[Dean Rose]

Just do it.

Dean

[Aaron D.]

Navigation is easy. Just go. It's getting over the fear of getting lost that can be hard.

In fat most of your questions are variations of fear of leaving security, or your comfort zone. So-200 miles tops? Just pick a direction and ride 200 miles.

I like camping but on a bike the tendency to overpack can be overwhelming, so I'd say go with the clothes on your back and a set of casual comfy clothes for day's end and stay at hotels.

Sounds like you have about the same luggage space, or more, than we each did on a 3 week ride last summer. We're both in our 60s btw.

[Muzz]

LD, I have a couple of soft throw-over bags on the Breva, along with a pack-rack which has a 50 lit. pack tied to it. the bags have handles on them so they can be carried as normal bags if need be, My sleeping bag is carried in a very heavyweight plastic bag tied to the front of the pack-rack. I can fit enough gear for a two week trip in all that. Tent fits in the pack.

The back is a problem; I guess depending on what is causing the discomfort determines whether it can be fixed or not. After about 400 miles my artificial hip starts pressing on a muscle in my buttock, which is my limiting factor. I have been told that in some cases core exercises can really benefit sore backs.

I carry Tramadol with me when I travel. My mate (former dentist) reckons that some in the medical fraternity frown upon it as they consider it "dirty". I guess that means that it has some side effects. Works for me though as opiate based ones give me hell.

Every two-three hours I have a coffee break and a walk around. Adds to the distance I am able to do in a day and it also helps to keep me fresh and able to concentrate.

If your mate is that much faster than you, don't worry. Let him go on ahead and get him to wait after 20 miles or so. He won't be waiting long and it is much better for your health!

Above all, ride and enjoy!

ps. I am 67

[rocker59]

LD, show up at a Guzzi campout and you'll be among the youngest. .  lol!!

[oldbike54]

 Greg , the back problem is the tough thing ,  i have some problems that limit miles . The rest is in fact just fear of the unknown .

 Dusty

[rodekyll]

Plan more days of travel for the same distance and stay within your tolerances.  It does no good to be a hero for three 600 mile days if it means you're miserable for the next month. 

But to answer your question -- I'm trying to get my conditioning back (haha) for trike rasslin' by moving 7 yards of gravel around the back yard by wheelbarrow, 20 scoops per load.  Most days I can move a few loads.  Then I have to rake it out.  I'm trying to spend a couple hours a day at it until it's done. 

[atavar]

Practice makes perfect.  I got a phone mount to put my iPhone on the handlebars to help with navigation. And hey, if you get lost so what?  You lose a little time but you might find something otherwise not found or have an adventure.  It's all about the ride, not the destination.  This isn't a race. You will find your way eventually, you won't fall in a black hole, I promise..

Take some Tylenol (not aspirin) *before* the ride to control swelling which causes the sore back syndrome.  Tylenol is *way* more effective if taken before the pain than after.

Carry some hard candy's.  It is amazing how a burst of flavor in your mouth will revive alertness.  I like Altoids. Intense flavor and they fit under a chin bar easily.

Stop when you need to, ride your ride.  The others will wait. If you start losing focus stop and do some calisthenics. walk, run, get the blood flowing for a few minutes.  If you're a smoker you have a built in excuse.  Taking pictures is another socially acceptable excuse for quick stops. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Or more core exercise?

How many times do I have to tell you guys?  Build up your core strength and your back and neck problems go away. Is it hard work? Yes. I can tell the difference after having some belly muscles cut getting rid of a couple of unneeded organs a couple of months ago. I only put a little over 100 miles on the Monza Sunday, and my back was starting to ache.

[gerryp]

All,

The recent, and excellent "where to start" thread prompts me to ask.  HOW to start expanding my range in miles, tolerance for over night longer range rides and rally attendance?  This week I did three back to back 150 miles with a buddy.  Great fun.  Spent two nights.

However I found these specific challenges:  a) navigation thru unknown roads and towns sometimes a challenge, b) my typical sore back muscle issues, c) limit of about 150 miles/day, maybe 200, then pooped and focus drops.  Then there is summer heat/humidity and rains. And luggage issues for the V7R:  I have a rack, and soft side and top bag (unused).  Have the camp gear, also unused :(.

How to over come and push a bit?  Is the answer "just do it"? And deal with the stress?  Is the answer get motrin for the back issue?  Or more core exercise? Or ditch the V7R for a bike more upright like my Triumph?

<snip>

Greetings.

I was having similar issues with my Sprint 1050 ABS.  The riding position was killing my  back, neck and shoulders.  So last year for a retirement present (I'm 68) and after looking at various alternatives I decided to go Guzzi.  The Racer was very visually appealing but after testing that out I decided against another bike with clip ons.  i chose the Stone and my dealer was able to build it from stock into a mini ST bike which I affectionately refer to it as the V7 ST.

Now with the upright riding position long rides are a pleasure.  Last year I've had trips from Ct up to Vermont  and the national in NH.

Looking forward to more of the same this year.

Regards,

Gerry

[daninwalkercounty]

Go with Dean, just get out there and do it.  If you know your limit is 150, then do 125 and relax.  You can cover a lot of ground.  In Texas we have some wonderful State Parks well within your comfort zone.  I am 65 years young and still commute 180 miles aday on bike.  Come up to Lake Somerville next week-end for BMOA camp out, bring the Trumpet.  I am sure I wont be the only Guzzi there, we usually have some down from Austin.

Dan Wolfe
Riverside, Texas

[Cam3512]

I suggest you stop overthinking everything.  Start by making some GUZZI overnight campouts and rallies.  Meet the guys, and you will learn alot.  If the Racer's riding position is too extreme, trade it on a Special, Stone or new V9.

[Texas Turnip]

You can't get lost because when you hit the gulf, the Sabine river or the Red River you know it is time to head back home.

By having an eight grade education in a one room country school it eliminates all my worries.

I have plenty of downed trees from the tornado that need to be cleaned up. That will put your back in shape.

Now for a breakfast of 4 eggs, biscuits with sawmill gravy, 1/2 pound of sausage etc. I like to stay in shape to keep my svelte figure.

Tex

[Vagrant]

I have needed a back rest since I was 20 and hate the lean forward position of the V7R. but I bought a Stone and with a 1 1/2" jell filled sheep skin seat I love it. I use it because the pegs are too high for me. (knees are shot too) But, I have found the only solution for the back is the "back a line" back support. recommended by MCN mag years ago. I have one sitting on the V7, the Versys 1000 and in the truck. call them they will get you the right size and maybe even a deal. next is 1 Percogesic (back ache formula only) (CVS is the best place to find it) before the ride and 1 after if needed. FYI I'm 68 now and have taken 7 ambulance rides the last one was 200 mile long in Alaska for a cycle wreck with 10-12 ribs broken on the right and 1 on the left.
my average day of ridding whether in Az. for the winter or at home in N. Ga. is 200 miles of the twistiest stuff I can find.
they used to call me the kitchen sink because I brought everything I owned. now I've learned that the new synthetic under wear and t shirts can be washed every day then wrung out in a towel then they are dry in no time. 2 pairs 3 max will keep you going for months. riding pants get washed once a week with something else to wear while I'm doing them or eating out. carry a few of those soap dissolving packets with and some quarters.
stop for scenery breaks more often than needed and a good cigar break about 2pm. carry single malt scotch to help you adapt to your new surroundings that night.

[Dilliw]

1. Stretches
2. The lower back machine at the gym.  It has really helped my posture.
3.  Tramadol and tequilia sound good too!

[Guzzistajohn]

You should probably think it over some more, it's only been 2 1/2 or 3 years planning so far :Beating_A_Dead_Hors e_by_liviu

[SmithSwede]

LucyDad:

Some suggestions.  From a 54 year old with a bad back.

1).  Listen to Nike.  Really the best advice is to "just do it." 

2). Ride more.   I'm not being facetious.   I'm a firm believer that the more you ride one bike, the more your muscles and joints become acclimated to that set up.  I think people often waste time and money piddingly with a perfectly acceptable machine.  Sure, some mods are great.  But don't forget that the human body can acclimate to the machine, at least to some degree.  But you have to keep butt in saddle.   Like foot in boot.  Spend time on the bike while in the garage, not moving.  Listen to radio or TV.  Get used to it.  Think about how to be best positioned.

3). It really is true that you can "ride through" momentary pain and discomfort.  So don't fear that there is necessarily some absolute wall that will stop you.   Experiment with just riding through it. 

4). Google "master yoda's riding position."   I think it's an article on a BMW sport touring website.  Lots of superb advice about how to hold your body, relax your muscles, etc.  Highly recommendly

[Chuck in Indiana]

Comments invited.  Remember my signature line though.  And age of 62, but in pretty darn good shape for those many decades.

I thought I was in pretty good shape for a young lad of 62 also. A personal trainer thought otherwise.  He said my core strength sucked, and he'd get me back on sport bikes and bicycles in no time.
He did. Just saying..

[Texas Turnip]

LucyDad:

Some suggestions.  From a 54 year old with a bad back.

1).  Listen to Nike.  Really the best advice is to "just do it." 

2). Ride more.   I'm not being facetious.  or TV.  Get used to it.  Think about how to be best positi

I'll try not to be snarky, but how does an engineer ever date a woman if it takes so much planning?
Tex

[Guido Valvole]

Regarding luggage, bike camping (with or without an engine) is more like backpacking than car camping. Go light, get things with multiple uses, and layer. I did 3 weeks in England and the Isle of Man on a BSA Thunderbolt with just soft bags and a messenger bag. Worked fine. Just get clothing that can be washed easily and dries quickly.
cr

[lucydad]

All,

Definitely some golden nuggets of experience, wisdom and advice here.  Much thanks, I will read and ponder some more.

Tex,  damn good question about engineers and dating and women and marriage and such.  YES, I have a degree in Geophysical Engineering.  YES, I over analyze about everything.  That is who I am, basic wiring diagram.  See Dilbert.  In my case Ms. LD hunted me down, put a harpoon in me, and dragged me to shore thence to be married 29 years as of last week.

Dusty, some of the fear of unknown comes from living and working and traveling in North Africa.  Had some really, really nasty experiences there.  Call it trauma and post-effects of extreme stress.  A certain Alaskan fishing trip also comes to mind.

One comment on the Triumph tank design versus the linear Guzzi V7R.  Rode the Trumpet yesterday, the wedge geometry tank allows for a LOT of support using knees.  Makes a huge difference supporting my back, particularly in stop and go conditions.  Guzzi tank allows almost zero knee support.

Could be one of the answers:  get side bags and a larger tank bag for my STRX.  Use the Triumph for longer rides.  Guzzi is for swanning around Houston and looking really pretty.  Too bad as the small block is a magnificent little touring machine. 

[oldbike54]

 Greg , this. Is not Africa

 Dusty

[rocker59]

...some of the fear of unknown comes from living and working and traveling in North Africa.  Had some really, really nasty experiences there.  Call it trauma and post-effects of extreme stress.  A certain Alaskan fishing trip also comes to mind.
 

There is a big, beautiful United States outside of Metro Houston.  You really should just get on the bike and ride.

Do you travel by car in The USA?  How do you survive that?

[Guzzistajohn]

Must be pure hell having such an analytical mind. How does one cope with important decisions like, Grits or gravy, right or left, or the age old question, should I stay or should I go now?

Just throw caution to the wind ONE time, strap your camping gear on a bike and GO. You'll get sore, maybe lost, hot, cold, wet, dirty and you might even enjoy yourself.

Or maybe not, but you'll know if that's what you want to do or not.

One thing I can promise you if you go to a rally and meet some of us, you'll get good advice for future trips, and see things you know you'll NEVER do!

Come to the Okie campout in the fall, we'll help you out

John in Mo.

AKA "invisible to you"

[lucydad]

Dusty, I hear ya...however try spending about 3 years living in Tunis, Tripoli and Cairo, and driving and moving about those cities, then come talk to me after wiping the human blood and camel guts off your car, windshield and shoes.

Rocker,  actually the amount of car driving I do is very limited these days.  Mostly was Houston work commuting, droning on freeways on cage to/from work, absolutely hated it.  These days, very little of that moving around the city.  The only moderate distance driving is to/from San Antonio and also fly into ABQ, then drive (gorgeous) to my home area of SW Colorado.  I LOVE driving in the Rockies.

Used to do a lot of long distance driving by myself.  Not much anymore.  Houston seems like a gulag at the end of the line from any pretty motorcycle roads.  Minimum hour to get to any significant topography.  Then there is the climate, but we won't talk about that, every location has pros and cons on heat/humidity/rain/winds. 

[oldbike54]

 Greg,  coordinate with some Houston folks , rent a PU , haul to the Okie , chase me over the mountain . Not only will it make you fearless on a motorbike , but you'll get to tell stories rr that crazy Okie 

 Dusty

[Vagrant]

obviously an off the wall analytical! I have a friend that way. he did a month out west each year and planed each day to the mile and minute. Fn nuts way to live as far as I'm concerned.
when I go for a month I have a rain suit, credit card, electric jacket and the only plan is to try and not run out of gas. I see a road that looks neat and try it out. destinations and plans just add stress!

[oldbike54]

 I kinda prefer being lost 

 Dusty

[PJPR01]

Houston seems like a gulag at the end of the line from any pretty motorcycle roads.

  Then why stay...I know the answer...just being rhetorical...but now to make the best of the situation.

Greg...as a fellow non-native Houstonian...I'll offer up a couple of alternatives, and as you have seen from multiple invitations to come ride on the weekends with the local group, we find lots of interesting local roads easily within 1/2 hour of town, but we're gone for 4-6 hours easily to get to some of the more interesting places, so no rushing back, let the umbilical cord to Sugar Land get cut for the weekend jaunts.  We ride, we lunch, we talk, we tell jokes, we shoot the breeze, then we ride some more and explore and we occasionally stop and stretch and take pictures:

If the combination of following the GPS for a day trip or multi-day trip, along with scouting out a new route, getting lost and enjoying it, and doing the logistics of getting the gear in order to go for a weekend campout with other Guzzisti is too much for the first time out...you can try the following:

1.  Follow other Guzzi riders - get your personal gear in order, strap it on tight and go for some short runs around town to get used to riding with the gear on the back, and then just follow the other lead rider(s)...you don't have to navigate, just be able to follow the leader.  BUT the tradeoff for giving up the routing responsibilities is that you'll have to ride at a faster clip, not 80-100 mph, but at least 70 to 75 safely to stay with the group, and keep the flow, obviously adjusting speed to surroundings, traffic etc.  We're not doing math calculations however at every turn...we ride and let the trip develop its own flow along the way.  It's like golf...you practice your technical swing on the range, but when you go to play, you play, you're not trying to fix your swing or technically analyze every movement...it's a constant series of small corrections, not mistakes.

OR

2.  You continue to analyze and plan and hope, but it never gets you down the road...some folks do enjoy camping on their own, but the point of these gatherings is to enjoy the ride, and the camaraderie and share stories, kick tires, and move the Tiki lounge from the back porch to a moonlit, starry skied scene with a bonfire in the middle...oh, and tell a bunch of jokes, and more importantly to LIVE!

Leave the HP 12B calculator in the office, take the brain out of analytical mode, smell the rain, smell the hay and fresh cut grass, be open to the surprise of finding a fork in the road, and the pleasure of picking one without worrying whether you'll get lost...because getting lost sometimes leads to the most liberating fun activities and encounters that you'll never find just around the corner from the front door.

GRIT rally is in October...that means a LOT of weekends to practice riding with gear between now and then...and it's only a 250 mile ride up...you'll be there before you know if you'll ALLOW yourself to enjoy it WITHOUT analyzing every turn in the road...

P.S.  Take the Advil before you ride...preferably with a Cappuccino and a croissant.  :)  You'll feel great all day long!