06-11-2017, 11:07 AM
Of course, you are correct Hondahawkrider; 600 miles is not a true test of one's ability to complete 1000 miles. I have several fairly serious LD riders who have told me exactly that and I know from other endurance tests, that the final leg (my LD riders tell me the last 25%) is almost always the most difficult.
I have taken a few pieces of advice from people who have done these rides in order to make the entire trip, especially the last leg, go as smoothly as possible:[ul] [li]I've been working out fairly regularly over the past 6 weeks and will be doing so very regularly over the next 3 weeks. A couple of pounds lighter, a little bit stronger and more flexible ought to make things go a little better.[/li] [li]Having a riding partner should increase safety, decrease monotony, and provide mutual encouragement when needed.[/li] [li]More frequent stops should keep me fresher longer and reduce the number of longer stops during the earlier legs of the trip. This, we hope, will save time in the long run which may come in handy if we are in need of an extended stop before tackling that last 100 miles.[/li] [li]Doing a loop route will put us on familiar roads for that last leg. This should reduce stress which should help reduce fatigue.[/li] [li]Heading out of Chicago at 3:00am should get us fairly far north by noon. The hope is that the heat of the day will not be quite as hot up there and I have heard that it is cooler butts, rather than cooler heads, that prevail in these rides.
[/li][/ul]
I will look into an Airhawk or the like, but I am fairly comfortable with the notion of riding with only the stock seat because I believe that the above-listed items will keep me fresh enough to complete the task at hand.
I have taken a few pieces of advice from people who have done these rides in order to make the entire trip, especially the last leg, go as smoothly as possible:[ul] [li]I've been working out fairly regularly over the past 6 weeks and will be doing so very regularly over the next 3 weeks. A couple of pounds lighter, a little bit stronger and more flexible ought to make things go a little better.[/li] [li]Having a riding partner should increase safety, decrease monotony, and provide mutual encouragement when needed.[/li] [li]More frequent stops should keep me fresher longer and reduce the number of longer stops during the earlier legs of the trip. This, we hope, will save time in the long run which may come in handy if we are in need of an extended stop before tackling that last 100 miles.[/li] [li]Doing a loop route will put us on familiar roads for that last leg. This should reduce stress which should help reduce fatigue.[/li] [li]Heading out of Chicago at 3:00am should get us fairly far north by noon. The hope is that the heat of the day will not be quite as hot up there and I have heard that it is cooler butts, rather than cooler heads, that prevail in these rides.
[/li][/ul]
I will look into an Airhawk or the like, but I am fairly comfortable with the notion of riding with only the stock seat because I believe that the above-listed items will keep me fresh enough to complete the task at hand.