Prepping for a long ride on short notice

Hi group,

I'm leaving in the morning for a roughly 900 mile round trip ride from my home near Chicago, up to our cottage in Traverse City, and then on to Mackinaw City (and back home again a few days later). My wife and kids will meet me there up there so they will have my clothes, etc.

I don't want to carry a ton of supplies with me but here is what I have in mind:

-OEM toolkit
Assorted extra tools (socket wrench with common socket sizes, hex wrenches, needle nose pliers, adjustable wrench, etc)
-Zip ties
-Duct Tape
-Tire plug kit with 4 CO2 bottles
-Bicycle tire pump
-Chain lube
-Advil
-Water
-Snacks
-Microfiber towels to clean bug guts off face shield
-Emergency contact information (in my wallet, in my tank bag, and in my jacket pocket)
-Maps
-Extra cash
-Cell phone
-Rain pants (forecast is for scattered T-storms on my ride home)

I also have a new Dunlop Qualifier on the rear of the bike. What are the thoughts on the best pressure to minimize squaring off the center of it? I realize it's a soft tire so this trip will take its toll on it.

I had ordered a Vista Cruise last week, but it won't arrive until after I'm back. My local dealer had the "Universal" Vista Cruise, but it was this big ugly thing and I skipped it. I'll bring my Throttle Rocker - which I don't love, but it's better than nothing....

Thanks for any tips that anyone might have!

 

I did a 2,000+ mile trip from Atlanta to Miami a few weeks ago and here are some things I've learned to make the trip tolerable.

1. If you have the stock seat get bicycle padded shorts. That and every 15-20 minutes shift your position so you don't get sore from sitting in one area for too long. What I did was just go up all the way hugging the tank and then push back with my butt touching the rear cowl and back and forth.

2. Aleve is the hands-down best pain reliever I've used so far. Make sure to take one about 10 minutes before the trip as a preventative measure so you don't have to wait until your knees are killing you to take a pill.

3. Instead of lugging around water you can just get it at the gas station. If you're feeling fatiqued there are energy drinks. My favorite is the "Lost..." energy drink because it doesn't make you feel like you just drank 100 cups of coffee and when the effect wears out you don't crash.

4. When first getting on the road try to go as far as you can before a break maybe 4 hours nonstop. The problem is if you try to do it in moderation (break every hour) it won't be long before you're tired just from staying awake. I was able to do a 500 mile trip in about 9 hours like so:
1. Drive nonstop for 4 hours
2. Lunch 1 hour
3. Drive nonstop for 2 hours
4. Break half hour
5. Drive nonstop for hour and half

5. As for the :mod: a trick I've learned is to go with the flow of traffic if everyone's speeding. Try not to be the leader as the cops usually nab those. And watch for bridges, cops like to hide under them. To be on the safe side I slow down when I see a bridge up ahead and try not to slam the brakes since it'll make you look guilty.

And that's all I have. Hope your trip goes well!

 

Sounds like you're pretty prepped. Throttle rocker will do fine. Took a few states, but I got used to mine on the trip to New York.

Gel padded bicycle shorts would help, but you won't feel a huge difference for a few thousand miles.

Sounds like the plan is for a one day trip. Everytime I've planned quick turn arounds, I get stuck somewhere. Last plane I picked up in texas ended up leaving me stranded in the middle of nowhere for 4 days waiting on a part (I packed one clean t-shirt). So squeeze a toothbrush, pit-stick, clean chonies and a tshirt in somewhere in case you have to overnight.

I ran 44 pounds front/rear on my trip for the mileage.

iPod helps make the time fly by. And a small camelback is barely noticeable once you get going. You don't have to chug it, but it's always nice to have to sip on.

900 miles is a full day, but take a few picture stops along the way for all us voyeurs.

Have a good one.

 

Yes for the bike shorts.
If you don't want to use the camelback, you can put the pouch in the tank bag.
I learned that from Nozzle.
Have a GPS?
A zumo does wonders... Maps and music.

 

No GPS... yet. For now it's Google Maps - printed out and in the map pocket of my tank bag.

It looks like it's going to be fairly warm, and with my helmet and jacket on I'm sure I'll be hot. I probably should stop and pick up a Camelback tonight...

 

I do a lot of those kinda runs, in fact heading off tomorrow am for 3000 miles..what do i take?Just what fits in 1 med bag....well right now throwing in a bag 1 change of clothes, including shoes.1 bottle of baby powder, 1 bottle of painkillers, earplugs, 1 can of tire blow up fixit crap( has saved my ass before) credit card ,camera, shaving kit, and rainsuit..wearing all my gear and goodbye! as for the bike, only luxury i need is the throttle lock and a rocker..Nothing else needed but scenery!
Thats the same as i take when i go for 2 weeks..
Go and enjoy!!..