physical fitness and motorcycle touring

Wayne Jones

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Mar 12, 2004, 9:33:06 AM3/12/04

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Hi
I'm planning a 4 to 6 week trip to the Rockies, down to Utah's canyon
country and back. I'm concerned about my body's ability to handle the trip.
Has anyone seen any articles on how to shape up for a long tour?

--
Wayne Jones
Blue 2000 Goldwing
Only Bikers understand why dogs love to
stick their heads out car windows.

Dwarf8

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Mar 12, 2004, 10:59:15 AM3/12/04

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Did a google search and got these and tons more...

General info
http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0010_fit/
Weight training - body building
http://www.muscleblitz.com/
Weight training - fitness
http://www.fitarnold.dreamstation.com/mens-fitness.htm

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Wayne Jones

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Mar 12, 2004, 12:45:08 PM3/12/04

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Yeah, I did a few searches too. Nothing seems to deal specifically with
long haul driving and specific exercises needed to tone or strengthen the
muscles that are affected.
Wayne

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Susan

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Mar 12, 2004, 1:20:46 PM3/12/04

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I'd say anything that strengthens your torso so that your back is well
supported would be good. However, you're on a Gold Wing, so the seating
position is not unlike sitting in a comfy chair. I'm not being nasty...I
put many miles on my old Wing and never had any discomfort. A sheepskin
might be a good idea to help avoid saddle sores, especially if you're
travelling when the weather is hot.
Sue

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Mr Ed

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Mar 12, 2004, 3:54:52 PM3/12/04

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>Nothing seems to deal specifically with
long haul driving and specific exercises needed <

You might want to try substituting "riding" for "driving" and then do a
search.

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Wayne Jones

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Mar 12, 2004, 6:44:47 PM3/12/04

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Thanks Sue,
I hadn't thought of needing a sheepskin and it will be hot down in Nevada
and Utah. The 'wing seat is so high that a one inch sheepskin might keep me
from being able to touch the ground ;-) I was bothered by back problems
between my shoulder blades last Fall on the Goldwing despite the comfy
seating position. Saw a physiotherapist today with a picture of me sitting
on the bike. She saw no eronomic problem with the bike but is working on my
back muscles and my posture. I hope to solve that specific problem before
the trip in August. I am concerned that even if I fix that one, there will
be something else that crops up after days and days of riding and I'd like
to do some exercises to reduce that risk. I think that if I make sure the
torso, shoulders and back are in shape, I have a good chance.

--
Wayne Jones
Blue 2000 Goldwing
Only Bikers understand why dogs love to
stick their heads out car windows.

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Susan

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Mar 12, 2004, 7:04:35 PM3/12/04

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Wayne,

Highway pegs will also help you change your riding position once in a while
if your body starts to fatigue.

If it's problems with your shoulder blades, is there a chance that your bars
aren't set up in the best position for you? Or could your wind screen be
set at a height that's causing you to either slouch or sit up too straight
in order to see over/through it? Maybe it's something simple that's
affecting your posture.

Sounds like a great trip. Nevada by bike is on my "Someday" list...

Sue

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Ted

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Mar 12, 2004, 7:14:04 PM3/12/04

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Wayne - do you have a seat back rest on the wing?? If not, you might want to have the seat modified toinclude a backrest.
Ted

Mike "Gummiente" Palmer

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Mar 12, 2004, 8:08:47 PM3/12/04

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Wayne, if you're riding a Wing then you won't have to worry too much about
your body's ability to handle extended periods of time in the saddle. Those
bikes are made for the long haul!

But, here's a few things that I have found helpful for long tours. They're
not so much fitness related as they are common sense, but they should still
help:

1) Get a sheepskin seat cover. It's been mentioned elsewhere in this thread
but it bears repeating - the sheepskin will act as insulation between your
butt and the seat, wicking away moisture and keeping your "cheeks" cool on a
hot day.

2) Wear boxer shorts. Jockey shorts have thick seams that will press into
the underside of your thighs and cut off circulation to your butt and lower
legs; causing severe discomfort after a few hours in the saddle. By wearing
boxers you virtually eliminate this problem.

3) Don't wear jeans. Same problem as boxer shorts. Wear riding pants (ie:
Joe Rocket) instead.

4) Keep your wallet in your jacket breast pocket. If you keep it in the rear
pocket of your pants it will press against the sciatic (sp?) nerve and cause
severe pain on long rides. Over many years it can actually cause permanent
damage - ask any trucker.

5) When riding, stop once every hour for a five minute roadside stretch.
Those stretching exercises will get blood flowing back to the lower back and
legs and increase your time spent in the saddle.

Of course, the more physically fit you are the better you'll be able to
handle long days on the road. Some people prefer to walk and jog and lift
weights to prep for a tour. Me, I find that a steady diet of Jack Daniels
and chicken wings is sufficient to maintain the proper "ballast" needed to
stay upright on a bike for hours on end. :-)
--
Mike "Gummiente" Palmer
'04 FLHT "Babe"
Gananoque, Ontario - a proud Canadian!
Work To Ride, Ride To Work

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Corbeau

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Mar 12, 2004, 10:08:40 PM3/12/04

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"Wayne Jones" <wayne.jo...@rogers.com> wrote in message news:<CSj4c.7520$GFc1...@twister01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com>...

> Hi
> I'm planning a 4 to 6 week trip to the Rockies, down to Utah's canyon
> country and back. I'm concerned about my body's ability to handle the trip.
> Has anyone seen any articles on how to shape up for a long tour?

Wayne, only because I once rode with you, and because you sold me a
tankbag, will I allow myself the following joke: "But you ride a
'Wing!!!"
***
Seriously, there was a thread on this topic on ST-N
(sport-touring.net) I hope that google groups doesn't mangle the long
link:
http://www.sport-touring.net/cgi-bin/msgboard/ikonboard.cgi?s=a51fd2b5e5b85713efa3debc03e986bc;act=ST;f=1;t=12391

if it does, do a search on the general topic, using back AND muscles
as a keywords.

Arthur

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Mar 13, 2004, 12:56:56 PM3/13/04

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Mike has the best advice, but if all else fails and you still think you're
"unfit" for a long ride come summer, consider a back rest. Utopia makes a
good one for GL1500's. They even have an option for quickly removing it.
You might consider buying one along your way down in the US somewhere.
Utopia is located in Akron, Ohio. Or check them out at Americade in June.
http://www.utpr.com/goldwing.html If you want to see one earlier than that,
I have one on my GL1800.

Arthur

"Mike "Gummiente" Palmer" <gummino...@cogeco.ca> wrote in message
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Wayne Jones

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Mar 13, 2004, 2:17:42 PM3/13/04

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I got a backrest with the bike but took it off almost immediately because even adjusting it back as far as possible, it seemed always to be touching my back which bugged me. It somehow felt 'confining' and made it more cumbersome to mount and dismount. I would put it back on if it would solve my back problem. I notice when I sit I tend to lean back pulling on the back muscles. I'll put it back on to see if it makes a difference.

Wayne

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Wayne Jones

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Mar 13, 2004, 2:30:44 PM3/13/04

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Thanks Mike
Good points. I have built into my trip planning software a 15 minute stop
every hour.
I bought the wing because I figured I was made for what I want to do. Oddly,
every bike I have rode had something that was a problem.
Interesting comment about the jeans. I had planned to wear them even though
I don't like them. They have no give in the crotch and waist and tend to
'squish things'. I'll check into the riding pants.
Jack Daniels LOL,
Wayne

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Wayne Jones

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Mar 13, 2004, 2:33:28 PM3/13/04

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Thanks, That is a good thread with specific exercises. I have noticed that
my neck is a bit sore after the first few rides in the Spring.
Wayne
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Wayne Jones

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Mar 13, 2004, 2:19:54 PM3/13/04

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I do have some highway pegs. I also find that I am more comfortable if I
reach forward and hold the handlebars farther away. This causes me to
stretch my back and is possible only on the highway with the cruise control
on.

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Ted

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Mar 13, 2004, 7:55:43 PM3/13/04

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Wayne - my advice to you is - dump the software planning program!!!!!!! Stop when you want - look around ==enjoy the scenery - stay longer if you have to... That's the way I travel -no schedule - get there when I get there
8-)
Ted

Inspirlogic

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Mar 14, 2004, 12:51:00 AM3/14/04

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I was at Wheelsports in Orleans and they have jeans made with stretch
material (1-2 inches wide) on the upper inseam and crotch. That could help
your problem. I have not tried them though.

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row...@sympatico.ca

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Mar 14, 2004, 8:39:49 AM3/14/04

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Good morning, Wayne.

Check out the "Dry Gel" pads that ButtBuffer has. I had a Shadow Sabre
last year and the wife could only sit on that small seat for 20
minutes before needing a break. Bought the ButtBuffer, and she lasted
a full day (Ottawa - Potsdam - Massena - Ottawa)
I have info on them here if you're interested (helping the distributor
witth the Francophone clients) as well as one for my VTX.
Let me know.

Rog

'02 VTX 1800R
Illusion Blue

Wayne Jones

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Mar 14, 2004, 1:00:46 PM3/14/04

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I agree Mike that I should play it by ear and see the scenery, smell the roses etc but the planning software does tell me where the scenic routes are, approx travel times, where the road construction is and where all the campsites are. It also lets me print off map segments that fit neatly in my map pouch.

--
Wayne Jones
Blue 2000 Goldwing
Only Bikers understand why dogs love to
stick their heads out car windows.

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