How a biker train himself for a long trip?
 

Hi Bikers,

Some of you already know me and my project. All of those don't know it yet can have a look here (RIDESOUL).

I will start my trip on the 1st of June which will last about 6 months. I going to the gym now, training my body with a long repeats workout to built up my resistance.

Am I right? or could you suggest me any other methods to be ready for it?

Every advice would be welcome! :thumbup1:

Alessandro

You're already doing more than most... Keep it up !!!

Teach yourself how to make 'one pot recipes' from simple ingredients too. Very helpful while travelling. There is an old thread on the hubb somewhere.

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I will try to find that post, then! ;)

Cheers

Wow, you must be serious about the trip as that sounds like real training, not the beer and pizza version that the rest of us use :rofl:

Even for bicycle trips, I don't train much because my trips are during or just after the European winter.
I just go a bit shorter in the first week or two, so the start of my trip is my training :D

Tour training in 4 easy steps
 

1. Work hard, get paid.
2. Save big, spend little.
3. Quit job
4. Ride

Having problems ? Repeat steps 1 & 2.

Training complete ;-)

I'm really really good at 3 and 4...

1 and 2 don't come easy..

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Or look here..https://www.google.co.uk/#q=camping+one+pot+recipes

Start doing some long rides.

This is the best training....

https://evbdn.eventbrite.com/s3-s3/e...0/bigbeer2.jpg

bier:biggrin::biggrin:

You want to get some long trip seat time, without stops on the bike you plan on taking ie: go for 300 - 400 km or 2 hrs at a stretch. That will identify any ergonomics of the bike that you have to change to fit you.

Make sure the bike is fit for the trip and all maintenance up to date, including tires.

One thing that I've found very helpful is the alpinestars Orion kidneybelt/lower back protector. It helps to keep posture, support your shape and also protects your back where most jackets fail..

i'd say you need to train your mind.
you have to learn how to be ok in your own head, how to cope with having that one song that you dont know all the words to stuck in your head for 500k
you need to learn to enjoy cold food, every day.
you have to learn how to go to bed without a kiss from your mommy (this one is especially hard)
ooh, and learn to put on wet socks. and enjoy it!

What do I do before a bike trip?

Stare at the area I will be travelling in google earth wishing I was already there

Drink lots of stuff I wont get for a while, like expensive whiskeys and cocktails

Have lots of braais and fancy home cooked meals as restaurant food gets tiring, as does padkos (road meals).

Get fit by walking back and forth to a clock checking how many hours are left until departure

Keep going out to sit on my bike in the garage with a brandy and coke in hand wishing I were on the road

Send lots of snotty messages to bike mates who will be stuck at home about the thrills of another bike trip

Avoid bike shops to avoid being tempted by another 10 kg of 'must have' bike kit.


I ride everyday and long distance regular for work as well. So I don't need to get bike fit. 500 km daily is fine for me. Up to 800 km including gravel is ok but not sustainable. 400-500 km I can do everyday easy, with maybe a rest day after a week. If you dont ride often it is your bum and lower back that needs to get fit. A kidney belt does help for the lower back.

The best is to get the mind in travel mode!

Yeah.. Well said.

Aim to go on an decent trip before embarking on a really long one.

Great training for mind, body and maybe some of your equipment..

Ride some short trips first?

The best Training advise I've heard so far !:thumbup1:

I get fit from walking............backwards & forwards while I get the gear loading right. Mental fitness comes from laying awake at night dreaming of the ride.
Pack, unpack multiple times until you place everything in that 'special' place, guaranteeing that you will never find it again doh
Repeat all this on the road for the first 4 days until you find what you need :rofl:

Most of all, stress less, ride & enjoy it :D

Yup... Works for me. Mostly.

keep fit or get fit too. 'In shape' is the best way to be to get the most out of a trip.

Ok so fitness is a big hobby of mine, so I'll chime in on the physical "training" part of your question.

The purpose of training is to force an adaptation in response to a stimuli. The only way to train yourself to be physically adapted to ride a motorcycle is to ride a motorcycle. Only then will your body adapt to the specific stimuli of motorcycle riding. Mostly your grip strength will greatly increase, that's probably it. That being said you could train with those grip gadget that you squeeze in your hand, you could do that while watching the TV, or you could also do like everyone else and train your grip by riding your bike.

That being said, working out in a gym is definitly a good idea in preparation to a motorycle adventure. Increasing your strength and your muscle mass will help you in many ways. First it will be easier to pick up your bike, keep it upright, carry your luggages and any other things requiring strength. Secondly, a stronger body means less stress on your articulations and makes it easier to maintain a proper riding position over time. Thirdly, and this is something people often overlook, is that bone density (weight training is the number one way to increase bone density), muscle mass and strength will protect you in case of a crash, it can be the difference between a good bruise on your thigh and a broken femur.

To build muscle mass and strength you can follow many protocols, many of which will have you waste your time on isolation exercices, like biceps curls, which are an innefficient use of your time if you are a novice to intermediate trainee. For no nonsense efficient weight training program aimed at novice to intermiediate trainee I suggest Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/098...MWA6JNXPBYZRWM

Interesting post from Guillaume.

So how many here have gone on a serious get-fit-or-die-trying campaign before a long bike trip? And if so what did you do- put on muscle mass in the gym, go on a diet or do something aerobic like squash or football?

Anyone take up martial arts - karate or similar, on the basis that you could get fit and improve your self defence capacity at the same time - do one, get one free (dogof rather than bogof :rolleyes2:)

And if you did more than think about these things what level did you take it to?

And do you think it made any difference to the trip? Do you need to be fit for a long trip or does it depend where you're going and on what - or is it just something adventure pensioners need to do to keep the grim reaper at bay?

My answers later

I try to stay in shape anyway...

But when I know I'm undertaking a big trip, I really try and improve my strength and fitness... Depends on the trip and how active it's going to be.

A two week trip around the wine and cheese regions on France isn't really going to push anything apart from your waste line.

I did a two month canoe trip in Canada. That required some fitness planning.

An trip across Siberia is a proper expedition and you'll struggle if you're a couch potato.

This can just be doing press-ups and sit ups every day, running and generally eating a lot more healthily. I try to do a lot of stretching too. It's not rocket science.

Spend a 3 hour event rolling around in the mud in the woods with a motorcycle,very occasionally staying on it for longer than a 100 yards at a time..

The best prep for a trip is to be young. Failing that getting your bike to fit you and be comfortable for all day long is the best enjoyment enhancer. I set up a 80 year old bikers sidecar rig this last sept and he is now in florida USA having ridden from montana USA putting on abut 10,000km so far. He trained by riding 1000km weekends repeatedly all summer. He can't wait for the snow to melt so he can continue on his circumnavigation of the USA.

I searched 'motorbike fitness' on youtube and came up with some good stuff. Even though some for road racing, good tips : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RlVWGRv6aw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKsT3yxWGTQ

I seem to have to do too much of the first half of 1 with too little of the second half, not enough 2, can't afford 3, 4 when ever I can (that's why I come here and daydream..)