31-05-12, 07:09 PM
Long trip - check the weather before you go (I got caught out in snow in Scotland the other week!). Packing waterproofs is probably a good idea, as is being sufficiently warm).
Take a road map with you, and check your proposed route beforehand (inc food / fuel stops), and make sure you know where you can get fuel (a spare gallon is a good idea), and as obvious as it may sound, make sure you've got the means to get fuel (I use cash so I don't get caught out by "we don't take those cards" or "our card payment system is offline"). Banging down a motorway is not the time to find out you've run short of fuel or money.
Make sure you're sufficiently rested and be aware how quickly tiredness / fatigue can kick in.
Try and get all your stuff (spare clothes and any other items you're taking) organised the night before - you don't want to go down the road having forgotten something because you're rushing at the last minute. Try and keep important items in a waterproof place.
Take extra care on unfamiliar roads - not just speed, but surface conditions (try and travel during the day for that reason, although there will be less traffic at night).
If you're using motorways, be aware of crosswinds (esp perhaps on bridges which are exposed on all sides) and watch out for middle-lane hoggers running side-by-side with wagons due to indecisive overtaking (be aware or traffic in your blind spot for the same reason). I try to keep 2 lanes away from wagons on motorways so as not to get pulled towards them by turbulence (and avoid spray in the wet).
Check your bike over before you go, and take some tools and basic spares with you (bulbs, fuses, possibly spark plugs / tyre plugger kit if you have space), or at least have some form of breakdown recovery (whether AA / RAC or a mate / relation).
If you're staying at your sisters, give her an estimated time of arrival, and send a text periodically on your progress (eg if you stop for food / fuel / cig break and give your location and updated arrival time if you start running late with bad weather for example).
Enjoy the run.
Take a road map with you, and check your proposed route beforehand (inc food / fuel stops), and make sure you know where you can get fuel (a spare gallon is a good idea), and as obvious as it may sound, make sure you've got the means to get fuel (I use cash so I don't get caught out by "we don't take those cards" or "our card payment system is offline"). Banging down a motorway is not the time to find out you've run short of fuel or money.
Make sure you're sufficiently rested and be aware how quickly tiredness / fatigue can kick in.
Try and get all your stuff (spare clothes and any other items you're taking) organised the night before - you don't want to go down the road having forgotten something because you're rushing at the last minute. Try and keep important items in a waterproof place.
Take extra care on unfamiliar roads - not just speed, but surface conditions (try and travel during the day for that reason, although there will be less traffic at night).
If you're using motorways, be aware of crosswinds (esp perhaps on bridges which are exposed on all sides) and watch out for middle-lane hoggers running side-by-side with wagons due to indecisive overtaking (be aware or traffic in your blind spot for the same reason). I try to keep 2 lanes away from wagons on motorways so as not to get pulled towards them by turbulence (and avoid spray in the wet).
Check your bike over before you go, and take some tools and basic spares with you (bulbs, fuses, possibly spark plugs / tyre plugger kit if you have space), or at least have some form of breakdown recovery (whether AA / RAC or a mate / relation).
If you're staying at your sisters, give her an estimated time of arrival, and send a text periodically on your progress (eg if you stop for food / fuel / cig break and give your location and updated arrival time if you start running late with bad weather for example).
Enjoy the run.