Fighting Fatigue on Long Motorcycle Rides

Motorcycling is more physically demanding that driving a car and exposes you to the environment, which can lead to fatigue. To avoid becoming tired on long motorcycle rides, you need to get adequate rest, plan and prepare, and consume the right food and drink.

Experts say that fatigue contributes to between a fifth and a sixth of all car accidents. That may not be true in motorcycle accidents across the board, but fatigue is definitely an issue for riders on trips of three days or more. It's something that you need to consider and prepare for. If you are riding with other people, it is an issue that you should discuss and accommodate as you plan your trip. Different riders will have different requirements for rest, and if the trip is to be a safe one, all members of the group should be willing to accommodate each other. Before you head out on the highway looking for adventure, consider a few steps that you can take and plans you can make to avoid having one of your adventures involve falling asleep on your motorcycle.

• Rest:

  Adequate sleep can be a bit hard to come by before and during a multi-day ride. I am always thinking of things I want to do or remember to bring as I try to get to sleep on the night before I depart. I also have trouble getting to sleep while traveling. Many people also have trouble getting a full night's sleep as they get older. If I combine that with early departures, I quickly have a sleep deficit. For that reason, I like to plan to allow myself to sleep late every two or three days, setting no departure time. Don't use alcohol as a sleep aid; it actually tends to reduce both the quantity and quality of sleep. You might think that you can't fall asleep on a motorcycle, but I have known riders who simply fell asleep while riding, waking up as they bounced through a ditch or in the hospital. Riders who experienced these sorts of adventures often said they didn't even realize they were tired. Experts say that you'll have "tired times" during every 12-hour cycle, most often between 3:00 and 5:00 (a.m. and p.m., your local time). You may want to plan to arrive by that point or stop for an early dinner. If you can or need to, take a day off just to relax and catch up on your sleep.

  Physical Preparation:

  Unless you ride your motorcycle almost every day or take rides of three hours or more almost every weekend, you may not be completely adapted to your motorcycle. After a full day or two of riding, you will become acutely aware of muscles that you are using full-time to ride. You may be able to overcome some of this discomfort by properly setting up your motorcycle and fitting components, such as a good aftermarket saddle, that make it more comfortable. However, you also need to give your body a chance to adapt. Taking breaks every hour or two, especially during the first few days of a long ride, will help this adjustment.

  Calm:

  Extended exposure to wind and sun dehydrates and fatigues you much more than your routine two-hour weekend jaunt. Riding in a tank top and open-face helmet may seem like the best way to deal with the heat, but it will actually wear you out and heat you up much faster than if you wear a vented or mesh jacket and a helmet that protects your face from the wind. Perspiration gets a chance to stay on and cool your skin if the wind flow is reduced but not eliminated. You will sharply reduce sunburn and windburn and their fatiguing effects by covering yourself fully. A windshield also reduces the amount of wind that's tearing at you but leaves enough to cool you.

  Quiet:

  Wind noise (and exhaust noise if you have loud pipes) will not only permanently damage your hearing, it will fatigue you quickly. Both noise sources are at their worst if you don't wear a helmet, but even a full-face helmet that seals your ears well won't attenuate these noise sources sufficiently on an extended ride, so you should wear earplugs as well. If nothing else, you'll appreciate them when you try to go to sleep at night and the roaring in your ears isn't as loud. A windshield can also reduce wind noise.

  Clear:

  Vision clarity can be an issue on extended rides too. About 15 years ago we did a comparison test where one motorcycle had significant distortion in the top of its windshield. Several riders said riding it made them feel disoriented or tired or gave them headaches. If your windshield creates this problem, or if you have a face shield or sunglasses that are optically imperfect, you should find a replacement or eliminate the problem, perhaps by trimming the top of your windshield. If your vision has changed so that your prescription is no longer adequate, update it before you leave.

  Caffeine and Alcohol:

  A coffee or cola can briefly boost your alertness, but isn't a substitute for adequate rest. Having a beer before or during a ride is a bad idea for many reasons, but especially if you are slightly tired or fatigued. Discouraging your riding companions from having one also does both of you a favor.

  Good Habits:

  Those boring admonitions about diet and exercise also apply to fighting fatigue. They increase your energy level, which makes you stronger and more alert. Of course, drinking adequate water is important too, especially considering that you are being dehydrated more rapidly because of your exposure to the wind. I don't hold with the theory that you aren't drinking enough if you don't have to urinate every 30 minutes though. Fighting fatigue provides benefits that go beyond safety. If you are alert and refreshed, the ride itself is more enjoyable, and you'll get more out of the sights and experiences that you came to enjoy.

• Group Riding Tips For Motorcyclists

  1) What Is Group /Team Riding

  It is important to recognize and remember that group riding is a team effort. To reduce the risk and increase the the fun and enjoyment, you must rely on the cooperation of all the riders in the group. Remember, even though you are in a group, you are riding your own motorcycle and are responsible for it. Don't just follow blindly, look beyond riders directly in front of you.

  2) Riders Meeting

  Before arriving at the riders meeting prior to the ride you should insure your your motorcycle is in top working order. Use the T-CLOCK below to ensure your motorcycle is in order. Plan to arrive at this meeting with your motorcycle prepped, a full tank of fuel and everything else you plan to bring on the ride. Generally, a riders meeting should take place about 30 minutes before the ride. At the meeting, expect to receive a final map noting the group's ride, when necessary.

  T-CLOCK

  • T = Tires & Wheels
  • C = Cables & Controls
  • L = Lights & Switches
  • O = Oil & Fuel
  • C = Chain & Chassis
  • K = Kick/Side stand

  3) Pull-Offs / Drop-Offs

  If a member of the group is going to be leaving before the rest of the group or plans to drop out before the final destination, let the leader of the ride know before hand at the riders meeting.

  4) Staggered Formation

  Generally, groups ride in a staggered formation, with minimum of one second interval between the rider on the left and the rider on the right. There should be a minimum of two seconds between you and the rider directly in front of you. Newer, less experienced riders should not be placed next to each other.

  5) Turns At Intersections:

  When making turns at intersections, everyone maintains their lane positions or staggered formation.

  6) Curves:

  When approaching curves the group forms a single line and maintain a two (2) second following distance through the curve. By forming a single line, your line of sight increases and the single file formation allows each rider more maneuverability in picking their own path of travel.

  7) Lane Changes And Passing Other Vehicles:

  IS IT NECESSARY?

  IS IT SAFE?

  IS IT LEGAL?

  8) Breakdowns Or Individual Pullovers:

  In the event of a breakdown or, if an individual pulls over to the side of the road, the tail/sweep is generally the only rider to stop with him to find out what is wrong. The leader will stop the group when it is safe for everyone else to pull over. Once the group has safely pulled off, the leader may designate one (1) rider to go back and find out what is wrong.

  9) Parking:

  Now that you reached your destination or are making a rest stop, you need to maintain order. The leader pulls in and locates adequate parking for the entire group.

  10) First Aid:

  The group should always have first aid kits and flashlights. It is also a good idea to carry a cellular phone for emergencies. The Road Captains should also have basic first aid training.

  11) Have Fun Be Safe That's What It's All About :)