Thursday, April 27, 2017

Long motorcycle ride preparation

How about a long ride? How about an overnight ride with lots of long riding? It sounds great, a biker’s dream to “get away from it all” for a few days; the quintessential road trip could be waiting for you. Are you ready?
Now that you own a Harley and you’ve joined the HOG chapter, you’re probably starting to go out on rides that are longer than you’ve ever taken before. You’re probably like me when I joined; I was used to riding socially or just commuting to work and back. All of the sudden I’m going on these great rides, on great roads I never knew, and meeting some great people, too. Now you’re coming home from a long ride and your body is just exhausted and let’s face it - sore in all the wrong places. What can you do to prevent that exhaustion and pain and leave you free to enjoy a long ride?
Your Brain. Almost any test of your endurance is largely mental. Even a long car ride can wear a person down mentally; even though their body can take it, their mind cannot. Some riders are perfectly content to have nothing but the open air rushing by their heads and can endure a long ride with nothing but their thoughts. I’ve heard some riders carry puzzle books – word games and such. They’ll read one or two before getting on their bike and then try and solve the puzzle during the ride. I’m a music fan. If you’re lucky enough to have a touring Harley, you may already have music built in to your bike. Others use earphones or helmet speakers connected to their cell phone. They either play music files they uploaded or stream a music service. Since most songs are about 4 minutes long, I often play a little game in my head and measure distances to our next stop in how many songs will play. Music is a great way to keep the mind occupied and I recommend it.
Muscle Fatigue. You may not realize it, but one of the reasons you feel run-down after a ride is because of the amount of work the muscles in your arms are doing. No matter how many ways you devise to move the other parts of your body while riding, your arms are typically enslaved to a single riding position. The entire time they are holding the grips, they are working against the movement of the handlebars. If you have a batwing fairing or a windshield, this effect is exacerbated as the wind buffets the fairing or shield and that energy gets transferred to your arms. This is one reason why riders who regularly ride long distance highway miles choose a fixed fairing like the Harley Road Glide. All that energy is transferred to the frame of the bike instead of your arms. My solution (besides dreaming of owning a Road Glide)? I try to do two things: I alter my ergonomics (see below) and I try to relax my arms consciously. I do find that when you think about relaxing your arms, you’ll find that they are stiff and rigid.
Ergonomics. This has to do with moving your body and being comfortable. Think about being on a long plane ride in one of those cramped seats where you just can’t move and how uncomfortable that is. Many riders face the same problem on their bike. You may be perfectly comfortable on a medium ride or running out to grab a burger, but after awhile your body just gets sick and tired of being in the same position. The two most important ways I combat this is with highway pegs and a driver backrest. Even if you don’t have a touring model, Harley sells engine guards for all models that highway pegs can then be mounted to, and they sell back rests for all models, too. The highway pegs allow you to change your foot and leg positions. Having floor boards instead of foot pegs helps, too, because you can move your foot around and rest it at different angles. A foot peg can also cause a “hot spot,” constant pressure on a point of your body that becomes increasingly painful over time. Highway pegs allow you to put your feet up, and if positioned correctly, you can also rest the rear of your ankles on them and stretch your legs completely. The addition of a driver backrest allows you more flexibility in changing positions. You can now shift up and down in your seat and support your body with the back rest. You normally wouldn’t stretch your legs out straight and allow your pelvis to slide forward in the seat; the resulting arc that your back would now be in would have to be supported by you pulling forward on the handlebars. Just not comfortable. If you want to take baby steps, make sure you get the highway pegs first, and if you want, graduate to a driver backrest later.
The Seat. Now we come to it. This is the biggie, and there are a lot of opinions out there on what is best. My friend Dave Brown has always ridden with a big, comfy Harley seat like a Sundowner and he has gone coast to coast without a complaint. I’ve seen guys with gel seats, air seats, and even the occasional sheepskin thrown over the seat. Harley makes several seats for all bike models and maybe the one you’re looking for is the one that isn’t currently on your bike. Battley has a wall of demo seats that you can put on your bike for free and go for a ride. That way you can feel which is best for you before you buy. After seeing so many options, and realizing that they were all so different, I wondered if there was a recognized “best seat for the long ride” so I wrote to the American Motorcyclist Association. This was about 10 years ago and I wrote an article for the Hogwash back then, complete with the letter I got back from their riding expert (if you want a copy of that article, e-mail me at trekkiejohn@gmail.com and I’ll send it to you). In a nutshell, the guy said that vibration is your number one enemy and recommended a stiff seat without a lot (or any) padding with a beaded seat on top (Battley sells beadrider seats, probably the best out there). This is almost exactly what a cab driver in New York would sit on for a 10 hour day. The stiff seat doesn’t allow your “posterior” muscles to get worn out, and the beads do three things: they let air get in between your butt and the seat, they spread the pressure out even to avoid hot spots, and they absorb vibration. Don’t jump into any seat changes without making an informed decision and by doing a long distance practice ride where you actually think about how your butt feels as you ride for longer and longer times. Take advantage of the demo seat program at Battley, you’re not going to find a better way of trying something out like it.
The Wind. There are two things to consider when you think of the wind, the first is how comfortable you are riding for two hours at highway speeds with the wind hitting you full in the chest, and the second is a problem with hydration. Harley makes a windshield for every one of their bikes, even if it isn’t a touring model, so if you go out on the highway and can’t handle that wind beating you down, invest in a windshield. Many models allow for a removable windshield, so if you’re not on a long trip, take it off and leave it in your garage. The wind also dries things out, like your skin. People can get wind burn, and you get dehydrated faster as the wind passes over your exposed skin. Just like leaving a t-shirt out in the breeze to get it to dry faster, so will your skin. Even on a nice day, try to wear a long sleeved shirt, bring moisturizer for your exposed areas, and yes, sun screen helps prevent windburn. The most important thing to remember is to drink water. Just sitting in the saddle for two hours without drinking is bad enough, but add the sun and the wind and you can quickly become dehydrated. The best thing to do is figure out a way that you can take sips of water while riding – most people get some sort of holder for a water bottle, but at the minimum remember to drink plenty of water at each stop.
Lastly, just when you thought we were done – Clothing. The choice of what you wear on a long trip makes a huge difference, especially – you guessed it – your underwear. The general rule to live by is to avoid cotton at all costs. Cotton retains moisture which leads to rashes and the dreaded “monkey butt.” But cotton can also easily bunch up, and every fold is a place where your weight isn’t evenly distributed, which means hot spots. The best choice is some sort of athletic, moisture wicking sports material, like Under Armor. My favorites are buck naked boxers from www.duluthtrading.com but most of the big sport companies make them. Although we Harley riders love to wear our jeans, think about alternate materials for pants, too. If you get caught in a sudden downpour, jeans can stay wet for hours. Of course, the smartest riders wear protective pants and jackets with embedded armor in case you wreck. Battley sells many varieties and you’d be surprised at how well they breathe and keep you cool even though they look heavy and hot. The last word on clothing – pack light for your trip. The moisture wicking clothing usually has the advantage that you can wash it in your hotel sink and it will be dry by morning. Don’t over pack your bike or you won’t have room for that souvenir t-shirt.
Well, there you have it: John’s opus on long distance riding. If it is too much to take in, here is the abbreviated crash course: In my opinion to enjoy many hours in the saddle, get yourself some music, a windshield, highway pegs, the right seat, and good underwear. I sure hope that helps you take on longer rides and enjoy them

What is the Tail of the Dragon?

There are a lot of great places to go ride your motorcycle, but none of them have the same awe, mystery, and ability to put fear into the hearts of riders as the Tail of the Dragon.

If you’ve ridden on two wheels, you’ve probably heard something about the Dragon (also known as Deal’s Gap), or seen an ad in a motorcycle magazine, or maybe a YouTube video of people riding the Dragon. But what exactly is the Tail of the Dragon (TOTD)? US route 129 has existed in some form since 1934 and boarders the Great Smokey Mountains. Around 1981 the 11 mile stretch that links North Carolina with Tennessee, known as Deal’s Gap, developed the nickname “the Tail of the Dragon” because some likened the twisty course to a dragon’s tail; however, some part of that must have come from the malevolent nature of dragons and the propensity for wrecks on the road by out of control autos and motorcycles. The fact is, some crazed lunatic that worked for the state government designed a road that has 318 turns in just 11 miles. That is the big hype and what you see on all the t-shirts, “318 turns in 11 miles” but it fails to talk about the ups and downs. Yes, the entire time you are executing all those turns the road is constantly going up and down like a kiddie rollercoaster. It sounds like a motorcyclist’s dream, right? So why is everyone so afraid of the Dragon? After all, it was designed as a state road, for interstate commerce, and regular Joe’s driving their cars from here to there. Up until 1992 the posted speed limit was 55mph! It’s because when you do a Google search for it the headlines start popping up: “Tail of the dragon wrecks,” “Motorcycle vs. truck on dragon,” “motorcycle wipe out TOTD” and yes, if you click on those links you get some pretty brutal images of motorcycles having a less than fun time on the Tail of the Dragon. So why go?  
Let’s start off answering that question by thinking about you and your bike. Why did you buy it? Was it a sense of personal freedom you get when riding? Is it the control of a machine bending to your will and skill as you turn and accelerate? Is it because going through a turn on your bike is so unlike being in a car where you are fighting the laws of physics instead of acting like you’re part of the equation? It is probably a combination of those things. I know I didn’t buy my motorcycle to go in straight lines. The Tail of the Dragon offers what may be the ultimate in what you own a motorcycle for.

The Dragon has been reduced to 30mph and tractor trailer trucks are now prohibited from driving on it. The sport bikes still try to go through at the highest possible speeds, often earning tickets from the numerous speed traps the Tennessee State Police like to setup on weekends. Because it borders the park, there are no buildings, parking lots, or intersecting roads along its length. This means that it is actually a pleasant drive through the woods and the only traffic you have to worry about is what you can see.

So anyone can ride the Dragon, and if you don’t let anxiety and fear prevent it, you’ll have a great time. First timers typically take it slow and easy, going the posted 30mph. You quickly go through some turns, loosen up, and start to enjoy it. In your mind your saying, “Wow, I’m here, I’m on the Tail of the Dragon, this is what everyone talks about, and it’s cool.” Unfortunately this may cause you to give your bike some more gas, thinking that this isn’t so bad. If you approach a right hand turn that suddenly reveals itself to be far sharper than you anticipated, you may find yourself crossing the double yellow line as your path’s arc is just too great. Crossing the double yellow, or failing to stay on the road, is the biggest cause of accidents on the Tail. If you cross the double yellow and no cars are on the other side, you lower your speed and hope the biker behind you didn’t see your failing; but if there is a car in that lane when you cross, you could be in for a world of hurt. Same with the opposite; driving off the road into the trees. Strangely, when one bike crashes it sometimes takes the bikes following with it. This is mostly because of target fixation; rather than riding your own ride, you blindly follow the bike in front of you. If they take the wrong path, so do you.

On the Montgomery County HOG ride to the Tail of the Dragon, our first time through is always at a slow and steady pace. We stay together as a group, single file. This allows all the riders to get broken in; taking turns, left and right, one after the other while also slowing for dips and gassing up for small hills, mostly staying in 2nd or 3rd gear. You might get a little adrenaline drop the first time you scrape your floor boards or foot pegs, but you’ll get used to it (most of the time it’s actually your kickstand since it hangs a few inches lower). We all gather in a parking lot at the end and newly initiated discuss the ride with seasoned veterans. When it is time to make a u-turn and go back through the Dragon, the group leaves in order of how fast you want to ride. This time you may move a little move in your seat; shifting your butt to the left or right in a turn helps keep your center of gravity over the turn so you don’t have to lean your bike over as far. You may also try to brake and gas through the turns a little better. For everyone it’s a different experience, and each time you ride the Dragon you become a little more wary of its ways.




After the group has gone North, u-turned, and come back South through the Dragon, we stop for a great picture in front of the carved Dragon they have at the Deal’s Gap Hotel, which also has about 300 different t-shirts and stickers you can now proudly wear and display as a veteran of this awesome road.  Once you’ve experienced the Dragon, you’ll understand why this has become a Mecca for motorcyclists around the world to come and enjoy. 

Friday, April 21, 2017

Long distance motorcycle riding

This is an article I originally wrote around 2009. It was prompted by a letter I sent to the American Motorcyclist Association about motorcycle seats and what is the best.

I’ve ridden motorcycles since I was 18 years old.  I always had a foreign bike and would either ride to work occasionally or get together once a month with friends who rode and we’d go tear up the streets one night for fun.  I bought my first Harley in 2002 and based the purchase on what bike would fit my frame the best, a Dyna Wide-Glide.  I came to my first chapter meeting and started to go on some chapter rides.  I fell in love with it – the riding, the roads, the group riding, and yes, the people.  With this renewed passion for riding, I found I was riding more, that I wasn’t just a “fair weather” rider anymore, and I was out for longer periods and greater distances.  I soon realized I needed a bike with some storage capacity, a windshield, and radio.  I upgraded to an Electra Glide in 2004 and my rides have gotten longer and longer including an Iron Butt in 2009.  I don’t consider myself a “long distance rider” but I am happy to take a good trip on the bike, and I want to be comfortable.  I’ve seen many different seats in my travels, and I’ve heard all sorts of opinions on what the best seat is for riding a few hundred miles in one day.  Most stock seats are like a soft comfortable chair, my Corbin seat is stiff as a rock, I’ve seen gel seats, bead seats, and sheepskins.  When your backside starts to get sore, what is the best seat out of the whole bunch?  In all my reading in H.O.G. magazine and the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) magazine, I had never read an article that tackled this question.  Last summer I wrote to the AMA in hopes they could shed some light on this question.  The e-mail correspondence I received from their Road Riding Manager, Dave Hembroff was like a magazine article in and of itself.  He gave me permission to share his two e-mails with the chapter.

“As a long distance rider myself, I have found there are several "solutions" to the sore butt after long miles conundrum.  While the "foundation" is of utmost importance (the seat), there are some things NO seat is designed to help with.  Yes, you do have to find the seat that fits you - I prefer Corbin or Sargent, as they are both affordable as well as firm and provide a nice wide base to avoid the inner thigh pressure points.  There are other, pricier saddles that do an even better job, but I don't have the resources to spend on them when the others do just as well for me.  That said, there are still other considerations that need addressed.

 *   Pressure points: You have more than just a few as you ride.  Spreading out your weight is important, and you have to make sure it is not concentrated in any one place.  This is one reason the comfy recliner works so well - the soft, cushioning foam accepts your weight from the back of your legs to your upper back.  Unfortunately, your motorcycle seat can only do this from your behind, so the amount of pressure is multiplied as the contact area becomes smaller (the main difference between the recliner and the motorcycle seat over time).  Firm seats are better than non-firm.
 *   Friction: In a recliner, you don't tend to be vibrated constantly as you are on a motorcycle.  Riding vibrations come from the motor, the road, and travel to the seat and hands (why your hands may fall asleep).  Friction will make those pressure points into "hot spots" - painful sore points.
 *   Moisture/sweat:  Add some moisture from sweat, and you will end up with "monkey butt" - the irritated rash feeling on your contact patch of your behind.

So, to address all these, I find a seat that fits to spread out the pressure points, combine it with a seat cover (I prefer the Bead Rider - www.beadrider.com) to alleviate friction and hot spots, and use moisture wicking shorts (www.LDRider.com... These are AMAZING (also try buck naked shorts from www.duluthtrading.com – John)) to address the sweat/moisture issue.  I like the Bead Rider because it allows air to circulate under your butt as you ride at the same time it negates vibrations
- I used to use a sheepskin and now only do in winter months.  All these together allow me to ride 800-1300 miles per day (which I do) without monkey-butt or pressure point fatigue.  In fact, you will find all the riders who do serious miles using the same equipment.

Up to about 8 hours in the saddle (500 miles), you can do one or 2 of the 3 strategies I've outlined above and it should be sufficient to keep you comfortable, but if you really plan to do some miles, you need to combine all 3 to really be comfortable.”

I responded to him with the obvious question, “Why do manufacturers put comfy seats on bikes if they aren’t the best seats for riding?” And I got this response:

“Most people don't ride the miles you and I do, so they (incorrectly) equate comfort with the thickly padded seat.  If H-D put a firm, textured seat without all the leather and cushions on their bikes, many riders would think that they were not getting the "top-end" motorcycle they are paying for. American manufacturers are not the only ones who do this on cruiser-style motorcycles, however.  Take a look at just about anything in the Star or Vulcan lines and you will see much the same.

Sometimes appearances are deceiving, and marketing has little to do with real-world application.  If more riders rode more miles, you would see the demand for real comfort in motorcycle seats increase, I expect.”

-        Dave Hembroff

So, once again, the right preparation can make for a better riding experience.  I hope that this article will help those of you who do a little distance riding, or have experienced the sore butt problem.  If you’ve experienced the pain and it has kept you away from any of our long distance rides – solve the problem, and come ride with us … a long way!

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

The 123's of the ABC's of Touring

Just thought I should post something in this blog. They are really modern day journals, right? So as this riding season comes to an end, I wanted to talk about the HOG ABC's of Touring. each year, HOG (Harley Owners Group) sponsors a contest that is open to all members free of charge (or included in your membership fee, whatever makes you feel better!). You have one calendar year from January 1 to december 31 to take as many photographs of your motorcycle in different locations as possible. You receive one point for every town sign from A-Z (so 26 maximum points for this)
John Hardison gathering points on his Harley
and one point for every County A-Z (so another 26 maximum points)
John Hardison gathering points on his Harley
You also receive one point for every State sign, regardless of alphabet.
John Hardison gathering points on his Harley
Notice in each picture there is a magazine clipped to my motorcycle. To prove that you aren't just re-cycling pictures from previous years, you must use a HOG magazine from that calendar year in every photograph you take. Your motorcycle must also appear so they can see yo're not just using other people's pictures. Finally, you must appear in at least 6 of the photos, proving you were there and it is your bike.
John Hardison getting an ABC point for a Harley dealership
Bonus pictures are available, such as up to 5 pictures of National Parks, 5 National Forests, 10 unigue Harley-Davidson dealerships, most of the Harley-Davidson manufactuing plants/offices, and countries.
John Hardison gathering points for the ABC's of Touring
What do the points get you? Well, it is tiered. Just 26 points usually gets you a patch or a pin saying you entered the contest. But gather more points and you gather more prizes. Tiers are usually increments of 10 points. In 2015 the point tiers top out at 77 points. If you collect that many, you earn all the prizes available that year. They change the prizes each year to keep you wanting to do it again. 

77 points may not seem like much, but just think about where you are right now and how many points you could get in a day of riding. How many states are you really close to? How many different counties? Do you know any cities that start with an X, a Y, or a Z? How far a drive is the nearest National Forest? What if you wanted to get all 5, how far would you have to go? You can see that accumulating points may seem easy, but in reality it is not. Part of the challenge is researching where the letters are that you need and developing an efficient route to take you to several in a day. Or plan a weekend trip to get a dozen points.

If you own a Harley, and you enjoy getting on your bike and riding all day, this may be a good contest for you. You can check out the official HOG membership benefit page here

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John Hardison is an avid Harley-Davidson rider and has been entering the ABC's of Touring contest for more than 10 years.