Advice for a long ride

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hi all, been riding my bandit since last July and clocked up 4000miles to date, but only through short rides and communting. Still very much a newbie.
Tomorrow am travelling to Liverpool for a few days. Weather should be Ok although the sun is low. Going A465 to |hereford and A49 to Chester. Any advice on how to tackle a long ride? Planning to take my time and have a few stops but any other suggestions welcome

[UK Bike Forum Member]

When you stop to eat, allow yourself a good half hour or so before jumping back on the bike... Otherwise you'll get that sleepy/sluggish feeling and your reaction times will suffer.

Try to recognise signs of tiredness in yourself (sounds easy but its surprising how many people can't tell) and take your breaks as and when required, even if it's only for a quick reality check. DON'T limit yourself to X amount of breaks, as you'll start pushing yourself to the next planned stop.

Enjoy it, I ride to London occasionally and even though it's the M4, it can still be pleasant in good weather! 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

.........and don't drink coffee, it's a Diuretic (Makes you pee a lot)...........

Good point that. I always regret drinking coffee when out on the bike (and I live on the stuff). Three layers of leather / thermals etc. with various buttons/buckles/zips can be a real pain with frozen fingers. You don't want to be stopping every 20 miles.

Andy.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Wear earplugs!

And don't go that way.    Go via Terry's (burger van on Brecon Beacons. Past Storey Arms towards brecon and he's on the right on a sharp s bend) Have breakfast there, then Brecon, Builth Wells, Llandrindod Wells, Newtown, Welshpool, Oswestry, and dinner at the Ponda Rosa cafe just North of Llangollen. Liverpool's not far off then. Be careful on the 483, there's a few bends that tighten up on that road.

Proper biking route  And yeah, take a camera.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Visor wipes of some kind (helps to see where you are going)

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Hi all, been riding my bandit since last July and clocked up 4000miles to date, but only through short rides and communting. Still very much a newbie.
Tomorrow am travelling to Liverpool for a few days. Weather should be Ok although the sun is low. Going A465 to |hereford and A49 to Chester. Any advice on how to tackle a long ride? Planning to take my time and have a few stops but any other suggestions welcome

yep go that way , fuck the 470 the leominster to shrewsbury a49 is one of my favourite roads i used to ride that all the time , stop in ludlow town square for a cuppa and then again near whitchurch theres a nice little cafe as you cross the canal by the bridge

[UK Bike Forum Member]

A banana in the tank bag I always find handy... just gives you a "lift" only other thing I would say is make sure ur bike is checked over all fluid levels and tyre pressures.... other than that as said above... enjoy the ride.... take ur time. I have to agree with Steve... A483 is def an awesome road... but it does get more twisty and technical as it goes on so don't get over confident with the lovely open sweeping start if you go that way cos the last half before Newtown is pretty narrow and twisty. (if you eventually go that way)

[UK Bike Forum Member]

If you go up that way watch out for the Traffic Taliban

[UK Bike Forum Member]

You lucky bugger, you have a great route just about whichever way you choose, dress warmer than you would normally, drink plenty of water and remember the corner rule slow in fast out, if you begin to get chilly have a break and run up and down to warm up. pace will come automatically, do not feel pressured to ride fast, stay in your comfort zone. enjoy, people travel halfway across the world to get roads like these 
Stewart

[UK Bike Forum Member]

I can't believe we're giving someone advice on how to get to fuckin Liverpool!!

[UK Bike Forum Member]

I can't believe we're giving someone advice on how to get to fuckin Liverpool!!

Liverpool    The father land


THIS IS ANFIELD TILL I DIE

[UK Bike Forum Member]

I went out last night and when I got back my eldest asked me if I'd gone to liverpool. I couldn't work out where on earth he got the idea from, then remembered I'd left the computer running on this page! 

[UK Bike Forum Member]

cheers all. Sticking to original route as its the one i know best. taken on board break stops, food/drink and ear plugs...oh and the camera is charged.
Quite impressed you stayed on topic so long, Liverpool is the family home so i'll have no problem there Happy to bring back 'spares'...put your orders in now!!!
Got space on the pillion seat lozzypop
Ride safe.

[UK Bike Forum Member]

Well, first time on here and I have learnt a lot.  Thanks guys