Long trip advice

[Baffler186]

Hi all,

I have a wedding to go to in Ipswich in October, and I live in Plymouth. That's 326 miles. Now, I don't want to Bus it for 8.5 hours, nor pay through the nose to go on the train (and I also have a fear of the Tube). Flights are out, as I could only fly to Norwich and there aren't any flights on that day.

So options are hire car, or go on the bike.

I really want to do a long trip on the bike for the jollies and experience of it all. Obviously if it's Arctic or pissing down then I'd hire a car, but in fine weather is it doable? I'd be going up on Saturday morning, and returning Sunday morning, hangover permitting.

Thoughts please?

Oh, and I'll just be carrying breakdown cover, phone, wallet, possibly spare socks.
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[pepperami]

Bring your bike lock as there is not a lot of secure parking for bikes in Ipswich.
Bike theft is no worse than anywhere else in the country.

Having Ridden to and from Penzance a few times.
I can say that the A30 isn't all that bad for someone on a bike.

The A12 is a horrible road populated by hateful c*nts, once you get past Colchester, things calm down a bit.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[Amber Phoenix]

Perfectly doable.

Wear textiles or pack a waterproof over suit, just in case.

Plan your route, I usually try to avoid the motorways as they're so boring. Scribble down a list of roads numbers and sequence of towns you want to head through and tape it to you tank or keep somewhere handy to consult on route. Spend some time on Google Maps, check out the street view for many of the big junctions or turn offs you think might catch you out. You probably won't remember all, but it's a good visual memoir for when you fly past and twig you need to double back...

Being skint, I usually plan out the cheapest petrol stations within about 50 miles of my bikes range.

Budget on plenty of stops, at least every 100 miles. If only to stretch legs, have a drink, down a snickers and empty bladder. Pack drink and munchies (cereal bars etc).

Take some base layers, in case weather turns, if not on way, but on return.

Take something to clean visor, for use on route or before you set off home again.

Do do you usual pre-rides checks, oil, tyre pressure, lights etc (and main beam if you dunna normally use it). Lube up chain before you go. Make sure nowt is on way out: brake pads, tyre treads etc.

Go steady on unfamiliar roads, you don't know where the speed cams are hidden.

Overall, assuming it's not pissing down, should be a damned good ride.
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[Matt B]

You are going to a wedding in your bike gear, no suit or shirt or anything?

It's a fair slog and none too exciting - M5, M4, M25... TBH if I was going to plan a (long) trip I wouldn't choose that for it. Don't think there will be too many jollies and excitement to be had. Wouldn't want to drag my arse back 5.5 hours with a hangover on the bike next day either.

If you do, then the Fazer will be fine for it but plan to stop twice on the way.
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Amber Phoenix]

Yeah avoid the A12 West of Colchester, dull and full of crap drivers. I'd cut north via Bishops Stortford, bit less M25 and Greater London. A route a bit like this:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Plymouth,+UK/Ipswich,+Suffolk,+UK/@51.3909778,-0.9575519,8z/data=!4m29!4m28!1m20!1m1!1s0x486c8d530e95ea3d:0x3b282cb5cef58593!2m2!1d-4.1426565!2d50.3754565!3m4!1m2!1d-1.9490683!2d51.15992!3s0x4873c333c16ea947:0xf3ffd541ebaa810f!3m4!1m2!1d-0.1905403!2d51.7747689!3s0x48763b530ab21055:0x4feff00594469fad!3m4!1m2!1d0.2574434!2d51.8749379!3s0x47d88e47a51a3fe7:0x8c7cea91fd8a85fe!1m5!1m1!1s0x47d907861ed5d887:0x33ddc3ac7d2d42a9!2m2!1d1.14822!2d52.056736!3e0
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Beginner Biker Adventures Blog
Yamaha FZ6 S2 2007

[Snorty]

Motorway riding is one the most boring things possible.

When I go up to Scotland I take the A68 because it has bends and requires thought. Goes much quicker.
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Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[Baffler186]

Thanks all.

I'm staying at a mate's Dad's so hopefully will have a garage or garden to lock up bike, but I'll certainly take some lockage with me.

It's more of a delayed wedding celebration so was planning on just wearing shirt and tie under my textiles (I don't have big luggage and want to avoid a massive rucksack). This will also stop me getting too cold I hope.

TBH the type of roads don't bother me, it's more a case of a) finding my way and b) hoping it won't be a massive shock as my longest ride to date is about 2 hours (but that was without a break).

Cheers all, will take note of your advice and hopefully it will remain dry.
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[Snorty]

I put music in to make the journeys like that more tolerable.

Just stop every so often to stretch your legs and it's relatively easy. Hope there are no 50 stretches... The M1 here is an absolute joke.
____________________
Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[Matt B]

[thewhyoffry]

I did my first 290 mile journey a couple of weekends ago, it wasn't as bad as I thought. I planned on taking the A roads but ended up taking the motorway (Watford to Cornwall,) I quite enjoy motorway riding. Just took two stops, one for breakfast and a cuppa and another short one for petrol and to stretch my legs. Numb arse and a bit of a sore back but nothing that wasn't gone after an hour on a sofa.

Enjoy!
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The why of fry

[Celera]

[thx1138]