Planning a multi-day ride

A good multi-day ride starts with preparation, although anyone who has spent a few days living off their bike knows that plans only carry you so far.

Some of the best moments come from a road you hadn’t noticed on the map, a hot tip from someone at a servo, or a last-minute decision to follow a quieter stretch that looks inviting.

Preparation gives you the confidence to roll with those moments without losing control of your overall plan.

Longer trips place different demands on a rider, so it helps to get the basics sorted early. For example, thinking about the distances you want to cover, how often you’d prefer to stop, and which sections are better tackled in the cooler, calmer parts of the day.

Tell someone what you’re planning, carry the essentials, and make choices that keep the ride consistent rather than rushed.

When you give yourself a structure without locking everything down, multi-day rides tend to find a flow. You stay focused on the scenery, the corners, and the people you meet instead of trying to troubleshoot problems that could have been handled before you left.

Before you start thinking about fuel stops or daily distances, settle on the broad shape of the ride. It might be a straight run from home to a set destination for a pre-planned event, or the ride itself might be the main event with a loop that brings you back to where you started.

When you know how the trip begins and ends, it becomes easier to break the distance into workable sections.

Once you’ve decided, you can work out how much time you want to spend on the bike each day, where you’ll stop, and which parts of the route you’d prefer to tackle in the morning while you’re fresh rather than in the afternoon when fatigue starts to creep in.

The type of trip you’re doing – whether you’re riding solo or with a group – affects how long the trip will take.

Extra riders add time to every stop, from gearing up and fuelling up, to ordering lunch and even the overall pace of the ride when you’re moving. Groups tend to move more slowly overall, and distances that feel manageable on your own often take longer when you’re riding with more people.

With a rough outline in place, it becomes easier to set your pace, plan your stops and, importantly, leave room for those unexpected detours that make rides truly memorable.

Fuel is the one thing that’s going to keep you moving, so it makes sense to plan at least some reliable stops along your route.

A bike’s fuel range can vary for all sorts of reasons – including wrong turns – so give yourself a buffer rather than relying on the most optimistic number you’ve seen on the dash.

Regional servos can have limited trading hours or sit a short distance off the main road, so a quick check before you leave never hurts.

A common rule among riders is to fill up before you reach your accommodation for the night. That way you start the next morning with a full tank and avoid waiting for a servo for it to open or queuing behind the breakfast rush.

Speaking of breakfast, a good tip is to start with a coffee and then get an hour or so down the road before stopping for food. It gives you a jump on the day and an extra rest stop if you’ve got some big distances to tick off.

Instead of stopping again later for a separate break, use the fuel stop to rehydrate and refocus while the tank fills. It keeps the day flowing and helps you avoid the stop-start pattern that can quickly eat into your timing.

Also, if you’re riding through areas where wildlife becomes more active in the late afternoon, set an arrival time that keeps you off the road as the light fades.

On multi-day rides, time off the bike is just as important as time on it, so choosing the right accommodation matters.

Many motels, pubs and holiday parks understand what riders need and will happily point you to a spot where the bike can sit under cover or behind a gate. Some even have lock-up areas or a space out the back where the bike stays out of sight.

Think about timing, as well as location.

Arriving before the light fades also gives you time to dry gear, charge devices, and sort out anything small that needs attention before the next morning.

Staying somewhere close to food and fuel makes the end of the day a bit easier, too.

The last place you want to find yourself stranded is two days from home, so a few pre-ride checks are well worth it.

Check tyre wear and pressure, chain tension, brake pad life, fluid levels, and lights. If a service is approaching, bring it forward so you’re not thinking about it halfway through the trip.

Luggage also changes how a bike feels, so pack it properly and make sure everything sits securely without rubbing or shifting. Heavier items should sit closest to the bike to keep the weight balanced.

In a seat bag, that usually means placing them at the bottom. In panniers, keep the heavy pieces toward the inside edge so the weight stays close to the bike rather than hanging out wide.

Tools and small repair items can save you from a long wait on the side of the road. Pack a puncture repair kit, inflator, spare fuses, tape and basic multitools; they’ll most likely cover you in case of any roadside problems.

Also add a compact first-aid kit, a hydration pack and a power bank for your phone.

It’s also worth carrying offline maps in case reception drops in remote areas.

For all these items, ensure to pack them where you can reach them without unpacking half the bike.

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