in planning » Ideal Daily Tour Distance

The subject I chose for this is a bit of a misnomer, as there is no ideal. But just wondering what folks' ideal daily touring distance is, as I am currently planning a jaunt up north and into Scotland. I usually aim for about 200 miles a day, as I feel that is a good balance of riding and stops to see the sights and have breaks etc. But my planned days are edging into the 230-240 mark. I know it's like a piece of string, you can have a long day on easy roads of 250 miles no problem, and set off earlier. Conversely a day of 150 could be knackering due to nadgery roads etc, or you can have a reasonable day where incidents along the way just tire you out. I know some people will set off and just see how it goes, I prefer to have a bit of a plan and a destination in mind, hotel bookings made.

Wow. I plan AT LEAST 500 miles/day if I'm going a distance. I actually plan for 10-hour days (depart at 6:00 am and stop by 4:00 pm). So, 500 is a good guess for planning the day. Since I allow time for gas stops and scenic spots I intend to visit, going by 10 hours does nicely.

I think that time rather than mileage in a day it is how many hours in the saddle is ok for you?.

Currently winter and I wait for dry roads, especially after all the salt spreading, and 2 to 3 hours is fine to keep my skills or bike getting too many cobwebs.
Holidays can excede 400 mile daily once I have had a few longer days getting back some endurance..

My eurotunnel trips across europe start with two 450 miles days and day 3 is 200 miles interrupted by a ferry but each day is 10 to 12 hours.
This has been fine on the last 4 trips and return days via Sweden can easily be 500 miles in relaxed comfort for me after a few weeks travel.
10 to 12 hours in Norway around 250 miles is a long day with 50mph/80kph limits but nothing to do and all day to do it is fine.
Although 20 plus hours of daylight does trick you when you're still riding in sunshine at 9pm, let alone the arctic circle at midnight!

The pressure comes when you have a timetable "must get to!" and then are you "rushing towards an accident or away from one?"
Making sure I stop for food and water each time I refuel gives a reasonable break anyway.

My son and I have easily driven 400/450 miles, Devon to Ayr and Middlesborough in a day, early 6am start each day, before dealership closures to change his cars.
Overnight hotel and drive home next day with a new car (both times it was cheaper to get the car/model/spec "up t'north" than locally)
Again two long days but not something I would plan for many more days without a lower mileage or rest day.
Lovely scenery in Scotland back from Ayr to Gretna A76 but it seems you now have to choose another touring route north rather than the herds following route 500 anyway?

It's easy to map out 4 hours @ 75mph but find out your average speed is nearer to 60 with traffic and fuel stops takes 5 or 6 hours.
The way average speed cameras, road works and congestion are in the uk I now prefer longer trips in europe.
MY holiday starts with our house in my mirrors as I ride off, not at my destination and more time riding is why the trips are taken.

Wow. I plan AT LEAST 500 miles/day if I'm going a distance.

Is that when the satnav states "in 500 miles turn right?"

I think our US cousins are more used to pounding out long distances to get to the interesting bits.

In UK - and most of Europe - we're into the good stuff in no time.

Relatively speaking.

As above, pounding the motorways is sometimes a necessary evil to get to somewhere more interesting. It's doable, but very boring.

No 2 days the same.

I'm happy to set out before 7am on a sunny summer's days for a loop of 300 miles or more and be home for tea.

On tour, it's more of a leisurely start and late afternoon finish. Depends where I want to stop, visit points of interest.

Last year my 18 day Euro trip averaged 154 miles. Longest day was 265 miles on interesting roads in Germany.

(yes, I keep a log of daily miles, places, fuel, etc)

500 USA miles are certainly different than uk 500 miles (does a ton of lead weigh the same as a ton of feathers?)

Exeter, England, via 'our' Bristol, Wrexham "Ryan Reynolds" Wales, Gretna Green to Glasgow Scotland - three countries 500 miles

Exeter Calais France, through Belgium, Holland to Dortmund Germany 5 countires 500 miles

Then USA -

Bristol to New York 600 miles route 81

OR a weekend in Memphis 540 miles from Bristol on route 40- just to get 'out of state'

Is that correct - usa roads 'even' numbers' east west' and 'north south' routes get 'odd numbers'

Zitat von Dave H im Beitrag #5

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Wow. I plan AT LEAST 500 miles/day if I'm going a distance.

Is that when the satnav states "in 500 miles turn right?"

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I drove out of Mammoth in California to get back to LA once and the Sat Nav did actually tell me to stay on the road for the next 200 miles! 😁

Zitat von Dave H im Beitrag #7

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500 USA miles are certainly different than uk 500 miles (does a ton of lead weigh the same as a ton of feathers?)

Exeter, England, via 'our' Bristol, Wrexham "Ryan Reynolds" Wales, Gretna Green to Glasgow Scotland - three countries 500 miles

Exeter Calais France, through Belgium, Holland to Dortmund Germany 5 countires 500 miles

Then USA -

Bristol to New York 600 miles route 81

OR a weekend in Memphis 540 miles from Bristol on route 40- just to get 'out of state'

Is that correct - usa roads 'even' numbers' east west' and 'north south' routes get 'odd numbers'

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((((I don't tend to have a mileage in mind. I estimate the time a journey will take on the route I have in mind. I don't like to set off too early and I like to get to my hotel so that I can take a shower and have a beer or two before dinner. 10am start, 4pm in hotel, pre-prandial drinks from 5pm is the way I like it nowadays. ))))

I like wessie's kind of trip the best ....

There so many places to ride here you can go on a Saturday ride, chock up over 500 miles, get snowed on in july, and never even come close to a state border ...lol
The most I road in one day on the /5 was right around 950 miles, Steamboat Springs to Ontario Oregon and not the most direct way either and with one 2 hour break.
Now I just like to doddle ... no need to hurry .... I also will stop and do some rockhounding at times, at's all good fun ....

Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #10

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(Birthplace of the Link Simulator). .

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Zitat von paleolithictech im Beitrag #11

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10am start, 4pm in hotel, ...

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Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #12

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Zitat von Mr. 36654 im Beitrag #10

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(Birthplace of the Link Simulator). .

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Had to look that up :)

What is a link simulator?

The Link Trainer, also known as the Blue Box and Pilot Trainer was a flight simulator produced between the early 1930's based on technology pioneered in 1929 by Edwin Albert Link. These simulators became famous during World War II, when they were used as a key pilot training aid by almost every combatant nation.

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Zitat von Lee im Beitrag #13

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Zitat von paleolithictech im Beitrag #11

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10am start, 4pm in hotel, ...

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When we first started touring I liked hitting the road at first light and Debbie preferred the crack of noon.

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