Re: How should I prepare for my first 400km long ride?

Thread approved.

Re: How should I prepare for my first 400km long ride?

Are we talking about a bicycle ride? or a Motorbike ride?

In either cases, what is your ride?

Re: How should I prepare for my first 400km long ride?

No,on a motorcycle

Re: How should I prepare for my first 400km long ride?

Forgot to add motorcycle ride in question!! Pls don't mind the ambiguity

Re: How should I prepare for my first 400km long ride?

I ride a fz25

Re: How should I prepare for my first 400km long ride?

By not being so fit what do you mean? Health issues?
What kind of roads will you be travelling on?

Re: How should I prepare for my first 400km long ride?

Youtube training guide https://youtu.be/B_9FyTiq3SA?t=24


Seriously though, as pointed out by other posters, what kinds of roads will you be riding on, and what do you mean by not so fit?

400 km of national highways (on a reasonably fast bike) by your average, out-of-shape, sedentary office worker is not too bad. You will be tired by the end of the day, but it's totally doable and will not take a superhuman effort.

400 km of offroad in one day would kill an Olympic level athlete.

400 km of bad (but sealed) roads, eg Bihar state 'highways' is an extremely tiring day for an experienced long distance rider (someone who can do back to back 600km to 800km Indian highway days easily).


As far as physical fatigue goes, my estimation of how tiring long distance riding can be is:

Good highways with little to moderate traffic - Equivalent to a slow walk, with plenty of breaks to stop and smell the roses.
Bad roads, or heavy stop and go city traffic with loaded bike (saddle bags, passenger, etc.) - Equivalent to a medium to brisk walk.
Off road - Equivalent to brisk walk to a slow jog, with periods of sprinting.


You can 'prepare' by doing some light cardio like going for an evening walk/jog. Doing exercises to strengthen your core (like planks) also helps, especially if you bike has a sportier posture. But honestly, the best preparation is to get out and ride.


When you are on the ride, be sure to stop every hour or so and stretch. Also drink plenty of water whenever you stop. This will keep you hydrated and also remind you to stop an hour later.