Riding tips: How to stay alert on the road
We can’t control other motorists on the road, but use these top tips to ensure you’re as alert as possible
1) Sleep like a baby
Fully rested is the best condition to begin a long ride or trip. That means getting a full night’s sleep before departure, as well as beginning the day’s ride at a realistic time (rather than at the crack of dawn).
2) Ditch the freeway
The more interesting the route – those that require more mental engagement and use of the motorcycle’s brakes, gears, and steering – the more engaged we’ll be as riders. Likewise, many riders claim that they stay more alert when they refrain from using cruise control. This means taking the winding back roads, which are more enjoyable than the hypnotic drone of freeway miles and more likely to keep you alert.
3) Stop before it’s needed
A surefire way to ride so long that you get tired is to ride so long that you get tired. Think about that for a minute, then break the habit by stopping before tiredness sets in, via planned stopping points at distances that are short enough that they don’t induce tiredness (every two hours or less). This is particularly important when riding in a group, where different riders will have varying stretches during which they’re likely to stay alert.
4) Move that body
When you do stop, exercise lightly for a few minutes by walking or stretching. This will stimulate both your body and mind, with a lasting effect. As a bonus, walking a block or two through a new town will increase the likelihood of seeing something interesting or striking up a conversation with someone new, either of which are the source of adventure that most of us seek on a motorcycle.
5) Drink like a fish
Yes, drink water like you’re a fish. And yes, this means you’ll need to make frequent pit stops, which is precisely the point. Think of it as a forced positive feedback loop. It also means that you’re less likely to become dehydrated, which can lead to dizziness and a slower reaction time.
6) Eat like a bird
Eating large carbohydrate-heavy meals will give you a big, quick shot of sugar, but can also lead to a sugar crash that’s exacerbated by long energy-sapping digestion. Instead, eat like a bird. That means having smaller, more frequent meals of primarily protein (nuts, meat, beans, dairy), which produce a longer and more sustainable energy supply. And by eating small amounts, you’ll avoid that couch-crashing slumber that occurs after you eat a gut-busting portion.
7) Nap when needed
Human beings are hard-wired to need naps, although most of us short circuit this wiring through various coping mechanisms. If drowsiness begins to affect your trip, pulling over into a suitable location and taking a short nap will take you off the road at a time when you need it, and recharge your system for the remainder of the day’s ride.
8) Communicate
Riders who use electronic communication systems to converse occasionally with a riding partner report feeling more alert and engaged. Even the simple act of waving to other riders can be enough to stimulate your mind and body into greater alertness. As a bonus, your courtesy waves to other motorists will make you a leading ambassador for improved relationships with all road users.
9) Pass for position
Sitting behind another motorist for a long period of time can lull your brain into a dull form of cruise control. Avoid that trap by moving ahead of other motorists as necessary to more fully engage your senses and alertness.
10) Don’t fight the wind
A key strategy for reducing fatigue is to eliminate its source. Wind is a primary source of fatigue for motorcyclists, both as audible noise and a tiring force against your torso. Wearing earplugs and a full-face helmet, as well as utilizing a windscreen, will reduce the impact of wind and keep you fresher for longer.
Story by John Sandberg
First published in Issue 039 of HOG® magazine.
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