[adouglas]

Since we're on the topic of long rides, a couple of tips that will GREATLY help your endurance:

1) Stop every hour and get off the bike even if you don't think you need to. Just for a minute or two... walk and stretch.

2) If you're riding multiple days in a row, don't overdo it on any one day. 300-400 miles is plenty. If you find yourself thinking that you really want it to be over, you've passed your personal endurance limit. Try to plan so you never quite get to that point.

3) Try not to force the timeline. Leave lots of time for a liesurely lunch and breaks. "Get-there-itis" is not only miserable, it increases risk because you're pushing when you're tired.