Riding tips

Before you think about how far you can ride, make sure you understand what you're riding. Learn how to use the controls, how the brakes work, the different riding modes, how to select gears, the fuel range and the warning lights. Know how the bike behaves when you accelerate, brake and turn.

Check regularly:

• Tyre condition and pressure
• Engine oil and coolant levels
• Brakes and brake fluid
• Chain, belt or shaft drive
• Lights and indicators
• Battery condition
• Fuel level and estimated range
• Mirrors and controls

A well-maintained bike means you'll have one less thing to worry about on the road.

Experience isn't about how hard you ride. A rider who knows their own limits is usually safer than one trying to show off. Build up distance and complexity slowly. If your longest ride has been a few hundred kilometres, don't suddenly plan an extreme long ride without preparing for the physical and mental demands.

Long-distance riding groups often say it's important to know your own limits and plan accordingly. Your goal should not be to finish every ride exactly as planned. Your goal should be to finish safely.

Good riders don't look dramatic. They smoothly use the throttle, brake carefully, are predictable in traffic and don't waste movements.

• Avoid unnecessary speeding up or hard braking.
• Ride at a pace that gives you time to notice, think and react.
• On a long ride, consistency is more important than speed.
• High speeds don't really help with long-distance riding.
• Ride at a pace that leaves room for unexpected things.

Your bike can only do what you see. Train yourself to look beyond the vehicle in front of you. Watch intersections, road surfaces, parked cars, pedestrians, animals, merging traffic and traffic lights.

Look for clues:

• What is happening?
• What could happen next?
• What will I do if it does?

This habit turns riding from reacting to anticipating.

Never assume another road user has seen you. Don't ride next to vehicles for too long. Be careful especially around big vehicles like trucks, buses and large SUVs because they have big blind spots. Whenever possible, make sure there's space around your bike so you can move if another vehicle suddenly changes direction. Space is one of your most important safety tools.

When you approach a corner, have a plan, not just hope. Slow down before entering if needed, look through the turn and keep your inputs controlled. Don't go into a corner faster than your vision and experience allow. Blind corners need extra care because you can't see what's ahead.

The road may be empty. It may also have gravel, standing water, a broken-down car, an animal or another rider. Ride according to what you can see.

Not all hazards look dangerous from a distance.

Watch for:

• Gravel and loose stones
• Sand
• Mud
• Oil or diesel leaks
• Wet leaves
• Potholes
• Road repairs
• Metal surfaces
• Painted road markings
• Standing water
• Uneven pavement

Different surfaces need different levels of caution. When there's less traction, smooth throttle and braking are especially important.

Fatigue is one of the biggest dangers on a long ride because it gradually makes you less alert, less focused and slower to react.

Don't wait until you're struggling to stay awake. Warning signs include drifting attention, missing road signs, forgetting how far you've ridden, having trouble staying on your line, yawning often and acting differently than usual.

If you're tired, stop.

The Iron Saddle Society clearly says you can't just push through fatigue with willpower or stimulants. If you're tired, the best thing is to stop and rest. No destination is worth risking your ability to ride safely.

Riding requires focus, and not having enough water can impact both your body and your mind. Drink often, instead of waiting until you're thirsty.

Take time to eat and be aware of how you feel during the ride.

When it comes to long rides, staying hydrated is especially important because sometimes you don't feel thirsty until you're already dehydrated.

Your bike has a fuel gauge. But you also need to check how much fuel you have left.

A route is more than just a line on a map. Before you start, think about:

• How far you're going and how long it will take
• Where you can refuel
• The weather
• Road conditions
• Traffic
• Places to rest
• Back-up routes
• Emergency numbers
• Your phone signal
• Where you'll stay if needed

Make your plan flexible. A good route plan should help you decide what to do, rather than making you push forward even when things change.

Navigation tools are very helpful, but they aren't perfect. A GPS might suggest a road that is technically open but not good for your bike, hard to ride in bad weather, or just uncomfortable.

Before you start, check the route and use your own judgment while riding. If the road ahead doesn't look right, stop somewhere safe and think again. A navigation device can plan a route, but it can't understand every situation.

You're not the only one using the road. Cars, trucks, buses, pedestrians, cyclists, and other bikers all have different needs and limitations. Don't ride recklessly just because another driver made an error.

Give space, be clear, and expect mistakes. Being polite isn't a weakness; it's part of managing risk.

This might be the most important riding skill.

Weather can change, roads can close, your bike can break, you can get tired, or the ride can take longer than expected. Your safety always comes first, no matter how important your original plan was.

The Iron Saddle Society says that arriving home safely is more important than finishing the ride.

Turn back. Stop for the night. Find a new route. Ask for help.

There will always be another ride. But there won't be another life.

Every ride teaches you something. After finishing, ask yourself:

• What worked well?
• What surprised me?
• When did I get tired?
• What gear did I actually use?
• What should I have done differently?
• What would I change next time?

Keep notes on long trips. Over time, these notes become your personal guide.

The best riders never stop learning.