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If the longest ride you have ever taken is 300 miles in a day, don't plan a trip with a string of endless five-
hundred mile days. Iron Butt Association surveys also warn of an important trend in long distance trip
planning (see Chart A). Discounting weather or other problems; after an initial mileage peak on days one
and two, daily average mileage will steadily drop during trip days three to seven. On day seven of a trip,
the typical long distance rider will comfortably ride about 65% of the average daily mileage that they
would book on a two day trip. If the pros have this type of mileage attrition rate, would you plan on any
less?
Also include large easy-to-cut loops into your trip plan. If you do get behind schedule, this is the easiest
way to skip part of your trip without ruining the rest of it.
Whether you are capable of riding 300 miles per day, or 1,000, the ability to make miles tends to decrease
as the length of the trip increases. The most severe loss is in days 3 through 7, where Iron Butt types then
level out to about 65% of their peak capacity.
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