The Science of Adventure Motorcycling

[samueleuk]

Hi guys

I have started a blog on the scientific aspects of adventure motorcycling. I will regularly post tips and advice about nutrition, pre-expedition training, how to keep fit whilst travelling, and how to reduce physical and mental fatigue. This information should be useful to people planning a trip, hence posting in this section of the forum.

I will also keep you up-to-date with research relevant to adventure motorcycling, and with my scientific expeditions.

If you are interested, here is the link:

http://adventure-motorcycling.blogspot.co.uk/

Have a look, and let me know what you think. I am happy to answer any question you may have, but please use my blog to pose your questions on nutrition, training, fatigue etc.

Thanks

Sam

[Flashmo]

There is some interesting stuff, so far...

[lhendrik]

Excellent reading so far. I would be interested in reading about the intersection of exercise physiology and aging, as I am now 63 and still actively riding. While I can see the positive mental benefits of riding I am concerned about my ability to handle a heavy machine as I age.

[Arte]

I did the Tiredness Test with 4 coronas inside and got 249 score... I'll try with Indio later....

Originally Posted by samueleuk

Hi guys

I have started a blog on the scientific aspects of adventure motorcycling. I will regularly post tips and advice about nutrition, pre-expedition training, how to keep fit whilst travelling, and how to reduce physical and mental fatigue. This information should be useful to people planning a trip, hence posting in this section of the forum.

I will also keep you up-to-date with research relevant to adventure motorcycling, and with my scientific expeditions.

If you are interested, here is the link:

http://adventure-motorcycling.blogspot.co.uk/

Have a look, and let me know what you think. I am happy to answer any question you may have, but please use my blog to pose your questions on nutrition, training, fatigue etc.

Thanks

Sam

[samueleuk]

Originally Posted by lhendrik

Excellent reading so far. I would be interested in reading about the intersection of exercise physiology and aging, as I am now 63 and still actively riding. While I can see the positive mental benefits of riding I am concerned about my ability to handle a heavy machine as I age.

Thanks for the positive feedback.

With regards to your question, you are right: aging is characterized by a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, a process scientists call "sarcopenia". So, as we age, our ability to handle an heavy bike is certainly reduced.

The good news is that even very old people can increase their strength by resistance training. Therefore, you can compensate your age (or even get stronger than young untrained people) by regularly performing resistance exercises. In a future post on my blog, I will show the most important resistance exercises for adventure bike riders.

if you have further questions in the future, please post them on my blog. I will reply ASAP

Sam

[TwoShots]

Originally Posted by samueleuk

So, as we age, our ability to handle an heavy bike is certainly reduced.

The good news is that even very old people can increase their strength by resistance training. Therefore, you can compensate your age (or even get stronger than young untrained people) by regularly performing resistance exercises.

Or get a lighter motorcycle.

[Midnightventure]

i am 56 and still play basketball weekly. About 7 years ago I started lifting weights.With my long arms I am never going to set any records but except for my jumping I am playing better than I did in my 30s. I can get to loose balls that everybody thinks are going out. I have also came close to dropping my 860 lb bike and managed to hold it up at an angle I never could have before starting at the gym. I recommend light lifting for anybody that is older and concerned about continueing to do what they enjoy.

[skibum69]

gladdens my heart, turning 45 next month and having a tough time staying motivated to train regularly. Strength still seems to be there, but for how long?

[Cromoth]

Hanging upside down seems to help feel younger. Nice blog, btw.
Can't believe I'm older than skibum!

[Scott1911]

I can digg it. going in the bookmarks, keep it up!

[Epoch of Entropy]

I think that getting into some tips and advice about how to reduce fatigue and injuries would be good. Fatigue is a bad thing, and presents a risk of injury and reduced reflexes when trying to put miles down. Maybe getting a physical therapist involved would be a good thing.

I often get the stabbing pain behind my right shoulder blade, which is relatively common. Is this known, and are there ways to combat it?

What's the science behind monkey butt?

Is there a stretch routine that will loosen up commonly used/unused muscle groups that can wear a rider out?

[samueleuk]

Hi guys

if you have any question, please post it on my blog. I will get back to you ASAP

Thanks

Sam

[Klay]

Originally Posted by samueleuk

Hi guys

if you have any question, please post it on my blog. I will get back to you ASAP

Thanks

Sam

Can you please address questions that you may receive from this forum here rather than diverting attention elsewhere? Thank you.

[wbbnm]

Good info.

I am certain that my off road riding puts me in much better shape than the general population.

I decided to quit playing basketball at 50 (66 now). I found that my reflexes had just deteriorated too much. And I was playing with a somewhat younger crowd.

I do a lot of single track riding in addition to Adventure riding. This really helps develop riding skills.

Unfortunately I am somewhat limited in not being particularly athletic. I think the derogatory term is "uncoordinated".

I would love to be able to pop a wheelie and go up a 2 foot ledge on any kind of bike, but I just don't see it happening.

[samueleuk]

Originally Posted by Epoch of Entropy

I think that getting into some tips and advice about how to reduce fatigue and injuries would be good. Fatigue is a bad thing, and presents a risk of injury and reduced reflexes when trying to put miles down. Maybe getting a physical therapist involved would be a good thing.

I often get the stabbing pain behind my right shoulder blade, which is relatively common. Is this known, and are there ways to combat it?

What's the science behind monkey butt?

Is there a stretch routine that will loosen up commonly used/unused muscle groups that can wear a rider out?

If you follow my blog, in the future you will find answers to most of your questions (not sure about the monkey butt though... ah ahaha). In fact, I will describe in various articles my preparation for a long trip between London and Bejing, through the southern Silk Road and Tibet. This preparation will include work with sport therapists to prevent common injuries and pains. You should find this information useful.

In future posts I will also provide some further information on how to reduce fatigue, specifically mental fatigue. One way to reduce it is to make sure you are always well hydrated (http://adventure-motorcycling.blogsp...ion-level.html) because even mild dehydration can impair your reflexes (http://adventure-motorcycling.blogsp...es-mental.html)

To measure your reflexes and find out how mentally tired you are, you can use the test linked here: http://adventure-motorcycling.blogsp...d-you-are.html

Importantly, mental fatigue can reduce reflexes but also can reduce your physical capacity (http://adventure-motorcycling.blogsp...-physical.html). So it is a double whammy for adventure bike riders.

During my London to Bejjing trip I will test the efficacy of caffeine supplementation in reducing mental fatigue during adventure bike riding. There are a lot of studies showing that high doses of caffeine reduce mental fatigue, but nobody has tested it specifically for rider's fatigue.

Sam