Slabbin; Me, Myself or My bike?

[HipGnosis]

I tend to avoid time slabbin (highway / freeway).  I do it, but only when I have to.
Since I've ridden most of the roads within a days ride around me, I realize I need to spend some time slabbin to get to new (and better) roads.

The question is: how do I get over / better at it to get to those roads?

Am I to old (49) to spend that kind of time in a single position (on my Sprint RS)?  I've done all day rides, up to 500 miles.

Do I have to change my attitude - 'grin-and-bear it', the end justifies the means and all that?

Do I need a different bike?  A little more protection might be nice. And some highway pegs...

I have added handlebars and a Laminar lip since I've really tried it last.  And I've gotten a MP3 player with shuffle (makes quite a bit of difference for me) and better ear-buds.

I'd really appreciate any/all genuine advice.

Jim

[Scottyfizz]

I think it's mental. I live at the intersection of I-80 and Highway 61. I hate to get on the roads around here. I realize Iowa is not that bad for riding,but there are crazy people everywhere. I can't imagine living where there are more interstates. I like the backroads.

But Bob Dylan thinks HWY 61 is cool.

[Rogue]

Some people hate slabbing.

Me?  I sort of enjoy it except when there is traffic.

I enjoy certain aspects of slabbing.  The constant forward motion.  The high speeds.  My ability to dispatch slower moving traffic with ease.  I can relax and watch the scenery a bit.  I can make up lots of time.  I can watch for cool vehicles.

Certain aspects of slabbing I hate.  Cops and their ability to nab me without warning--bikes are more visible in the interstate.  Of course, I can always go with the flow of traffic or use my radar detector but still.  Trucks and the danger from their tires blowing out, or the trucks themselves pulling out to pass at the last minute, then passing slower traffic 2 mph faster.    Traffic!  Traffic!  Traffic!  Even with my ability to lane split, I despise traffic.

If possible, I would rather take a backroad even if its long straightaways than the Interstate.  But slabbing is usually necessary for everyone.  So, I try to enjoy it as much as I can.

Music while slabbing makes a huge difference.

[stromgal]

For me, it's a means to an end.

If I want to get to someplace with interesting/scenic/twisty roads, and I have only a certain amount of time, I'll slab. Buying an MP3 player had made a large difference in how quickly those miles go by.

[2Pokey]

I ride 4 hours , for 20 miles of amazing fun, then ride home again.  Ohio is a love/hate thing.
Besides our slabs are like mine fields.

[1TallTXn]

Its mental.

I don't particularly like slabbing, but being on the bike sure beats the cage!

If I have the time and the option, I'm going to take something other then the slab, but thats not always an option.

[Desmo Demon]

If people have ridden cross-country on the inferior roads of the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s on an old hardtail Harley or Indian, I figure I can do it with any modern motorcycle on our modern roadways.

[Farked Up]

I tend to avoid time slabbin (highway / freeway).  I do it, but only when I have to.
Since I've ridden most of the roads within a days ride around me, I realize I need to spend some time slabbin to get to new (and better) roads.

The question is: how do I get over / better at it to get to those roads?



I have added handlebars and a Laminar lip since I've really tried it last.  

I'd really appreciate any/all genuine advice.

Jim

Never, and I mean never, ride on highways without handlebars! That was probably your whole problem. And, try chap stick for that "laminar" lip (whatever that is).

[UFO]

Slabbing has it's purpose.  It's great for getting from A  ->  B in the least amount of time.  Slabbing out west isn't bad because sometimes you can see the road for miles and can open it up some.  

I recommend getting on the slab, locking the throttle and just get it over with.  Depending on the slab and traffic it's not as bad as you think and you get used to it.

[stefrrr]

None of the above. It's exhausting and boring. If you're going to do something that exhausting, it should at least be fun, like 300-400 miles of twisties or sweepers.

But a throttle rocker/cramp buster makes it possible.

My last trip I had to take 75 up into Georgia. Couldn't have done it without cruise control.

On a side note - what kind of earbuds do you have? I can't find any that don't give me a headache.

[B-rent]

Some people hate slabbing.

Me?  I sort of enjoy it except when there is traffic.

I enjoy certain aspects of slabbing.  The constant forward motion.  The high speeds.  My ability to dispatch slower moving traffic with ease.  I can relax and watch the scenery a bit.  I can make up lots of time.  I can watch for cool vehicles.

Certain aspects of slabbing I hate.  Cops and their ability to nab me without warning--bikes are more visible in the interstate.  Of course, I can always go with the flow of traffic or use my radar detector but still.  Trucks and the danger from their tires blowing out, or the trucks themselves pulling out to pass at the last minute, then passing slower traffic 2 mph faster.    Traffic!  Traffic!  Traffic!  Even with my ability to lane split, I despise traffic.

If possible, I would rather take a backroad even if its long straightaways than the Interstate.  But slabbing is usually necessary for everyone.  So, I try to enjoy it as much as I can.

Music while slabbing makes a huge difference.

+1

[stromgal]

On a side note - what kind of earbuds do you have? I can't find any that don't give me a headache.

I've got Etymotic ER6i's. There are two kinds of 'insertion point' material supplied, foam or flanged-rubber, in different sizes. The flanged rubber works fine for me so I haven't experimented beyond them.

I take the time to get them inserted into my ear just so; then I forget about 'em.  

[atypical1]

Good poll. I really hate slabbing. My attitude is that it is a waste of good tires. If I have to slab it far (say a couple of hundred miles or more) my tires always end up looking squared off to me.

I agree about the changing the attitude though. I am going to try to make it to Montana this summer (if my schedule allows) and know that I will end up having to do some slabbing to make it there. It is just a means to an end.

[stefrrr]

I've got Etymotic ER6i's. There are two kinds of 'insertion point' material supplied, foam or flanged-rubber, in different sizes. The flanged rubber works fine for me so I haven't experimented beyond them.

I take the time to get them inserted into my ear just so; then I forget about 'em.  

I'm going to have to check those out... I found them on Amazon.com for $79.99. Not bad at all.

[M.Brane]

 Slabbin' sucks, especially on my bike, but it's a necessary evil if you want to explore at any great distance. I live near some of the best roads in the state, but I still like to explore other areas. Gotta get there somehow.

 Tunes make it a lot more bearable. Just don't turn 'em up too loud if you value your hearing or what's left of it in my case.

[hunter3705]

Riding on the superslab will never be as fun as riding the twisties.  But, as several people have pointed out, it's necessary in order to get to new and better twisites - or other interesting touring sites.  It's a necessary evil, there's just no way to get around doing some slab time.  I agree with what several people said: it's definitely better if there's no traffic/light traffic.  Some slabs are pretty to ride on.  Last Summer a buddy and I rode down through Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and a little bit into Alabama.  Some of the slabs down through Virginia and Tennessee were really beautiful.  They'll never be as much fun to ride on as twisites, but still, they get you there a lot faster.  If you tried to take all back roads to really go anywhere it would take you a month.  I mean, that's fine if you have the time, but my "getaway" time like that is pretty scarce, and I'm sure most guys are the same way.  My conclusion is that slabbing is part of the package, it comes with the territory.  It's the work that makes the treat that much better.