Feeling Sick after a long ride

[blueeyed16]

I am going on a long trip from Colorado to Canada July 4th week. I am going to be the passenger on the motorcycle. I've never been on a bike before and this trip is about 4500 miles. I've gone on two rides so far and one was super windy ride (80miles) and the other was around a mountain (100miles) with stops. I feel sort of sick after the ride and very tired.

I am not used to being on a bike and trying not to interfere with my boyfriend who is driving. I am so tense and uncomfortable that when we stop I am so happy to be off the bike. My nerves are getting the better of me. I have to be able to endure 400 to 500 miles a day on our trip.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to feel more comfortable and how to handle my feeling sick after the rides? I feel sort of dizzy and out of it…

Thanks for any advice!

[Frankienuckles]

For body comfort stretch before you get on the bike and whenever you stop. It really helps. I keep Aleve or Motrin on hand for long trips also. For the nausea maybe dramamine might help unless it is your nerves that a upsetting you more than motion sickness. Lastly, and I think most important try to get as much saddle time as possible before your big trip. That will help you get used to it and let try out different methods of overcoming your discomforts and enjoying the ride. Best of luck to you, going by bike is the best way to go!

[UHOH]

well, you've 2 1/2 months.  The only way to prep for a long trip, starting where you are, is to try it.
You say you're tense, so relax when riding and have fun, maybe massage your BF's chest or back evry so often.
And try being in charge of photography - keep the camera handy and snap those shots that he's not stopping for!
Wear earplugs and enough comfortable riding gear to keep you warm w/o cutting off your circulation.

Also at some point at least a month in advance, let your BF know if your problem persists.
 I'd let him know now so he can help find the solution.
wait - an early practice trip.  pick someplace you'd like to go that's maybe 150+ miles away using non-freeway roads,
and ask your BF to set up an overnight ride there with another couple also riding double.  
 talk to her and see how she handles it.  

The trip itself should be big time fun, but that assumes you can handle the riding.   $.02

[Scratch33]

I've never been on a bike before and this trip is about 4500 miles. I've gone on two rides so far and one was super windy ride (80miles) and the other was around a mountain (100miles) with stops. I feel sort of sick after the ride and very tired.

Err, okay - make up your mind: you've never been on a bike before; or you've been on a bike and don't like it?

[Bounce]

If you're unsure about the ride, get shorter rides in between now and the trip. You have to build up to longer trips. If you end up not enjoying the whole experience you'll ruin it for everyone. Better to try now than ruin it later. If you decide that riding's not for you, offer to follow in a chase vehicle with the luggage.

[chas]

If you're unsure about the ride, get shorter rides in between now and the trip. You have to build up to longer trips. If you end up not enjoying the whole experience you'll ruin it for everyone. Better to try now than ruin it later. If you decide that riding's not for you, offer to follow in a chase vehicle with the luggage.  If ever I attempted something like this with my wife she would divorce me.  After 50 miles or so the negative vibes start.  100 miles the complaining begins.   4500 miles???  Rent a Corvette and follow him.

[Scratch33]

Presuming this really R Sirius Thread another option would be to just fly to Canada, meet BF there, and do a little riding with him before flying back to CO.  

[sammyseaman]

A little of this before the you hop on should do the trick. Not too much though.

[jbs80106]

Dehydration?  Depending on the weather and what you're wearing as a helmet.  Wind can be dehydrating.  If you're riding for a long time, make sure to take water and drink atleast when you stop for gas.  But if the bike can go for 200+ miles you'll need to drink while en route.....

Just a thought.

[chornbe]

I am going on a long trip from Colorado to Canada July 4th week. I am going to be the passenger on the motorcycle. I've never been on a bike before and this trip is about 4500 miles. I've gone on two rides so far and one was super windy ride (80miles) and the other was around a mountain (100miles) with stops. I feel sort of sick after the ride and very tired.

I'd bet dehydration is causing the fatigue, but a bit of motion sickness is the rest of it.

$.02

[DRam]

My son made a great comment  about riding.  He had a friend who was all excited about getting a bike and talking about taking long trips.   The comment:  "Riding a bike is really fun, but it isn't the most comfortable way to travel.  You really have to like riding if you are going for long trips."  Never were truer words spoken.

From your post it sounds like a good part of your problem is fear (or anxiety, if you prefer.)  Let your boyfriend know how you feel now.   He may be able to help you get used to riding, and perhaps can alter the way he handles the bike to make things more comfortable for you - ie., ride less aggressively, more frequent stops, etc.  Others have suggest several short rides between now and the big trip.  Excellent idea.  It will give you time to get used to what it feels like to ride,  and to help your boyfriend figure out how to make you most comfortable on the bike.

Several short trips would also let you find out if you like riding enough to put up with the discomfort.  If you aren't, and really want to go, offer to drive a chase vehicle.  If more than one passenger wants to go you could trade off driving and riding with him/her.  That way you could be on the bike at times and in the chase car/van/pickup others.

[Wanderer]

Motion sickness I'm thinking has the majority to do with it.
One thing you need to realize is that riding in a car is NOTHING like riding pillion (on the back of a bike)
I'm willing to bet that the sensation you feel/felt post ride is due to your body not being familiar with the way a bike turns. A bike leans in, a car leans out.  If a person spends their entire life being accustomed to left curve pushing the body right, then a bike is going to greatly disturb your sense of balance, your mind expects one sensation and the body experiences literally the opposite as you lean in.  The disconnect there is what causes the disorientation.  You never mentioned what bike you were on, so I'll assume the worst, you were perched high up, and far back over the rear wheel, both will exacerbate the unfamiliar lean of a bike in a corner.  The wind is gonna compound this as the bike not only moves differently than you expect, but the wind makes the ride 'wobbly and squirmy'.
I spent a year with bike only transportation, the first time I rode in a car after that long I got naseaous for the very reason I described above.    
I would suggest you pay close attention to the road and prepare yourself for the turn, helping to reconcile the actual sensation with what you 'predicted'.   Soon your body will understand that feeling and it won't bother you anymore.  Or you never do and motorcycling just isn't a sport you get to enjoy.
Basically you have 2 choices, ride alot more and get used to the bikes movements, or find an alternate means of transportation.

[Zerosum]

I'd recommend wearing earplugs.  Fixing your eyes on distant points is also a good idea.  The worst thing you can do is treat it like you're a car passenger - you need to be actively engaged in the ride (anticipating turns, etc.) or else your going to get motion sickness.   But really, that's a hell of a ride to sit though as a passenger.  

It sounds like your boyfriend is dragging you into this with little regard for your comfort enjoyment.  Unless, of course, you haven't TOLD HIM that you're having these problems...

[chornbe]

Unless, of course, you haven't TOLD HIM that you're having these problems...

Communication leads to trust. Trust is absolutely, 100% paramount to rider<->pillion enjoyment on EVERY ride.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Interesting topic. I'd like to hear some more information from the OP  

[Marcster]

I don't know if blueeyed16 has any interest, but one thing my MSF instructor said is that many women who plan on riding pillion take the Beginner's MSF course (and through that get their Class M license).  Not that they plan on getting their own bike necessarily, but so they can understand more about how the bike handles...

It's also not a bad idea to have a Class M if your boyfriend/husband falls ill and needs you to pilot the bike.

Not a requirement, by any means, just throwing it out there... And in 2.5 months you would have some time to get your permit and get into a class.

----

Other than that, go with some of the other suggestions offered above, more time on the back of the bike on shorter trips, communicating to your boyfriend/husband your anxiety, Dramamine, earplugs, etc.

[bluepoof]

I'd bet dehydration is causing the fatigue, but a bit of motion sickness is the rest of it.
$.02

That was exactly my thought, too.  Do you have a Camelbak? If not, that might make a big difference with the fatigue.

[Cheddarhead]

Whatever the cause (or causes) I'd be d@mn3d sure that this was "Worked out" before embarking on this trip.  Do enough day trips of a tanks worth of gas at a time to "know" that you're comfortable...or don't mount the bike.

Why risk getting sick or ruining the vacation for both of you?  ...or getting hurt because you get ill while riding on back and tumble off/cause a low speed drop?

Love the idea of getting the Rider's Endorsement on your license...no better way of learning how a 'cycle moves...and why.

Hydration may be a factor...as may be the wind noise.  Helmet, goggles, and earplugs can all help in these areas.  

$.02....keep the change!

Cheddar

[2wTraveler]

I'd bet dehydration is causing the fatigue, but a bit of motion sickness is the rest of it.

$.02

I think this is probably part of it. I also agree with the other posters...you need more seat time.

[nater]

I agree that you were probably dehydrated.  Take water along with you.

[Mrs. Leanintree]

I usually get a case of motion sickness when I sit in the back seat especially if the driver sways the vehicle alot. So I make sure the seat I am in has a good view of the road and watch it alot. I can't read or do anything in the car but watch the road or sleep. I'd recommend the OP put her head over her BF's shoulder and really watch the road. If you are doing a right hand corner, put your head over his right shoulder and watch where the road is going and vice versa for a left hand corner. Stretching is always good at each stop. Also, we like BirdRunner and his pillion's philosophy, make the BF stop every hour or so to stretch, drink water and walk around a little bit.  

[rfulcher]

A little late to the party here.

The preceding posts have lots of good suggestions but nothing that looks beyond the issues of the passenger. If my wife is riding pillion and is not having a good time I don't very far by saying, "Hey, if you get sick it's not my problem."  

If the driver is on an ego trip or inconsiderate then his driving could be a contributing factor. On a long trip an aggressive less than smooth driver can make any passenger stressed and motion sick. A smooth pilot will be less likely to cause motion sickness. One also has to also consider the bike.  What kind of bike does the BF ride? Is it even suited for riding double on a short trip? I sure don't want to ride 4000 miles on an R1.

[falconati]

I'd bet dehydration is causing the fatigue, but a bit of motion sickness is the rest of it.

$.02

I agree.  Dehydration and just not being used to motorcycling.