Killing time on long boring streches

[2wTraveler]

Talking about passing the time while riding on long non-challenging streches, like interstate. I us XM Radio, but sometimes I can't quite find programming I am looking for. I also have a plug-in for my ipod in my tankbag, and have tried a couple audiobooks, which sometimes scratch that itch. Problem is, those audiobooks are too damned expensive. Anyone have a source for cheap legal downloads of them?

Another thing I have been running into is finding semi healthy things to snack on while traveling. I wear a shoei rf1000, but I can slip, crackers and thinks of that nature underneath to eat. Most of the selection seems to be limited junk food, which is OK from time to time, but if I am trying to make time and cut out food stops I need heathier options. For example, apple slices work well.

Suggestions?

[Sport-Touring]

[2RR2NV]

had a good laugh from one of my buds...  he played Music with his throttle. can kill the gas mileage, but whatya gonna do when you don't have any of those coolio things like radio or ipod. me, i just look around a lot...admire the view. or try listening to the bike and see if i can hear anything that might be outta wack.

[bubba zanetti]

I sing ... loudly. And when the mood strikes, I use the voice of Bella Lugosi to sing 1960's TV theme songs ... sometimes I have to pull over and wipe the tears from my eyes. You simply have not lived till you hear Bella sing the theme to Gilligans Island.

Other than that I get hyperactive, twitch and wiggle my aching butt as I am easily bored.

[2wTraveler]

Amusing story, we rode the Void rally this weekend (3 of us rode together). On the way to Louisville I was leading and we came up on an 18 wheeler and couldn't get past him for a few minutes. I looked up and from my buddies headlights I could see my shadow on the back of the trucks trailer...I raised my left arm and put on a little shaddow puppet show on the back of the trailer. It was good for a laugh from all 3 of us and broke the monotony of that road...good times

[Guy]

Uhhh, I do math problems   . Maybe try to figure out my speed without looking at my speedo, just time and distance. Maybe work what my distance traveled/yet to travel, like "hmmm if I've covered 120miles of a 750 miles trip, I'm just under 1/6 of the way" then I try to figure out time left, maybe gas mileage while I'm at it. Of course I'm also listening to my Ipod, and watching traffic at the same time.

[sassage]

I do slaloms with anything I can find in the road...cracks, tar snakes, road kill...keeps it interesting when music isn't quite cutting it

[2wTraveler]

Uhhh, I do math problems   . Maybe try to figure out my speed without looking at my speedo, just time and distance. Maybe work what my distance traveled/yet to travel, like "hmmm if I've covered 120miles of a 750 miles trip, I'm just under 1/6 of the way" then I try to figure out time left, maybe gas mileage while I'm at it. Of course I'm also listening to my Ipod, and watching traffic at the same time.

I do the same thing some times, a little brain activity keeps me awake, figure out percentages of the route covered or fuel mileage differences between different miles per hour and range.

[Leanintree]

Problem is, those audiobooks are too damned expensive. Anyone have a source for cheap legal downloads of them?

Suggestions?

Ah, there's the rub. Lot's of free audiobooks out there if you're not picky where they come from, but that annoying little 'legal' part is killin' you. Check out some publishers websites. Depending on what you like to read (hear) quite a few of them have been giving away literature to suck people into buying from them.

Leanintree

[JimWilliamson]

"healthy" snack: dried pineapple chunks. They're a nice size for a gloved hand to pinch a piece to slip under chin-bar into mouth. If you like sweet, these work!

In the nuts realm - walnuts are beneficial

Go ahead and toss in some chocolate chips (difficult in hot weather tho) or M&M's (better in hot Wx). Pre-assembled trail mix is often a trip food - or granola bars (nature valley green)

I'd like a gumball machine type dispenser on the left handlebar. Push gloved hand under the opening and have a handfull drop into my palm. Wind might be an issue  

As for the boredom - I try to focus on the environment. Force it to be a mental topic to amuse the brain. "Why would people live here"  "Look at that tree line - I wonder where the creek started / flows to" Railroad tracks - mentally think (I like maps) what towns it passes through and what goods it might be hauling.

[2wTraveler]

The legal part isn't the real issue with me, i doubt anyone is going to come after me for downloading a book. The thing is that in my experience when you get stuff that isn't exactly legel, you end up using p-p networks. Then you open yourself up to spyware and viruses.

[JReazor]

Problem is, those audiobooks are too damned expensive. Anyone have a source for cheap legal downloads of them?

Have you looked in to Audible? I don't use them but I know a few people who are happy with the service. Also, google "audible promotion codes" they often give away free stuff through web sites and podcasts.

[Scratch33]

Another thing I have been running into is finding semi healthy things to snack on while traveling. I wear a shoei rf1000, but I can slip, crackers and thinks of that nature underneath to eat. Most of the selection seems to be limited junk food, which is OK from time to time, but if I am trying to make time and cut out food stops I need heathier options. For example, apple slices work well.

Suggestions?

Twizzlers.  And Beef Jerky.  You could even wrap a Twizzler around beef jerky and slip it under your helmet.  

Yum!  

[Scratch33]

I'd like a gumball machine type dispenser on the left handlebar. Push gloved hand under the opening and have a handfull drop into my palm. Wind might be an issue  

Dude!  That's freakin' genius!!    

[FZ1 Matt]

right hand - twist throttle all the way. Keep it pinned until it's not boring anymore.  Never have I had flashing red and blue lights behind me and thought, "Gosh am I bored!"  

[turboderek]

check your public library. rip them to you mp3 player and then delete them when your done

[2wTraveler]

check your public library. rip them to you mp3 player and then delete them when your done

You know, that's a great idea. More time consuming, but a hell of a lot cheaper. I wonder how my local librarys selection of audio is>

[2RR2NV]

Uhhh, I do math problems   . Maybe try to figure out my speed without looking at my speedo, just time and distance. Maybe work what my distance traveled/yet to travel, like "hmmm if I've covered 120miles of a 750 miles trip, I'm just under 1/6 of the way" then I try to figure out time left, maybe gas mileage while I'm at it. Of course I'm also listening to my Ipod, and watching traffic at the same time.

HERE HERE!!!

+1

[nwconk]

I find a rich and varied fantasy life is a big jplus. Developed in corporate America of course.  Another meeting, sure what do I care, I'm not really there.  

--chris

[CLAY]

Twizzlers.  And Beef Jerky.  You could even wrap a Twizzler around beef jerky and slip it under your helmet.  

Yum!  

Wow- creatures of the same habit.  I also thow in a nice suppy of Atomic Fireballs.  I ted to use beef sticks, no bef Jerky thogh.  The consistency in the shape seems to make helmeted eating easier.  I also have a camelback that I will fill up with ice every gas stop. Gas, fill camelback, pee, ride.  I have yet to get tired enough to pee in the camleback.  

For the tunes I have Sirius and a two MP3 players. I rip some good sermons on one, favorite music on the other, and on Sirius I usually listen to the Radio Classics channel- things like Lone Ranger, Have Gun Will Travel, Supemn, etc.  They have classic comedies on there too, but I usually hit pause on the sat radio while I'm listening to a sermon, that way it spools up for awhile and I can skip the commercials and the classic comedies I don' like.  I also listen to various talk shows, Stern (till he gets annoying), and just music.

[Specter]

Best solution found so far for boring slabs is XM Radio.  Switching between various music types, XM Comedy, and "Sonic Theatre" makes I-5 go quickly


For food, I chop Cliff bars into squares I can nibble on.