Long distance slabbing tips?

[HipGnosis]

Stretch; before, during and after.
Move as much as you can; on the bike and every time you stop.
I tried audio books a cpl times - doesn't work for me.  Driving repeatedly takes priority of my focus, and then when I focused back on the audio I was lost.  Comedy albums (ripped to MP3) DO work for me (but I don't like listenting to comedy off the slab).
I tried bicycle shorts - ok on the road but I can't stand em off the bike (even just walking to/from the mens room)  Now I use compression shorts  (aka bike shorts w/o the padding).
Ibuprofen - much better if you take it before you need it.

Something I do to make slabbing more intereting is what I call 'Look and Lean';
I look ahead - farther than I otherwise would.  
If there isn't much traffic, if there isn't anywhere a LEO could park/hide, if there aren't any on/off ramps - I lean into the throttle.
Don't pass anyone at more than about 15mph faster than they are going (they could 'phone you in' on a cellphone).
Slowdown right before you get to anything you 'looked for'.
Repeat

[bomber]

Make up stories in your head about the cars/people you see.

And here I thought I was the only one ;-}

I've tried commiting some of these stories to paper (gas stops, end of the ride), but that doesn't seem to wrk too well for me . . . .perhaps a lil digital voice recorder . . . . .

In any event, this helps to keep my noggin alert -- good post, Frenchie

[Cablebandit]

A large tankbag to use as a pillow?  

Definitely a throttle lock of some sort.

[Liquidsilver]

For me, it's definitely a throttle lock.   I tried the 'throttle rocker' which is like the crampbuster, but it didn't give me enough opportunity to relax and stretch my arm.   With the throttle lock, I can set it, stretch, relax, adopt silly body positions for those painful slab runs.
 
I'd love to look at ride reports on a tablet... but I think it would be too much distraction to really be safe.   I think videos on the PC would actually be better, because you can do more glancing than reading... but still...  

[evilted]

The most boring ride I've ever done was from Atlanta to Key West, almost entirely on slab.  My riding partner was on a Goldwing and had music and a bar mounted camera to play with.  I found the entire ride to be mind-numbingly tedious particularly because (a) he wanted to keep our speed down to 5 or maybe 10 over max the entire trip, a speed which really doesn't require much mental focus and sets the mind to wanderin', and (b) the interstate is long, straight, and flat with very little interesting scenery most of the way.  Things I'd change if I were to do that ride again:

(1)  Add a music player so I could listen to music or books on tape.  I really don't like the idea of being too aurally distracted while riding, but in this case I think the risk is worth the trade-off given that my utter boredom was just as likely to delay my ability to notice & react to a potential hazard.

(2)  Install a throttle lock.  I had a crampbuster on this and other long slab rides, but sometimes you really, really, really just want to take your right hand off the bars to stretch, even if it's only for a few seconds.

[ridingfar]

My rule of thumb is 3 hours per 200 miles, including gas stops. Maybe a but faster on interstates  

So that would be 9 hours to go 600 miles, not 12. 12 hours would allow for a leasurely meal or two, sight seeing, smelling the roses, maybe a quick nap....

I think it will be an easier trip than you're thinking. Enjoy the ride!

[HipGnosis]

 I had a crampbuster on this and other long slab rides, but sometimes you really, really, really just want to take your right hand off the bars to stretch, even if it's only for a few seconds.

You do know that the clutch CAN be used while going down the road at speed...  don't you?

[Cablebandit]

You do know that the clutch CAN be used while going down the road at speed...  don't you?

 

[jfurf]

 

I think he meant clutch HAND.  

[Cablebandit]

It will still be like hitting the air brakes.

[malbojah]

My rule of thumb is 3 hours per 200 miles, including gas stops. Maybe a but faster on interstates  

So that would be 9 hours to go 600 miles, not 12. 12 hours would allow for a leasurely meal or two, sight seeing, smelling the roses, maybe a quick nap....

I think it will be an easier trip than you're thinking. Enjoy the ride!

The only bad parts of the ride will be going around NYC (Tappan Zee), CT (Merrit Parkway), through Baltimore and around DC.
My boss is having me work a 14hr day the day before, so I'll be pretty wiped out. I'm downloading 35 episodes of WheelNerds podcast right now. I actually found a Cramp Buster still in the package last night, don't know how good it will work on the Oxford heated grips.

Frenchie: Told you I had to go 4+ hours to get to any good roads  .  I usually carry 6-10 5hr shots with me at all times on the bike. I also know where they are located in every Walmart.

Bomber: You're not the only one who talks to yourself while riding. I can go for a good 30 minutes at a time about what I'm going to to when I get there, how I'm going to get through traffic and not crash.

[Mr.Black]

Crampbuster works on the Oxford Grips.

[bomber]

Bomber: You're not the only one who talks to yourself while riding. I can go for a good 30 minutes at a time about what I'm going to to when I get there, how I'm going to get through traffic and not crash.

This is why my wife and I do NOT have intercoms ;-}

ENjoy the ride, Mal!

[FJRmgm]

Lots of good advice above about hydration and using a throttle lock.  I like to start early, about 0530, so that I get in a lot of riding before traffic gets too heavy and it gets hot.

I would allow at least 10-11 hours overall for a 600 mile ride because by the time you factor in gas, pee and stretch stops its hard to average more than 65 mph.

You will find that you will make great time until about one or two pm then the effects of riding all day will start to catch up with you and your stops will be longer as the day goes on.

[county]

For 600 miles on the interstate you need an FJR...with it's electrically adjustable windscreen....  

[malbojah]

For 600 miles on the interstate you need an FJR...with it's electrically adjustable windscreen....

If you have low mile 07 for cheap I'd be interested.

[evilted]

If that works for you in interstate traffic at speed, more power to you.   Maybe your bike is more aerodynamic than mine.

You do know that the clutch CAN be used while going down the road at speed...  don't you?

[caddydaddy]

(1)  Add a music player so I could listen to music or books on tape.  I really don't like the idea of being too aurally distracted while riding, but in this case I think the risk is worth the trade-off given that my utter boredom was just as likely to delay my ability to notice & react to a potential hazard.

(2)  Install a throttle lock.  I had a crampbuster on this and other long slab rides, but sometimes you really, really, really just want to take your right hand off the bars to stretch, even if it's only for a few seconds.

I have a Chatterbox, so I play music from my phone.  Great at keeping me awake and it takes away some of the boredom of the superslab.

The Go Cruise was great because I could take my hand off the throttle and not slow down!  

[Oxblood]

The heck with the Cramp Buster, a Go Cruise is the next best thing to cruise control!  http://www.2wheelride.com/throttle_pro.html

I did a 2,500 mile trip this fall, and it was great to be able to take my hand off the bar to stretch, wipe the bugs off my visor, etc.  

I agree. I have one, and love it. Way better than the Crampbuster.

[ConPilot1]

Connie's stock grips are too thin for the crampbuster. I'd have to take a torch to the plastic and bend it in a bit to fit tighter around the grip. Or get a thicker bar grip set.

Lots of good advice here in the thread. Rare case where jackassedness turned into intelligent conversation.