Driving long distance

PhillyDee

PhillyDee

PhillyDee

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Joined
12 Feb 2007
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South Shields
What does everyone do to keep themselves from locking up? I am driving down to Essex on wednesday, which is 260 miles (4.5 hours) which is long enough, but I also intend on driving an hour out of my way to halifax to pick up some materials. This makes a total drive time of 5.5 hours, longer than I have ever driven in a day (previous was to bormingham).

I can make it about 2 hours before I really badly stiffen up, and after that its every hour or so I have to stop (I know this is good practice anyway!) but am still quite uncomfortable afterwards!

I also want to drive back up again on the nighttime, or maybe a cheap travelodge if I feel I cannot make it back up.

What do you do to keep yourself occupied, awake etc. I am in a diesel mondeo, and its pretty much all motorway (a1(m) and M11!) which is bad enough!

Plus, I fancy some podcasts to stick on while I am in the car. So spec me something funny / nerdy / interesting.
 
i find once you exceed 300 miles in one sitting it becomes a strain on your bum and mind

With good traffic and good music i think youll breeze it
 
Loud music combined with bad singing and munchies.

Did 300+ miles (5hrs) to Newcastle without stopping I think. On the way back stopped at services to refuel my car and my stomach :D
 
Music, something to snack on and a bottle or two of lucozade sport, the squeezy leak free lids mean you don't have to faff unscrewing when you need a drink.
 
It's impossible for me to do it with my back. I can only go for a couple of hours before I have to stop and get out for 10 minutes.
 
Driving across Canada was all about the Timmy Hortons French Vanilla coffee, over here you'll have to deal with a starbucks ! Radio 4.
 
Never really had a problem driving long distances. When I used to do 600 mile round trips every month or two for work, usually with a couple of colleagues on board we'd set off with the intention to share the driving but I'd usually end up doing it all - I much prefer to drive myself than be driven by most people.

On a couple of occasions I've had a 20 minute nap on the services when I've been really tired and that helps a lot.

The only problem I get is a bit of discomfort in my right ankle from operating the accelerator for more than an hour, but that's not a problem with cruise control.
 
I always take my trip down to Cornwall (380miles) without stopping. I find lots of music and auidobooks help. Then once I reach the twisties of Cornwall, the right foot hits the floor and I have a blast :)
 
gigeorge said:
Driving across Canada was all about the Timmy Hortons French Vanilla coffee, over here you'll have to deal with a starbucks ! Radio 4.
Click to expand...

I hope you got a box of Timbits as well.

Came back from London on Monday without stopping (bar an enforced splah and dash for fuel near to home). I actually felt fresher than driving down that morning. Shuffle on the iPod is good for mixing up the music. Norah Jones might have you starting to get all mellow, then some Prodigy has your ears bleeding :D
 
I don't have a problem driving long distances. Windows down keeps me feeling fresh. I will suggest that don't drive if you're feeling tired/exhausted, it's not worth it, take plenty of rest and keep plenty of water onboard.
 
Vita said:
I don't have a problem driving long distances. Windows down keeps me feeling fresh. I will suggest that don't drive if you're feeling tired/exhausted, it's not worth it, take plenty of rest and keep plenty of water onboard.
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Good advice for anyone, thats why I hope to get back up the same day (albeit late at night) but will be taking an overnight bag just in case I do not make it (for that exact reason).
 
I quite often travel the length and breadth of the country, in fact i just did ~400 today.
tunes, a 4 pack of redbull and a sandwich, only need to stop for toilet breaks/fuel.
I sometimes get an achy foot/ankles/knees, but usually solved by adjusting the seat back and more relaxed relaxed position, but if thats not enough, services, walk about for 10 minutes, jump back in and crack on.
 
What is this longe distance thingy which thoust speaketh of ?

As others have said...

Bad singing.. Or some discussion programme on the wireless.. a topic that really p122es you off will raise the heart rate.

Stop for a half hour break after about 3 hours driving.

ie: go for a walk.. take a slash etc.
 
It's certainly not stiffness related for me. I'm well versed in sitting on my arse all day anyway :D
It's the tiredness that hits me first. Mocha coffee, Relentless and fresh air helps massively.

It's also massively different in "the right car" Try to do 3.5 hrs straight in my little 106 box of diesel bolts and all I want to do when I get to the destination is sleep.
Take the Discovery though, stick the climate on, cruise control on and the radio and I'm down there without stopping, ready to PARTAY!

Sounds like you need one of those roller bead seat covers :D
 
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