Do long rides degrade tires faster than many shorter rides?

[vespadaddy]

On my adventure out to CA, (which has been fun, made it to CA in 3 days, and enjoyed it), I started with a Dunlop Roadsmart II with about 2200 miles on it.  Plenty of life to get to CA, I thought (and it was). 

But, after a 2nd consecutive higher mileage day, as I rode down into the bowl of Salt Lake City, I stopped at a rest area to doff my heated jacket liner.  The previous 10 or so miles were mountainous, and the speed limit was 75 or 80, so I was going 80 or 85, with about 70 lbs of luggage.

The part that concerned me was that when I stopped t the rest area. the squared-off center of the tire looked like the edges of a track tire, with rolled up rubber coating the cenert strip of the Roadsmart II, 36 psi

Today, when I had the tire replaced, the mech claimed that long runs (mine were all between 6-8 hundred) heats tires and quickens degradation.

Is this true?   Has anyone else experienced this?  Would I be better off taking a short break every 100 mikes or so to let the tire cool>|?

[Elk]

My bet is you need more tire pressure to compensate for the weight you are carrying.

[vespadaddy]

More than 36 psi?

[vince]

Do what your bike says on the swing arm. 41-42. Maximum load and high speed. Your tire is melting from to much stress or heat.

[Jvs]

Long rides should not be an issue. High speed and hard acceleration will kill the tires quicker than anything.

Id bump up to 38 to 40 psi and try to keep the speed down if possible.

[Mike Duluth]

Do 50% on the outer edge of the tire and they will last a lot longer