Capt Steve
US Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2008
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In the world of motorcycles there are lots of crazy events and the Iron Butt Challenge certainly qualifies. The premise is simple enough, ride 1,000+ miles in under 24 hours carefully documenting the entire ride.
Challenged by a friend to consider an Iron Butt with further motivation coming after reading Dick Speck's book, Riding Across America {which included his first Iron Butt}, I spent the last few weeks planning and prepping the bike. Actually less planning went into D-Day... but I digress.
With the arrival of cooler weather I had a brief window to get the ride done before the onset of winter began closing routes. I elected to set out, weather permitting on Monday October second and a week out the weather looked good. Mild temps and single digit winds were forecast for southern Arizona and most of New Mexico. I would attempt to ride from SaddleBrooke east on I-10 to Las Cruces NM - 310 miles, turn north on I-25 to Albuquerque - 225 miles, before reversing course and returning by the same route for a total of 1,070 miles.
Two weeks ago on our way home from 12 days in the southern Rockies in Colorado and Angel Fire, New Mexico I had the opportunity to drive the entire route noting the location of rest stops, gas stations and road conditions. I've driven this stretch a number of times over the years and that familiarity increased my comfort level.
Since at least 6 hours of the ride would take place in total darkness I elected to leave at 0100 to get the bulk of my night ride in at the beginning when I would be the freshest. I adjusted my body clock for a couple of days even taking a 5 AM ride the day before just to get a feel for the temps and the overall night ride experience as I have done very few night miles. Sunday afternoon I went to bed at 5 and got up at midnight having had nearly 7 good hours of rest.
At 0045 I rode down to the local gas station, topped up the tank {fueling receipts provide the basis of the ride documentation as they confirm time, date, location and fuel purchased}, and all of them must be submitted to the IB Association along with other documentation in order for your ride to be certified, a process that takes a couple of months {yes, they take certifying your ride that seriously}.
I stopped a couple of blocks from I-10 to get one last drink of water before jumping on the freeway and there was a Highway Patrol unit parked there. Didn't think much about it until a couple of minutes later when the red and blues lit up the night behind me as I entered the I-10 on ramp. He pulled along side and said my running/brake lights were out.... Say what???
Never had a problem before but naturally didn't want me on the freeway where I would be ripe for a rear end collision. He helped me trouble shoot the bike and after nearly half an hour {bear in mind the clock is now ticking on my 24 hours}, we found a loose wire and effected a hasty repair. He told me to keep checking it and wished me luck. I regret not getting his name so that I could properly thank this man that may very well have saved my life.
The 310 miles to Las Cruces passed without further incident. Though it was cool I wore the proper gear and was about as comfortable as one can be going 75 mph on a dark interstate for 5 hours and 15 minutes. I arrived after two fuel stops just as the sun was peeking over the mountains, fueled up once again, texted my bride, shed my inner jacket and Balaclava and quickly set out for Albuquerque.
The 3.5 hour ride to Albuquerque was good with a light southerly winds behind me as the temperature quickly rose up into the low 70's. I stopped 110 miles up the road for a sandwich, some fruit and more water. I arrived at 1030 {Arizona time which I utilized for the entire trip for simplicities sake}, fueled up, another text to my bride and with 535 miles gone headed out for the return run.
It was about this time that the proverbial "other shoe" dropped... actually it smacked me over the head in the form of 25 to 35 mph southerly winds and I, you guessed it, was headed 225 miles due south, Arrrg! Riding directly into the wind is not a problem {unlike the dreaded cross winds that can literally blow a motorcycle across lanes or worse}, but it really beats you up and fuel consumption goes through the roof. I normally average about 40 mpg but from Albuquerque all the way back to Las Cruces I was getting a mere 30 mpg. Turning west for home I encountered south westerlies that continued to blow 25-35, doable but NOT fun and with the same miserable mileage. There were high wind warnings but fortunately no dust storms.
I did as the traffic advisory signs dictated: Reduce speed and use caution {and persevered}. Slowly the miles slid by and shortly before sunset I found my self at a rest stop in eastern Arizona with just 130 miles remaining. The setting sun play havoc with my vision as I pounded down I-10 into the wind but by now I was getting close and my goal was in sight. Riding into Tucson in heavy nighttime traffic was probably my least favorite part of the ride but eventually I got back to the Twin Peaks exit and got off of that damned freeway. Another 15 miles saw me back to the point or origin at 7:30 and I refueled for the last time taking photos of the bikes odometers and rode the last 3 miles home where my bride provided a wonderful reception.
I cannot say enough good things about my bike. Other than often drinking like a drunken sailor at nearly every fill up it ran strong at 3,000 rpm for 18.5 straight hours and never missed a beat. I arrived home tired but not sore {I guess I really am an Iron Butt guy}. The cruising seat, fairing/windshield kept me comfortable and secure throughout the ride as did my full face helmet.
I'd ridden 1,071 miles in 18.5 hours for an average {including the multiple fuel and rest stops/breaks}, of 57.89 mph and more than qualified for my Official Iron Butt certification. What do I get? A patch and a pin along with a nice certificate. Would I ever do it again? Absolutely... just not anytime soon. For the record I will be 66 next month
Challenged by a friend to consider an Iron Butt with further motivation coming after reading Dick Speck's book, Riding Across America {which included his first Iron Butt}, I spent the last few weeks planning and prepping the bike. Actually less planning went into D-Day... but I digress.
With the arrival of cooler weather I had a brief window to get the ride done before the onset of winter began closing routes. I elected to set out, weather permitting on Monday October second and a week out the weather looked good. Mild temps and single digit winds were forecast for southern Arizona and most of New Mexico. I would attempt to ride from SaddleBrooke east on I-10 to Las Cruces NM - 310 miles, turn north on I-25 to Albuquerque - 225 miles, before reversing course and returning by the same route for a total of 1,070 miles.
Two weeks ago on our way home from 12 days in the southern Rockies in Colorado and Angel Fire, New Mexico I had the opportunity to drive the entire route noting the location of rest stops, gas stations and road conditions. I've driven this stretch a number of times over the years and that familiarity increased my comfort level.
Since at least 6 hours of the ride would take place in total darkness I elected to leave at 0100 to get the bulk of my night ride in at the beginning when I would be the freshest. I adjusted my body clock for a couple of days even taking a 5 AM ride the day before just to get a feel for the temps and the overall night ride experience as I have done very few night miles. Sunday afternoon I went to bed at 5 and got up at midnight having had nearly 7 good hours of rest.
At 0045 I rode down to the local gas station, topped up the tank {fueling receipts provide the basis of the ride documentation as they confirm time, date, location and fuel purchased}, and all of them must be submitted to the IB Association along with other documentation in order for your ride to be certified, a process that takes a couple of months {yes, they take certifying your ride that seriously}.
I stopped a couple of blocks from I-10 to get one last drink of water before jumping on the freeway and there was a Highway Patrol unit parked there. Didn't think much about it until a couple of minutes later when the red and blues lit up the night behind me as I entered the I-10 on ramp. He pulled along side and said my running/brake lights were out.... Say what???
Never had a problem before but naturally didn't want me on the freeway where I would be ripe for a rear end collision. He helped me trouble shoot the bike and after nearly half an hour {bear in mind the clock is now ticking on my 24 hours}, we found a loose wire and effected a hasty repair. He told me to keep checking it and wished me luck. I regret not getting his name so that I could properly thank this man that may very well have saved my life.
The 310 miles to Las Cruces passed without further incident. Though it was cool I wore the proper gear and was about as comfortable as one can be going 75 mph on a dark interstate for 5 hours and 15 minutes. I arrived after two fuel stops just as the sun was peeking over the mountains, fueled up once again, texted my bride, shed my inner jacket and Balaclava and quickly set out for Albuquerque.
The 3.5 hour ride to Albuquerque was good with a light southerly winds behind me as the temperature quickly rose up into the low 70's. I stopped 110 miles up the road for a sandwich, some fruit and more water. I arrived at 1030 {Arizona time which I utilized for the entire trip for simplicities sake}, fueled up, another text to my bride and with 535 miles gone headed out for the return run.
It was about this time that the proverbial "other shoe" dropped... actually it smacked me over the head in the form of 25 to 35 mph southerly winds and I, you guessed it, was headed 225 miles due south, Arrrg! Riding directly into the wind is not a problem {unlike the dreaded cross winds that can literally blow a motorcycle across lanes or worse}, but it really beats you up and fuel consumption goes through the roof. I normally average about 40 mpg but from Albuquerque all the way back to Las Cruces I was getting a mere 30 mpg. Turning west for home I encountered south westerlies that continued to blow 25-35, doable but NOT fun and with the same miserable mileage. There were high wind warnings but fortunately no dust storms.
I did as the traffic advisory signs dictated: Reduce speed and use caution {and persevered}. Slowly the miles slid by and shortly before sunset I found my self at a rest stop in eastern Arizona with just 130 miles remaining. The setting sun play havoc with my vision as I pounded down I-10 into the wind but by now I was getting close and my goal was in sight. Riding into Tucson in heavy nighttime traffic was probably my least favorite part of the ride but eventually I got back to the Twin Peaks exit and got off of that damned freeway. Another 15 miles saw me back to the point or origin at 7:30 and I refueled for the last time taking photos of the bikes odometers and rode the last 3 miles home where my bride provided a wonderful reception.
I cannot say enough good things about my bike. Other than often drinking like a drunken sailor at nearly every fill up it ran strong at 3,000 rpm for 18.5 straight hours and never missed a beat. I arrived home tired but not sore {I guess I really am an Iron Butt guy}. The cruising seat, fairing/windshield kept me comfortable and secure throughout the ride as did my full face helmet.
I'd ridden 1,071 miles in 18.5 hours for an average {including the multiple fuel and rest stops/breaks}, of 57.89 mph and more than qualified for my Official Iron Butt certification. What do I get? A patch and a pin along with a nice certificate. Would I ever do it again? Absolutely... just not anytime soon. For the record I will be 66 next month
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Congratulations, and keep the shiny side up.
