IBA Saddle Sore 1000

[masterguns]

My plan is to do a SS1000 over the third weekend of February; starting early Saturday morning (the 16th). I will be a loop starting in Willow Park, Texas over through east Ft Worth, to Amarillo, Clovis, NM, Lubbock, Odessa, and then east on 20 back to Willow Park. Intend on doing it alone but extend invitations to anyone with a desire to accomplish this ride along with me. Sure would enjoy the company. PM me if interested. Note: Monday the 18th is a holiday; at least for me. May need the time to recover. I have done a couple 500 milers in well under 12 hours and feel confident I can do 1000 in under 24. Not worried about the bike as it is a 2011 Feejer with just under 3K. PM me if you want to talk about this ride.

 

[user 213]

Your route as described by those waypoints is 1005 miles by the mapping program I'm using. I would suggest you insert Denton, TX after Ft Worth to bring it up to 1030 miles. You want a larger buffer than 5 miles.

There is a large difference between 500 miles in 12 hours and 1000 in 24. Part is phycological, part is the realities of riding thru more darkness, more stops to manage and fatigue. Hopefully you have read the IBA archives of wisdom already.

The ride you outline, with Denton added, shows a touch over 17 hours of riding time. You likely only need 4 intermediate gas stops, but you also need to document 6 corner points. Your route will require a gas stop between Ft Worth and Amarillo if you are not using a fuel cell. Probably best to get it on the West side of Wichita Falls, then your next gas stop can be Amarillo. You'll probably be in reserve when you get to Amarillo, but not too far if you have a steady right wrist. At that point you can combine your gas stop and corner documentation when you hit Lubbock, then you're good to Big Springs, or fill in Odessa, and do a final gas stop in Abilene with good safety buffers. The above is based upon your ability to comfortably get 200 miles on a tank.

Good idea to leave 20 for the final leg, as it's a nice fast road, but you can also get a lot of fog on 20 around Midland that time of year. And wet fog is cold. Got electric gear?

Historically, Clovis is in the low 40's for mean temp that time of year, and can easily be below freezing at night and slow to warm up. Make sure you do some forecast checking the day before you head out to have a better picture of what weather conditions you may encounter.

The biggest single issue with endurance riding is managing the stopped time. You really don't want to be waiting on someone else when doing your ride. If you haven't ridden with them enough to be comfortable with each other's routines so that you're both good to go after doing the gas/pee/etc at about the same time, it can be very frustrating. I would not suggest doing a cert ride with someone you haven't ridden with before or don't know, especially if this is their first attempt at a SS1K.

 

[user 213]

For your stated time frame, you might consider Willow Park, Ft Worth, San Antonio, Pecos, Willow Park. The basic route is 1029 miles and only requires 3 corner documentations to prove you rode the route w/o cutting corners. No shortage of gas availability and bigger roads. Not as scenic, but less chance of weather shutting you down too. (Though I did recently get stuck for a day in Ft Stockton due to snow)

 

[masterguns]

Damn, thought I had company. I am only in the planning stage and the route is one I've never ridden. And I do agree I should stay as far south and southwest as possible due to the time of year I plan on doing this thing. I am originally from San Antonio and would have to plan to run through there at a time of day when traffic is at a minimum (probably 0300). I suppose I could leave Willow Park at zero dark thirty. But I do know that I'd have to ride through San Antone very early am. Let me check out your recommended route a little further. I also just hate and dread I-35 (ambush alley). My very first plan was Fort Worth to Sierra Blanca, Texas and back. Only one check point west. Easy pleasy. But that would mean I-20 all the way there and back. After further thought, that may be best. Thanks for the advise.

 

[user 213]

Don't forget that the IBA wants you to have receipts about every 300-350 miles, (if not sooner for normal reasons). This isn't really important for you, (shorter range), but if you end up doing an out and back ride, you will still need to ensure the gas receipts have the required information on them, even if they are not a 'corner' that requires it's own documentation.

What about coming down 281, then crossing from 281 to I-10 on the 1604 Loop? You would need to go out past the I-10/I-20 junction to the Chevron station at I-10 and Cherry Creek Road to make up the miles and get a corner receipt. 1058 miles, but showing only 15.5 hours of riding time.

https://mapq.st/WJJJvN

 

[AVGeek]

Good luck on your attempt. I can't help you with the route, but I'll throw out a few things I picked up from my first SS1000:

Determine a start time, then leave a little earlier than that. For my run, I did Phoenix to Vegas to Denver, and the stretch of I70 from Grand Junction to Denver was all in the dark. Had I left 3 hours earlier, I would have had daylight on this stretch (much needed, as I didn't know the road, and even though its interstate highway, its still a mountainous route).

Stop when you need to. I had around 6 gas stops, plus I did stop for lunch (combined with a gas stop) and dinner. Like Texas, Arizona Nevada and Utah have highway speed limits conducive to a SS1000 pace. I did 1048 credited miles (1066 indicated on the Odo) in 17.5 hours.

Check your receipts before departing the gas station. One of the stations I used did not have their local address on the receipt, and this was in Vegas where I made my dogleg turn. Since my other documentation supported my route, the IBA accepted my ride. If they had not, I would not have had enough mileage for the certificate.

If you have a smart phone, Google Latitude and Spotwalla make for a great tracking combination. Do a manual check in at your gas/rest stops, and this track can be used for documentation, along with allowing friends and family to follow along. Just don't forget to check in, as on my iPhone, the app didn't do the automatic location update I expected it to do, and so didn't capture my entire ride.

 

[user 213]

One of the ways I avoid a bad receipt w/o noticing is to keep a mini fuel log. Just a 3x5 or 4x6 spiral binder that I've made lines down for columns. Same things the IBA log has on it, Date, Time, Location & ODO. Write those things down off the receipt. This way if anything is missing, you realize it right away and can go inside and get a duplicate receipt, or find an ATM, McDonalds, etc. for an alternate receipt. While you do need to keep your gas receipts, any receipt that gives the correct info can be a corner receipt or back up for a location with a bad receipt.

I often add a column for Time Zone too if I know I'm crossing time zones. Helps you avoid wondering why your time is off on a receipt later. And the IBA asking why you made such good time on that stretch.

 

[bgross]

Great wisdom and tips.

One thing to consider regarding your start time. You've likely seen charts with hours & daylight/darkness & bio-rhythms.

It's all good information, but should also take into consideration your personal schedule of bedtime and rising.

For most of my working life I rolled out of the rack at about 0300, got home around 1600, ate and took a nap for 15-30 minutes, and went to sleep around 2000. Since I retired, the pattern has been about the same, but moved about 2 hours later. I frequently have events which put me back on my old "work" schedule, and it isn't a shock to my system.

So it's easy for me to leave on a SS1k at 0400 and ride until 2200 or midnight. If I start at 0600 or 0700 (like when I rode with another couple who keep more "normal" hours, I'm likely to need a power nap at the Iron Butt Motel late in the evening.

Keep this in mind as you plan your route around urban traffic patterns - and your personal bio-rhythms.

Have fun!

 

[2fjr]

Aside from the advice offerred above, I'll throw in a couple more that help me. Like bgross, I like to hit the road about 4am and beat any urban traffic, plus get a good start on the day. By the time the sun is up, you will have over a tenth of the mileage done. It's easier to ride some of your darkness up front and have less at the end when you are tired.

I limit gas/pee stops to 15 minutes max. Real food, especially carbs make me real tired a bit after eating. I don't stop for any traditional meals. I will eat primarily high protein bars, or fruit, along the way, and drink enough water to stay hydrated. I avoid sugar snacks and caffeine until I am no more than about 2 hours from finishing. I don't want either of those to wear off and make me drowsy. If you get sleepy, pull over, set an alarm and take a power nap. A little running will also wake you up.

Mostly, just enjoy the ride and challenge.....and the sense of accomplishment when you are done. Do NOT forget your final recpt!!! If you wake up early feeling great......go for the BBG.

 

[maddad]

We plan on doing a SS1000 this summer around New Brunswick. We have opened it up for any of the riders in our area. With one big stipulation. We leave on schedule from each location with or with out you. I suspect there will be a trail of tired people and broken bikes around the province. But some of us will make it.

 

[redtail]

It was not enough to drink while stopped. I recommend finding a way to snack and drink while riding.

And heated gear is huge when it comes to being comfortable/safe.

The more you can reduce the sources of fatigue, the more fun you'll have.

Oh, and do some practice runs that include short stops to get receipts!

 

[Bustanut joker]

Camelback and a tankbag are wonderful items to have along...

 

[masterguns]

All great advise espcially the hitting the road time. I am an early riser; always have been. Normally up and about at 0300 or so. So, I intend to head out nlt that 0300 on a Saturday morning. Since I live in a rural area of east Parker County, Texas and will be heading west straight out to Sierra Blanca, Tx, I don't have the urban traffic issue to be concerned with. Takine another members advise I have planned a new course staying further south. From home in Aledo, Texas onto Sierra Blanca, southeast to Fort Stockton, up to Monahans and east on 20 back home. Total miles by google maps is 1037 or a little more. Anyhow, I have planned in all the guidance received above except a tank bag. Never had one but may have to get one just for this ride. I have a full set of heated gear and will most likely need it especially at the high altitudes of West Texasl; hope not but if I do, that's ok. I am prepared for the "while riding hydration" system. An insulated gallon jug with a 1/4 id hose to draw from. I haven't figured out how to empty my bladder yet while riding but am working on that. Ha Ha. Hope nobody is behind me when I do. I have a plan and am anxious to hit it. Sure hope someone decides to participate but if not, oh well.

 

[redtail]

I haven't figured out how to empty my bladder yet while riding but am working on that. Ha Ha. Hope nobody is behind me when I do.

Emptying the bladder is important too. Staying comfortable staves of fatigue. One stop for fuel... next stop to pee. Stretch your legs twice instead of one longer stop. Just make the stops short and you're good. There is time, I did mine in 19 hours. I maintained an enjoyable pace and just kept riding!

 

[user 213]

While I like to combine my stops, Redtail is spot on, there is time, enjoy yourself and find a rhythm that works for you. On that route, there are a lot of empty roads where you can just pull over and pee, then take off again with a fraction of the time it takes to exit the freeway for a gas stop or rest area. And don't wait too long to change gear to suit the conditions. I have a wide range of comfort, but when it's below 50F, I'll wear my heated gear even if I don't feel the need to turn it on, however, any time I wear it, I plug it in. Far easier to just turn it on than to find the plugs and plug in, then turn it on.

In case you're not aware, the start and end witness does not have to be immediate to the start/end of the ride, but within a reasonable time and distance. You can have your wife/SO/Neighbor witness your start odo the night before, then log the actual odo at start when you get a start receipt to begin your time and mileage on the clock. At the end, get your end receipt, write down your end odo, then if no one is around, go home and get the end odo witness in the morning. Just mention the distances involved in a short note if they are over 20 miles or so.

I like to write my odo on the receipts too, as well as the stop #. This helps keep things in order and makes it clearer and easier for the verification team when they process your paper work, and that, is the name of the game, make it as easy for the verification team to see where you went by the documentation you give them, and that it wasn't possible to take a short cut.

 

[masterguns]

SS1000 completed. Left yesterday morning and returned back to the point of origin in a little over 16 hours (1057 miles) Ran around West Texas at 85+ mph; speed limit on all interstates is 80 mph and all the back roads I was on; 75 mph. Sure makes for a leisurely SS as the miles accumulate quickly at those speed leaving a lot of time for entertainment. Took in a lot of sites out there since I am infrequently in that part of the state. The FJR performed like a dream passing every HD out there. Anyway, this item on my bucket list can be lined out. I will now plan a BB1500 before my next birthday but will wait for the IBA SS1000 cert first.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Congrats on your ride!

You will have a chance in May for your next bucket list objective (Even in your back yard)

Look on the IBA calendar and you will find your destiny

 

[dcarver]

Good on yah!

Any discomfort zones?

Anything on the bike/gear/?? to change?

 

[Canadian FJR]

PM sent to Maddad.

Canadian FJR