Iowa to Maryland

[Andyman]

Going from Wilton, Iowa to Severna Park, MD to visit one of my Brothers. I'm using I-74, I-70, and I-68 to get there. Anyone know of any construction or road closures on the way? On the way back I plan on rounding the East Side of Chesapeake Bay, heading across the Bay Bridge Tunnel and then heading home and try and get Iron Butt Certified. It'll be my first time running this kind of distance. Wish me luck...

 

[101stpathfinder]

Going from Wilton, Iowa to Severna Park, MD to visit one of my Brothers. I'm using I-74, I-70, and I-68 to get there. Anyone know of any construction or road closures on the way? On the way back I plan on rounding the East Side of Chesapeake Bay, heading across the Bay Bridge Tunnel and then heading home and try and get Iron Butt Certified. It'll be my first time running this kind of distance. Wish me luck...

I am originally from Iowa and have been back 4 times this year, but I usually head Ave of the Saints (61)

N/S. Mike (mehaffydr) just did a Great Lakes ride and returned to St. Louis area, so he could advise you on

I-70. He is a little busy now (IBR5000) butt you could try him later. "Construction" seems to be the national

theme right now. Butt you have chosen slabs (Good choice IMO) so you should be O.K.

Have a great ride! (Let the addiction begin) :lol:

 

[Hello Kitty]

Assuming you'll head down 270, around the beltway to 50 as you hone in on Severna Park? You won't have any issues once you get into MD on I-68, I haven't been on the roads you'll be on west of there recently enough to know details of what you want to know. now if you're on those roads at prime commuting times, that's another story. You'll just have to use your judgement there. 270 and 50 have HOV lanes that bikes can use.

I assume you're looking to do a Saddle Sore 1000? I'm not sure what roads you were planning to do that on, but you might consider keeping that ride to interstates. After you finish up the bay bridge tunnel, you could pick up 64 in Eastern VA. Unless you're there at a very off hour, there is frequently a fair bit of volume on 64 between the coast and Richmond. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but you'll want to time that right. Perhaps you could enjoy your day from Severna Park along the eastern shore and ride on to west of Richmond and stop for the night and start your ride in the morning? I'm sure you could make something work, just be sure to get receipts at all of the 'corners' to show you didn't take short cuts!

I live in Baltimore, maybe 20 or 30 minutes from Severna Park, and work in DC (near the intersection of 50 and the beltway (495)). If you have any other questions, feel free to drop me a PM.

Good luck!

 

[Andyman]

Assuming you'll head down 270, around the beltway to 50 as you hone in on Severna Park? You won't have any issues once you get into MD on I-68, I haven't been on the roads you'll be on west of there recently enough to know details of what you want to know. now if you're on those roads at prime commuting times, that's another story. You'll just have to use your judgement there. 270 and 50 have HOV lanes that bikes can use.
I assume you're looking to do a Saddle Sore 1000? I'm not sure what roads you were planning to do that on, but you might consider keeping that ride to interstates. After you finish up the bay bridge tunnel, you could pick up 64 in Eastern VA. Unless you're there at a very off hour, there is frequently a fair bit of volume on 64 between the coast and Richmond. Not necessarily a deal breaker, but you'll want to time that right. Perhaps you could enjoy your day from Severna Park along the eastern shore and ride on to west of Richmond and stop for the night and start your ride in the morning? I'm sure you could make something work, just be sure to get receipts at all of the 'corners' to show you didn't take short cuts!

I live in Baltimore, maybe 20 or 30 minutes from Severna Park, and work in DC (near the intersection of 50 and the beltway (495)). If you have any other questions, feel free to drop me a PM.

Good luck!

Thanks,

I plan on coming in on I-68. It will probably be after Rush hour traffic depending on how early I start off. I'm going to attempt to time it to where I go through Baltimore around 7:00PM. I may end up catching the tail end of heavy traffic. I've received quite a few recommendations from my brother, worldbound4now, as well as a few others. Receipts at every corner shouldn't be an issue, the distance between corners is pretty significant for the most part.

Andy

 

[Hello Kitty]

Well cool. Sounds like you're taking 70 all the way to the bmore beltway and then down to Severna Park. Was gonna mention it cause I think it's a few miles shorter. Of course, depends on exactly where you're going. People always wanna head down 270. I think it's psychologically better for them because they get off the freeway they've been on forever a little sooner.

Wave when you go by exit 13 for Frederick Road on 695

 

[FJR Flyer]

Yeah, I also assumed I70 to I695 to I97. If you're after 7, you shouldn't have any trouble with traffic on the B-more beltway, barring some bizarre accident. And you won't be on the beltway very long.

 

[Andyman]

Well, I made it there and back in one piece.

930 miles in 14.5 hours on the way there. Ran into some construction zones in Ohio and West Virginia that slowed me down quite a lot. Otherwise it was a pretty good ride without incident. Too bad I didn't have time to get that last 70 miles for the Saddle Sore 1000 certification. I had the reciepts and signatures required.

1326 Miles in about 20 hours on the way home. Took a detour around the east side of Chesapeake Bay down to the Bridge tunnel. My GPS said the fastest route home was I-95 back up to the Baltimore area then back onto I-70. I modified this some with some back roads. I actually wished I would have stayed on I-64 from Richmond, VA to Louisville, KY. I got caught in some rain in West Virginia and Pennsylvania and of course more construction delays. Once the sun went down, the ride became easier. Less traffic, cool breeze, and clear skies. This time I didn't have the paper work signed for the SS1000.

Oh Shucks..... I guess I'll have to do this again.....

Needed Upgrades before next trip. A new seat. The Spencer Modification to the stock seat isn't quite good enough for my butt.....

Thanks for the help....

Andy

 

[CraigRegs]

Hey Andy,

Sounds like you're training for a BB1500. If you ever burn through central IA, PM and maybe we could put in some miles. I grew up in WL so I know your neck of the woods too...in fact it's still Wllton Junction to me!

Craig

 

[Hello Kitty]

Congratulations Andy! You'll have to try again and get the signatures and paperwork this time!

Hey Craig, watch yourself. I'm told that I take away the pursuit of happiness of 12 year old girls If I would do it to her, imagine what I would do to YOU! Despite what she thinks, I really do remember being that age and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!

Fidel :lol:

 

[CraigRegs]

Congratulations Andy! You'll have to try again and get the signatures and paperwork this time!
Hey Craig, watch yourself. I'm told that I take away the pursuit of happiness of 12 year old girls If I would do it to her, imagine what I would do to YOU! Despite what she thinks, I really do remember being that age and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!

Fidel :lol:

Mine's 12 too...I haven't yet hit the "oppressive father" stage yet....but this could be the year.

Craig

 

[worldbound4now]

Well, I made it there and back in one piece.
930 miles in 14.5 hours on the way there. Ran into some construction zones in Ohio and West Virginia that slowed me down quite a lot. Otherwise it was a pretty good ride without incident. Too bad I didn't have time to get that last 70 miles for the Saddle Sore 1000 certification. I had the reciepts and signatures required.

1326 Miles in about 20 hours on the way home. Took a detour around the east side of Chesapeake Bay down to the Bridge tunnel. My GPS said the fastest route home was I-95 back up to the Baltimore area then back onto I-70. I modified this some with some back roads. I actually wished I would have stayed on I-64 from Richmond, VA to Louisville, KY. I got caught in some rain in West Virginia and Pennsylvania and of course more construction delays. Once the sun went down, the ride became easier. Less traffic, cool breeze, and clear skies. This time I didn't have the paper work signed for the SS1000.

Oh Shucks..... I guess I'll have to do this again.....

Needed Upgrades before next trip. A new seat. The Spencer Modification to the stock seat isn't quite good enough for my butt.....

Thanks for the help....

Andy

Congratulations on the safe return home. A SS1K will come by again, or you could be like me and have several undocumented runs that happened when I lived in NV..... or did they. Only I will know.

 

[Andyman]

One practice run didn't hurt. Ok it hurt my ass but I'm doing some research on this. I want a seat that is comfy for 1k plus mile trips but I can still keep the sporty look. Suggestions are welcome.

 

[Andyman]

Hey Andy,
Sounds like you're training for a BB1500. If you ever burn through central IA, PM and maybe we could put in some miles. I grew up in WL so I know your neck of the woods too...in fact it's still Wllton Junction to me!

Craig

Will do. I have a feeling my long distance riding will be postponed till next year but I'll keep you posted on when I go through your neck of the woods.