My First BBG1500

[GunMD]

Well, despite the fact that since the completion of my first SS1K last fall I've said "it was fun, but I don't feel the need to do it again..." I just completed my first Bun Burner Gold (1500 in under 24 hrs). I started in 29 Palms, CA and finished in Gardner KS. 1542 miles (according to the ODO, slightly less by Mapquest) in right at 23 hours. Man, let me tell you it kicked my ass. :dribble: The last 30 miles would have been done while sleeping had it not been for the crazy ass lightning storm I was in. I kept thinking "man, I should NOT be out here". But, there wasn't really anyplace to go for shelter so I just whacked the throttle and got to my destination. Did I mention that this ride kicked my ass?

Oh well, ass kicking aside I'm pretty glad I did it. I hope this IBA stuff isn't like crack.

For the return trip (starting Wednesday) I'll be heading to Denver to visit family for one night, then back to California via I-70 in the Rockies. What a great drive that is.

 

[Randy]

Congrats!!! When you say 'I just completed', I hope you at least took sime time to catch some sleep before writing this up.

Have a great ride home and looking forward to hearing the whole ride report. Maybe on the way back, you'll have some time to get some pics around CO?

 

[GunMD]

Yes, I did rest. I actually pulled into Gardner to my brother's house Friday morning. I napped for a couple of hours there, then went the last 50 miles to my parents house where I tried to be sociable until I just couldn't stand it anymore and crashed for a 4 hour slumber. I think I'm just about back on track now as far as my sleep schedule.

My biggest mistake: Not enough sleep the night before the ride. I was rushing around trying to pack and make sure that all of my loose ends at work were tied up and ended up starting the ride on less than 5 hours of sleep. Don't try this approach as it will cause you to become delusional during the last few hours of your BBG attempt.

I'll make every effort to take some good pics in CO.

 

[Randy]

My biggest mistake: Not enough sleep the night before the ride. I was rushing around trying to pack and make sure that all of my loose ends at work were tied up and ended up starting the ride on less than 5 hours of sleep. Don't try this approach as it will cause you to become delusional during the last few hours of your BBG attempt.

Not laughing at you, laughing with you. While not as extreme, I did my SS1000 on about 3 1/2 hours sleep for the same reason.

If you aren't on a tight schedule to get home, I think the Iron Butt Rally will have a checkpoint in Denver on Friday. Just a thought...

 

[GunMD]

If you aren't on a tight schedule to get home, I think the Iron Butt Rally will have a checkpoint in Denver on Friday. Just a thought...

Yeah, I know about the checkpoint in Denver, but I have to be back at work Friday. Bummer. I really wish I could be there.

I don't know how the IB Rally guys do it. One day of it and I was down for the count...ass totally kicked, feeling like I'd been on some kind of exercise torture run for 23 hours. How the hell do they do that for 11 days? My hat is off. :cownoy:

 

[Bounce]

congrats.

welcome to the nut house!

 

[smthng]

I hope this IBA stuff isn't like crack.

It is... you're skrewd. The first sample is free. Every hit after that is gonna cost you another farkle in order to make it "better" next time. But, you're hooked now, might as well go ahead and order your next set of tires and that barn-door wind screen now and get it over with.

 

[rogerfjrfaster]

GunMD

Congrats on you BBG, thats my next one if I can get everything together. Like you said getting good sleep night before is the KEY.

rogerfrfaster

 

[GunMD]

Holy shitcakes, Batman. I just got home from the return leg of my BBG. Good lord, am I insane? Rain, cold, hot, cold, dry, rain, wind, etc. Whose idea was this anyway? I didn't set any records on the return trip, but didn't do bad (IMHO) either. I did the KC to Denver leg (650 miles) in about 10 hours on Wednesday, then the remaining 954 miles on Thursday in just under 15 hours (including a very slow breakfast in Vail, CO and tons of rest stops along the way).

Oh shit, I'm supposed to be at work tomorrow.

My hat is now ENTIRELY off to those who are currently participating in the IBR. Those riders are insane.

 

[GunMD]

Oh yeah, and I've decided that I need to find a way to ride for a living. Screw getting home in time for work. I love my job, but it's not worth returning for...ever.

Hello lotto.

 

[stryg8r]

Congrats GunMD! :drinks:

Riding that long really gives you a good perspective of what these IBR riders must go through. I just got back from a trip around the Great Lakes and my ass is still numb in places mg: I can't imagine doing that for 9 *more* days.

Derek

 

[beeroux]

Hey Scott.

Congrats on finishing the BBG, thats a tough ride fa sho.

I was proud to sign you out at the start, on my own way to Denver.

Keg is tapped, you're welcome anytime.

GZ

 

[valetz]

Congrats GunMD! :drinks:
Riding that long really gives you a good perspective of what these IBR riders must go through. I just got back from a trip around the Great Lakes and my ass is still numb in places mg: I can't imagine doing that for 9 *more* days.

Derek

Yeah, but you (and me also) need to get a real seat.....

Totally different...

-bvw.

 

[GunMD]

Thanks GZ...at least I didn't have to worry 'bout taking pictures of lighthouses on my BBG.

 

[Ignacio]

Amen brother. The SS1K is actually easy in hinsight I'm sure. The 1500 in 24 taps one's abilities though, doesn't it?

You get done with that ride after 23 hours and you honestly can say to yourself that you can't have ridden much more. At least I do having done my first BBG in May.

Congrats and welcome to an even smaller club--of about 1500 or so from what I see on the IBA site.

You pondering like myself--which ride next?

 

[SkooterG]

Hey, congrats GunMD! I too, just completed my first BBG last week. I hope to do a little write-up on it soon.

And, as Ignacio said, what next........

I am thinking a 50CC if I can work it in sometime next summer.

Congrats to all three of us! Iron Butt Rally, here we come! Ha ha. :haha:

 

[GunMD]

Congrats to all three of us! Iron Butt Rally, here we come!

I don't know 'bout THAT...maybe though, who knows?

After speaking to George Z on the phone yesterday and listening to his tales of riding for several days on a few hours of sleep I just can't see how I could be very competitive in the IBR. Time will tell I guess.

As for the next ride? I've always wanted to do the Border to Border Insanity. Living in SoCal makes that one pretty easy from a logistics standpoint. The 50cc would certainly require more time from work (hard to come by for me). We'll see.

So, each of us having done a BBG...ScooterG and I did ours alone (Ignacio, not sure 'bout yours). I wouldn't change a thing on mine. I liked the freedom to make each stop as fast or as slow as I wanted. How 'bout you guys? Extreme IBA rides...alone, or w/ another rider(s)???

 

[Ignacio]

I couldn't imagine doing the BBG with another rider. Hours and hours of either a bike in your forevision or the rearview mirror would mess with me. A stationary object relative to picking up the flow and motion of the stationary world or different movement of traffic you're passing (was I the only one that never, ever got passed?) would make me wreck.

Riding double can be done though, but it's supposedly by fate and more important with multi-day rides.

Talking to 48+ riders in May. They said they helped each other out by peaking and leveling off at different times of the day. Having the strongest rider up front when they were peaking helped the rear rider have a target.

Me? Solo all the way baby.

And yeah, I'm thinking the BBG Insanity. I live in Washington State and think I need to drink margaritas on the beach the next day mamacita!

 

[Warchild]

How 'bout you guys? Extreme IBA rides...alone, or w/ another rider(s)???

Without question, alone. Always.