Planning a SS1000 for Friday

[2wheelingdawg]

this will be my first attempt at an Iron Butt. My route is from Atlanta, to Mobile, Al, to Jacksonville, Fl, to Savannah, Ga and then back to Atlanta. a little over 1100 miles according to the map/mileage maker on the Iron Butt website. It is all interstate , and should be able to avoid any major construction projects. Leaving Atlanta in the early am on Friday, I should also be able to avoid alot of holiday traffic.

I drive a truck for a living, so i am used to long distance driving. I am familiar with the roads i am planning my trip on, and also know when to say when and take a break or a nap and kick the sleep monkey in the arse!!! What kind of suggestions can anyone provide to make the trip more enjoyable and safer.

The longest trip on the feej so far was 15 hours, that was in the fog and rain on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was dang sure saddle sore too. I always use ear plugs on long rides and try to stay hydrated, with H2O, saving the Anheuser Busch donation for the campground, after the ride.

I've done 7,000 mile weeks in the truck plenty of times, but 1,000 miles on the bike sounds crazy to me!!!

Thanks for any suggestions one might have.

 

[Tbird]

I'm no expert...I just did my first IBA ride...also a SS1K @1171 mi...in mid May. Mine was all interstate too.

...but here are my experiences with my ride.

With it all being interstate you should be able to complete the ride in about 17 hrs...including stops.

I made 8 stops and averaged about 15-18 min a stop. My stops were longer than most make...but

I still had plenty of time left at the end of the miles...and if the IBA would allow a BB for a first

ride I would have continued and got that cert.

Get a tankbag...and stuff it full of road snacks you can get at safely while at speed. Also make some

of them real sour to give you a pick-me-up. At a couple of the stops drink one of those high-energy

drinks. That worked very well for me. Keep drinking water all day. I had an ipod with me and the

tunes helped to make the day go by fast. I went without the sidecases and put a medium-sized bag

on the tail to hold layers and such. I figured a lighter bike would be better.

You got way more time than you need to do this...so take a 30min rest/nap a time or two if you feel

you need to.

Best wishes on a successful run.

 

[jwilly]

Like TBird mentioned, If you run all interstate you will have plenty of time. Don't be afraid to stop and take a break, get off and stretch your legs and refresh.

Be organized, have you ATM/Credit card handy so when you pull in for fuel you can get done what you need to and not feel rushed. Most importantly, be safe and make it back in one piece even if you don't complete the ride. Be especially careful of the holiday traffic, and the increased presence of LEO's!

If you would like, shoot me a message and I will give you my cell number in case you get into trouble, I can help you out.

JW

 

[dcarver]

This may sound funny to some, but where I live it gets hot.

Hot = sweat.

Sweat = yukky when starting the night ride.

A new set of socks and undies sure is nice to have.

Oh, and wear LD riding shorts or bicycle shorts. No seams.

 

[BIODSL]

dawg ~ Tbird and jwilly offer sound advice to which I will try to add. You mentioned staying hydrated but don't mention if you have a way to drink on the bike. A Camelback or something similar in the tank bag is a very good thing. Time at stops have a way of getting away from you, especially if you're having to eat and drink while stopped. Carry what you can with you so you don't have to go into the local stop-and-rob at every fill up. The key is to keep moving. Then if you really need a break, like a nap, you have time in the bank. Good luck!

Paul Peloquin

IBA #333

Monmouth OR