The Witness

[hppants]

Ramjt (John) and I met on my Fall2015 tour of the southwest. With the Redfish Hunters, we toured together for about 4 days and I enjoyed getting to know him. Last week, he informed me that he was attempting an Iron Butt Association ride this weekend, and asked me to witness the conclusion of the ride. I was honored to do so, but concerned.

John chose his route such that 1000 miles fell very close to my house. Weather wise, this is no place for a Yankee right now. Temperatures are approaching 100, but with 70% humidity, it is miserably oppressive. None the less, John was born and raised in the south, and I was confident he would be OK.

Yesterday, I watched his SPOT feed, along with the radar and traffic reports. About 7:30 pm, it looked like go time for me, so I jumped on my bike and ran north up I-49 about 25 miles to our pre-determined meeting spot. I got there only a couple minutes early.

I was impressed at how good he looked having ridden for the better part of 17 hours. The FJR is so versatile as a motorcycle. However you decide to do it, this bike is a bonified mileage eater. I geared back up, and escorted him the 25 miles down to Lafayette for the simple celebration.

John must have lost 15 pounds soaking in that Aerostitch suit today. Holy Cow!! The truth is that he got extremely lucky with the weather. A couple of large rain systems soaked everything around his path in Louisiana. It left his route dry, but was close enough to provide good cloud cover all day, and temperatures that were at least tolerable.

We took care of the obligatory paperwork.

I offered to put him up at my house, and escort him East to see Redfish Hunter and his Dad on Sunday. But he got a second wind and decided to press on. He was hoping to go 500 more miles tomorrow and pick up some kind of IBA bonus.

Regardless, when you get to these parts, you gotta eat so I chose a restaurant that I know serves good food just off the Interstate on his route, and we rode 15 miles down the slab to it.

I had already eaten supper, but I’ve always got room for 1 crab cake. No point in being anti-social. John ordered the broiled seafood platter, an excellent choice if I don’t say so.

After dinner, we geared up and split ways, with John heading East for new adventure, and I West for home.

It was only 100 miles of slab for me, but it was different and I enjoyed my little part of the experience.

Stay thirsty, my friends….

 

[redzgrider]

Well done! Both he for making his ride, and you for providing the appropriate hospitality!

Tried to do a Saddle Sore in June a few years back, leaving Orlando and running through Louisiana to Texas.

That did not turn out so well...

 

[RJAMT]

I'm in Starkville, MS eating right now. Only 170 miles to go and 5 hours left for my Bun Burner.

Many thanks my friend for meeting me and feeding me. The food was excellent and much needed.

As for heat, I did fine except for the 100 degrees in TX.

In Sulpher Springs I rode in circles sweating and swearing until I realized I had dropped my waypoint in someone's yard rather than at the intersection. Garmin was trying hard to get me there anyway.

Lesson learned. Double check all waypoints in air conditioned comfort at home and not 700 miles away in a sauna!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Good Work gentlemen, Good Work indeed.

RJAMT, when you get cooled off and rehydrated I have questions about how well the Aerostich handled the heat and humidity.

hppants, as usual, you Did Good. I am proud of you sir.

I will forever be sorry that I could not get out of working last night. Working for a living sucks.

 

[Cav47]

Great job chronically the ride and even better John for making it through.

 

[RJAMT]

I was doing well enough today I felt I could spare some time so I rode the Natchez Trace the last 100 or so miles.

I'm currently showered and sipping an excellent wine at my parents house. Bun Burner 1500 complete.

I have even more respect now for folks like 101pathfinder, Ignacio, Puppychow and the other serious LD riders. I'm not worthy!

 

[graler]

Congrats! I am going to try an SS-1000 this weekend. I have read through a ton a lists of things to and not to do. Do you have anything that stood out for you?

Joe

 

[Uncle Hud]

As you head home, try this:

Before putting on the suit, open the shoulder blade vent with the zipper pulls in the center (to support the fabric better) and open both pit zips. Leave you collar open with the magnets engaged. Lower the windshield fully.

As it gets warm, hold an arm up to catch air in the pit zip; air should exhaust through the back. My favorite? Raise your chin and open your neckhole by pulling where a necktie knot would rest. That funnels a huge volume of air into and through the entire suit. Feels like it inflates as big as a sumo wrestler costume. Kills boredom, too.

Still warm? Stop, unzip a little, wet your shirt fully, zip back up, and try the above again. At freeway speeds, you'll be dry in 10 minutes; even in 98% humidity.

Oh yeah, congratulations, RJAMT. If it was easy, everybody would have one. Trying my first on the way to NAFO.

 

[RJAMT]

I'm home safe and sound after 1,986 miles over the 3 day weekend. I know that's nothing to masters like Rider-X but I'm feeling kinda proud right now. Everybody's gotta start somewhere right?

Somewhere around the 1200 mile mark I think Master Yoda spoke to me. I thought I had the riding position down but after a day and a half in the saddle I finally truly relaxed. I took some deep breathes and began consciously noticing which muscles were tense and making an effort to relax them. From that point on I was able to ride tank-to-tank. The last 300 miles on Sunday and all 400 today were so easy I was a little annoyed when I needed to stop for gas.

I found my comfort position on the bike. Balls of my feet on the pegs with heels resting on the passenger pegs, hands lightly on the bars and the miles just began to melt away. I arrived home in great shape and feeling like I could do it again tomorrow. People have tried to explain the "proper" riding technique to me but it took 1200 miles to finally understand.

graler - Most critical is hydration. I have an insulated 100oz Camelbak I always take on longer trips. This time it was on the pillion. I put a longer hose on it so I can drink whenever I wish. Top it off with ice whenever you stop. It was 100 in Texas and in the 90s everywhere else so I was sweating plenty. Mesh clothing makes you "feel" cooler but hot is hot and you are sweating whether you feel wet or not. Drink early and often. Only bad comes from getting behind the hydration power curve.

Next is relax. To do that requires ergonomic and mental comfort. For me ergonomic meant a new seat, windshield and bar risers. Mental comfort comes from knowing things are fine at home, the bike was checked out, you know where you are going and expect to achieve your goal. If either is off you can't relax and tension makes travel harder regardless of where it comes from.

Oh yeah, no cotton underwear. Soggy, bunched up shorts are miserable. I recommend investing in something that wicks moisture and stays in place. Use whatever you like but remember that if "the boys" are miserable you will be too.

Uncle Hud - Excellent advice. I discovered most of what you suggest along the way. My windshield all the way down directs a major air blast right at my neck-line. I also learned just how to position my arms to keep them tension free while still directing air into the vents. Leaning forward while standing up to stretch the legs blows air right down the suit.

RFH - I'm very happy with my Roadcrafter. Is it hot when the temperature is in the 90s? Of course, but I'd be hot wearing a swimsuit also. Hot is hot. Just stay hydrated and blow some air inside when you need it. Being covered up is actually a good thing. I spent a year in Saudi Arabia where it was 125 in Riyadh and 136 on the flightline. You never see Arabs wearing shorts and a tank top. They know to keep covered up in the heat. I deliberately ordered my suit a little large. That gives me room to layer up in the Illinois winter and also provides room for air to circulate around me in the summer. Tight may look better but I prefer comfort. I'm too old to worry about vanity.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Thanks for the report and the advice.

I am painfully aware that when the temps get high the body needs to be insulated from the heat. Mesh is fine for shorter rides but leads to dehydration and overheating on long rides with the temps above 98.6F.

As you noted, the desert dwellers always cover up completely. Those old Clint Eastwood movies where he is sweating under that poncho come to mind.

I do not think the Aerostich is in my budget range right now but I am sure thinking about it.