Tomorrow is a BIG DAY...

[Mackeroni]

I am finalizing plans for my first SaddleSore 100. Leaving tomorrow morning for a ride from Ohio to Florida, rain or shine.

Got these things covered... fresh motor oil and gear oil, good tires, throttle lock, BMS seat, GIVI V46, rain-riding gear, sunscreen, Streets & Trips maps, IBA paperwork.

No, I am not taking a GPS or Radar Detector.

Did I forget anything? :huh:

Tanks!

 

[ssfd110]

You may want to bring some hydration and snacks. I like to make sure that I take time every fuel stop to stretch. Just be smart about it, there is plenty of time in 24hrs to ride 1K. If your body is telling you to rest then do so. It's amazing what a 20 min power nap will do.

I am finalizing plans for my first SaddleSore 100. Leaving tomorrow morning for a ride from Ohio to Florida, rain or shine.
Got these things covered... fresh motor oil and gear oil, good tires, throttle lock, BMS seat, GIVI V46, rain-riding gear, sunscreen, Streets & Trips maps, IBA paperwork.

No, I am not taking a GPS or Radar Detector.

Did I forget anything? :huh:

Tanks!

 

[CraigRegs]

You may want to bring some hydration and snacks. I like to make sure that I take time every fuel stop to stretch. Just be smart about it, there is plenty of time in 24hrs to ride 1K. If your body is telling you to rest then do so. It's amazing what a 20 min power nap will do.

Gunny on tha\e snacks and H2O. Easier and faster at a gas stop to reach into the tank bag for these instead of waiting in line at the counter behind four people while the 16-yr-old clerk tries to figure out how to replace the cash register tape.

Craig

 

[tcfjr]

Pack a small first aid kit with some Pepto and some Ibuprofen, just in case. It's not fun to get an upset stomach half-way through, and unless you're used to long days in the saddle, you're likely to be a little sore towards the end. A tire kit with a 12V compressor can save the day if you get a flat out in the middle of nowhere, and extra fuses are always a good idea.

 

[Murph]

I think you've got it covered. The time will go by fast. Best wishes on your trip.

I bet you'll agree that the SS1000 is just too easy on an FJR.

 

[LDRydr]

Some tips:

Be sure your route is OVER 1,000 miles. Plug it into MS S&T or something like it before heading out. DON'T count on your ODO to be good enough. The IBA will check it using a mapping program, so should you.

Be sure you have all your paperwork in order, don't lose any receipts. Be sure your gas receipts show the REAL time and date on them. This is very important on your starting and ending gas receipts, as they start and stop the clock for your ride. Check your start/stop gas pump out the day before you do the real ride to be sure it will give you what you want so you're not riding around looking for Plan B station. If, along your ride, you end up getting a receipt that's missing something then go inside and have a clerk print you one with the info, or put the time/date on it and have him sign it. I've also had them stamp the back of a receipt with their check endorsement stamp, which shows the station number, name, etc.

I write my odo reading and fuel-stop number on each receipt. This makes it easy to build your trip log after you get home, saving you time on the road. Then when you get your map ready to send in along with your other paperwork you can just write the stop number on the map and circle it.

Don't forget you need to account for stops longer than 30 minutes. So if you stop for a 1 hour nap you must log starting and ending time for the stop and the odo reading. Ditto for a long lunch or dinner (but you won't be doing either, right?).

Don't stress yourself out about the ride. A Saddlesore can be accomplished in far less than 24 hours without much trouble, but not if you're psyched out about it. Keep your pit stops short and to-the-point. Above all keep moving. Your average MPH drops off real fast when you're chit-chatting with gawkers at a gas station.

Above all, stay safe and have fun. If you're too sleepy to continue, or conditions change and you're not comfortable with them then abort the attempt. You can always try it another time. If you're successful we'll be ready and waiting to read your ride report and welcome you to the club.

 

[Wolfhound]

Just remember to keep the stops short & the bike moving forward ! Good Luck ! Check your receipts closely for all info needed & write the mileage on the back then you can do your paperwork when your done . . . .

 

[eeksnake]

+1 to the advice thus far.

Make sure you come back to tell us all about it.

 

[Tbird]

I'm no expert...I've only done one IBA ride...also a SS1K @1171 mi...in mid May. Mine was all interstate.

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

You've got more time than you think...so you don't have to rush. You didn't say if you are running

the interstates...but if you are 17 hrs will get you well past your goal. 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 BBG for a first ride I would have continued on 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 perk-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...it's best to have a hydration bag.

I put one in my tankbag and was able to drink through the bite valve at any time. 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.

Keep checking yourself. 1000 mi and 18-22 hours is a long time. So continually check that your are

staying alert. Check your muscles and posture...relax and be upright. Shift weight and postion often.

I was almost 100% comfortable because I kept my body moving while I was on the ride and gave no

muscle the chance to get fatigued.

I also made up maps and an itenerary table with leg & accumulated distances and estimated leg &

accumulated times...and placed them in the map sleeve on the top of my tankbag. This allowed me to

play a game with myself all day...comparing my estimates with my actuals (odometer/watch) which kept

me more alert then I otherwise would have been.

You've 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.

If you are going to enter a new state...stop and take a pic with you and the bike in front of the "Entering..."

sign. Those are always fun to have.

Best wishes on a successful run and report back.

 

[SkooterG]

My advice:

HAVE FUN!!!

Make sure you take some photos as this will be a ride you will savor for the rest of your life.

You don't really know it yet, but Long Distance riding is 90% mental, and 10% physical as counterintuitive as that may seem. Go in with a good attitude, a can-do outlook, and some confidence and motivation and the ride will be a snap. Self-doubt, indecisiveness, and a lack of confidence and a bad attitude will make the 1000 miles seem like a 10,000.

Good luck! I can't wait to read your post-finish ride report.

 

[Mackeroni]

Some tips:
Be sure your route is OVER 1,000 miles. Plug it into MS S&T or something like it before heading out. DON'T count on your ODO to be good enough. The IBA will check it using a mapping program, so should you.

Be sure you have all your paperwork in order, don't lose any receipts. Be sure your gas receipts show the REAL time and date on them. This is very important on your starting and ending gas receipts, as they start and stop the clock for your ride. Check your start/stop gas pump out the day before you do the real ride to be sure it will give you what you want so you're not riding around looking for Plan B station. If, along your ride, you end up getting a receipt that's missing something then go inside and have a clerk print you one with the info, or put the time/date on it and have him sign it. I've also had them stamp the back of a receipt with their check endorsement stamp, which shows the station number, name, etc.

I write my odo reading and fuel-stop number on each receipt. This makes it easy to build your trip log after you get home, saving you time on the road. Then when you get your map ready to send in along with your other paperwork you can just write the stop number on the map and circle it.

Don't forget you need to account for stops longer than 30 minutes. So if you stop for a 1 hour nap you must log starting and ending time for the stop and the odo reading. Ditto for a long lunch or dinner (but you won't be doing either, right?).

Don't stress yourself out about the ride. A Saddlesore can be accomplished in far less than 24 hours without much trouble, but not if you're psyched out about it. Keep your pit stops short and to-the-point. Above all keep moving. Your average MPH drops off real fast when you're chit-chatting with gawkers at a gas station.

Above all, stay safe and have fun. If you're too sleepy to continue, or conditions change and you're not comfortable with them then abort the attempt. You can always try it another time. If you're successful we'll be ready and waiting to read your ride report and welcome you to the club.

Hey LD... Great advice, especially about logging stops over 30 minutes. I must have read the rules three times, but I missed that one. I'm pretty excited, so my mind wanders alot when I'm thinking about this ride.

I've done lots of 650 - 700 mile days when I was trying to get from Ohio to somewhere fun under the pressure of limited vacation time. Those were no problem, and I was leaving late, riding a relaxed pace and jawing with the passersby at gas stations. Have met some really interesting folks this way. Everyone wants to know, "Are you really from Ohio?" And then they want to tell you "their" motorcycle story. Everyone's got one. I think if I just keep my butt in the saddle most of the day, it should not be too difficult.

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[user 213]

Gunny! Enjoy the ride.

Number your receipts, and check each one for the necessary info. If it's not on the pump receipt, go inside and ask for a duplicate receipt, sometimes they will have all the info. If not, check for an ATM and get an account balance receipt. If still no good, just move to the next station and try to pump a couple of cents in. You still need to turn in the bad receipt, but the good one will add to your documentation for time, location, etc. Know what you can write in by hand, and what you can't.

Good luck. It's a easy 17-18 hour ride. Stop and take a nap if you start nodding off. That's the only sure thing to help, sleep.

 

[LDRydr]

One other thing, don't forget to account for time-zone changes when recording your time (if this applies to you). Record them with the time-zone indicated.

 

[monk69]

One thing I do on long rides,is to do knee bends (about 10 every hour) while rolling,just drop the speed down so as not to have alot of wind working against you,if you feal comfortable with that....have a nice ride...

 

[Go Far]

Here's some reading material

IBA's 29 tips

And HAVE FUN!!!

I am finalizing plans for my first SaddleSore 100. Leaving tomorrow morning for a ride from Ohio to Florida, rain or shine.
Got these things covered... fresh motor oil and gear oil, good tires, throttle lock, BMS seat, GIVI V46, rain-riding gear, sunscreen, Streets & Trips maps, IBA paperwork.

No, I am not taking a GPS or Radar Detector.

Did I forget anything? :huh:

Tanks!

 

[Mackeroni]

Thanks to everyone for the advice. You gave me some good stuff here!

Will let you all know how I did once I get to Key West... unless I get too sloshed on Duval St. to find my PC.

Wish me good luck and clear skies!

 

[Go Far]

Get a good nights sleep!

Thanks to everyone for the advice. You gave me some good stuff here!
Will let you all know how I did once I get to Key West... unless I get too sloshed on Duval St. to find my PC.

Wish me good luck and clear skies!

 

[Low Level FJR Pilot]

Good luck on the SS1K. :yahoo: Just get plenty of rest and drink plenty of fluids. You would be surprised what affect dehydration will have on you.

 

[Fencer]

Lip balm may be as usefull as the sunscreen.