| Author | Message | ||
     Harley_jethro |
The Iron Butt Assoc, Regional Saddle Sore 1000; Ride 1000 miles in 24hrs or less on June 11th 2005 simultaneous with other riders across the US and Canada. The prize...a pin, paper certificate and personal pride. Why? became a common question from the people who knew of my quest, most of them never having ridden a motorcycle...enough said. Well, it didn't seem like too big a deal on paper...ride from Cherry Hill, NJ to Abingdon, VA via Hagerstown, MD. I floated the idea by my fellow riding partner and he thought I was nuts. Even more so when I said it would be on the XB9 and not my FLH. He finally caved at the last hour and signed up, also on his XB9. The "Buell Contingent" (as we came to be known) was now official for the Philadelphia Region SS1000. After reading everything I had and could find on distance/endurance riding...some common threads kept re-peating..."Ride alone" and "Have at least a 200mi fuel range," you can get by with 150mi but it's the minimum. Maybe I/we are crazy for taking the Buell...nonsense!!! Then I stumbled upon Ethan R's story of 1000mi in 24hrs with his XB on the BadWeb...he finished, and rode with friends on a machine with less than a 200mi range. I contacted him for some suggestions and re-assurance. He had a great story posted and some solid advice. Have ample luggage for rain gear, tire kit, first aid and spare clothing...stops get longer as the day goes on and most of all...know the road for the best gas locations. Some we took and some we didn't, it's all good and the rest is history. We both packed the "Essentials" in the large factory tank bags, and the "What ifs" in the tail luggage. Walt ran the factory saddle and tail bags while I have the large Motorbag Tailpack on the rear seat. One of the "what ifs" was an MSR fuel bottle (empty) along with a siphon hose in case we pushed the fuel too hard. The bikes pack very well and the size of my tailpack required some creative style when getting on and off the bike. In the future, I may consider filling the MSR bottle for longer remote excursions. We spent Friday night at a friend’s house that didn't grasp the need for us to get a good nights sleep. As midnight rolled around we agreed to bag the 5am-start time and target 6:30 for the extra Z's. After a 40minute ride to the official sign in location we found three people at a picnic table smiling that we made it. Apparently we were the last to show and were almost counted out. Witness forms signed a brief exchange of conversation inclusive of the infamous "How far can you go on a tank of gas?" Followed by, "It's gonna be a long day for you guys with all the stops you're gonna make." Down the road to the Exxon for our gas receipt, official time stamp and The Buell Contingent was on the road. With a care free attitudes and no real plan, other than the supplied directions, we left NJ on 295 south, crossed into Delaware and continued south on I-95 towards 695 Baltimore Beltway that will connect us to I-70 and checkpoint (2) in Hagerstown, MD. We knew these would be toll roads so the EasyPass was mandatory equipment. Of course, we learned that when going through the toll you can't lean over the tank as it apparently blocks the signal. Traffic was really heavy, especially around the 695 Loop, we couldn't wait to get onto 70 west hoping it would open up. Filled the tank once prior to reaching the checkpoint at Hagerstown (188mi mark). Didn't really need to stop but we needed the gas receipt for time stamp. Ran into a husband and wife on his/hers H-D Ultra Glides, they just finished draining the diesel out after a mis-hap at the pump. Now were on I-81 south and headed for the turn around in Abingdon, VA. Will the odometer ever turn 300miles? Traffic is moving at a speedy clip including plenty of big trucks. Finally feeling like we got a good run going and the road becomes a parking lot. We sit about 10 minutes before a trucker advise it's gonna be a while...landing MedEvac up there. About 1.5mi of lane splitting and we get to the exit...upon arrival to the middle of no-where, we turned right on SR55. The map showed this as about a 35mi excursion into West Virginia to connect with SR259 south, a road that paralleled I-81. At about 11:30 Walt hit a ground hog in the road and his bike took some nice air while I evaded the furry speed bump. This called for a damage inspection at a station just down the road, all is well and we top off the tanks. There's a nice air conditioned hardware store and deli here in Wardenville, WV...how bout a sandwich and a Gatorade with that high test...20-25 minutes later and were back on SR55. Mary made our sandwiches and assured us our directions were accurate. Wow, what a great road rolling through the hills at 55-65mph this is why we ride Buell’s. Time is starting to catch us, but hey..."We got all day" right? Road-kill Trivia, “How much juice comes out of an average size groundhog hit at ~55mph?” Not sure but it takes (3) Windex Wipes to get it off the chin spoiler of a Lightning XB9. Returning to I-81 south and time to find a gas station, the bikes are running great. Traffic is in giddy-up mode...tach is hanging at 4500rpm as we follow a fast moving 18-wheeler down the left lane. Unfortunately mpg drops at this pace and my fuel light had been on for some time causing a backbreaking stop 15 miles north of the Abingdon, VA turn around. We had pushed my reserve 38miles and figured that was about it. Later in the trip, we would realize my reserve was coming on with between .8 -1.0 full gallon in the tank, at least this is how it appeared given the amount it would take in. Finally half way and the odometer is at 586miles, both agreed the mountains were the best part of the ride and we stayed cooler than if we rode total highway. A fresh shirt, and needed rest for the posterior region while we checked the fluids and tires and it’s back to the highway. The return should be smoother but we burned a lot of daylight. I guesstimate we lost 1 to 1-1/4hrs with my anxious fuel light and the detour. It will be cooler running at night, less tiring and the air will be refreshing...you would think. 725miles in and fatigue is causing indecision, my fuel light comes on after 115mi, as I pull off the exit I question why I didn't put a few more miles on before stopping? Did I reset the odometer? Maybe it’s bad gas? Can't change the radio station in my head...we'll take about 15minutes here to splash a little water on our face and grab a snack from the tank bag. We agree that it's gonna be down to the wire if we don't keep an average of 65mph and the stops to 10minutes. Keep a positive attitude, no surprises and we got this. Highlight of the evening at our mandatory checkpoint in Hagerstown, two guys that only use sign language want to chat about the bikes. Numerous thumbs up and a sweeping hand motion (meaning really quick) Walt points to the H-D on his jacket and Buell has some new fans. Would have been great to spend more time with these guys, can't believe how many people don't know the XB is from Milwaukee. Took the time at this stop to put the liner in my jacket as temps were dropping. Kept the shield cracked to let a little air in and keep me sharp. We knew it was the home stretch, the odometer is well over 900mi and it's re-assuring as we ride toward sunrise. We'll need one more gas stop prior to the final checkpoint in Cherry Hill, NJ. We have until 6:45 to get there and obtain a fuel receipt with time stamp. Rolling through Delaware and headed for Pennsylvania, I know these surroundings. As we cross into Pennsylvania on 95north I realize I should have followed the highway toward the NJ Turnpike, there's that fatigue factoring in again. I look at the directions and get more confused as I turn us around less than 10minutes from Rte 73 and the Exxon checkpoint in Cherry Hill, NJ. Twenty-two hours without sleep and I can't comprehend my own notes and directions. An extra 20 miles and were back on track, there’s the Exxon!!! Final receipt in hand and on to the BMW dealer for an official witness signature and paperwork. A weary Gregg Burger greets us (also without sleep as riders come in all night) and we finalize the quest. With (11) fuel stops for ~1165 miles in ~22½ hours we be done. We bomb 60 miles up the PA Turnpike and enjoy a hearty breakfast in Quakertown, PA. Almost home…I think I’ll take a nap and wash the bike, a nice Sunday afternoon ride sounds good. If I had to do it again…I’d push my fuel farther by trusting the odometer. Base my range on 46mpg, don’t look for gas until it hit 150mi and still have a 20mi reserve. This would have required one extra stop between Hagerstown and Abingdon, total (7-8) stops. Take the rural route along I-81 on the way down and return up the highway. This will take longer (posted 55mph and some small towns) but the scenery and winding road is more enjoyable…we got 24hrs…right??? Worst case you hit the checkpoint, realize you can’t return in time, call to advise the Rallymaster you’re out and head for Deals Gap. Oh yeah, call your family too and let them know what’s up. Regards, Jethro | ||
| Jb2 |
Great story Jethro! Took me back to my own maiden voyage into the thousand mile club... on a Buell no less. Just goes to prove it's determination and grit that counts... not what you're riding. |
