Quick Spin through CT/NY/PA/WV/VA/MD

[ctRrider]

On Friday I decided to take a nice spin through several states. I planned an Iron Butt Bun Burner Gold, 1500 miles in 24 hours. I got my witness's and time stamped in Danbury, CT at 5:14 AM. I went west on !-84 to the NY thruway north on I-87 to I-90 west through Schenectady, NY. My first fuel stop was scheduled at a plaza at the 200 mile mark. My fuel light came on at the 163 mile mark which is about right. I figured that I had at least 50 miles left. At the 193 mile mark the engine sputtered and died. I coasted to the side, stoped, sloshed the fuel back and forth, hoping that I would get some left over fuel to the side of the tank with the fuel pick up. It worked. It fired back up and I was able to go the 7 miles to the plaza for fuel. I put in 4.76 gallons. The next stop was outside of Buffalo, NY, 208 miles away. I kept sloshing the fuel after the warning light went on and had no problem reaching the next stop. I put in 4.9 gallons. Now I know the range of the RR.

The ride started with the temps around 55 degrees. As the day rode on, the temps rose into the mid 90's. It was hot. By mid afternoon I could feel the heat from the highway coming through the soles of my boots. Does anyone know of absestos or heat proof foot bed liners?

I carried a cooler in my topcase with about a gallon and a half of water and gatorade frozen in Platypus hydration bags. This worked out well throughout the entire trip. I had a bag of water with a drinking hose in my tank bag and a gatorade bag with hose in my big chest pocket on my Roadcrafter. I stuck with power bars, gorp and beef jerky. I did stop for a Whopper Jr. at my second stop.

Made it through Buffalo, NY to Erie PA where I turned south on I-79 through PA and down central WV to Charleston, WV. Traffic moved 75 to 80 mph all day. The only place I lost time was at the intersection of I-79 and the PA turnpike at I-70. There was construction with a 4 mile back up. They had both interstates merging down into 1 lane! I split traffic until it got to a single lane, then it was slow for a mile. Lost about 20 minutes.

West Virginia is a beautiful state! I-79 to Charleston and I-65 east to Lexington VA is a great interstate ride. 70 mph speed limit! I could up things to 85/90 mph. Really enjoyed the big sweepers through the mountains. I was on I-65 on the way to Lexington, VA about 7:30 PM and the sun was behind me and it was starting to cool off. It was a very refreshing part of the ride. I got a saddlesore 1000 in at about 8:00 PM and only 500 more miles to go. Got to I-81 and headed north.

I arrived in Harrisonburg, VA about 9:15 PM. Only 420 miles to go. I knew that the last miles could get real tough so I mentally broke it up to make it to the next gas stop, then reasses how I was doing. So far so good. The only thing that was botherng me were my knees. I would stretch them out by putting my feet on the jugs and riding like a Harley rider. The different positions really helped, so did the Aleve. I have a Bill Mayer Saddle and it was comfortable the entire trip. No saddle soreness!

I got to Carlisle, PA about 11:45 PM. Checked in with home. My son said I sounded tired. I hadn't gotten the yawns yet, but when I got off the bike and walked around the gas stop, I could feel the tredness. I was worried that I could hit me on the next leg. So I did the next best thing. I checked into the Iron Butt Motel. There was a nice big grassy area on the far side of the gas station where I parked, set the Screaming Meanie for 20 minutes, laid down and slept. When the alarm went off I swear that it felt like it was only 5 or 6 minutes. The 20 minute nap refreshed me, I had one of those packaged ham and cheese sandwiches and got back on the bike. Only 250 miles to go. Looks like I was going to make it. I was on schedule. I felt good going through Harrisburg, Pa and riding north on I-81 towards Scranton, PA. I got to use my FF50 driving lights for long stretch's at a time. I had to be on the look out for deer all through PA.on I-81 and I-84. I saw one on the side and I slowed and there two different partial carcasses in the highway.

I got to Scranton PA and only 120 more miles. Stopped for gas at 2:17 AM. Two more hours and I will be done and three hours to make it. One of the Iron Butt riding tips is no caffine since once it wears off, you tend to get sleepy. Well, I knew I had just about two hours left so I cracked open a can of Red Bull just to make sure I would be able to have the energy and stay awake for the last two hours. When it would wear off, I should be home. It worked out well.

I arrived back in Danbury CT and ended the ride at 4:31 AM with the gas reciept time stamp. 1578 miles according to the bikes odometer, 1525 miles on my GPS. I did it. The last 400 miles I was always concerned about getting sleepy. The 20 minute nap before I really needed it helped a great deal. Never got the yawns, which usually means that in about 20 minutes I could nod off, was always able to maintain my speed and never saw double, so I guess I finished in good shape. I would not have been able to ride another hour.

Now I know my limits and those quick 1,000 mile days will seem like a piece of cake. Will I do it again? Probably, if I am in a 24 hr or longer rally or trying to do a 50CC (50 hours cross country) or some other multi- day ride for time. It was tough. Time managemanet is the key along with short stops. I only stopped when I needed gas and had all my gas locations pre-planned. I did it and I am proud of it.

Tom

[MidlifeMark]

Cool!

[BashBuddy]

Tom,

Congrats. Good plan, good execution, good results.

M

[DSKYZD]

Megacool!!

Do those sccreaming meanies really make your ears bleed?


DSKYZD

[wncbmw]

Interesting report. Congradulations on the 1500. My knees hurt just reading about it.

I have been threatening my teenagers with getting them Screaming Meanies! They can sleep thru their alarms while I hear them from my bedroom.

[1MPH]

Congratulations Tom nice job. Good write up and well planned out.

Jack

[machew01]

Tom, there is now no event that you will be allowed to miss because it's too far away. Congratulations!

mac

[ctRrider]

Thanks everyone. The ride really was great. The Screamin Meanie really will wake up the dead. I had to check to make sure there was not a cemetary around before I took my nap and set the alarm. I got one for my son and it does wake him up! He used it in his frat house and if it didn't wake him up, it woke everyone esle up and they got him up to turn it off!

I will ride anywhere, I just need the kitchen pass from my wife!

Tom