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October 7^th, 2008
Bun Burner 1500 Part I

muse@bikerenews.com

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With the scenic trips out of the way, I was free to burn some miles into my brain and my backside. The ST 1300 had performed excellently on the last weekend trip, and now I wanted to test out that 7.7 gallon gas tank.

I decided that it was time for another Iron Butt trip. In July 2007, I completed a Saddle Sore 1,000 in 24 hours. It was time to take it up a notch. For this trip, I planned on completing a Bun Burner 1,500 in 36 hours. The twist was that I wanted to complete 1,000 miles in the first 24 hours in order to qualify for another Saddle Sore 1,000. That would give me the second part of the trip to complete the remaining 500 miles.

I wanted to head southwest for this trip using I-95, I-20, and I-85 to ride to Montgomery, AL. As I watched the Weather Channel for the week leading up to the ride, a low pressure system was moving southward, and promised to bring thunderstorms and showers over the weekend. However, the same front promised to clear out the weather along I-64, and to bring in some cool air. I decided to take I-64 west to my turn around point just east of Evansville, IN.

HELPFUL HINT: Don’t fight the weather. Use the weather to your advantage.

My next step was to determine my turn around point. The plan was ride straight out I-64 for 750 miles, turn around, and ride back for 250 miles to qualify for the Saddle Sore 1,000. Checking with the online AAA trip planner, I decided to make the turn around point just east of Evansville, IN. The stop for the 1,000 mile point was Grayson, KY. Using 250 mile legs as a guide, I looked for gas stations along the way that fit into my timetable.

In order to keep on track, I made an Excel trip log that contained the important information about locations and there exit numbers off of I-64. It also contained the estimated miles from the AAA Trip Planner, and estimated timeline for reaching the stops. I used an average of 60 miles an hour to plan the trip. This may sound slow, but remember that you have account for gas stops, toll booths, and any unexpected delays like congestion or road construction. Be especially cautious about traveling through any of the tunnels during rush hour. A typical tunnel delay could cost you the ride. In order to maximize daylight, I had a projected start time of 05:00.

HELPFUL HINT: Use a reliable online trip planner (the Iron Butt website has a couple of recommendations) to plan your trip. All odometers are off by some degree, and over 1,000 miles it can add up. For example, at the end of my trip, the odometer trip meter read 1,571 miles. The "official" AAA mileage was 1,536. I would have been very upset if I missed either the Saddle Sore or Bun Burner qualifications because I relied on my odometer. Iron Butt verifies the mileage with a trip planner, so do it up front and submit a copy with your application package.

Since I knew I wanted to stop in Grayson, KY, I made a reservation at the local Super 8 Motel. There is a Bun Burner Gold that requires the rider to complete 1,500 miles in 24 hours, but I just wasn’t up to that ride. One, I was riding a new bike (and a new seat). Two, I don’t like riding at night on unfamiliar roads. Construction, weary drivers, and DEER all make night riding a little more stressful than I like.

HELPFUL HINT: Don’t ride beyond your comfort zone. Remember that you are doing this because you want to, not because you are trying to get home for the holidays after a long deployment.

The last thing to do was to make my packing list. Now Phil jokes with me that I carry too much stuff. My response is that if the motorcycle Gods did not want me to carry stuff, they wouldn’t let me buy motorcycles with saddle bags and top boxes. One of my trip habits is that I like checking into a motel after a long day of riding, and taking a nice long shower. This not only refreshes me, but it helps me to relax and settle in for a better night’s sleep. So I need an over night bag and a change of socks, underwear, and T-shirt.

In order to save time, I didn’t plan on stopping for meals during the day. I packed a couple of water bottles, an apple, and some breakfast bars to eat during refueling stops. I figured that the first day, I would eat breakfast before I started, and then have dinner when I stopped for the night at the motel. That only left breakfast on the second morning to worry about.

HELPFUL HINT: It is an Iron Butt Ride, not an IRON MAN Ride. Take care of basic needs. Stay hydrated, snack so you’re not listening to an angry stomach, and work in some solid food along the way (but don’t over do it). Also, plan on taking some aspirin before you need it. I took some at the turn around point (750 miles), and again at the motel stop (1,000 miles).

While Thomas Edison may be right when he said, "genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration," with an Iron Butt preparation and participation share equally in a successful ride. Use a Zen like approach, "See the Ride, Ride the Ride." Having planned out my trip, I was ready to get started. I woke at 04:00 and by the time I got dressed, finished last minute preps, and got to the local 7-Eleven for gas, it was 04:45 – The Official Start.

HELPFUL HINT: Follow the Iron Butt Association verification rules. Plan on getting and safe guarding you receipts. This is the proof that the Iron Butt Association uses to verify that you actually made the trip. The receipt has the location, date, and time of purchase. This must agree with your trip log. Additionally, someone will be required to sign forms that you actually started and finished the Iron Butt when and where you stated.

Next week, I’ll fill you in on how the actual ride went. Until then, ride safe and start getting in some of those early fall rides.

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