Saddlesore 1000 COMPLETED!

[martinjmpr]

Back in the early part of the month, I fulfilled a dream of mine that I've been contemplating for at least 15 years (probably closer to 20): I was able to do a Saddlesore 1000 ride (1000 miles or more in 24 hours or less.) I've only done that kind of distance once before in a car, so I was a little worried I wouldn't be up for it.

But I have to say the Roadster was the perfect bike for this ride. Smooth, powerful, and "no drama" with enough range that fuel was never an issue.

The route I chose was right through some of the most gorgeous country the American West has to offer: Everything from breathtaking Rocky Mountain passes at 11,000' (Eisenhower Tunnel) to the Red Rock desert of SE Utah, to the iconic splendor of Monument Valley (probably one of the most instantly recognizable vistas in the US), down through the Navajo Nation and finally back to Albuquerque and up to Taos. Total distance was 1026 miles and total time was just a hair under 19 hours.

A great ride and it just confirmed my choice of a BMW as the perfect bike to put on some "serious" miles!

[jwagreen]

That is impressive! How did it feel to ride that long after you got off the bike? What was the response form your body? Arms and Legs?

Do you have any photos you can post? It sounds like an awesome ride.

[sstein]

Inspiring! A dream of mine too. Were you on a stock seat? I get a little saddlesore after 3-4 hours. I'm thinking sheepskin or gel-pad is the way to go...

Congrats

[sweatmark]

Congrats on the SS1000!

An Airhawk pad or similar is critical, at least for me. First 8-10 hours flies by, but the remaining hours & miles are a grind... Ergonomics really count.

[billbeemer]

russell, russell russell!!! their day-long seat will have u in the saddle 24hrs with NO discomfort. get the leather covered top. best $400 i ever spent.

[martinjmpr]

Butt was sore but other than that I felt fine.

I will say the last 100 miles or so was the toughest part. What made it worse was that the last 46 miles from Espanola to Taos was on a narrow 2 lane that wound through a forest/mountain area so I had to really slow down and watch for deer (it was 10:45pm when I left Espanola.) Auxiliary lights (PIAA Spots mounted on the engine covers) really helped in this area although I have to say I was favorably impressed by the coverage of just the stock headlight (of course you have to consider that my last bike was a Triumph Scrambler which had a HORRIBLE headlight so almost anything will look good in comparison to that.)

Butt was actually still pretty sore the next day but my neck, back, etc, all felt fine.

Not a whole lot of pictures, though. Obviously I was trying to make time so pictures were not a priority. The entire route was one I had driven or ridden before, except for the 140~ mile stretch between Kayenta and Chambers, AZ.

As for the ride itself, I'd say it was really enjoyable right up until it got dark. After about 9:00pm it was kind of boring and as I said, by 10:45 when I was 46 miles from the end, I just wanted it to be over. If I had to do it again I'd leave earlier, possibly as early as 4:00 am (an hour earlier than I actually left.)

[sweatmark]

Again, congrats.

Hopefully you had some music or radio. My first SS1000 was completed without anything to listen to besides motor, wind noise (earplugs), and rainstorm for 6 hours. Promised myself to add audio for any future iron butt rides... Was thankful for satellite radio during BB1500 completed this year.

Next year will try the BB1500 Gold. With much better lighting and some ergo improvements.

[riceburner]

Sounds like a good ride.

Were you mostly on dual-lane roads, what sort of speeds were you doing?

[martinjmpr]

Again, congrats.

Hopefully you had some music or radio. My first SS1000 was completed without anything to listen to besides motor, wind noise (earplugs), and rainstorm for 6 hours. Promised myself to add audio for any future iron butt rides... Was thankful for satellite radio during BB1500 completed this year.

Next year will try the BB1500 Gold. With much better lighting and some ergo improvements.

No music other than the kind that comes out of my Remus exhaust. I am usually able to keep myself entertained even on long rides. My helmet's a bit noisy, too.

[martinjmpr]

Sounds like a good ride.

Were you mostly on dual-lane roads, what sort of speeds were you doing?

It was about 60/40 (60% interstate, 40% two lane state highways.) On the interstates I was able to cruise between 75 and 85 most of the time. On two lane roads, probably 65 - 75. My longest stop was maybe 25 minutes, max. I generally tried to keep my stops to 15 - 20 minutes at most. I actually stopped 11 times on the route, all 3 of those were fuel stops.

Route was as follows: Denver to Green River, UT on I-70, then South on US 191 through Moab, Blanding and Bluff, US 163 through Monument Valley and over to Kayenta, then a Tribal road from Kayenta down to Many Farms where I picked up US 191 again, 191 South to Chambers, AZ (I-40), then East on I-40 to Albuquerque, then North on I-25 to Santa Fe, and finally US 285 and a state highway (68?) from Santa Fe to Taos. 1026 miles, about 19 hours total.

[Biff's R]

Congrats on the SS1000. I Have only made it 830 miles in a day. that sounds like a great route through the mountains.

[monstrous]

I also completed a SS1000 Wed. on a R1150r, stock seat, Ztechnic windshield, at the end I could have gone more. I am always impressed with this bike. Congratulations to you!