IB Rides for Dummies

[Ken]

Since I became a member of this forum, I've learned what the IBA is all about and admired those hardy souls that make these rides. With no offense to anyone, my first impression of IB rides was that they were a chest thumping exercise. But after reading the Rides & Rules of the IBA web site, reading the ride reports, and getting a glimpse of the preparation and the professionalism necessary for the rides, my ingnorance turned to intrigue.

So with our summer season just now beginning, and an abundance of vacation time accumulated, I've been considering doing an IB ride. My inclination is to start at the bottom with the SaddleSore 1000. What once seemed like lunacy, now sounds like fun. I may be going crazy :)

So this post is to do a reality check. I've read the exploits of Charlie, Curt and others and am appealing to the seasoned IB riders to post their hints, tips, suggestions, do's and dont's, and be the unoffical IB mentors of ST-Owners.com. Feedback on IB rules, packing, weather, maintenance, communication, preparation (mental, physical, and other), etc. is appreciated.

I've plotted an 1150 mile loop around New York state. Most of the ride is interstate expressways. Witnesses, documentation, gas stops, and a motel (if necessary) are at the ready. Packing list, tires, fluids, are set. I just need a nudge for dummies :p:

[Louie Louie]

Graet Post and great idea!

[Ken]

Thanks for jumping in RC -- I was hoping to hear from you!

I've done many 500-600 mile days. I'm comfortable on the bike for fairly long stretches (by my measuer anyhow). But I've never attempted more than that in 24 hours. Are you suggesting that maybe I should try a 750 mile day as a stepping stone? I can slim the ride down to just over 1000 miles on S&T.

Thanks for the tip on collecting receipts. I'm not 100% committed to this ride, but it sounds like fun and I'm at a point in life where searching for new fun outlets is exciting.

[hojo in sc]

Feedback on IB rules, packing, weather, maintenance, communication, preparation (mental, physical, and other), etc. is appreciated.

I've plotted an 1150 mile loop around New York state. Most of the ride is interstate expressways. Witnesses, documentation, gas stops, and a motel (if necessary) are at the ready. Packing list, tires, fluids, are set. I just need a nudge for dummies :p:

1) No need to do 1,150 miles for the SS-1000, just make sure to pad enough miles; 150 miles is a bit of an overkill.

2) Only need 1 witness for the SS-1000, and this can be a spouse, only when you go to the 'extrreme' rides will you need a second witness, and at times, an LEO or other IBA member.

3) Really no need to plan for a hotel for a 1,000 mile ride.

4) An 'out and back' route is the easiest for logging and having the IBA verify your route. Each 'corner' will require a receipt, even if you don't need gas, you need a receipt if you change directions.

5) Carry snacks in a tank bag, carry a camel bag of some sort (I like the Sabelgear.com), carry bottled water in the tank bag.

6) SUNSCEEN

7) Baby powder

8) All weather clothing (goes without saying).

9) GPS mapping pre and during the ride...Honda speedo and odometer is frequently way over the mark.

10) Before you go, the next time your tank is low on gas, time your self; start your stop watch the moment you leave the exit ramp, get gas, go to the bathroom, get back on the bike, and then stop the stopwatch the moment you get back up to speed (70 mph). If it takes you more than 10 minutes, you've taken too long.

11) Pack a sandwich that can last several hours in the tank bag and won't spoil.

12) Have good lighting on the bike!

13) Have your log sheet on the tank bag to log in the miles (odometer) of the moto and the GPS, time in, time out, reason for your stop. Don't forget, it you stop for more than 20 minutes, you need a receipt there and write down why you stopped so long (nap, mechanical, etc.)

14) Plot out your route, know what gas stations you will stop at, know what exit number you will stop at, and calculate what time you will get to each gas station...this lets you know on the road how your doing with your pace. However, DON'T over do it on the speed, this is NOT a race!

15) Plan on driving slower at night (goes without saying).

16) Have different riding positons; be able to stretch out your legs, etc.

17) DON'T PUSH YOUR LIMITS:weights2:

[allandry]

I'm not near as experienced as many here - I completed the SS1000 last October - but here are my 2 cents:

First - I was surprised at how easy this ride was in terms of getting the miles done within the 24 hours - mine was 1080 miles and I did it in 19 hours (5a-12midnight). I never felt rushed and actually stopped pretty often (whenever I felt the need).

Second - be very careful if your route takes you on any secondary roads. These can be a real time killer. I purposefully planned a total interstate highway route, so we were almost always moving at highway speeds. We did hit a lot of stop and go traffic in Austin and San Antonio. Otherwise is was 70 mph or better.

Third - make time early while you are fresh and stop more frequently later in the ride. The last two hours were the worst for me. I wasn't sleepy, just really sore/numb from being on the bike that long. Mixon actually complained that his hands hurt - I told him mine quit hurting hours ago once the Connie's buzz made my arms numb.

Fourth - others have mentioned food to bring, but I didn't. I would get a snack on gas stops and we even stopped for lunch (about 30 minutes). I did drink on the road - I think this is mandatory so make sure you have a way to stay hydrated or you'll really get tired and it can effect your judgement (bad thing to have happen).

Fifth - work out any little annoyances before trying. If you notice that there's a spot in you helmet that bothers you after a few hours - fix it. On an IBA ride these little things will become BIG things after 12 hours or so.

In summary, if you've done 500-600 mile days before I don't think you'll really have a problem with the SS1000. You have a great bike - very smooth and comfortable with lots of fuel range - you should do fine.

Good luck,
Al

[crazykz]

Come to the dark side Luke. :)

Glad to see there's one less person that thinks we're nuts. The first thing I would suggest is read the 29 tips on the IBA site if you haven't already. If you are use to 500+ miles days I don't think you'll need to try a 750 but this is what I would suggest. Consider scheduling a break somewhere around 700 miles or so. Not too long but long enough to catch you breath. Maybe 30 minutes. If you sit any longer than that then you start to get out of the groove. I find that on a 1000 mile ride my wall is around the 600-700 mile mark. After about 850 I have my second wind and I'm set.

Sounds like you have a lot of things planned though which is good. You want your first attempt to be successful so check the receipts at the gas station where you are going to start and probably end. Make sure those receipts are good ahead of time. Then get a fill up routine down. It doesn't have to be fast just consistant. That will become crucial when it starts to get later in the day and you've got road buzz on the head. Practice your gas stops including getting your receipt and checking the information on it. I actually do this all the time now even in the winter and when driving the car. That way it is second nature for me.

Make sure you have a way to carry enough water and stay hydrated. That is important. If you have a route that makes sharp corners then make sure you get receipts close to those corners in order to prove you did the route you are claiming. There's a ton of things I could talk about but it sounds like you've got a good handle on things. I wish you the best and above all be safe.

Curt

[AZST]

I continue to rationalize the sanity of IBA rides. I am not convinced of the safety of LD riding. However, after reading Rob Hephner's recent SS1000 ride report....I am thinking about doing it. Recently I did a 650 mile day and felt good enough to continue.

I think with the help of Yogi and others, I probably will be attempting this one when it cools down here in the desert.

Good luck and I look forward to reading your report !!!!

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[Ken]

I still consider that Bryan. Fatigue is a concern. Three kids and a wife is a concern. But no time like the present. Sometimes life tells you to just do it.

I never mentioned IBA and the SS1K to the wife until tonight. She was concerned but knows that I'm a safety nut. After a little while, the cruise director said, "Go for it."

Yes, I'll admit it, I have indeed been bitten by the LD bug. Thanks for all the comments and encouragement. We have the right bike for this. It's just a matter of the right frame of mind.

[Mileater1950]

Ken, I'm new to the list and the STeed and I'm still working out some of the things that I think are important for any LD ride on my new bike. First is your 3 touchpoints; seat, bars and pegs. Make sure you are absolutely comfortable and seating on your bike is like sitting in your favorite chair at home. Play with your seat adjustments, add highway pegs (you won't beleive what a difference it makes to stretchout) and add some type of throttle lock (this alone is worth an extra 200 miles ;>).

Everyone else's suggestion are great (specially reading the 29 points) but be sure to stay hydrated. I run a bladder in my tank bag and contantly draw from it during my long rides. I also freeze a catorade the night before and keep it in my top box so I have it late in the ride or if I run out of water between stops.

As some one mentioned, you'll be surprise on how uneventful and easy this ride is once you are in the zone. And once you have completed it you will be amazed at how small the US map just got and how many more places are within reach for those long weekend rides!

Ken, have a great time on your first SS and please give us a ride report when you're done we'd love to hear how it went.

Ride safe and ride long!

Bob

[LandRover]

It's funny that this thread pops up when I open this morning ...

I'm looking to complete mine, prolly in September. My plan is to get on I75 in Wildwood FL, and go North till I hit the required mileage. If I understand correctly, I'll need a witness at both ends. Will a LEO be sufficient? (I know, I know, "Go to the IBR site!" I will, but I'm very curious about this one point ...)

Thank you in advance for your time ... ride well, and be safe! :04biker:

[sherob]

Ken... you da man! :bow1: This info is very valuable to me as well... I'm trying for my first SS1k this Friday :) I've been planning for this for a while now and can't wait! :D

Good luck to you... ride safe!

[jdpfms]

Ken, keeping the bike moving is the main key to the time/distance IBA rides. As you already have read on the IBA site, it is not about speed but consistency. Most LD riders will tell you that when you make fuel/restroom/food stops to get a habit or routine down and do the same thing every time. It is kind of like a pilots check list. By doing this, you will be less likely to miss something when you are tired. Stops should be under a certain time limit that you decide upon ahead of time when at all possible.

A SS1000 can actually be done fairly easily in about 16-17 hours if you try to have a 60 mph average. That is the average I try to maintain on time/distance rides--it includes all stop times. If you were to start at 5:00am, you could be done by 9:00 to 10:00pm and be home to sleep a good nights sleep.

Also get to know your body signals. There is really too much to tell you in a short post, but these are a few things that may help.

JDP

[crazykz]

Boy they are popping up like spring daisies. I think you all are nuts. How can that possibly be fun or sane?

Well for everyone thinking about it the SS1K is the entry ride to do. Learn to be AWARE OF YOURSELF!!!! To me fatigue is not an issue on a day ride simply because you have the time to do it BUT ONLY if keep your stops efficient. I don't mean 5 minutes... I mean 10-15 minutes. Don't rush your stops. Make sure your receipts are good and take a little time to stretch. Stay hydrated!!!

It's all very doable once you find a window. To make it enjoyable pick a good weather day, rain and temp. If you already convinced you love it then you'll ride through anything. If you're on the fence though don't force yourself to do it on a day you're not comfortable with.

I wish everybody luck on their rides. It would be nice to see the IB section pick up speed a little.

Curt

[sherob]

Boy they are popping up like spring daisies. I think you all are nuts. How can that possibly be fun or sane?


LOL!!! This from crazykz? LOL!!! Mister LD insane-o :bow1: I can only hope I run into some ST groupie at a gas station like you and RC... :bow1:

[EdsST]

I took a totally different approach to my IB rides (mine have all point to point and not loops). I've said "I'm here I need to get to there to get the distance" and took off. I stopped when I needed to (generally tank to tank), if I was hungry I ate, always drank though. If I needed to stretch I did so.

I find the problem with over planning something like this is that there is so much that you can't control (weather, traffic etc) that can affect your ride. I've heard guys talk about which gas stations they were going to stop at or hotels. When you need to get gas find the nearest gas station, getting tired stop and get some rest.

I guess I've been lucky because fatigue on a bike hasn't been an issue with me (don't ask me to drive my cage during a SS1k because it would be infinitely more difficult) - during my 50cc I started at 6:30 and rode until 1:30 the next morning and could have kept going, but had said that I was going to stop so I did.



Remember this is all an adventure