uncal
08-20-2006, 03:13 PM
or, How NOT to do a SS1000.
I had a business trip planned for Friday that was canceled Thursday night, so I had an opportunity for a SS1000 Friday! Something simple (I've got 4 routes planned in MS S&T). Out and back in 16 hours - that's what I told the wife. Early birthday present to myself (turned 52 on Saturday).
Left the house Friday morning at 2:20am, fueled and on the interstate by 3am. I thought I'd make my way to I-95 from Salisbury, run down to Ormond Beach FL, have lunch, and come back home. How hard could it be?
Mistake #1 was relying on memory rather than a map. At Columbia SC, I meant to take I-26E, but saw I-20E first and (mental lapse) took it. I had planned a stop at I-95 anyway, and was later glad I did because it documented the route.
At that break, I bought a map and discovered my error. Thought about it the rest of the way to FL - trying to figure out how many miles I had added, where to stop in FL, etc.
At Jacksonville, the trip odometer showed 502, and I was tired, and it was noon, so I stopped, ate, gassed up and headed back. I retraced my route (I-20, not I-26) - then remembered the possible odometer error mentioned in the IBA info. When I got back to Salisbury, I passed my exit and went a few more to get gas, then doubled back and got gas again. I had 1019 on the trip odometer when I got the last gas. Got home at 9pm. 18 hours on the road. Huge mistake #2 - underestimated odometer error.
Saturday, I checked S&T. From 1st gas stop to last gas stop was 995 miles. From my home to my home (the actual trip) the mileage was 1002.5. Also, S&T revealed a shortcut that I could have taken (but didn't) that my gas stops would not document - Huge Mistake #3.
I submitted the package anyway, but it may not get approved.
Doesn't matter - now I know I can do it! Besides, I have another one planned.
It was harder than I thought it would be. I was physically exhausted when I got home. I swear my arms felt like they were gonna fall off. Riding in the dark with stock lights on the interstate was no fun. It was a windy day, and I felt I was fighting crosswinds and truck turbulence all day. I had no hydration except stops, which was a mistake. No radio - just alone with my thoughts. Used stock seat - I should get extra points for that! I was only able to ride for an entire tankful of gas once.
The weather was mild and overcast. The temp ranged from 64 to 93. No rain.
Will I do it again? Yup! But, I no longer have illusions of being some super LD rider like RC or Curt. Those guys are just at a whole other level. :bow1: :bow1:
Misc trip notes:
Spent $70 on gas.
Hit a turtle @ 85mph - both wheels left the ground - absolutely scared the sh!t out of me. :eek:
Had several mental lapses - like the time I took a Rest Area exit at 80mph. I mean, I enterted the Rest Area at 80! :eek:
Had a gust of wind damn near blow me off the road. I was passing a truck, and the turbulence was WAY different from the other trucks for some reason. In a split second, I was right on the edge of the pavement on the inside lane. :eek:
Brakeaway worked perfectly! Thanks again, dteel!
Had a guy at a gas station ask if I was "one of those long distance riders". I answered yes, but thought to myself "yeah, but not as good of one as some other folks I know". Still, the simple answer is yes! :rolleyes:
I had a business trip planned for Friday that was canceled Thursday night, so I had an opportunity for a SS1000 Friday! Something simple (I've got 4 routes planned in MS S&T). Out and back in 16 hours - that's what I told the wife. Early birthday present to myself (turned 52 on Saturday).
Left the house Friday morning at 2:20am, fueled and on the interstate by 3am. I thought I'd make my way to I-95 from Salisbury, run down to Ormond Beach FL, have lunch, and come back home. How hard could it be?
Mistake #1 was relying on memory rather than a map. At Columbia SC, I meant to take I-26E, but saw I-20E first and (mental lapse) took it. I had planned a stop at I-95 anyway, and was later glad I did because it documented the route.
At that break, I bought a map and discovered my error. Thought about it the rest of the way to FL - trying to figure out how many miles I had added, where to stop in FL, etc.
At Jacksonville, the trip odometer showed 502, and I was tired, and it was noon, so I stopped, ate, gassed up and headed back. I retraced my route (I-20, not I-26) - then remembered the possible odometer error mentioned in the IBA info. When I got back to Salisbury, I passed my exit and went a few more to get gas, then doubled back and got gas again. I had 1019 on the trip odometer when I got the last gas. Got home at 9pm. 18 hours on the road. Huge mistake #2 - underestimated odometer error.
Saturday, I checked S&T. From 1st gas stop to last gas stop was 995 miles. From my home to my home (the actual trip) the mileage was 1002.5. Also, S&T revealed a shortcut that I could have taken (but didn't) that my gas stops would not document - Huge Mistake #3.
I submitted the package anyway, but it may not get approved.
Doesn't matter - now I know I can do it! Besides, I have another one planned.
It was harder than I thought it would be. I was physically exhausted when I got home. I swear my arms felt like they were gonna fall off. Riding in the dark with stock lights on the interstate was no fun. It was a windy day, and I felt I was fighting crosswinds and truck turbulence all day. I had no hydration except stops, which was a mistake. No radio - just alone with my thoughts. Used stock seat - I should get extra points for that! I was only able to ride for an entire tankful of gas once.
The weather was mild and overcast. The temp ranged from 64 to 93. No rain.
Will I do it again? Yup! But, I no longer have illusions of being some super LD rider like RC or Curt. Those guys are just at a whole other level. :bow1: :bow1:
Misc trip notes:
Spent $70 on gas.
Hit a turtle @ 85mph - both wheels left the ground - absolutely scared the sh!t out of me. :eek:
Had several mental lapses - like the time I took a Rest Area exit at 80mph. I mean, I enterted the Rest Area at 80! :eek:
Had a gust of wind damn near blow me off the road. I was passing a truck, and the turbulence was WAY different from the other trucks for some reason. In a split second, I was right on the edge of the pavement on the inside lane. :eek:
Brakeaway worked perfectly! Thanks again, dteel!
Had a guy at a gas station ask if I was "one of those long distance riders". I answered yes, but thought to myself "yeah, but not as good of one as some other folks I know". Still, the simple answer is yes! :rolleyes: