First SS1000 any advice

[IndyST]

Gonna attempt my first SS1000 on the 28th from Muncie, Indiana. I've got 36K on my 03 but just wondering if anyone had any good tips. It's a regional ride with the witness and paper work already furnished. Is it best to ride with someone? Towards the end of the ride what works best? Thanks for the tips.

Mike

[Mellow]

1k in 24 hrs is no big deal.. you'll see... I've never done an 'official' one but have done many unofficial ones and all you need to do is start early.. relax and the miles will click away faster than you think..

Are you on an ST or wing? You avatar has a wing in it... either way.. you aren't gonna have a problem.. if you need to rest, go ahead, plenty of time in the day... just make gas stops quick.. you can waste a lot of time there if you are with a group...

[IndyST]

The wing is a rental out of SanFran down on PCH. I'll be on the ST. The ride goes within 5 miles of my house twice! Is there a rule about stoping at home?

Mike

[BlaSTr]

I've got the SS1000 and BBG1500 under my seat, and here's what I learned.

1. It can be easily done in 24 hours (average 45mph and you'll have time to spare).

2. Plan your route taking into consideration time of day, traffic patterns, gas stops, and construction. Search the web for info on those items and that'll help a lot with getting the most efficient route as well as reducing anxiety.

3. Keep the wheels turning.

4. Ride safely. If you get tired, pull over and take a nap. If you average 60mph, you could easily ride for 16 hours, sleep for 6, and finish the ride with time to spare.

5. It all doesn't have to be on the interstate. Many county roads can match the speed requirements, give you more enjoyment, and more satisfaction.

6. Ride more than 1000 miles. The IBA will use a variety of programs to calculate your distance. All have errors and cutting it too close could invalidate the ride.

7. Follow the rules exactly. Check your receipts carefully for date, time, location, and readability. Photocopies are submitted to the IBA and if the receipt is illegible or very light, getting a good copy may be difficult.

8. Have fun.

[Horst]

a couple of things ...

1. Visualize the ride in sections, according to your gas stops - ie five 200-miles sections, or six 160-mile sections.

2. Maximize your five or six stops - get gas, go pee, clean w/s, strech out a bit, eat/drink of course.

you'll find the first 600 miles are easy, a nice long ride ... the next 200 miles are more like WORK :) ... the final 200 miles will kill you (figuratively)

above all ... have fun ... and be careful out there :D

[STill Fiddlin]

Practice gassing up on the bike. I shoot for 200 miles minimum between stops, and a potty break every other. Camelback is good if it's above 50F. Energy bar or similar for quick break (not while riding!). Plan it out to finish before dark. You'll be tired, and it's risky enough riding at night. Temperature drop after sunset will bother you more once you're physically fatigued, too. Like Joe said, stay relaxed. Don't ride faster than you're comfortable to try and shorten the time; that will tire you out more than sitting in the saddle an extra hour.

[Mark]

Listen to Mellow... We did one without thinking about it last Sept going to South Eastern OK from Golden CO. I had ridden with Mellow before that ride and wasn't worried about following him in the dark... on twisty mountain roads. :eek:

So; I'd go alone and "ride my own ride" unless someone else is doing the ss1k that you ride with all the time.

Otherwise I think finishing in the light is better than dodging animals at dusk and in the dark. So I'd start as early as I could...
And remember if you go fast... you finish early... :-)

Mark

[TRNewtown]

It looks like you will be doing one of the MTF Regional Rides. The good news is that should help with the route planning and some of the paperwork. The bad news is that there is a scheduled start time (6am) and you will finish the ride in the darkness.

Here is some SS1000 advise:
- Start the ride well rested
- Ride by yourself or possibly one other rider with a similar style. Some bikes do not have the range of the ST and need to stop frequently for gas.
- I like to start out strong and knock out the first 500 miles with relatively few stops (just gas / bathroom breaks). Then for the next 500 miles I adjust the pace and frequency of breaks based upon how I feel.
- Make sure that you are comfortable with the bike and any farkles recently added.
- Get some highway wings or some sort of pegs so that you are able to adjust your leg positions.

Good luck and have fun!

[sherob]

The biggest thing to remember is this... you have 24hrs to finish the ride. It's not how fast you do it, it's that you finish 1k in 24hrs :)

Anything that you find that annoys you, fix it quick... it will only get worse as time goes by :(

Keep the same routine when filling up/odo reading/receipt/stowing receipt.

Fluids... fluids... fluids...

And most of all... enjoy the ride :)

[Raven]

Here are several things I've learned for enjoyable LD rides.

- earplugs (if you don't already wear them, wear them - you'll get less fatigued)

- keep your gas stops quick - keep your helmet and gear on

- separate gas stops from "rest" stops

- if even the slightest thing is bothering you, stop immediately and fix it (I usually plan my first gas stop about 1/2 hour in so I can get anything bothering me squared away at the beginning instead of waiting 2 hours in)

- stay hydrated (use a hydration unit in your tank bag - don't wait for gas stops to get hydration)

- chew gum (helps to stay awake and you don't feel as hungry)

- if you're even slightly tired, stop and take a break

- if you keep your gas stops quick, you can take longer "rest" or food breaks without having to ride at risky speeds

- try to arrange your route so the more technical or difficult portion is early (for example you might want to make it through high animal locations during daylight hours or through twisty portions early)

- have fun and remember it's supposed to be enjoyable - if it's not fun, stop.

- if you decide to ride with someone else, communicate expectations ahead of time - talk about breaks, getting gas, gearing up, bike condition, speeds, etc. - plan how & when you might separate during the course of the day - be really honest with each other regarding your reasons for doing the ride and the personal importance of finishing or not finishing - definitely find a hotel at the halfway or 3/4 point and give yourselves permission to stop there if you need to (sounds silly but sometimes our brains just need an out even though they don't use it)

- carry an extra credit card in your glovebox (just in case you leave your wallet sitting on a gas pump somewhere) - also, carry an extra key tied to your boot (or somewhere that you'll have it without having to unlock something to get to it) just in case your key breaks

- every other stop, consider paying for gas inside at the register (especially during the day when most places are open) b/c the pay-at-the-pumps usually put a $50 hold on your card when you swipe it and it takes about a day to register the actual amount - by the end of the day you may find yourself unable to get your card to work (this can be a total PITA, especially late at night when the store isn't open and pay-at-the-pump is your only option) - the register inside only charges what you actually get so it makes the end of the run purchases a little easier, not to mention you get a chance to take a little walk and stretch out those knees - otherwise plan to alternate several cards through-out the day

- carry a travel-wallet-neck-pouch thing to tuck your receipts into so you don't lose any (and remember to get lunch and dinner receipts as well as gas ones) - I'll usually carry an extra key and my credit cards (except the spare) in there as well just to make getting to them easy without having to undo a lot of gear

- this one's a little weird but it really helps me feel better so, wash your face and hair if you're feeling really grungy and tired (I keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in my tankbag and will usually brush my teeth as well) - that easily gets me another 200-300 miles.

- write down all the things your worried about happening while you're on the ride as well as all the reasons you want to do the ride - cross out each thing that you're worried about that could happen anyway

- grin and do it :D

[Mark]

I forgot this little gem: call the credit card issuer and warn that they'll see some different from normal activity on your card and that it is really going to be you.

When I rode Chris's 1300 back to AZ from IA the Credit Union almost froze my credit card.
It seems that I don't make a habit of charging gas every 2 hours and the visa people notified the CU. The CU called Chris and let her know that they thought my card had been stolen and were about to cancel it.
She persuaded them to not freeze it... :-)

Mark

[DRAFT1]

What they said. Raven pretty much nailed it. Also, Mark is correct. I was using my debit card for fuel and had a problem on my last few stops at the pump. It would refuse to take my card, so I had to go inside. No big deal, just keep this in mind. Remember, you have plenty of time to do this thing. Have fun with it. And to all of you guys that are doing these 1000 mile days back to back to back..... my hat is off to you!:bow1:

[Yogi]

I've got 3 SS1000's a BBG 1500 in 24 hours and 100CCC Insanity (100 hours Coast to Coast to Coast) and it seems everyone has already given you pretty good advise.

Keep the wheels Turning
Be Safe you have 24 hours use it if needed
Call CC companies let em know
Plan route with things like sun in your eyes/Congestion/tricky roads in the 1st half of the ride, etc..
There is plenty of time to stop for Lunch and Supper in the SS1000
Realize that everything will slow down in the last half of the ride. If you were making 10 min gas stops in the beginning it will now take 15-20 minutes as you are moving a lil slower getting off the bike going to pee etc,
If you can't keep your eyes open stop and take a power nap even 15 minutes at a rest stop with just your eyes closed will help alot
Have fun.. If it doesnt come together for you this time don't force it you can always attempt it again
Go check out http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aow.cfm for pearls of wisdom from the Iron Butt Associaton.

one other thing Keep your paperwork in a waterproof container (ziploc bag works) I normally just have my START and STOP witness forms with me. I write down my Odo reading at the gas stops on the back of the receipt then do the log when I get home.

Carry a spare key just in case (if you have it you won't need it)

Don't let the name or the thought get to you this is actually a pretty easy ride to do.. I set up a group ride for one of the riding clubs I ride with and we had 18 of 18 finish including a group of all women (including my wife on her Vstar1100).

[BlaSTr]

Lots of nuggests here.

Raven - never thought about the $50 hold on the credit card. Good point.

Sherob and Raven are correct re annoyances. You'll have a better time and better state of mind fixing things when they bother you. It'll only take a minute but you'll feel lots better.

Horst - 100% on the visualization. As I'm taking the exit ramp, I'm already going through the steps. If this is a long stop, is there more than a gas station minimart nearby? If the pumps are blocked is there a station nearby? Am I NOT PUMPING DIESEL!?

TRNewTown - is right about starting strong. It's far easier to lose time than make it up. Most LD riders charge hard for the first 1/2 - 2/3 of the distance. Then they can relax a bit knowing that if something comes up (like rainstorms, accidents, etc) they have built up a nice buffer of time and can still make the distance in the time allotted. Remember: you can be early but you can't be late.


Thought of a few more:

Don't ride into the sun - rise or set.

Carry spare glasses. Tale aspirin before the headache sets in. Carry your meds.

Store your receipts in a zip-lock bag with an SASE envelope. If you lose the bag chances are someone may put the receipts in the envelope and mail them to you.

Avoid coffee, caffiene, and sugar boosts. They last for a short time and the downside can be worse than the boost.

Ride

[Raven]

Thought of a few more:

Store your receipts in a zip-lock bag with an SASE envelope. If you lose the bag chances are someone may put the receipts in the envelope and mail them to you.


ooooo

That's a REALLY good one!

<note to self, get envelope and stamp> :bow1:

[STindy05]

Mike,
What do you think? You want to start out together for say the first couple hundred miles, then we can go our own way? It does not matter to me if you want to ride your ride and me mine. I can see that if we go together it may help in making sure we are taking the right route and not missing a stop. I can do a gas tank before I have to stop(at least early), but dont think that will matter as we dont have that much distance between many of the stops.

Landon

[Mark]

2 on STs and you've ridden together before... cool! Go as a twosome...
Play leap frog every 15 mins and that will keep both you alert and neither will get leader fatigue.

Good luck!

Mark

[Raven]

whoo hoo - have fun!

[IndyST]

Great advice . You guys are the best. I'll be sure to let my CC companys know whats going on. This ride has the two lanes early then finishes up with slabs. That's OK with me. Thanks again for the tips... it's sounds like a fairly easy ride if I just do it smart.

Landon-
Lets start out together and see what we think at the first or second gas stop. I'm about the same... can run a tank or two then may need to stop more often. Seeing how we realy haven't riden together it should be interesting. My cruiser budies say I'm like the energizer bunny... going... going... BTW I haven't be able to find that hotel rate you spoke of. The Super 8 is $56 and doesn't get good reviews. PM me, lets discuss.

Thanks guys.

[Raven]

Oh, another small point. Work on pre-hydrating yourself the week before and you'll feel better during and after. Basically drink more water the entire week before your planned ride (and think about adding an electrolyte powder like EmergenC both the week before and during the ride). Be especially aware of getting a full 8-10 glasses the day before and then plan to sip throughout the day - you'll have much more energy throughout the ride.