Back on the motorcycle for the first long ride of the year.
This time it is the Iron Butt Association sanctioned Bun Burner Gold (BBG)
If you came here from "other places" and don't share the politics of this site, then welcome. Pull up a chair, enjoy the ride and don't let the small things bother you. Everyone is welcome.
Once the Diary is up and the ride begun, Mrs Twigg (limeyswife) will be riding shotgun on the comments, should anyone be interested.
The rules are simple.
Get two start witnesses
Get a computer receipt showing place, time date.
Climb aboard the bike
Make yourself comfortable for the next, maybe 23 hours.
Cover 1500 miles at least.
Get a gas receipt at least every 300 miles
Get an End time receipt and two end witnesses.
This is considered to be an Extreme Ride, even by LD Rider standards. Most rides and rallies are based on an assumption of maybe 1000 miles in any 24 hour period. The extreme rides are based upon 1500 miles in the same period. It is fair to say that at least 50% of first attempts at an extreme ride fail. I aim to be in the other half of the draw, but doesn't everyone?
Other rides in the series are the Coast to Coast 50 (San Diego to Jacksonville) in under 50 hours. Border to Border Insanity (Canada to Mexico) in less than 24 hours .... there are others.
I do not have the advantage of a modern, highly efficient motorcycle. I'd like one, but they cost money. What I do have is a 1986 Yamaha Venture Royale that I rescued from the Motorcycle Boneyard. It has taken a lot of work, but so far the bike has shown that it is capable of the distance ... reliability might be the issue, we will see.
The picture is of the bike in standard trim. For LD Riding it looks a little different. Behind the rider there is a back rest and a four gallon auxiliary gas tank, giving me about eight useable gallons total. Also there is a 1 gallon cooler filled with iced water.
The bike is equipped with two GPS units, satellite radio, a single HID Projector head light and two smaller running lights. More is to come but those are about a million times better than stock.
There are three basic types of Long Distance Motorcycling. Certificate Rides (this is one), LD Rallies and simply riding for pleasure.
I do all three when I can, and anyone interested can come along for the ride:
http://spotwalla.com/...
Clicking the link will take you to a page where my location will automatically update every 10 minutes. The page will go live at 4.00 am Central.
The trip will take me from North Eastern Oklahoma, across the Texas Panhandle and right through New Mexico almost as far as Gallup, NM.
I plan on leaving between 6am and 7am on Saturday 17th March, and have to be back by the same time Sunday.
For those who have safety issues in mind .... This ride is about 99% Interstate. It can be completed without ever once exceeding the speed limit. I generally do not ride fast, preferring "hours in the saddle" to "miles per hour on the speedometer" to rack up the miles. That way causes least stress, and minimises gas stops which eat time, and is least likely to encourage Highway Patrol Officers to hand out Performance Awards. So I will simply go with the flow, which most of the time will mean very close to the posted limit.
"All The Gear, All The Time". It is sad but true that, from time to time, riders make unscheduled stops. I will be wearing a decent crash helmet, protective gloves and purpose designed motorcycle boots. That is in addition to an excellent full riding suit (Olympia Airglide 3 Jacket and Pants). I wear that all of the time because tarmac is rather tougher than skin.
I have food on the bike, entertainment and 1 Gallon of iced water that I can easily access while moving.
Wish me luck!