riding for records: exciting or dangerous

I'm riding the fence

I think people who ride motorcycles have thrill issues. I know I do! Sometimes the best thrill comes when riding in the early morning as the sun rises, sometimes it comes by going fast.

Yeah, riding for records is dangerous but it is also exciting. Most of you know the feeling when your riding and suddenly the endorphines kick in.

robnye said:

That's how I see it.

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Wait a minute..I missed it...whos the moderator?

Rob your not, Scott your the nuts and bolts IT guy, whos the moderator?

WHO's on first here?

BreadMan, BubbaZanetti, Oldhway methinks.

redclfco said:

Wait a minute..I missed it...whos the moderator?

Rob your not, Scott your the nuts and bolts IT guy, whos the moderator?

WHO's on first here?

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I assumed he was talking about me, since I'm a moderator on the forum. I'm just not sure what being a moderator has to do with my position on the ride, though. As it is, I started this thread to keep such discussion out of the main thread for people who were following the attempt, so I'm not sure if I could be any more "supportive" given my stance on the thing. Also, unless I put my "mod hat" on, I'm speaking only for myself.

I really am glad he finished safely - though I don't care about any speed records.

jdmetzger said:

I assumed he was talking about me, since I'm a moderator on the forum. I'm just not sure what being a moderator has to do with my position on the ride, though. As it is, I started this thread to keep such discussion out of the main thread for people who were following the attempt, so I'm not sure if I could be any more "supportive" given my stance on the thing. Also, unless I put my "mod hat" on, I'm speaking only for myself.

I really am glad he finished safely - though I don't care about any speed records.

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dude, enough with the opinions already.

Numbers tell the story

Let's take a quick look at John Ryan's amazing run from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska to Key West Florida in 86.5 hours.

The distance is 5566 according to google maps.

5566 / 86.5 = 64mph rate of advance before sleep, food and fuel.

I read that John slept for a total of 8 hours which is also amazing but reduces the moving time to 78.5hrs.

5566 / 78.5 = 70 mph before gas or food.

At 35 mpg he would use close to 160 gallons of fuel. Let's say he is hyper efficient and was able to burn 12.5 every time.

160 / 12.5 = 12.8 which we'll round up to 13 stops for fuel. Let's again say he's hyper efficient for gas and each stop was 6 minutes long.

13 * 6 = 78 minutes or 1h:20m which I'm rounding off to 1.5 hrs for gas.

5566 / 77 = 72.3mph average speed when moving.

This is before deductions for power washing the bike, purchasing food and the fact that from Miami to Key West the posted speed is well under 65 (more like 40).

This is very, very impressive and indicates that John is amazing at managing risk or incredibly lucky.

I prefer to think it is skill over luck and yes Jim I admint that I don't have the skills to accept the kind of risk involved in maintaining the kind of numbers above.

My hat is off to those that do.

There's an old saying in endurance racing - " first you have to finish to finish first".
You have got to get yourself and your bike to the end without any damage, through many hours of unfamiliar roads, weather, traffic and the like. The succesful endurance rider will minimize these risks (in order to finish) and is hardly likely to be a danger to anyone else.

Statdawg said:

Thank You Rob.

I am betting on his risk management ability, after all he drives in the toughest place on earth, which is New York City.

I am also grateful that the US doesn't spoil spirited riding days with speed camera's.

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Unfortunately we are not too far from having cameras.

robnye said:

I prefer to think it is skill over luck and yes Jim I admint that I don't have the skills to accept the kind of risk involved in maintaining the kind of numbers above.

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I prefer to think it is skill over risk management and luck, unless we just need a safety slogan. Luck seems largely, not entirely, home made.

"Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often." -Twain

BubbaZanetti said:

dude, enough with the opinions already.

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Ya know, Bubba, he was giving a polite response. Least you could do is offer the same. This whole thread is for opinions, isn't it?

dancogan said:

Ya know, Bubba, he was giving a polite response. Least you could do is offer the same. This whole thread is for opinions, isn't it?

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You are right but I would discount it as cross talk between to guys that work together on the forum and are friends and not a flame.

back to lurking

Mika said:

You are right but I would discount it as cross talk between to guys that work together on the forum and are friends and not a flame.

back to lurking

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I can accept that. Sorry.

jimshaw said:

I prefer to think it is skill over risk management and luck, unless we just need a safety slogan. Luck seems largely, not entirely, home made.

"Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often." -Twain

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Will the real Jim Shaw, please stand up.

dancogan said:

I can accept that. Sorry.

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haha, no problem dan. yeah, just poking a little fun at josh.

rspennachio said:

I think people who ride motorcycles have thrill issues. I know I do! Sometimes the best thrill comes when riding in the early morning as the sun rises, sometimes it comes by going fast.

Yeah, riding for records is dangerous but it is also exciting. Most of you know the feeling when your riding and suddenly the endorphines kick in.

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You've hit the nail on the head! If you go to the flightline on a military base, it is no simple coincidence that there is a row of fast bikes sitting in waiting.