Well, IÔÇÖve gone and done it now. I have decided (and been accepted) to participate in my first Iron Butt event. The BMW Motorcycle Club of North East Florida (those friendly folks that bring you a fantastic rally each year at Camp Blanding) have decided to have a Saddle Sore 1000 on Feb 28th. Just a simple email asking to join (with a few references and minor resume included) and IÔÇÖm gold. I have been back riding regularly for about 9 years. I always wanted to try a distance event and thought I would like to try rallies (competed in SCCA local car rallies for years). There was no real reason it took so long, other than I am a Wuss. (I admit it, IÔÇÖm a Wuss - with a capital ÔÇÿWÔÇÖ mind you. The only thing that can override my ÔÇÿwussinessÔÇÖ is my lack of perspective. That may seem a little on the mutually exclusive side, and I suppose it is. Once I get it in my head IÔÇÖm going to do something, it is pretty much over. It manifests itself disturbingly like a motorcycle riderÔÇÖs version of a redneckÔÇÖs ÔÇÿwatch thisÔÇÖ, except it takes longer, giving me lots of time to think it over. With that said, I am committed.
ÔÇÿyou talk the talk, do you walk the walkÔÇÖ ÔÇôanimal mother, Full Metal Jacket 1987
BTW, This is probably the most misquoted line, ever. I have read ÔÇÿAgainst the WindÔÇÖ and the accumulated wisdom on the IBA website. If I could recall every word and punctuation mark, if I could relate every item in proper context and format, it would not replace 12 hours straight on the road. You can plan, dream, project yourself into a situation, but you can never truly prepare yourself for the event. I consider myself an advanced rider. To me that is four ÔÇÿAnysÔÇÖ (Any Road, Any Hour, Any Weather, Any Traffic). I would expect that a very large percentage of BMW riders could say the same. I also expect that I will have tested every one of those before the event ends.
As soon as I knew I could participate, I began the planning process. I immediately sat down and wrote a list of items that are must-haves for a successful trip (I.E. a list of tasks to complete before the event begins, a review of the route/roads being traversed duri9ng the event and a contingency plan for each of the things that might happen during the event). I read all the literature on the IBA website about good LD riding, on suggestions for comfort, safety and the planning for the unexpected. I re-read David HoughÔÇÖs books again just to be sure I was up-to-date, and gave the motorcycle a thorough going over to be sure it was ready for the trip. When the trip is done, I am sure this will have been the most important 10 minutes I spent. Since I still have 10 days until the event, I have plenty of time to obsess, second guess and generally wonder what the hell I am doing. To keep some discernable order, I am going to try to stick to my list (this actually took most of my 10 minute prep).
Bike Prep
I have just over 18K on the original Metzlers, so I figure it is time to pony up for a new set of tires. I could probably get another 1K-2K from these but since this is a big deal (and somebody might do a tech inspection or something), IÔÇÖll get them done. I am also due for a 6K at the same time. I called Tom High at Rennesport in Deland and he will did it all on Friday morning (2/20). Aside from that and possibly swapping the stock windshield for a Cal Sci Medium, the RT will go as is. The reader may think that sounds a little light for prep riding a SaddleSore. I have traveled the 600+ mile round trip Jacksonville-Loganville-Jacksonville every weekend for over 5 years, 90+% of the time on this and two previous RTs. On the other hand, This will be my first day over 450 miles in a very long time.
On Gear
Do I have the right stuff?
I read on the IBA site about underwear. Should I stick it out with my old reliable tighty-whiteys or spring for the $50 super-wicking, moisture-absorbing, temperature-sensing, ultra-comfortable, need-no-monkey-butt-powder super drawers. As I thought through it, I decided not, if only for the reason I might be tempted to tell everyone I meet all about the wonderful experience I am having with them. I donÔÇÖt think IÔÇÖll have the kind of time needed to truly do them justice considering I will probably encounter a hundred or so new friends not to mention the cashiers at every Jiffy Mart along the way.
For the trip, I plan to wear my normal riding outfit for fall/winter/spring. I have gotten comfortable with a First Gear Thermo one-piece Hypertex suit over the last two years. I always wear gloves, boots, and a Schuberth C2. I will carry extra socks and a heated vest. Mostly I will wear a combination of fleece sweatshirt and/or the heated vest. I have a scarf (muffler to you guys in the north) and a balaclava (balaclava to you guys in the north) to seal up and three sets of gloves from light to extreme. The temperatures both ways on my tune-up will be colder than expected in the event. I want to be absolutely sure I can stay warm. I have ridden this same gear 150+ miles at ~35 degrees and all day in pouring rain at 50-60 degrees with no issues. IÔÇÖm pretty sure it is good to go as far as cold, wet or wet/cold weather is concerned. If it is warmer (> 75 degrees on the south end while traveling 11am-3pm across South Florida ÔÇô West Palm to Sarasota) I will shift to a mesh jacket with/without fleece. For warm weather rain, I have a two piece rain suit that can cover the mesh jacket.
Route Planning
From the map published by Martin, the event coordinator, the trip will leave Jacksonville at between 6 and 8 am and travel south on I-95 to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood area. From there it will travel to I-75 west (dogleg through the Everglades) and north all the way to Lake City and I-10. From there we will follow I-10 West to Tallahassee, turn around and follow I-10 East back to Jacksonville and the end point. I have traveled all these roads before, much of the course many times over the years. The section from the east coast over to near Sarasota on I-75 will be the least familiar. The total distance for the event is estimated to be 1059 miles expected to be ~15 hours riding time without planning for any stops. From the sections I know, it should be relatively easy to average 65-70 MPH with a few notable exceptions. West Palm Beach south to where I-75 starts should be interesting on early Saturday afternoon. That section is like Forrest GumpÔÇÖs box of chocolates, you never know what youÔÇÖll get. The Section of I-75 Above Wildwood (where the Florida Turnpike joins northbound) will see a significant increase in traffic, but as I recall, it is still 4 lane until above Gainsville. There are also construction areas on I-95, I-75 and later on I-10 that will be of concern, although they should be inactive on weekends. On the whole, the trip should be mostly quiet. Traffic tends to stay moving for most of the planned route, and can really scream from Daytona south to WPB on I-95 and from Sarasota up to the I-10 on I-75. These two sections promise the fastest average speeds. Leaving at 8am, we will reach WPB sometime about noon, and hopefully be in Tallahassee by around 11 pm.
Planned and expected Stops
I am only going to be out for one day (it is all over in 24 hours regardless), so I plan to be as self-contained as possible. That includes all needed food and drink. This will have a significant effect on the number and timing of stops during the event. I will have to stop for fuel 5 times (4 mandatory and 1 for distance). I have no trouble keeping fuel stops to 10-15 minutes each on my weekly commute so IÔÇÖll use that as the average. I will expect to take a 30 minute break at about 6-7 hours (Naples?) and another 1 hour break at about 14 hours (Tallahassee before the turn east). These may / may not happen depending on circumstances and may / may not coincide with fuel stops. These are the approximate arrivals as I expect them (minus the 1.5 hours of rest stops), although the times will vary according to conditions (and luck) as the event progresses. I will probably be able to leave the start earlier than 8am, maybe even before 7am. If that is true, I will most likely run at least until sundown, increasing the 3 stops to 20 mins each, before my first longer rest stop.
Stop # Approx Time of arrival
Start 8:00 am Jacksonville Beach, FL**
First Fuel * 12:30-1:15PM West Palm Bch, FL**
Second Fuel 2:30-4:30 PM Naples, Fl**
Third Fuel 6:30-8:30PM Wildwood, Fl
Fourth Fuel 10:00-12:30PM Tallahassee, FL**
Fifth (End) Stop 1:30-3:30AM Jacksonville Beach, FL**
*That first stop is 290+ miles. It will be the single longest stretch on the trip. I have gone ~280 a few times so it should be good to go if I get a good fill at start.
** Mandatory Stops
Weather
As the trip gets closer, I am starting to plan for the expected weather. Outside of some judicious thinking, probably not much I can do here. I expect to start at around 50 degrees in Jacksonville Beach. Temps will slowly increase as I go south. If I can keep to schedule, I will see 75+ degrees somewhere near/past West Palm Beach, and the hottest temps will be west across Alligator Alley and up to Sarasota on the northbound leg. I should see full dark somewhere around Wildwood/Ocala, with temps back to around 60 degrees by Lake City. Some Rain is expected across the Florida PanHandle on Sat evening/Sun morning early with temps in the 50s by 9-10 pm. It should stay in the 50s all the way back east to Jacksonville Beach and the end of the trip.
Item List
Tool Kit
Extra Oil (.5 quart)
Flashlight (2) small and large
Tire Repair Kit (1)
First Gear Thermo Suit (1)*
First Gear Rain Jacket (1)
First Gear Rain Pants (1)
Fieldsheer Mesh Jacket
Gloves (4 Pair) One fingerless, One leather, One medium winter*, One heavy winter
Extra Socks (1 Pair)*
Fleece Sweatshirt (1)*
Heated Vest and Coiled Cord (1)
Balaclava (1)
Woolen Scarf (1)
Sunscreen
ChapStick
Florida Map (1)
5 Bottled Water (16 oz)
5 GatorAid (12 Oz)
Fruit (Bananas, Apples, Peaches, Oranges (whatever is available)
Mixed Nuts
Sandwiches (4) ÔÇô 2 PBJ, 2 Salami/cheese
Cooler (Softside w/ICE)
ÔÇÿyou talk the talk, do you walk the walkÔÇÖ ÔÇôanimal mother, Full Metal Jacket 1987
BTW, This is probably the most misquoted line, ever. I have read ÔÇÿAgainst the WindÔÇÖ and the accumulated wisdom on the IBA website. If I could recall every word and punctuation mark, if I could relate every item in proper context and format, it would not replace 12 hours straight on the road. You can plan, dream, project yourself into a situation, but you can never truly prepare yourself for the event. I consider myself an advanced rider. To me that is four ÔÇÿAnysÔÇÖ (Any Road, Any Hour, Any Weather, Any Traffic). I would expect that a very large percentage of BMW riders could say the same. I also expect that I will have tested every one of those before the event ends.
As soon as I knew I could participate, I began the planning process. I immediately sat down and wrote a list of items that are must-haves for a successful trip (I.E. a list of tasks to complete before the event begins, a review of the route/roads being traversed duri9ng the event and a contingency plan for each of the things that might happen during the event). I read all the literature on the IBA website about good LD riding, on suggestions for comfort, safety and the planning for the unexpected. I re-read David HoughÔÇÖs books again just to be sure I was up-to-date, and gave the motorcycle a thorough going over to be sure it was ready for the trip. When the trip is done, I am sure this will have been the most important 10 minutes I spent. Since I still have 10 days until the event, I have plenty of time to obsess, second guess and generally wonder what the hell I am doing. To keep some discernable order, I am going to try to stick to my list (this actually took most of my 10 minute prep).
Bike Prep
I have just over 18K on the original Metzlers, so I figure it is time to pony up for a new set of tires. I could probably get another 1K-2K from these but since this is a big deal (and somebody might do a tech inspection or something), IÔÇÖll get them done. I am also due for a 6K at the same time. I called Tom High at Rennesport in Deland and he will did it all on Friday morning (2/20). Aside from that and possibly swapping the stock windshield for a Cal Sci Medium, the RT will go as is. The reader may think that sounds a little light for prep riding a SaddleSore. I have traveled the 600+ mile round trip Jacksonville-Loganville-Jacksonville every weekend for over 5 years, 90+% of the time on this and two previous RTs. On the other hand, This will be my first day over 450 miles in a very long time.
On Gear
Do I have the right stuff?
I read on the IBA site about underwear. Should I stick it out with my old reliable tighty-whiteys or spring for the $50 super-wicking, moisture-absorbing, temperature-sensing, ultra-comfortable, need-no-monkey-butt-powder super drawers. As I thought through it, I decided not, if only for the reason I might be tempted to tell everyone I meet all about the wonderful experience I am having with them. I donÔÇÖt think IÔÇÖll have the kind of time needed to truly do them justice considering I will probably encounter a hundred or so new friends not to mention the cashiers at every Jiffy Mart along the way.
For the trip, I plan to wear my normal riding outfit for fall/winter/spring. I have gotten comfortable with a First Gear Thermo one-piece Hypertex suit over the last two years. I always wear gloves, boots, and a Schuberth C2. I will carry extra socks and a heated vest. Mostly I will wear a combination of fleece sweatshirt and/or the heated vest. I have a scarf (muffler to you guys in the north) and a balaclava (balaclava to you guys in the north) to seal up and three sets of gloves from light to extreme. The temperatures both ways on my tune-up will be colder than expected in the event. I want to be absolutely sure I can stay warm. I have ridden this same gear 150+ miles at ~35 degrees and all day in pouring rain at 50-60 degrees with no issues. IÔÇÖm pretty sure it is good to go as far as cold, wet or wet/cold weather is concerned. If it is warmer (> 75 degrees on the south end while traveling 11am-3pm across South Florida ÔÇô West Palm to Sarasota) I will shift to a mesh jacket with/without fleece. For warm weather rain, I have a two piece rain suit that can cover the mesh jacket.
Route Planning
From the map published by Martin, the event coordinator, the trip will leave Jacksonville at between 6 and 8 am and travel south on I-95 to Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood area. From there it will travel to I-75 west (dogleg through the Everglades) and north all the way to Lake City and I-10. From there we will follow I-10 West to Tallahassee, turn around and follow I-10 East back to Jacksonville and the end point. I have traveled all these roads before, much of the course many times over the years. The section from the east coast over to near Sarasota on I-75 will be the least familiar. The total distance for the event is estimated to be 1059 miles expected to be ~15 hours riding time without planning for any stops. From the sections I know, it should be relatively easy to average 65-70 MPH with a few notable exceptions. West Palm Beach south to where I-75 starts should be interesting on early Saturday afternoon. That section is like Forrest GumpÔÇÖs box of chocolates, you never know what youÔÇÖll get. The Section of I-75 Above Wildwood (where the Florida Turnpike joins northbound) will see a significant increase in traffic, but as I recall, it is still 4 lane until above Gainsville. There are also construction areas on I-95, I-75 and later on I-10 that will be of concern, although they should be inactive on weekends. On the whole, the trip should be mostly quiet. Traffic tends to stay moving for most of the planned route, and can really scream from Daytona south to WPB on I-95 and from Sarasota up to the I-10 on I-75. These two sections promise the fastest average speeds. Leaving at 8am, we will reach WPB sometime about noon, and hopefully be in Tallahassee by around 11 pm.
Planned and expected Stops
I am only going to be out for one day (it is all over in 24 hours regardless), so I plan to be as self-contained as possible. That includes all needed food and drink. This will have a significant effect on the number and timing of stops during the event. I will have to stop for fuel 5 times (4 mandatory and 1 for distance). I have no trouble keeping fuel stops to 10-15 minutes each on my weekly commute so IÔÇÖll use that as the average. I will expect to take a 30 minute break at about 6-7 hours (Naples?) and another 1 hour break at about 14 hours (Tallahassee before the turn east). These may / may not happen depending on circumstances and may / may not coincide with fuel stops. These are the approximate arrivals as I expect them (minus the 1.5 hours of rest stops), although the times will vary according to conditions (and luck) as the event progresses. I will probably be able to leave the start earlier than 8am, maybe even before 7am. If that is true, I will most likely run at least until sundown, increasing the 3 stops to 20 mins each, before my first longer rest stop.
Stop # Approx Time of arrival
Start 8:00 am Jacksonville Beach, FL**
First Fuel * 12:30-1:15PM West Palm Bch, FL**
Second Fuel 2:30-4:30 PM Naples, Fl**
Third Fuel 6:30-8:30PM Wildwood, Fl
Fourth Fuel 10:00-12:30PM Tallahassee, FL**
Fifth (End) Stop 1:30-3:30AM Jacksonville Beach, FL**
*That first stop is 290+ miles. It will be the single longest stretch on the trip. I have gone ~280 a few times so it should be good to go if I get a good fill at start.
** Mandatory Stops
Weather
As the trip gets closer, I am starting to plan for the expected weather. Outside of some judicious thinking, probably not much I can do here. I expect to start at around 50 degrees in Jacksonville Beach. Temps will slowly increase as I go south. If I can keep to schedule, I will see 75+ degrees somewhere near/past West Palm Beach, and the hottest temps will be west across Alligator Alley and up to Sarasota on the northbound leg. I should see full dark somewhere around Wildwood/Ocala, with temps back to around 60 degrees by Lake City. Some Rain is expected across the Florida PanHandle on Sat evening/Sun morning early with temps in the 50s by 9-10 pm. It should stay in the 50s all the way back east to Jacksonville Beach and the end of the trip.
Item List
Tool Kit
Extra Oil (.5 quart)
Flashlight (2) small and large
Tire Repair Kit (1)
First Gear Thermo Suit (1)*
First Gear Rain Jacket (1)
First Gear Rain Pants (1)
Fieldsheer Mesh Jacket
Gloves (4 Pair) One fingerless, One leather, One medium winter*, One heavy winter
Extra Socks (1 Pair)*
Fleece Sweatshirt (1)*
Heated Vest and Coiled Cord (1)
Balaclava (1)
Woolen Scarf (1)
Sunscreen
ChapStick
Florida Map (1)
5 Bottled Water (16 oz)
5 GatorAid (12 Oz)
Fruit (Bananas, Apples, Peaches, Oranges (whatever is available)
Mixed Nuts
Sandwiches (4) ÔÇô 2 PBJ, 2 Salami/cheese
Cooler (Softside w/ICE)