My indoor “To-Do” list will simply have to wait.  With moderate temperatures, this 15th of November will be spent on the road.  First stop; Richmond, Indiana.  Then off to the University of Miami!   Have a great day!

Last week I had the privilege of being interviewed by D. Brent Miller, of Sojourn Chronicles about my recent Saddle Sore 1000 ride.  Brent is a gentle and hospitable soul, with amazing writing and interviewing skills.  We had a great time together and I look forward to working with him again.  Here’s the interview.

So, all the really cool bikers are in Sturgis!  Why aren’t you there?

The ride that began in the dark, ended in the dark!  My Saddle Sore 1000, started Saturday at 3:50 a.m. and ended back at the same spot at 10:28. p.m. and covered a distance of 1027 miles!

I traveled Interstate 70, heading west, through Indiana, Illinois, and mid way through Missouri.  Boonville, Missouri, was the half way stop of my trip at 513 miles. In Boonville, I grabbed a burger, fries, and a coke, (meal of champions) fueled up, and started back.

The key to completing any long distance ride in a specific number of hours, is to maintain your speed (keep the wheels rolling). I was fairly happy with my average speed until I ran into a line of very severe thunderstorms 50 miles west of St. Louis.  The monsoon like storm continued for about 45 miles, and unfortunately, greeted me again on my return trip.  These tempests greatly limited visibility, and stopped traffic on several occasions due to accidents.

This week I will submit all of my documentation to the Iron Butt Association, for their approval.  A podcast will be forthcoming to give more details about the ride.

Thanks to everyone for their well wishes and kind remarks!

Early Saturday morning I will leave Springfield, to begin my Saddle Sore 1000 ride.  The “Saddle Sore”, is the entry level ride sponsored by the world famous, Iron Butt Association, and consists of riding a minimum of 1000 miles in a 24 hour period.  A rider needs witnesses for both the beginning and the end of the trip, as well as other time stamped documentation.  These records are then submitted to the IBA for an investigation.  Once verified, the ride will be sanctioned by the IBA.

The route I have chosen will take me west on Interstate 70, through Indianapolis, Indiana, St. Louis, Missouri, and just east of Kansas City.   I will stop at a small town; Boonville, Missouri, which is 516 miles from my starting point, and my halfway destination.  Here I will fuel, document my stop, and head back toward Springfield.

Several of our readers have already completed this ride, and I thank you for your advice.

I will be updated my progress in real time on Facebook. If you care to follow.

A short while ago I received a call from John Chambers, one of the Mild Hogs.  These vagabonds were spending a few days with John’s daughter who resides just outside of Denver.  John felt good about the trip to this point, and said the hogs have been averaging 370 miles a day.  Monday the gang will leave the Denver area and make their way to the famed Grand Canyon.

If by chance you were on I-70 this weekend and happened to see a black streak zooming towards Wheeling W.Va, that was the RT.  It was our first real ride of the season and it was hammer down!  With beautiful riding conditions, we rolled out of the “Field” at 10:00 a.m. with nothing but riding on our minds. Here was the itinerary….

• AMA Hall of Fame Museum
• Motohio BMW
• Wheeling, W. Va. via I-70
• Return home via Historic National Road

The trip to Wheeling, was fast and furious, as traffic was light, and I was stoked.  At 80 mph the ole’ girl was just getting started and was anxious for triple digits.  So what can a guy do, but oblige.  Soon we were in Wheeling, only to discover a huge chili cook off along the banks of the Ohio River.  This unexpected pleasure was a fabulous event; complete with live bands, a car show, and plenty of chili.  Running into events like this is an adding blessing of touring.

The route selected for my return trip was the Historic National Road.  Like the famous Route 66, the National Road is an American treasure.  This 800 mile gem is often taken for granted, but it is saturated with history, and an absolute blast if you know it’s story.  In 1806 Congress passed, and President Thomas Jefferson signed legislation to construct this road as it became the first  federally funded multi-state road in America’s history. Beginning in Baltimore, Maryland and crossing 6 states… Maryland, Pennsylvania, West, VA., Ohio,  Indiana, and Illinois.

Riding this road home completes a riding goal of mine, which was to ride this historic trail through my state. Mission accomplished!  I will now set my goal to ride it in the remaining 5 states.

Stats on this trip

• 465 miles round trip.

• Consumed 10 gallons of fuel.

• Departure Springfield: 10 a.m. / Returned to Springfield:  8 p.m.

• Fuel cost:  $3.28 a gallon

• Fun:  Priceless!

Preparations begin in earnest this week for my first attempt at the Saddle Sore 1000.    This an Iron Butt sponsored event where riders travel 1000 miles in a 24 hour period.  Long distant riding is not new to me, but this will be my first timed event at this mileage.

• Finalize date (May)
• Begin endurance training
• Set up the RT
• Finalize witnesses and required paperwork

Any advice? Let me know!

Up early this morning to complete my morning tasks.  Now I am heading out!  Todays ride will follow St. RT 41 to Maysville Kentucky.  Hope you have a great Sunday!  Oh yea, make certain you check your tire pressure this morning.

It’s official!  I will be riding the “Saddle Sore 1000″ in early May.  The “Saddle Sore 1000″ is a 1000 mile ride in a 24 hour period.  More commonly referred to as a 1000 in 1 ride, this trip will be overseen by the Iron Butt Association, and must adhere to their strict standards.  The “Saddle Sore 1000″ compliments my personal touring style, and although I have made this type of ride before, it has been strictly unofficial.

Springfield will be the official starting place.  I will then ride Interstate 70 West to Boonville, Missouri, this will mark the halfway point.   After getting a time stamp in Boonville, I will head back to Springfield.  The 24 hour period is “wall time” not “riding time”  if I leave Springfield at 6:00 a.m. on May 5Th, I must return to that exact point and be time stamped before 6:00 a.m. on May 6Th.     I realize this is no big deal for some riders, and many say “What’s the point?”  Well, truly there is no point!   It’s  just something I would like to do, nothing more, nothing less!

All of us will eventually come to “the end of the road“; you know, “head to the big motorcycle garage in the sky“.  Well, when that time comes it is nice to know this company; Final Ride has a product for us.

Click on the link then let me know what you think!