1st Iron Butt Complete & Verified!...Intro & Report

[godspeed]

ST Intro, Iron Butt and trip notes...

First, apologies to the moderator if I’ve included too many topics in one post.

As a new member of earlier this year, I probably didn’t follow the correct protocol by introducing myself.  Key personal info includes:
-   Riding enthusiast for many years.
-   First sport-touring bike was an ’82 CBX.
-   RiderCoach for MSF teaching most week-ends in warm months.
-   Recent Iron Butt certification.
-   Present ride is a Ninja 650R, the smallest bike I’ve ever owned.

Regarding a ride report, the Iron Butt run was completed on Friday, 01-Aug of this year on a Ninja 650R.  A riding colleague and I met and gassed up at 4:30am departing from our southern middle-Tennessee hometown.  Six stops and just under 18 hours later, we arrived in Mitchell, SD, home of the Corn Palace having covered roughly 1,050 miles.

Even though it was August, the temps weren’t crazy high and the weather fully cooperated.  Our route included Nashville, TN; Paducah, KY, St. Louis, MO, Kansas City, MO; Council Bluffs, IA; Sioux City, IA, Sioux Falls, SD and Mitchell, SD.

The Iron Butt miles were all spent on the slab running tank-to-tank.  Rest stops, snacks and meals were included in gas stops.  I travel with a Camelback and am a firm believer in hydration.  Regarding the trip, not so much to report as all was smooth, relatively fast and safe.

The Ninja did well though I should have followed through with my commitment from the previous riding season and improved the seat.  In spite of a gel pad, the factory seat doesn’t meet my needs.  Small mods for the long-distance work include a throttle lock and gps mount.  The bike was fully loaded with gear for the remainder of the one-week trip.  Luggage consisting of soft saddle bags (Nelson Riggs), rear seat bag (Nelson Riggs) and tank bag (Eclipse).  The saddle bags were largely loaded with camping gear (sleeping bag, pad & tent).  The tail bag with clothing, first aid kit, tire kit, tools, etc and the tank bag with items needed quickly.

The Iron Butt complete, our route continued west on I-90 including a detour into the Bad Lands and the unholy task of visiting the first week-end of Sturgis on a sport bike.  We found great roads in the Black Hills which would be best enjoyed while not putting along behind an endless line of Harleys.  Luckily, Harley fans enjoy a distilled beverage from our southern middle-Tennessee home that calmed my nerves frazzled by riding slow in the HD bike traffic.  It was interesting to experience the circus of the Sturgis gathering.  A trip to the Black Hills for riding should be scheduled at another time.

With Saturday afternoon and Sunday being enough of Sturgis, we pulled stakes for points west on Monday morning.  The route took us into Wyoming for a look at Devils Tower National Monument and then north on Route 112 into Montana for a northwest run on Route 212.  This was an incredible ride with long, smooth sweepers and little traffic…big sky at its best.  My concern-o-meter kept rising as there was no gas on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (that we could find) stretching the Ninja’s range until reaching Little Bighorn.  Custer’s last stand was almost the point of my first walk.  We picked-up I-90 again for the run through Billings turning south on Route 212 (again) into Red Lodge for the night.  We shared our camp ground spot with a moose cow and calf.

Tuesday morning took us across the Bear Tooth Pass nearing 12,000 feet.  Incredible.  Our route for the day passed through Yellowstone and the Grand Teton National Parks stopping for dinner in Jackson Hole.  We overnighted in central Wyoming just off Route 189/191 camping under a huge sky near the Green River.

Wednesday began as usual in the campground with coffee and packing.  Uniquely, it included a view of the Wind River Range made hazy by forest fire smoke.  Breakfast was in Pinedale then a continuation south on Route 191 to I-80 east.  We left I-80 on Route 789 dodging thunderstorms as we traveled south in Colorado along the west side of the Rockies eventually making our way to Craig.  From there it was east on Route 40 running through Steamboat Springs  spending the night in a cabin in Kremmling.  Our opportunity to make it to Colorado Springs was limited by heavy weather on Hoosier Pass and fading day light.

Unfortunately, Route 9 over the pass had several sections under repair which limited spirited riding on the following overcast morning.  Our trip included Route 24 leading us to Colorado Springs and another indoor night among family.

Friday began with a southward run on I-25 to Pueblo where we left the morning drizzle and headed east on primarily two-lane Route 50.  A bike maintenance issue caught up with my colleague’s V-Strom in Dodge City, Kansas limiting our eastward progress and ending our day short on miles in Wichita, KS.

Saturday morning in Wichita began with pouring rain.  The weather led to a decision to abandon the two-lane in favor of the gps suggested I-35 slab to Kansas City which we did in a typical Great Plains strong crosswind and driving rain.  The skies finally favored us allowing us to complete a 950-mile, 16½-hour day arriving home south of Nashville, TN about 1:30am Sunday.

Next year’s trip isn’t yet planned.  However, I’m starting to get psyched for the next adventure…on a new seat.  

(Pictures to follow when file size can be reduced.)

[Specter]

Sounds like you had a good ride and saw a lot of great country! Looking forward to the pictures. Welcome to the addiction of long distance riding.

Its funny how we now think of a 650 as a small bike. When I was a boy in the 70's, the Honda 750-4 was the original Superbike.

A small point of clarification: You completed your first SaddleSore 1000.  Once certified, you're a member of the Iron Butt Association.

[godspeed]

Specter and all,

Thanks for the kind words...did see a lot of great country and have long had the addiction for accumulating mileage.

Sorry about the delay in making some photos available.  Hope these few will document the run (along with the IBA certification number).

First, the departure from Mid-TN on 01-Aug-08 in the early hours...



As noted, the SS1000 went quickly and without surprises...and therefore almost no photos.

From day 2, the Badlands of SD:



Also day 2, setting up camp in Sturgis, SD:



Two shots from Bear Tooth Pass:




And, then the Grand Tetons National Park:



Followed by Yellowstone National Park and Old Faithful:



After the scenery of the west, photos of the great plains and the return trip to Tennessee seem to lack a bit.

Hope all your miles are great ones.

[BobW]

Congrats on the SS ride and great pics too.

Cheers

[godspeed]

Thanks Bobw.

While reading your response, I found an issue I better correct before some astute traveler notes my error.  My photos are out of order and should appear with Bear Tooth Pass, then Yellowstone followed by the Grand Tetons.  I was so happy to have finally discovered how to efficiently load the pictures that I made the goof.

Those that have been to Old Faithful will note that the shot is taken from the restaurant / gift shop / tour stop facility which is across the grounds from the lodge.  The porch there provided the perfect spot to have a barley pop while we waiting almost an hour from the big spew.

By the way, my in-laws live near Ashville, NC.  You folks sure have some good riding in the WNC area.

[BobW]

I don't have the geography knowledge to have caught the error We moved here from Phoenix about 4 years ago and while there are great rides out West, I can't get enough of these friendly old mountains. You have a short ride to get to the Smokies from Central TN, come say Hey! to your family and ride. I love riding loops around NC, SC, GA, TN and the VA's.

Cheers