Blondebaerde
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Motorcycles: 1999 CRB1100XX
Miles Typed: 11
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« on: November 07, 2009, 11:54:10 AM » |
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Just joined this forum. Just for giggles. Just always posted elsewhere, until now...primarily the CBRXX forum.
Just completed a SS2K (October 17/18, 2009), West Coast. Paperwork to IBA "just" submitted, 11/6. Started in Seattle (home), went down to old stomping grounds in central CA (resident for 7 yrs in the '90s, familiar roads). Took the scenic route south, SW at Grant's Pass, OR for those who know the area (spectacular mountain ride to the CA coast). Driving rain in this phase did not help, but didn't hurt that much either. 101 south, another fantastic drive, to Bay Area then east on superslab to Central Valley. Stopping for the night in scenic ("not") Chowchilla, about 6 hrs sleep, to Fresno then west directly across the 'valley to I-5 and a long superslab north.
Only issue was the hoard of CHP protecting their precious 70mph limit, the whole length of I-5 from mid-state to Oregon. I did not get busted, but kept my speeds rational, too, and received the old hairy-eyeball from more than one CHP unit whizzing by en route to intercept (whoever). Thinking my Roadcrafter and hard-bags make me look harmless enough, or at least somewhat non-squidly.
Ride was drama-free; I'm not boasting but don't really mind long days on my Blackbird. I had a 110 mile/day bike commute for about six months this year, hardening both my ass and resolve. I've put 50K miles on this bike and understand how to keep comfortable, too. On-bike wrist and other stretching exercises kept me limber, and I stopped about every 125 miles for fuel, water, and a snack. My 'Bird is mostly stock, but for Corbin hard bags, Throttlemeister, and fastastic, never-failed-me-saved-my-ass-in-numerous-life-situations GPS (Garmin 60CSX).
Next comes a 3K IBA mile ride, I think: contemplating USA Sunrise to Sunset Insanity (La Push, WA to East Port, ME in under 3 days), in-reverse if they'll allow it (W-E vs. E-W). Other interesting alternative is Border to Border to Border Insanity Gold (Can-Mex-Can, if they'll allow it), given that also could start relatively close to home. Something that is perhaps 3,000 miles in either 2 or 3 days, give or take, tends to appeal. That would be in the spring of 2010, of course: too late this year.
The interesting thing, to me, is the idea of gradually pushing the limits. 1K in one day was a bit of a challenge, though I've ridden sportbikes and nominal STs (Blackbird, FJ1100) for decades. 2K/2 days was, again, not that bad "for me" though did take the right attitude and moderate attention to detail (physical, mechanical). Beyond that, I suspect it starts to get interesting: tougher attitude, more stress on the mechanicals, etc. This, I find intriguing. No doubt, that's where the insanity starts...
This appears to be the forum to "recruit" fellow nuts: if I solidify any of these plans, will post more often and look for riding pals. Did the SS2K solo. My SS1K, a couple years ago, was with a good Tiger-riding pal. I suspect on anything longer and tougher, at least one riding pal would be a good idea.
Thanks, all.
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