Ironbutt Bunburner Gold-1500 miles in under 24hrs

[Specter]

With some careful planning and preparation, you should be able to do a BBG. The SaddleSore 1000 will teach you a lot about what is involved. Your choice to go west will help because of the wide open spaces and 70+ MPH speed limits available in most western states. Super slab interstates aren't required, but twisty bits should be avoided, because you can't keep up the average speed necessary, and higher speeds trade off too much gas mileage, causing more stops and lost time. I 40 across New Mexico and Arizona is beautiful.

I think of every minute stopped as a mile lost. When I did my BBG, the mental pressure to keep moving was always there. The clock was relentless. I took about four pictures on my BBG, and most of those were combined with a comfort break   I finished in just over 23 hours, which included rain, thunderstorms & hail (25 minutes hiding in a gas station), and temperatures between 30 and 90 degrees. I have to say I never felt tired or sleepy. My knees weren't too happy though

The things that made it work were a comfortable bike, dry and comfortable gear, light sensible snacks, the XM radio, and a GPS.  The GPS isn't to keep you on course - you should have that well planned. What it does is give you feedback on the ETA at the finish. Most GPS constantly calculate your arrival.  You can then adjust your riding speeds and stops to get there in time.

Finally, if you get tired, and feel like you can't make it, take a break, nap and just go for the Bun Burner. Its still an impressive accomplishment, and you've got 12 extra hours.

[stose85]

Thanks a lot guys. I found some very helpful information. I'll keep everyone posted as to my progress, and I plan on several 500-600 mile rides before I start increasing for time.  

[M]

As a couple others here have mentioned, time management is critical for a BBG ride. If you are unable to get 1500 in 24 don't fret, there are many riders that didn't complete a BBG on their first attempt.

I did a BBG back in 2008 on my Ninja 250:
http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic.php?t=71351

You might find some of my experiences and thoughts helpful for your ride planning.

[D-Mac]

Great thread. It's much more about planning stops (or lack thereof) than it is about speeding. It's amazing how much time you can lose on fuel stops.

I've done a couple of SS1000s and a BB1500. I learned a lot from those. I just got a new Russell-day-long seat and I'm plumbing in a fuel cell for my FZ6. A BBG and finishing a rally are my goals for this year.

[coho]

+50billion on the Russell saddle!!!1!!
 

Day-Long is not just a name.  You may want a bigger fuel cell.

[Ignacio]

Thanks a lot guys. I found some very helpful information. I'll keep everyone posted as to my progress, and I plan on several 500-600 mile rides before I start increasing for time.  

Good idea.  I found that going from 500 miles in a day to 1000 wasn't twice as hard.  A Saddle Sore is relatively easy if you can run a full tank, fuel up, and repeat with some efficiency.  There's even time to sleep at a rest area for a few hours if you route conservatively.

Doing  a BBG 1500 in 24 is much more difficult and shouldn't be tried unless you do a SS or BB first.

I wrote both mine up:

My first Saddle Sore at http://www.mattwatkins.org/saddlesore911.htm

My first Bun Burner Gold http://www.mattwatkins.org/ridebbg200505.htm

Once I did these the hook was set and did my first competitive rally.......and it's a sled ride from there.

[D-Mac]

+50billion on the Russell saddle!!!1!!
 

Day-Long is not just a name.  You may want a bigger fuel cell.

I just ordered a 4-gallon cell from tourtank.com. The stock tank goes to the welder next week.

[jfremder]

You should become seriously aware of your biorhythms.

I cannot function well between 1:00 and 3:00 AM.

I must take a rest stops then.

Every 24+ hour rally I've been in I have somehow managed to not rest then, regardless of my plan, done something stupid, and lost major points because of it that poor decision - made when I was tired.

You are not doing a rally, but the propensity to do something stupid or unsafe will be the same, so learn when it is time to stop for 30 in and power nap, when you must sleep 2 hours, or when a 4 hour stop is needed.

For me often it is not related to miles or hours, but to time of day.

I get a little tired/sleepy around 6:00 and really tired adn sleepy around 1:00AM.

Both of these are my personnel planned rest periods.  Other than then - only under 5 min hot stops so I can take the rest when I need it.

Lots of good advice here. Know your body clock. Snack on the bike. Practice fuel/pee stops to get them closer to 6-8 minutes. Choose your route carefully.. Make sure you're comforatable (Seat/temp/gear/ergos)

[David Morrow]

I've done a BBG1500 and it was all on interstates. About 22.25 hours I think.

But, I've also done 1451 miles in 23.5 hours on Canadian roads - that was Winnipeg, Mb to Vancouver, BC. (I could have trimmed at least half an hour off that if I was riding alone.) That stretch of the Trans Canada Hwy is mostly 4 lanes until you hit the Rockies and then it's a mixed bag for a couple hundred miles until you get near Kamloops BC. So, no, you don't really need all interstates.

http://www.ldrider.ca/2007AtlanticCanada/the-ride/2007-page06.htm

[discochris]

Yep, I've done one, back in 2003. It was only the second 1000+ plus day I'd ever done too.
They're hard. Really hard.
Even harder that I did it with stock fuel, and on a stock seat that was horribly painful by the end.

I've done something like 14 or 15 1000+ days, and have a bunch of IBA certs, but absolutely nothing was harder than this ride.
How someone like Warchild can do them back to back (or more) is beyond my comprehension. I love LD riding, but never, ever want to do another BBG.

[skippy929]

http://www.alaskaleatheronline.com


Their sheepskin buttpad helped me with my ss1000 on a cbr929 with stock seat.

[Cal24Master]

1000 in 24 can be done pretty easily, even using non interstate, and can be fun.

1500 in 24 has to be almost all interstate

figure this..1500/40mpg=37.5 gals of gas.  37.5/4 gal=9.375 stops

figure 15 mins for each stop, gas, pee, eat, stretch  15x10=150 mins

150min=2.5 hours worth of stops

so 24 actually becomes 21.5

1500/21.5= 69.76 mph avg

some people might call that fun....

That may be YOUR math.  Here is mine:

1500/45mpg = 33.3 gallons  33.3/11.2gal= 2.94 stops
figure 5 minutes for each stop to stop and get gas.  I stretch, drink and eat on the bike.  I drink small amounts at a time so I don't have to stop and pee.
3 stops x 5 minutes = 15 minutes.
total time is 23 hours 45 minutes.
1500/23.75 = 63.15 mph.
In Nevada you can do it without touching a freeway and driving under the speed limit by almost 7 mph.

And yes, I do call that fun!

[DNA]

Fail!

Come on you math wizz - don't you start with a full tank and end empty?

33+ Gal actually is 2 stops?

I just got you 5 more minutes!
 

[MarioWink]

Padded shorts and powder are an upgrade to standard civilian draws and may give you a couple hundred more miles of comfort, but for REAL long miles and big-dog rides like a BBG or longer, it would be better to upgrade to LD Comfort shorts.  Especially in sweaty weather.  See http://ldcomfort.com/store.  You don't use powder with them.

Giving advice to a rider to take off on a long ride with bicycle shorts and MonkeyButt powder is setting them up for more pain than any rider should have to bear. The powder absorbs moisture and turns to a grinding compound. The retained moisture tenderizes the skin and that leads to saddle sores. Do like advised above and go the the LDComfort website and view the videos. That should give any long distance rider an advantage. Don't suffer on a long ride. Comfort counts for EVERY mile, not just the first 1000 of the day.   ô¿~

[Gar]

Update? is the OP ready to go?

[Bounce]

I think of every minute stopped as a mile lost.

Good point.

1500/24=62.5 mph target
gas stop = (x minutes) * (# of stops)

modifiers that take time away from your base 24 hours:
assuming 15 minutes per stop and i only got 120 miles per tank on the bike then (15*13=3.25 hours)
unplanned stop time (float) 2 hours

24-3.25-2=18.75 hours

1500 (miles) / 18.75 (hours) = 80 mph target speed

1 minute lost = 1.33 miles lost (if i did my gazintahz right)

(float is there if you need it. as you get closer to the destination you can begin to use float for other things; extending your completion time remaining.)
...

Once you have one BBG under your belt the easy way (all western interstates), then you can better guage what your personal plans should be to successfully complete one under more difficult conditions (easter congested state, secondary roads, etc.). One good start is aux fuel for fewer gas stops (see zero mph v target destination and time).

...

as with aux fuel, reducing fuel stop times will be one of the biggest impacts on your need to set higher target speeds. if you can get a bike that does 300 miles on a refill (instead of 120) and drop your time to 5 minutes from 15, you just made a HUGE improvement over the things that are within your control (before even lifting the bike off the stand).

assuming 5 minutes per stop and get 300 miles per tank then (5*5=25 MINUTES (say 0.5 hours))
2 hours float
24-0.5-2=21.5 hours
1500/21.5=69.8 mph

69.8 mph v 80 mph target average is HUGE

and remember the float will work for you as your progress without problems like weather, construction or mechanical problems.

[DNA]

Don't know about the OP - but I am working on my paperwork from Sundays little ride.

Wa DC - Colo Spgs

~1650 mi in 24.5 hours

I stopped in Limon at 1580 miles at 2:152 hours for a witness.

Kansas sucks...

[lonestrom]

I'm planning my first SS1000 for next spring.I have been told that you should try to find interesting roads with high speed limits.My wife is a endurance bicyclist and she does 120-150 mile days 4,5 and upto 10 days in a row.On her last big ride I had her check the roads she was on for the amount of traffic,number of small towns ( less small towns means less 35mph's )and speed limits.With her info I have plotted a route that is 50% interstate ( high speed limits and less DEER !!) and 50% back roads.I'm planning on leaving around 2am and taking the interstate on my way out in the dark and returning on the smaller roads.

[coho]

I'm planning my first SS1000 for next spring.I have been told that you should try to find interesting roads with high speed limits.My wife is a endurance bicyclist and she does 120-150 mile days 4,5 and upto 10 days in a row.On her last big ride I had her check the roads she was on for the amount of traffic,number of small towns ( less small towns means less 35mph's )and speed limits.With her info I have plotted a route that is 50% interstate ( high speed limits and less DEER !!) and 50% back roads.I'm planning on leaving around 2am and taking the interstate on my way out in the dark and returning on the smaller roads.

That's a good plan. You might consider plotting in an abort point or two, where you can re-route to the slab if the more interesting roads turn out to be more time consuming than anticipated.  It's nice to have options already on hand instead of having to do it on the fly.

[DNA]

Other pro tip: Ride west int he AM - east in the PM

It seems every night I was heading intot he sun - when I made the turna dn headed home (east) this made a world of difference 14 hours in to a ride to not squint.