Picking a route

[Max Wedge]

Thinking about doing a 1000, and was considering a couple of routes, and I was hoping I might get some experienced IBA'ers opinions.

I'm starting in Lapeer, Mi, and one route would go north to Houghton in the UP, figuring the roads would be easy to navigate, and with less traffic, but more rural. I would start at a time to put the UP portion (deer ) during the daylight hours. 1088 miles.

The other route goes west to Lansing, then south to Charlston, WV, where I have friends. 1012 miles. This route requires a little more attention to navigate. Both routes are arriving at the destination and then going back, as opposed to 1000 miles in one direction.

So what's the 'trick' to picking a route for a 1st attempt?

[mike goodwin]

Well you certainly want the route to be enjoyable.
Not sure what that area is like and i am not sure what type of roads you intend to take.
Since a 1000 mile day is done relatively easily under the time constraints of 24 hours other factors can rear their ugly heads such as hard rain,road construction,major wrecks that tie up a road,etc.
If you choose a scenic route then i would suggest that the latter part of the ride,especially after dark,is on a good interstate or double lane divided U.S. highway.
Hope this helps.

Fwiw i was going to ride this very weekend to coach along a Harley riding workmate who has wanted to do the 1000/24 ride.
He got cold feet and backed out this very morning.
Me??
Since i am heading out on a week long trip at the end of next week i am still doing the ride.
My route is heading out I10 west of Houston until San Antonio Texas,then catching US 90 to Sanderson Tx which will be pretty scenic for the first 500 miles.
I will then run up U.S. 285 to Ft. Stockton and interstate it back to Houston.
The posted speed limit from Ft. Stockton to Kerville is 80 mph.
That will certainly help make up the time used up smelling the roses.

[RowdyRed94]

+1 on the interstate. My SS1000 was a combination, and that was enough of a challenge. I've ridden to Houghton on a trip around Superior, and between road construction and towns, it was slow going. Nice enough riding, but I'd never try a 1000 mile day that way. We did around 600 and were exhausted.

[xdbx]

i think lansing to charleston would be real cool.  You could stay at my place in lansing if you'd like.  PM me with more info, if I can fit it in, i'd certainly be interested in giving it a shot if i can.

[REAPER]

From my personal experience; stay interstate all the way, plan time for least traffic, (did mine on a Sat. in the summer and caught all the Nashville to gulf coast traffic - very bad).  Good Luck, and ride safe.

[Max Wedge]

+1 on the interstate. My SS1000 was a combination, and that was enough of a challenge. I've ridden to Houghton on a trip around Superior, and between road construction and towns, it was slow going. Nice enough riding, but I'd never try a 1000 mile day that way. We did around 600 and were exhausted.

The north route would be straight up I75 to the UP then 28 through Marquette and 41 up tp Houghton. 75 should be no sweat, but 28 and 41 I'm not sure.
I was thinking that traffic would be lighter going north than south through Detroit, Toledo, etc. Maybe just zig-zag around the big cities.

Next question: Why do I keep thinking of doing this? I haven't really thought about it much before stumbling across this forum, but it just keeps coming up

[mike goodwin]

The north route would be straight up I75 to the UP then 28 through Marquette and 41 up tp Houghton. 75 should be no sweat, but 28 and 41 I'm not sure.
I was thinking that traffic would be lighter going north than south through Detroit, Toledo, etc. Maybe just zig-zag around the big cities.

Next question: Why do I keep thinking of doing this? I haven't really thought about it much before stumbling across this forum, but it just keeps coming up

Because your a red blooded American and we all love challenges.
Good luck
At least most of us.

[RowdyRed94]

Why do I keep thinking of doing this?

In times of peace, young men seek out ways of validating themselves against the world.

Heck, I don't know!  

[Max Wedge]

In times of peace, young men seek out ways of validating themselves against the world.

Heck, I don't know!  

Okay that explains the young ones, what about me? Maybe this --- is my mid-life crisis. Naah! Gotta grow up to have one of those.

[county]

I did a BB 1500 for my cert.  And what I did was incorporate the ride into a trip.  I gotta niece in Phoenix and Phoenix is about 1500 miles from Memphis.  I made sure my route gave me 1500+ miles per Map Quest and included the Map Quest print out with my submission.  I may have actually used the Map Quest map print out for my map.

Plus one on interstate.  Unless you have done some serious miles (Multiple 700+ mile days) and just gotta get offa the interstate I'd stay on it.  This isn't about scenery and twisties, it's about covering miles.

[Max Wedge]

I did a BB 1500 for my cert.  And what I did was incorporate the ride into a trip.  I gotta niece in Phoenix and Phoenix is about 1500 miles from Memphis.  I made sure my route gave me 1500+ miles per Map Quest and included the Map Quest print out with my submission.  I may have actually used the Map Quest map print out for my map.

Plus one on interstate.  Unless you have done some serious miles (Multiple 700+ mile days) and just gotta get offa the interstate I'd stay on it.  This isn't about scenery and twisties, it's about covering miles.

That's a good idea, but I have limited vacation days left this year, and a trip or two already planned, and this would only burn one day. If I have more than a day or two, I'd like to enjoy the scenery. But this would be just about doing the miles, and making the world a little smaller, so the interstate it is.

Now next year......

[Ruben]

Thinking about doing a 1000, and was considering a couple of routes, and I was hoping I might get some experienced IBA'ers opinions.
....... Snip .....
So what's the 'trick' to picking a route for a 1st attempt?

Planning the route can be quite entertaining.  I like to use Microsoft Streets & Trips, just because its cheap, and works well.  If you can find an old 2004 version, it works the best, as you can set the speed on each leg to whatever you chose (newer versions use a slider that leaves me guessing), although the default setting works pretty good.

When planning a SS-1000 route (or something similar), I try to stay with interstates as much as possible, as long as you can plan to hit metro areas during non-rush periods.  The IBA requires you to "document" every "corner" (changing from one road to another), so I like to plan my fuel stops such that they fall at the corners, whenever possible.  I don't care for riding into a low sun, so I try to plan to be heading some direction other than East at sunrise, and West at sunset.  I try to avoid known deer areas in the wee hours of the morning, hoping that heavy truck traffic will help clear the way through those areas during the most dangerous hours in the morning and evening.

Once I have a potential route plotted in S&T, then I change each leg to "shortest route".   This isn't the route that you will ride, but incorporates every shortcut possible, even when not practical.  If your route meets the mileage requirements when set to shortest route, then you have an acceptable route.  You might be surprised how many potential routes fail this test.  If the route doesn't meet the mileage requirement, check to see where the biggest shortcut is, and put in an extra fuel stop to prevent that detour (or move the start, end, or turnaround points), and check again.  You'll quickly find an acceptable route, and it can be fun just playing with "what if" routes.

At this point you have a proven route planned, you can print out the route, and use cards, grease pencil on the windshield, GPS navigator, or whatever to serve as reminders of your stopping points.  On many routes, you may not even have to stop for rest (or restrooms) except during fuel stops.

When doing the ride, make sure to stay hydrated.  You can go through an amazing amount of liquid during a sixteen hour ride.

The MOST important advice that I can share, is to be SAFE.  If at any time, you don't feel good about what your doing, bail out and try again some other day.  Have fun, LD riding can get addictive!  :-)

Ruben Pastian
Naples, FL

[CLAY]

Max,
  I just sent you a PM.  We are doing one in May starting and ending in Grand Rapids.  We are heading west to Chicago then up around Lake MI.  Leaving about 3 AM.

[xdbx]

what date in may?

[CLAY]

May 19- leaving Saturday morning about 3 AM.  I'm planning to get it certified.

[Max Wedge]

Not sure if May will work out for me, but I never know. Maybe as a last minute deal I might be able to work it out.

[CLAY]

No problems- I'll just leave it open to anyone interested.  If you want to do a SS1K I would guess you are not a novice to riding.  You can PM me if you want me to include you in the group emails I send out.

[Max Wedge]

No, not a novice. Just a comeback. Started at 18, went dirt at 24, back to street at 43, now working on my 28th year. Loving it more than ever  

[CLAY]

We leave for our SS1K next week Saturday at 3am.  Anybody else (in Michigan) interested?