My first SS1000 ride, a trip report of sorts.

[Jason F.]

For one reason or another I have always wanted to do a few IBA rides like the Saddle Sore 1000 (SS1000) and the Bun Burner Gold (BBG). Miles and miles on the Interstate is not really the type of riding I prefer to do but it seemed like a fun and worthwhile challenge and something to check off the riding “bucket list”.

I have done some nice long day rides of 500 to 600 miles. I have managed some 1200 to 1400 mile 3 day weekend rides in the past couple of years as well. I also ran the entire length of the Natchez Trace Parkway in one day earlier this year which was over 500 miles at 50 to 55 mph. That ended up being just over a 12 hour day in the saddle but still not really a Iron Butt level ride. I got the opportunity this weekend to take part in a pre-set IBA ride put on in different regions by volunteer coordinators from MTF (The Motorcycle Tourer’s Forum).
They made things easy by having a pre-approved route with pre planned fuel stops, ready to fill in forms, a start and end witness ready at the start and end points, and someone to make sure the paper work was properly filled out. It was pretty much a turnkey show up and ride event.
My choice of transportation for this event was my 1998 VFR 800. I have had it about a month and am still getting used to it. For touring comfort I have a Corbin seat with a homemade sheep skin pad. I have also added MFW Vario lowering pegs and a taller touring shield. I also recently added Givi racks with side cases and a top trunk. Before I do my next long ride I will ditch the clip-ons and put on normal bars for a bit more rise and pull back. I may also have to do a +1/-1 on the gearing because it you do want to wick the speeds up just a touch it really drops your fuel economy through the floor above about 5500 rpm.

So Saturday morning rolls around and the alarm would have gone off at 4am if I had not woken up at 3:50am. I was on the bike and pulling up the driveway at 4:30 to make the close to 1 hour ride down to the starting point of the SS1000 ride. There I pull in to find two other riders just about ready to finish their starting paperwork and pull out. A few good mornings and handshakes later I get my starting witness signature and paperwork packet and fill up the tank for the first gas receipt at 5:32 am. From there it is promptly onto I-24 headed North West.
I put middle Tennessee behind me fairly quickly, after I stopped to close the lid of the top box I apparently did not latch properly. No worries it was just the cooler with a couple bottles of water in there so nothing took flight. It was actually fairly pleasant with the sun just starting to rise behind me and over my shoulder. Traffic was light since it was early on a Saturday and the riding was easy. It was sort of downhill from there though. I hit some fairly heavy fog in a couple of places the worse being near Paducah KY, and Metropolis, IL. It might as well have been raining since it was nearly impossible to keep my visor clear and my gear was quite wet on the outside. Temps hovered in the upper 50’s and low 60’s and I was comfortable with the temperatures but visibility and the damp air rally made things a bit tough.

I started to get sore and stiff at around the 200 mile mark and was concerned. If I was already uncomfortable at this early stage how was I going to make it to 1000+ miles? Oddly enough once that base level of soreness set it things never got worse. I sort of adjusted to the comfort level and all it took was 5 minutes off the bike every fuel stop to stretch and feel pretty good again. The trip itself was staying pretty miserable though. I-24 North West to I-57 north was my route until I picked up I-70 East toward Indianapolis. More light rain, mist, grey sky, and crappy road surfaces were all that Illinois and Indiana had to offer. To be fair the sun did try to come out a bit in Indiana right about the time the multiple 45 mph single lane work zones started popping up every 5 miles or so.

The trip was honestly a boring miserable blur so far and my two major thoughts were:
 “well I could finish just to say I did it but why the hell did I do this?”
and
“I am picking up I-65 in Indy and it would be a straight short shot home if I just want to blow off the rest of the ride.”

I got south of Indy and took another fuel stop and extended my break for a sandwich and to collect myself. The roads had been rough especially in the construction roads and the VFR is not exactly cushy. It has a bit of a firm sporting suspension so I was feeling a bit roughed up. I shook it all off and felt a bit refreshed so I jumped back on the bike to see what the next stretch held in store for me. I had a Text message from the site coordinator/starting witness that the I-64 Bridge was closed in Louisville and traffic was very slow so I had that to look forward to.

Louisville came and went without any issues and my return to Kentucky started a new much brighter chapter in the ride. I picked up I-64 and headed toward Lexington. The sky was clearing up a bit and the sun was attempting to make a showing. Temps still were not getting higher than 70’s but that was making for some nice riding weather. Kentucky reminded me why I love living in the South East. Even from the interstate that section of the state is very attractive with acres of green picturesque horse pastures and fields. When I picked up I-75 South in Lexington the riding got even better. The sun was getting lower and the light was great. The ride through the Richmond, Berea, and Mt. Vernon was beautiful even for interstate riding. Things really got great as I began to pull up into the foot hills of the mountains and the road went from more or less straight to nice sweeping curves. Now this was starting to make the crappy morning and mid day riding worth it. Unlike the crappy views offered to me in Illinois and Indiana where I never desire to set my wheels again I really need to get back to ride more of Kentucky.

The sun set as I got back to Tennessee still winding my way through the foot hills of the Smoky Mountains.  I picked my way through Knoxville via I-75/I-640 despite UT game day traffic and two wrecks on the Interstate. Have I mentioned that even though I am a Tennessean I absolutely hate UT, UT football, and a fair number of UT’s fans? They really are an obnoxious bunch some times. I stayed on I-75 and made my way toward Chattanooga in more ridiculous game day traffic. Things started to open up as I got into Chattanooga and picked up I-24 once again headed toward Monteagle Mountain and Manchester for the final leg of the trip. Temps were back into the mid to low 60’s and the ride was nice pulling through the curves of Monteagle even in the dark. Traffic was nearly nonexistent so the last leg was really stress free and enjoyable. I was feeling very good as I crossed the 1000mile threshold about 40 miles from the end point. I honestly felt like I could have ridden another few hours. I filled up the last time for my receipt and checked in with my ending witness at 10:40pm.

Things I learned on my first SS1000 IBA ride:

1)   Honestly it is not that hard. Just have a plan and get out there on the bike.
2)   Fuel stops can get long if you are not careful. Multi task by getting some snacks or water while you are getting gas into the tank. 4 gallons, a granola bar or some jerky, and a bottle of water should take less than 10 minutes.
3)   Do not sacrifice quality of ride for miles. I would have been much happier just running up and down I-75 in Kentucky and Tennessee or I-24 back and forth over Monteagle for a thousand miles.
4)   Speed is not your friend. At least in my case running faster to make up time just adds a level of stress and leads to me being far tenser than need be. Cruising along at 70mph while keeping stops short seems to be far more efficient.
5)   Have fun with it and do not push. I was surprised I never got tired and as long as I took in the sites a bit and enjoyed myself the miles went by very quickly.


For those interested my gear/clothing choices were perfect and I was comfortable the entire trip. They were:
 LD comfort shorts
UA base layer top
UA Heat Gear boot socks
Joe Rocket ¾ length Ballistic 7.0 touring jacket
Joe Rocket Ballistic Dry Tech touring pants
Alpinestars Ridge waterproof boots.
HJC CL-15 Helmet (really sucks and I really need a new quieter helmet)


Total Distance for the day was 1164 miles. Total Distance for the SS1000 ride was 1044 miles. Total time for the day was just at 19 hours but the time for the SS1000 ride was just a few minutes over 17 hours.


I failed to take many pictures since forgot to take my camera but I did remember to snap a couple at the end of the ride with my phone.

How the bike was setup for the ride.




I forgot the starting mileage shot but it was 18209. Here is an ending mileage shot.


My Route

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=2278+Hillsboro+Blvd+Manchester,+TN,+37355,+USA+931-723-1337&daddr=Love%27s+Travel+Stop+2966+US+Highway+62+Calvert+City,+KY+42029-8409+to:Halfway+Rd+to:306+N+Spring+Creek+Rd,+Montrose,+Illinois+62445+to:300+E+to:Simpsonville-Buck+Creek+Rd+to:5521+Athens+Boonesboro+Rd+Lexington,+KY,+40509+to:Pilot+Travel+Center+Inc+%23224+304+Howard+Baker+Highway+Pioneer,+TN+37847-3910+to:650+GA-299+Wildwood,+GA,+30757+to:2278+Hillsboro+Blvd+Manchester,+TN,+37355,+USA+931-723-1337+to:2166+Hillsboro+Boulevard,+Manchester,+TN&hl=en&sll=35.822267,-85.932312&sspn=0.840694,1.783905&geocode=FUwMHQIdKebe-iEA7A3M6ChpiCnvOtJ4VWhhiDF7yZB9YrgrCg%3BFcWgNAIdAFu8-iEuN1edZu-JrilVN6PXI2Z6iDFa0EoyM-Y7BA%3BFZfgPwIdA3-y-g%3BFfylVQId0267-im9Fjin66RziDHAP08K1-J6Sw%3BFfJ_WwIdXg7f-g%3BFagJRwId27Tp-g%3BFfJBQwId3Vv4-ikjU81GBVFCiDGUYkXbFcyy1w%3BFTwUKwId9H36-iH1USiQRf1c8A%3BFUW6FQIdtq_o-inFOOmk61pgiDGj5-zDQMifFQ%3BFUwMHQIdKebe-iEA7A3M6ChpiCnvOtJ4VWhhiDF7yZB9YrgrCg%3BFZ4THQIdXtje-imzJJNdVmhhiDF0VENf4mJPwA&vpsrc=0&mra=ls&dirflg=d&t=m&z=7

[Justin]

Nice write up, and Congrats on the ss1000 ride  

And yes, managing your stopped time is way more important than speed. I plan my stops out in my head before I actually stop, so I know exactly what I am going to do, and in what order, when I actually stop.

Now that you have your SS1K done, are you planning a BBG?

Edit: As far as the discomfort early on, I've found getting up and getting right on the bike does that to me. Being up for a few hours before a ride really get's me loosened up, stretched out and relaxed. And pain killers before you actually start help too. The IBA archives of wisdom recommend Aspirin - personally I alternate between Ibuprofen and Excedrin; to switch up the kidney and liver abuse  

[Jason F.]

No BBG yet but I am doing a second SS1000 with a group of friends in a couple weeks.

I popped a couple of Ibuprofen before bed and a couple more at the second gas stop so I had a bit going through my system. I think a bit more pull back on the bars would have helped but mostly I need to strengthen my core, work on overall flexibility, and get more comfortable on this bike. I found myself occasionally leaning on my hand and wrists a bit or having poor riding posture that I would have to consciously correct. On my old bike I had a more settled riding position that I did not have to work at, I think it is more me than the bike though.

[hovmaven]

I'd have added water on the bike (unless you have it, and i missed it).    

Good ride.  

[Jason F.]

I'd have added water on the bike (unless you have it, and i missed it).    

Good ride.  

I had bottled water, cliff bars (granola bars), trail mix, jerky, and some V8 fruit juice on the bike in a small cooler in my top case. I need to replace my helmet with a modular before I can eat or drink on the bike. I have a breath guard that covers up to my nose, a quiet rider chin skirt that covers the underside of the helmet from the chin bar back to my neck, and a comm system on the bike with a mic in front of my lips. I have a camel back hydration bladder but the bite valve was not going to fit into the above picture at all. If I had had a less constrictive helmet or a modular it would have been nice to drink a bit on the road and maybe eat a cracker or two while under way.

[playinatwork]

Congrats on a good ride and write up.

[hovmaven]

DNA turned me on to the 90 degree bite valve.  Worked well.

http://www.aerostich.com/90-bite-valve.html

He also recommended a coleman hydration system.  Not having panniers installed (which might allow a jug attached to the rear passenger peg), I went with a 5qt coleman cooler (basically, enough to hold a six-pack).  With a hole drilled in the top (at an angle, so as not to pinch), and some clear plastic tubing, you have on the bike access to 160 ounces of liquid goodness.  

Warchild has a version of that setup pictured here:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,65737.0.html

[cbsnbiker]

Nice setup.

I have a Camelbak 90 degree bite valve that has an on-off switch. Like you, I find that the 90 degree valve works better than a straight one. I find the on-off switch useful to keep water from leaking.

[hovmaven]

Good explanation of setup with pics here:

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?63619-Mick-s-Hillbilly-Hydration-System&highlight

[kyzrex]

Good report..congratulations.

Suggestion.......if you come back up to Ky to do some more LD riding, make use of the Parkways.  70mph speed limits on most, 4 lane divided highway, low traffic, low stress, and go through some beautiful country.  MUCH nicer than either I65 of I75.

[Jason F.]

Good report..congratulations.

Suggestion.......if you come back up to Ky to do some more LD riding, make use of the Parkways.  70mph speed limits on most, 4 lane divided highway, low traffic, low stress, and go through some beautiful country.  MUCH nicer than either I65 of I75.

I-75 was actually the better part of the ride believe it or not. There was very little traffic and it was the perfect time of the day. Great light, great views, some mild curves and generally great riding. I-65 is pretty bad though you are right about that. I have to run up and down that to Bowling Green and Louisville all the time.

I ran the parkway to Owensboro once to pick of a transmission and it was not bad. Pretty straight and boring but scenic. Central and Eastern Kentucky can be really nice and I should get up there to ride more often. It is really just a day trip for me so I do not have any excuses.

[M]

Congratulations on  your first SS1000!  

Next, consider an in-state SS1000 or a 24hr rally.


Regards,

Michael
Broken Arrow, OK

[Jason F.]

Congratulations on  your first SS1000!  

Next, consider an in-state SS1000 or a 24hr rally.


Regards,

Michael
Broken Arrow, OK

Doing another SS1000 in two weeks. I will probably do a BBG next spring and a 50CC next summer or fall if I do not get to take my ride to Alaska as planned. the 50CC is the backup for Alaska.

[Specter]

Congratulations!

Looks like you had a good ride. I suspect you'll do many more- it's addictive.

[Chuck 500]

Congratulations!  

Great report and very encouraging.  I've been wanting to do one of these.

BTW, like the "Hang up and drive" bumper sticker

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck