Thinking about a 50CC Attempt

[Hulked Up]

With the winter lull I have been thinking about my next IBA ride.  For the last two years my friend Doug and I have done an Iron Butt ride each season.  In 2005 we did a SS1000 and this year we did a Bun Burner Gold.
 
  We’ve had a goal of doing a 50CC (coast to coast in 50 hours or less) since 2005 and had planned to finally do it in 2007.  As I’m thinking about it, I see one major issue I need to resolve before the serious planning starts:
 
  Which route:  NY to San Francisco (2900 miles) or Jacksonville to San   Diego (2350 miles)?
 
  We both live in the Northeast, Doug is not too far outside of NYC, so there is a natural inclination to start there.  However this route is over 500 miles longer, which is not inconsequential on a ride like this.  In doing some research I couldn’t find too many people who did this route.  I was wondering if anyone here had done it?
 
  I know most people do Jacksonville to San Diego, which is like doing a little more than 2 Saddlesores back to back.  The NY to SF route is more like two BBG’s back to back.  I did one BBG and the thought of doing another one the following day seems a bit crazy, but it would be one hell of an accomplishment.  
 
  I think the IBA may have changed their classification on the NY to SF route as I seem to remember in 2005 it was considered an extreme part of the 50CC ride.  I no longer see it specifically mentioned on their list of rides, though there is a veiled reference to it in the rules of the 50CC.
 
  Any thoughts from the IBA riders?

[scott-sts]

Way too hardcore for me buddy.

[Bodhi]

Me too. I want to go coast to coast to coast, but I want to see things, eat at interesting places, take photos, meet people...

[Hulked Up]

Me too. I want to go coast to coast to coast, but I want to see things, eat at interesting places, take photos, meet people...

That's for the way back.  

[olderigetfasteriwas]

What are you going to ride?

[Davo]

The IBA still have the 50CC Gold, or called/mentioned as other terms. Usually known as 50CC the hard way

I did a Australian one in January, the first every at Gold level, Brisbane>Fremantle 4430k (2750m) in 45h22m

I chose that rather than the shorter (same as your shorter 2400m one) because like you I live close to the wider route. Made perfect sense rather than do a 1200klm ride just to start.

I say go do it, here is mine http://www.gtr-aus.com/davo/davo.htm click the IBA 50CC Gold linky

[Hulked Up]

What are you going to ride?

Well, another issue to think about.  Was going to take the VFR, which did well on the BBG, but after 1500 everything hurts pretty good.  Might consider actually renting something.

I say go do it, here is mine http://www.gtr-aus.com/davo/davo.htm click the IBA 50CC Gold linky

Thanks, I'll check that out.

[county]

I have been contemplating a 50 CC for 3 years.  That NY to SF is, IMO, a hard ride.  I don't believe it can be done without some serious lawbreaking.
 
For the Jacksonville to San Diego a lotta people get a W.Coast  IB member to meet them and lead them thru the mountains near the end of the ride.  
 
Even now, I-10 in Florida and Louisiana bears checking out.  
 
I have also considered departing from Charleston and Savannah...
 
Fort Stockton, TX is the mid-point and where a lotta riders catch their nap.  
 
Also, in March, I believe, theres a club that sponsors a 50 CC, a whole group of people depart Jacksonville at about the same time...not actually riding as a group.  The club provides witness signatures, lists of gas stations and stuff.  (Kinda the opposite of what a 50 cc is suppose to be about, IMO)

[Cal24Master]

You can do it reasonably.  You are basically taking I80 across most of the country.  The speed limit on 80 west of Iowa, which is about 2/3 of it is 75mph.  You can usually do 80-85 without much fear of performance awards.  If you keep your stops down to a minimum and average 70, that will give you 1500 miles in about 21 hours.  That gives you about 6-7 hours of sleep during the ride.  I have done it.  It isn't easy, but definately doable.
 
The Jacksonville to SD, or Santa Monica route is pure cake.  I10 the whole way.  I did it in 38 hours, and I stopped for 4 hours of sleep in Houston.
 
Tom
IBA 161

[Gixster]

The Jacksonville to SD, or Santa Monica route is pure cake.  I10 the whole way.  I did it in 38 hours, and I stopped for 4 hours of sleep in Houston.
 
Tom
IBA 161

 Then again, that's due in no small part to that sub-200 IBA number you have.  

[scott-sts]

You have to figure there will be worse traffic on the NY to SF route.  
I've driven I-10 from Tallahasse to Baton Rogue and that road freaking flys!

[Hulked Up]

That reminds me of a question I've had about this route:  what counts as NY or SF?  Do I need to be physically at the harbor or just somewhere within the boundaries of the city?

[olderigetfasteriwas]

One must announce it from atop the Goden Gate Bridge (oh, and get a receipt).

[Rocket_Cowboy]

 Then again, that's due in no small part to that sub-200 IBA number you have.  

Then again ... I did my first one at under 41 hours ... but maybe it was my over-21,000 IBA number that slowed me down 3 hours?

That reminds me of a question I've had about this route:  what counts as NY or SF?  Do I need to be physically at the harbor or just somewhere within the boundaries of the city?

In the spirit of the ride ... you can't go Coast to Coast without stepping in the water on each side. Technically, they just validate that you have a receipt close to the coast, but I've also got pictures to validate that I was on each before/after the ride.

[Davo]

Certainly stepping into the sea at both ends is highly recomended, its a real buzz after crossing the country.

http://www.gtr-aus.com/davo/50ccpics.htm

[Specter]

The Jacksonville to SD, or Santa Monica route is pure cake.  I10 the whole way.  I did it in 38 hours, and I stopped for 4 hours of sleep in Houston. Tom IBA 161

That's the route I'm considering, since I can ride there from home to start. I figure a starting receipt from the Santa Monica Pier is about as "Coast" as you can get

[Hulked Up]

In the spirit of the ride ... you can't go Coast to Coast without stepping in the water on each side. Technically, they just validate that you have a receipt close to the coast, but I've also got pictures to validate that I was on each before/after the ride.

So, I've got to jump into Hudson River beforehand?  

[scott-sts]

So, I've got to jump into Hudson River beforehand?

 
Or the East River.

[Rocket_Cowboy]

So, I've got to jump into Hudson River beforehand?  

Actually ... the unwritten rule for a NY stop ... you have to swim three laps around the Statue of Liberty.

No, I wouldn't say that you have to jump into the Hudson River. As you asked, the only real requirement is that you get a gas station receipt that's close to the coast. In the spirit of the ride, I would think a picture of you on the coast would do ... but it's really all about the ride. Do whatever makes the trip special to you. On my first 50CC, I actually did the whole sand/water sample routine on both coasts. Ended up making a bit of a mess in my topbox, but I did it. When I rode the 100CCC earlier this year, I revised plans and just did pictures of me standing on the beach of each coast ... all three times. The pictures are for me, just like the water samples. Neither were needed for certification, and they are more for telling the ride report and stories to my friends and family after I got back.

[Hulked Up]

Thanks.  I appreciate that information.

100CC?    Got a trip report for that one?