48 in 10

[davidsum1]

I'm planning a 48 in 10 Ironbutt ride for mext summer.  The shortest distance that I can create is 7031 miles.  I read somewhere that a guy mapped out a 5600 mile route.  I can't figure out how.  Any ideas?

[D-Mac]

By all accounts I've read, 7-8,000 miles is about the best you can do. I think you could save some miles if you started or ended near one end of California and if you're doing the 48+1 (Alaska) it makes more sense to start at the southern end of Maine. That said, it generally makes it a lot easier to just do what you can from where are live unless you're trying to set a record.

With 10 days to do it, you'll be fine as long as you allow enough time for the east coast.

I'm hoping to do this ride one day. It's the most impress IBA ride IMO.

[jwhite518]

 I think you could save some miles if you started or ended near one end of California

That would be in the southern part of the state where Needles, CA, Laughlin, NV, and Bullhead City, AZ are all within a few miles of each other.

I'd love to do that ride some time too. I think it would be better than the USA 4 Corners.

[jfremder]

I'm planning a 48 in 10 Ironbutt ride for mext summer.  The shortest distance that I can create is 7031 miles.  I read somewhere that a guy mapped out a 5600 mile route.  I can't figure out how.  Any ideas?

I think a little over 7,000 is the minimum. Here's our story www.tinyurl.com/48swrh

[Pelagic]

Wow, I googled "48 in 10" for a quick jump to the ironbutt website.
Look what else I found.    How apropos.
(No I don't typically quote scripture, this was just somehow fitting and worth mentioning.)


Isaiah 48:10 (New International Version)

 10 See, I have refined you, though not as silver;
       I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

[jwhite518]

I think a little over 7,000 is the minimum. Here's our story www.tinyurl.com/48swrh

Great story! Congrats on the ride.

[Justin]

I just can't see anyway it's possible to do it in 5600 miles...

[yotes65]

For when I get around to riding this trip, I'd borrowed the map from http://www.mctourer.com/rides/2005_48Plus/Laughlin.html and modified it a bit. Riding just the Lower 48, I have it down to 7610 miles... adding Hyder, Alaska, it comes out to 8826 miles.

[1moreroad]

7008 miles according to these guys --
http://web.me.com/jssox/Great_American_Road_Trip/Welcome.html
http://www.kpho.com/automotive/16213575/detail.html

Good luck and have fun.

[jwhite518]

Looking at their route I spot a problem right away - there's no way they documented it to IBA standards. I'm sorry but you can't get four receipts from four states at 4 Corners. They must have documented it some other way to make it a "world record" for whoever certifies that stuff...but it ain't no IBA ride.

[Grizz]

 I may be wrong but I think they made that trip in a car and not on bikes.