Getting closer...could use a hand.

[Rexsname]

I'm getting closer to getting my bike ready for my first Saddle Sore 1000.  It's the route that is giving me a little bit of a problem.  I was thinking of an 'out and back', go 500 (or so) miles and then turn around. Looking at Mapquest, this puts the turn around point at Santa Rosa New Mexico.  I realize that 800 or so miles of I-40 isn't the most exciting trip.

I also realize that many of you have much more experience in this sort of thing.  I could maybe swing 1000 miles one way and then get a hotel, rest and take an easy couple of days back.

Do any of you have better mapping software than Mapquest? Care to make some suggestions for a newbie? My GL1100 will usually go about 165 mile before switching to reserve.

My closest start point (gas station) is at Hwy 89a and Viewpoint.

REX

[Chuck 500]

Good luck with your planning and ride.  I, too, am working up to a first SS1000 and swing between out and back or straight to somewhere.  My somewhere would be either Meteor Crater of Dalton, GA.  Both are about 1,000 from Houston TX.

From all I have read, stick to main roads and interstates on the first one.  Slab may not be as scenic but the travel is easier, gas stops are more reliable.  You would want to abandon the attempt because you all the gas stations in some small town are closed.

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[Justin]

I personally use Streets and Trips for my route planning - then export to GPX and upload to my GPS. Plugging your route (Prescott Valley to Santa Rosa) in it looks like a good choice. 521 easy miles of slab - you'll be there and back in 16 hours with gas stops

[Cablebandit]

I just use Google to plan, then transfer it into the GPS.  With so little range make sure you plan your gas accordingly.

[Rexsname]

Re: The limited range.    I have a Roto-pax 2 gallon fuel can that would be easy to bring along. Thoughts? Would it be cheating to bring along a bit of gas as peace of mind? I have read that some members of the IBA use fuel cells but I don't know about a 'non plumbed in' remedy to limited range. Or is it better somehow to count on prior proper planning and only use gas stations.

Thanks,

REX

[Justin]

Not cheating at all. I have a 5 gallon fuel cell on mine, so I can go 350-400 miles between fill ups. It's just evening out the odds  . Go to any LD rally, and 90% of the bikes have aux fuel cells.

[Mac]

Here you go.

 

Good Luck.

[miles]

Re: The limited range.    I have a Roto-pax 2 gallon fuel can that would be easy to bring along. Thoughts? Would it be cheating to bring along a bit of gas as peace of mind? I have read that some members of the IBA use fuel cells but I don't know about a 'non plumbed in' remedy to limited range. Or is it better somehow to count on prior proper planning and only use gas stations.

Thanks,

REX

For rallies, you can't use a non-plumbed extra fuel tank.  For LD certificate rides, they're perfectly acceptable.  For our last SS1000 Lawn Dart and I each carried along MSR style bottles of fuel, because my BMW S1000RR and his Monster Evo 100 bot have crummy fuel range, and we were on a route with few fuel stops.

[Cablebandit]

If your route has plenty of fuel along it, I wouldn't bother with carrying extra.  It will allow you to stretch your legs and grab a snack / potty break more often so you'll feel better throughout the day.  The SS1000 allows for plenty of time off the bike if you need to use it.

[miles]

If your route has plenty of fuel along it, I wouldn't bother with carrying extra.  It will allow you to stretch your legs and grab a snack / potty break more often so you'll feel better throughout the day.  The SS1000 allows for plenty of time off the bike if you need to use it.

I agree, but the peace of mind from knowing you have a little extra emergency fuel can be worth a lot.

[Cablebandit]

That's why I said if the route has plenty of fuel opportunities.  I've had the "miles till empty" meter read zero in the desert with nothing around.....not a good feeling.

[miles]

That's why I said if the route has plenty of fuel opportunities.  I've had the "miles till empty" meter read zero in the desert with nothing around.....not a good feeling.

The whole 'tuck in tight and draft anything you can' routine can be stressful, all right.

[Justin]

The whole 'tuck in tight and draft anything you can' routine can be stressful, all right.

Bob Munden did that for 24 hours straight when he did a BBG 1500 on a Honda CBR125  

Full throttle the whole way was the constant - the variables were finding good lane position and vehicles going fast enough to draft  

[Rexsname]

So, how 'bout this for a plan?  Prescott Valley to Winslow. Winslow to Gallup. Gallup to Abq. Abq to Santa Rosa. Sit down and eat. I would probably be about 9ish hours into the trip.  

Then turn around and go home.  If I leave the house at 0400hrs, that should put me at the turn around point in the early afternoon and home before midnight.  

Does this sound as if I'm biting off more that I can chew for a first SS1000? Suggestions? comments.....



REX

[Justin]

So, how 'bout this for a plan?  Prescott Valley to Winslow. Winslow to Gallup. Gallup to Abq. Abq to Santa Rosa. Sit down and eat. I would probably be about 9ish hours into the trip.  

Then turn around and go home.  If I leave the house at 0400hrs, that should put me at the turn around point in the early afternoon and home before midnight.  

Does this sound as if I'm biting off more that I can chew for a first SS1000? Suggestions? comments.....

REX

Not at all. That sound like a great route for a first SS1k. Mostly all easy miles on the super slab. You will have like 8 hours of buffer time excluding riding.

[squeezer]

Not at all. That sound like a great route for a first SS1k. Mostly all easy miles on the super slab. You will have like 8 hours of buffer time excluding riding.

I agree. Only caveat: if your longest day has only been, say, 250-300 miles, then yeah, 1K is a big step and you should get more miles under your belt first. If you've done rides longer than that, it should be pretty easy. Don't be afraid to stop if you're tired or having a problem holding a line. This stuff is fun and can be addicting, but it's not worth getting hurt.

Good luck and have fun.  

[Rexsname]

Thus far my longest days ride has been about 570 miles.  I rode from Santa Barbara, Ca to Prescott Valley, Az.  Very nearly all slab with only the portion from Rosamond to Barstow being two lane.

REX

[Rexsname]

  :bluduh:Well, Phooey! I put in a new headlight and Speedometer cable in order to prepare for my SS1000. When I went for a short ride to check my work I noticed that the odometer was not advancing.  Dangit! Now I have another item to add to the list.

REX

[roadstar]

from the IBA rules

WARNING: If your motorcycle is equipped with a large fuel-tank, please note that you must stop at least once every 300 miles for gas (this is purely for documentation for your ride). Although we know it is possible to ride greater distances non-stop, we will not accept a claim of this type.

So anything further might get turned down, on my rides with my FJR i stopped every 214 mi`s for fuel. I put fuel in my bike 5 times (1 start,3 during,1 ending) I put the milage on every reciept , cause in the middle of the ride it poored rain & didn`t want to get the big sheets of paper wet.

[Kneescrubber]

Be aware that the NM Highway Patrol can be very active between Albuquerque & Santa Rosa.

[miles]

Be aware that the NM Highway Patrol can be very active between Albuquerque & Santa Rosa.

Add to that the State of New Mexico's revenue generation system, whereby you have to sign that you are guilty right there on the spot and agree to pay the fine or they drag your ass to Albuquerque...

[Rexsname]

How in the world is THAT legal? I've spent alot of years in cop cars and I've never heard of a state doing anything like this. Was this voted on by the people or was it just a legislative expedient?


REX

[miles]

No idea.  But here's how it works.  The trooper pulls you over and writes yo a ticket.  You have two choices.  

Sign it, by which you agree that the ticket is valid and you give up any rights to court proceedings.  Go straight to paying the fine and taking the hit to your driving record.

Don't sign it, which means a free ride then and there to the nearest court, which is either Santa Fe or ABQ.  Wait (presumably in the State's finest of accommodations, but I'm not sure about that) and wonder what is happening to your vehicle, there on the side of the road wherever it was you got pulled over.  Hey, maybe the officer called in a tow truck and they very carefully and delicately loaded it up and took it to an impound yard, where they will happily bill you for their time and effort.  The next court day, hopefully you can be seen by a judge, and get the ticket resolved.  From there you need to figure out where your bike is and how to get there, remembering that you might have gotten pulled over hundreds of miles away...

So, which choice are you going to make on the side of the road?    

[Kneescrubber]

http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Drivers/Driving-Privileges-and-the-Law/Pages/Traffic-Tickets.aspx

Traffic Tickets


When you receive a ticket for a traffic violation, the police officer will give you two options: pay a penalty assessment or go to court to contest the ticket.
 
If the ‘Penalty Assessment’ box is checked on your citation, you must pay the penalty assessment by any of the options stated on the ticket. Courts allow for payment by mail, or in person at the address indicated. Some courts allow payment with a credit card over the phone. Payment options are always listed on the back of the ticket.

If the ‘Court Appearance’ or ‘Traffic Arraignment’ box is checked on your citation, you must appear in person in the specified Court by the date indicated on your citation. If you do not do so, the court will issue a bench warrant for your arrest, and the next time you try to renew your license, it may be suspended.

[miles]

http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Drivers/Driving-Privileges-and-the-Law/Pages/Traffic-Tickets.aspx

That's a little  different than was explained to me by the state trooper that pulled me over, but almost as bad.  Demanding that you must appear in person is basically a big F*** Y** to out-of-staters.  It's still a 'agree to the fines and go about your way' or 'accept a much larger pain in the ass'.

[Justin]

It's still a 'agree to the fines and go about your way' or 'accept a much larger pain in the ass'.

I'll take option one please  

[miles]

I'll take option one please  

Which is exactly what the lovely state of New Mexico is 'banking' on.

[Justin]

Which is exactly what the lovely state of New Mexico is 'banking' on.

Too be fair, at the speeds I've ridden on some of their back roads, I feel I owe them anyway  

[Cablebandit]

Too be fair, at the speeds I've ridden on some of their back roads, I feel I owe them anyway  

 

Yup, this option just cuts down on the paperwork when you know you're just going to cut a check anyway.

[roadstar]

I figure that if you do 1030mi`s (just to be safe if ODO is off) it`s an average speed of 43mph . So if your speeding to make up time , you do deserve the ticket. My ride was 1106mi`s & did it in 19 hours & 45min (an average of 46mph) i stopped to streach inbetween fuel stops & to fill up hydration system. (even stopped to talk to my friend on his radio show for a 1/2 an hour). So you don`t have to rush around like a mad man to get the ride done in the time frame. It doesn`t matter if you do it in 16 hours or 23 hours & 59min you still get the same certification & the same plate backer. Also if you do do it in a blazing time IBA might say NO & say you was speeding in an unsafe manner & decline you cert (just my .02)

[Rexsname]

Well I'm not much of a speeder anyways, after all, I ride a thirty year old Honda   I just thought it was interesting about the way they do tickets.
I've got a fuel petcock on the way this week and hopefully new tires the week after so It should be sometime in early November weather permitting.  My old Goldwing 'feels' happiest at between 65 and 75 mph so speeding tickets are not high on my list of concerns.  

REX

[roadstar]

Well I'm not much of a speeder anyways, after all, I ride a thirty year old Honda   I just thought it was interesting about the way they do tickets.
I've got a fuel petcock on the way this week and hopefully new tires the week after so It should be sometime in early November weather permitting.  My old Goldwing 'feels' happiest at between 65 and 75 mph so speeding tickets are not high on my list of concerns.  

REX

Just a question , but when we're the wheel bearings changed. Good time to do them while the rims are off the bike.

[Rexsname]

I don't know when they were done................however the bike was gone through from tire to tail-light a couple of years ago about 6 month before I got it. The previous owner had a bad case of "gotta have it" with a different bike and sold this one for a stupid cheap price.
 My bike was purchased by a local shop as a parts bike but when they realized how nice it was under the funk they decided to put a little more time and effort into it. As I recall, he total bill was about $4500 . The shop sold it to the guy that sold it to me and he had it for about 6 months and 2000 miles.  I'll contact the mechanic today and ask about the wheel bearings.

REX

[Rexsname]

yep, they were done   Don't have to worry about that now!


REX

[roadstar]

yep, they were done   Don't have to worry about that now!


REX

Just trying to help out another old winger   good luck with your ride

[Cablebandit]

Too much worrying, not enough riding.  1000 miles is a normal 2 day weekend ride smooshed into one day.  The bike will be fine, your ass will be sore.

[Justin]

It's time to just grip it and rip it  

[napper]

Rex,

I'm planning on doing my first SS-1000, leaving early Thursday, Nov. 8 from Glendale, then through Vegas, Wendover and ending in Reno.  I know it's kind of late in the season to be riding to Reno, so I'm ready to either call it off or change to a route through Yuma, Bakersfield, Sacramento to Reno if the weather looks too bad in Nevada.  

My planned routes are here:  http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,75167.msg1752059.html#msg1752059




If you wanted to start your SS-1000 from Prescott Valley and meet me in Kingman to ride all or part of the last 850 miles together, let me know.  (Substituting PV for Glendale on the first leg makes the mileage 1014.)  I'll be staying in Reno for a couple days for a family gathering, leaving for home on Monday morning, November 12.

To date, my longest riding days have been in the 750 - 800 mile range, stringing a few of those together this summer on my way from Glendale to D.C.

[Rexsname]

Martin,
ow I am working at the Arizona State Fair, running our business. We will be working until the 4th of November. I would love to go with you on you run but I don't think My bike will be ready by then. When I get home from work I need to do new tires, an oil change and fix the speedometer. before I can consider myself and the bike well prepared.
Thanks, but I have to pass

REX

[napper]

Yeah, just throwin it out there in case it might work out.

What's your biz at the fair?

[Rexsname]

We have a Face Painting booth. We are in the Wesley Bolin building in the southwest portion of the fairgrounds.
C'mon by and say "Hi!" I'd love to meet a real life STNer in person

REX

[napper]

We have a Face Painting booth. We are in the Wesley Bolin building in the southwest portion of the fairgrounds.
C'mon by and say "Hi!" I'd love to meet a real life STNer in person

REX

Didn't make it to the fair this year.  As the kids get older, the fair seems to get more expensive.

I didn't attempt the SS1000 on the way to Reno last Thursday as I was trying to beat Winter Storm Brutus.  I took the 725-mile route and just made it and woke up to snow Friday morning.  I attempted a SS1000 on the way back yesterday morning but failed.  With failure comes a lot of lessons, though.  I will be trying again.

[DNA]

I agree, but the peace of mind from knowing you have a little extra emergency fuel can be worth a lot.

This!

[Ramseybella]

Be aware that the NM Highway Patrol can be very active between Albuquerque & Santa Rosa.

Some unmarked Troops and Sheriffs just watch what the Tractor trailers are doing from time to time good indication spooks are around.
By the way its all mostly down hill so gas miles will be good unless you have a headwind.
118 miles from Albuquerque to Santa Rosa, damn boring ride I-40.

I once rode from Holiday Florida north of Tampa to Santa Fe, NM straight on an 1100 GL Honda, I was 23 at the time and I thought that damn near killed me.
I did cat nap at a rest stop outside of Shreveport LA 1,744 miles total, won't happen ever again.