LD Success - Completed Saddle Sore 1000

[Chuck 500]

On Saturday, November 17, I completed my first Saddle Sore 1000. I had been thinking about doing one of these for some time and events conspired to make it possible. I had a weekend with no pressing obligatons and weather forecasts for both ends of the planned route were for cool morings with mild mid-day temps and no rain. What could be better?

The planned route was I-10 from Houston Texas through San Antonio to Fort Stockton then north on US 285 to Pecos Texas, the turn around point. The return was by the same route making for a simple out-and-back with only one route change. I started at a Chevron station near my home, intersection of Barker-Cypress and Clay roads, in west Houston, at 6:23 AM Saturday and finished at the same Chevron station at 1:00 AM Sunday. Total distance was 1,095 miles, time was 18 hours 40 minutes (MOL) for an average speed of 58.68 mph.

Major lesson learned: Follow the IBA maxim of "Buy gas BEFORE you need it". I had two anxious moments for fuel. On the out bound leg I ran into the reserve running from Ozona to Fort Stockton. When I stopped the fill took 4.4 gallons. The second fuel incident was worse. I had stopped for "rest" at Ozona and figured i could easily make Junction, about 90 miles on just under a half tank. I ran into the reserve 50 miles from Junction. (OOPS) Started reducing speed from 80 to 70 to 60 finally to 50 trying to conseve fuel, Also did a lot of running at minimal throttle down hill. Luckily this stretch was mostly down hill. I took the first exit with gas at Junction and the fill took 4.7 gallons (YIKES). Make sure you check your mileage when riding through unfamiliar environments. I was gett ing far less than the 55+ mpg I usually get on road trips.

Funny incident. On the return, running about 80 mph near Columbus, my left bar end weight fell off. It had worked loose earlier and I tried to tighten it but it came loose again and I felt it go at precisely midnight.

One word on food. I was somewhat concerned as I am mildly diabetic. after a good breakfast (fruit cereal coffee) I ate just enough to not feel hungry but not so much as to get full. I stayed awake and alert without getting an after food slump.

Overall a very good ride.

Chuck

[Justin]

Congrats

When's the next one?

[Chuck 500]

Don't know.  The next one may be part of a bigger trip, with a destination in mind.  For this one, I wnated to end up at home.  There is a rally in May starting in Waco I may do.  It is a SS1000 loop.

[Gart]

Congratulations Chuck.

Your dedication to put in the miles to get used to riding for long stretches paid off.

I hope to be able to do one within the next year.

Gart

[coho]

Go Chuck!

The first one is always the hardest, and most of that is in your head. Now you don't think you can do it, you know you can.

Other than running light on gas a couple times (won't happen next time, doesn't count) how was the Honda as a rally mount?

[Specter]

Congrats!

You have forever altered your perceptions of time and distance

[squeezer]

Congrats!

You have forever altered your perceptions of time and distance

  Well put.

Congrats on a nice ride.

[DNA]

An so another addict has crossed in our midst.

Beware the addiction and welcome...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[playinatwork2]

Congrats

[Chuck 500]

Congratulations Chuck.

Your dedication to put in the miles to get used to riding for long stretches paid off.

I hope to be able to do one within the next year.

Gart

There is a 1K rally next year which starts and ends in the Waco area, not far from me (really).  I was thinking of using it for the initial SS1000 but the run of good weather was just too good to pass up.  I may do the rally just for grins now.

[Chuck 500]

Go Chuck!

The first one is always the hardest, and most of that is in your head. Now you don't think you can do it, you know you can.

Other than running light on gas a couple times (won't happen next time, doesn't count) how was the Honda as a rally mount?

The NT performed very well as far as I can tell.  It is only my second bike ever, though.  The frirst was a Suzuki GS500F.  I've had the NT for 23 months and put about 36K on it.  It will run at 80 - 85 all day (and did) but gas mileage suffers at those speeds.  At 70 - 75 I get 50 - 55 mpg on my 500 mile "day rides".  We have member over at NT-Owners.org (mungojerry) who is planning to use one in the IBA next year.

You are right about running light on gas.  Next time I go to west Texas I will NOT leave a stop without a full tank.

[Bently1]

Great post! My buddy and I are goping to do a ss1000 this year sometime. Me on my new Connie and him on a Vstrom650

[Chuck 500]

Great post! My buddy and I are goping to do a ss1000 this year sometime. Me on my new Connie and him on a Vstrom650

Good luck on your ride.  Where will you be going?  When planning, follow the KISS principle.  More route changes and secondary roads will slow you down a lot.

[MadtownMax]