It’s been six months since my last Iron Butt Association
(IBA) long distance ride and I’m getting a little anxious for another
challenge. After completing the BunBurner 1500
in under 36 hours in October 2013, I’ve set my sights on the Saddlesore 2000
(2000-miles in under 48 hours). I’ve
mapped out an all Interstate route between San Antonio and my Dad’s house in
Louisville, KY for a round-trip total of 2172 miles. I should be able to make the 1086-mile
one-way trip, get 7 to 8 hours of sleep, and return to San Antonio all in about
47 hours.
I originally wanted to do this in March but the weather in
both Texas and Kentucky was cooler and wetter than normal, so I put it off. Now I’m looking at early May and hoping the
weather will cooperate. Sure, I could’ve
ridden in the cold and rain but it’s not as fun. Some might question my judgment on calling
this kind of ride fun, but there’s something very exhilarating and challenging about
it. Try sitting in a saddle for hours on
end. It isn’t as easy as it sounds, but
it’s not impossible either. You just have to want it. Hell, It’s an adventure!
San Antonio to Louisville - 1086 miles |
Another factor I looked at is start time. I’d like to avoid as much traffic as possible while riding through Austin, Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis, and Nashville and I’d like to complete the ride in time to get a few hours sleep before going to work. I considered taking a Friday off and getting an early start but after looking at several scenarios, it became evident that no matter when I left I was likely to hit traffic in at least one of the cities I’d be riding through. In order to avoid traffic and get home in time to get some sleep before work, I’ve decided to start the ride around 1:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. If I maintain a 63 mph moving average, I should avoid traffic jams and be finished by midnight Sunday. I’m hoping since the entire route is on the super slab I won’t have issues maintaining that moving average.
My SaddleSore 2000 Ride Plan |
My wife thinks I’m crazy as do some of my friends but to me it seems perfectly normal. It may be a little extreme but that’s what makes it interesting. I certainly won’t be the first person to try a ride like this and I won’t be the last. There’ve been plenty of riders who’ve completed a SaddleSore 2000…and IBA rides even more difficult and extreme. Life is meant to be lived and sometimes we have to step out of our comfort zones to know what it truly means to be alive. We should never let fear and complacency define us. We should strive to Live Free, Ride Hard, and Be Happy every day!
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Want to know more about the Iron Butt Association (IBA)?
Running the super slab? Here’s a nice tool for planning your
gas stops.
Get some tips from a seasoned long distance rider…Tim Masterson