I finally made an attempt at accomplishing both these rides. Here are some of the details and maybe some tips to help those looking to try one in the future.
We just came back from a family vacation in the mini van: Icefields Parkway, walking the glaciers in BC, rock climbing, and back through Glacier National Park. I had a few days left before having to return to work. I am more of a riding the twisties all day kinda guy, but had this Iron Butt ride sitting in the back of my mind since the winter. So (with prompting from my wife) I decided to give it a shot.
I did not want to do a one way trip and return on the same route, so I started working with google maps to find a loop ride or close to it. I came up with a decent ride, but weather forced me to run it in the opposite direction of my original intent. More on that later.
Basically, the route makes a weird figure 8. Chi suburbs, to DesMoines. North on 35 to Albert Lea. West on I90 to Sioux Falls. Up 29 to Fargo. Down I94 to Clearwater, MN for a night’s rest. From there, through the twin cities to I35 south to Albert Lea. The intersection of I 90 and 35 is the only repeat spot. Then I90 home
The plan was to leave around 4 AM and ride all day for the Saddle Sore 1000, camp or stay in a hotel in Clear Water MN, get up the next day and finish the ride to home for the Bun Burner 1,500.
By 4:20 I was at the local gas station. My wife and the attendant served as witnesses with a timed receipt for the fill up.
A few miles later I was at the toll booth on I88 West with no IPass. That’s ok, I could use the receipt anyway. So, I was off. A little too much riding at night on the superslab for my liking, but the roads were pretty empty, and I was able to maintain a good speed. The sky started lightening up and the sun rise came over the Mississippi.
Big river...
In Iowa, I saw the tail end of the storms passing to the north. It looked pretty bad, but I stayed dry. Woohoo!
So, the gas stops started. I remembered all the advice I’ve read. Keep riding; short stops; a lot of water. So that’s what I did. Paid at the pump for the receipts but walked in to stretch out, use the washroom, and drink some water at each stop.
As the storm clouds passed, the weather became great with probably low 80’s and no humidity. I kept my riding jacket on the whole day and felt cool. Up 35 to Albert Lea, I turned west on I90. The road really opened up, and high speeds on the slab for the rest of the day. This is where I noticed the crappy mileage.
The fuel light was coming on sooner and sooner. Going 80 true speed with the 2up windshield led to lower 30's mpg if lucky. Heading north on I29 at Sioux Falls, the speed limit went up and the mileage went lower. I was going 85mph actual speed. Realizing I was more than half way through the day, I finally made the only long stop to get a real meal and some time off the bike in Brooking SD. Getting back on, the roads stayed great and traffic free.
Battery went dead on the camera, so phone pics from here on out.
Throughout the Dakotas, the weather stayed great. Turning east at I94 in Fargo, I hit a traffic snag due to construction – but that was welcome because I could stretch out every few minutes.
By now the sun was heading down, so my “get-there-itis” was tempered by some great lighting on the lakes regions along the highway. The weather was cooling even more. This was a very nice stretch and a fine way to end a long and productive day.
Got to Clear Water just after sunset. Gas for a receipt, attendant and hotel desk person for witnesses and Saddle Sore in the books.
1,080 miles in just under 17 hours.
Sitting in the hotel, I was happy about the day – the weather couldn’t have been better and the road conditions were as good as could be hoped for.
Morning found me leaving shortly after sunrise heading towards the twin cities. After a day like yesterday, this was a big difference with traffic and construction. Riding turned into a chore and remained that way throughout the day. The only reprieve was riding west on I90 through southern MN. The bluffs at the Mississippi near La Crosse were great.
And the Mississippi again.
Then 90 / 39 through Wisconsin was a pain. There were a solid two lanes of traffic with the right lane going 5 over the limit and the left going 8 over. No fun at all. Too many cars always and “get-home-itis” in full effect with the stock seat really taking its toll. The first 1,000 miles were easier than the last 300! Which is exactly why I wanted to do this leg at 4:00 AM on the previous day.
A little stressed, I made it back to my home gas station, got the witness there, and my wife witnessed at home. About an hour before time was up. Bun Burner in the books.
Almost 1,600 miles in 35 hours.
Lessons learned:
Cost – too much in gas!
Luck. A lot of it. The weather in all was perfect. Beautiful and cool, I enjoyed much of the ride. Little traffic on Day 1 with only a few snarls for construction.
Good Gear. The Switchblade 2 up windshield and lowers kept wind off me even at high speeds. Never felt strained or tired due to wind. Xelement riding jacket with vents open worked better than hoped for. Driver's backrest. Vulcan 1600’s can go 80 and 85 true speed all day long. The bike performed flawlessly.
Coulda Used. While good for me on 500 mile days and less, cruising, and all that, the stock seat showed its weakness on a ride like this. Can’t pony up the $ for a better seat – and probably won’t ever need to again. But, in this context it was a pain.
Highway pegs would have been nice.
Never Missed It. Tunes. I ride to think or not to think. Risers. I thought I needed some, but the switchblade keeping the wind off, really made the difference. No need for risers for me any more.
Tips: Pack your own water and some snacks. It made it real easy to pull out a water, drink half, fill up the bike, finish the rest.
#1 tip. Go one more exit before stopping. When you’re fed up and done, go one more. Also, if you are making one big stop (like for lunch or dinner) do it at more than half way.
I’ve heard this quote before and it really fits my thoughts about this ride, “It was real, and it was nice. But it wasn’t real nice.” Would I do this again? No. Unless it was the first or last stretch of a long cross country trip. Next time I have two days, I’ll go to the Mississippi bluffs, set up a tent, and enjoy some laid back rides in the twisties. In the end, though, I am glad to have done it. Checked off the list, but once is certainly enough.
