buckwoods
06-20-2005, 02:00 PM
The Iron Butt was everything I had heard & thought it would be & more.
Had done rides before of 500 miles on an '02 ACE 750,one of 700-800
on the VTX, and several 300-400, but never one this grueling. Found the
bike ran well and was comfortable. I love this bike!
Departed Hendersonville NC at 7:14 Sat. morning, had been raining, but stopped.
MTF guys had a beautiful route layed out. North from Hendersonville thru NE TN,
across SW VA, and north thru the middle of WV. Then east across the top of
Maryland, hitting I-81 in Hagerstown, southward to junction with I-77 then
south to Statesville, NC and west on I-40 back to Hendersonville. Course went
thru some prime scenery on good roads. Went thru a few average summer
rain storms, one heavy downpour for a few miles. Overcast most all the way,
humid - but not baked by the sun. The worst of it was the last 60-70 miles on
I-40. Was about 1 am Sunday hit rain about 75 miles from end. It was pretty
heavy, and fell in the stretch that has the most twisties and climbing. Fog can
appear instantly. One second, good visibility, next only 60-70 feet, and very
thick. This stretch is about 7 miles in length, all curves. Fog was off and on,
like throwing a switch. Made for some cheek clenching moments - right many of
them, in fact.
Stopped about every 2 hours, 120-130 miles distance. Alternated drinking
gatorade and red bulls at stops, and ate power bars, and apple bars every other
stop. One long stop at the 800 +/- mark about 9:00 pm. Ate, drank couple cups
of coffee, and a red bull. Had been feeling a little "fuzzy", but within 20
minutes of eating & drinking, was eager and alert again. Never got sleepy -
just felt the senses were not quite as sharp and reactions as quick as they
should be. Stopped when that feeling came on.
Arrived back at start, 2:19 am, Sun. Covered 1074 miles by my odometer
(1037 official) in 19 hrs., and 5 minutes. I was the 10th of 22 riders to end.
First rider checked in at about 14 hours. My average moving speed was roughly
70-75 mph. Average overall time was 56.33 mph.
Very pleased with the bike and the accessories added for comfort. Throttle
lock, footpegs, seat mod, and wooden bead seat cushion just added. Also, of course,
windshield, spotlights and saddlebags.
Ya know, i've seen those wood anal beads advertised many places in magazines
and such. The ones that are strung together with a string? Often thought they
might be effective at raising the pleasure level a bit, and was gonna try them
some one day.
That won't be necessary anymore. Just wish my encounter with them hadn't been
alone, on my bike in the pitch dark, and pouring rain.
Oh well.
Had done rides before of 500 miles on an '02 ACE 750,one of 700-800
on the VTX, and several 300-400, but never one this grueling. Found the
bike ran well and was comfortable. I love this bike!
Departed Hendersonville NC at 7:14 Sat. morning, had been raining, but stopped.
MTF guys had a beautiful route layed out. North from Hendersonville thru NE TN,
across SW VA, and north thru the middle of WV. Then east across the top of
Maryland, hitting I-81 in Hagerstown, southward to junction with I-77 then
south to Statesville, NC and west on I-40 back to Hendersonville. Course went
thru some prime scenery on good roads. Went thru a few average summer
rain storms, one heavy downpour for a few miles. Overcast most all the way,
humid - but not baked by the sun. The worst of it was the last 60-70 miles on
I-40. Was about 1 am Sunday hit rain about 75 miles from end. It was pretty
heavy, and fell in the stretch that has the most twisties and climbing. Fog can
appear instantly. One second, good visibility, next only 60-70 feet, and very
thick. This stretch is about 7 miles in length, all curves. Fog was off and on,
like throwing a switch. Made for some cheek clenching moments - right many of
them, in fact.
Stopped about every 2 hours, 120-130 miles distance. Alternated drinking
gatorade and red bulls at stops, and ate power bars, and apple bars every other
stop. One long stop at the 800 +/- mark about 9:00 pm. Ate, drank couple cups
of coffee, and a red bull. Had been feeling a little "fuzzy", but within 20
minutes of eating & drinking, was eager and alert again. Never got sleepy -
just felt the senses were not quite as sharp and reactions as quick as they
should be. Stopped when that feeling came on.
Arrived back at start, 2:19 am, Sun. Covered 1074 miles by my odometer
(1037 official) in 19 hrs., and 5 minutes. I was the 10th of 22 riders to end.
First rider checked in at about 14 hours. My average moving speed was roughly
70-75 mph. Average overall time was 56.33 mph.
Very pleased with the bike and the accessories added for comfort. Throttle
lock, footpegs, seat mod, and wooden bead seat cushion just added. Also, of course,
windshield, spotlights and saddlebags.
Ya know, i've seen those wood anal beads advertised many places in magazines
and such. The ones that are strung together with a string? Often thought they
might be effective at raising the pleasure level a bit, and was gonna try them
some one day.
That won't be necessary anymore. Just wish my encounter with them hadn't been
alone, on my bike in the pitch dark, and pouring rain.
Oh well.