Written in September 2003 after my first SaddleSore 1000

I guess that the big question is 'why'? Why would I want to subject myself to riding 1000 miles in 24 hours? Mainly, I did the ride for the challenge and to see what it felt like to push myself and my riding experience on a long day. That and to celebrate my birthday!

7:00 PM Sunday 9/28/03 - Ok, I’ve had a nap, a good meal, a strong cup of coffee, and Stella’s had a walk (in that order). I’m finally starting to feel warm. I suppose it’s time to write a trip report.  

My goal was to ride my motorcycle 1000 miles in 24 hours and document it for the ride to qualify as a “Saddle Sore 1000” as certified by the Iron Butt Association. I chose to ride to Beemer, Nebraska and back because it’s the right distance. I decided to do this after having lunch with Rob Nye and Sue and Brian Manke after Rob finished the 2003 Iron Butt rally (11,000 miles in 11 days). I wanted to see what 1000 miles in 24 hours felt like.  

I chose to start on Saturday, September 27th and return Sunday, September 28th because the 27th is my birthday. I decided to make Madison, WI my start location to save myself unnecessary mileage. I could stay with my brother on Friday night. I would then end at home in Milwaukee. After work I took off in rain and nasty traffic for Madison, had a birthday dinner with a friend and got a good night’s sleep.  

 9:57 AM Saturday 9/27/03 is my official start time. It was a chilly but beautiful morning and my brother Tim and girlfriend Lorri kindly bought me breakfast and witnessed my start. I went back and forth about a route but finally chose to take two lane Hwy 151 from Madison, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA, which ended up being a great choice - I love riding in that part of Wisconsin. I got to Cedar Rapids in two hours. From there it was super-slab (major interstate) across Iowa on I-80.  

3:03 PM Saturday 9/27/03 - Five hours out at Des Moines, I was very tired and had to stop. I was disappointed in myself to be feeling so tired so early on. It was VERY windy and threatening rain. I got gas and stretched. Then my bike wouldn’t start. C’mon, Rebecca - FINE-C (Fuel, Ignition, Neutral, Engine, Clutch/Choke). I had stopped in 2nd gear and couldn’t get the bike into neutral. No lights on the dash. What the hell? After a bit of trying, the bike goes into neutral and the lights come on. The bike starts. Hmmm. It’s never done THAT before.  

Back on the road. After I-80 was I-680. I was practically alone on the road with beautiful rolling hills all around me. It felt so good here after the chaos of I-80 – the fall color of the hills was incredibly rich. I felt exhilarated and relaxed. I stopped and took some pictures. Then I-680 ended, I crossed the Missouri River and I was in rural Nebraska. Riding hard to get to Beemer before dark, I realize I am about to run out of gas. Dang. Miraculously around the next turn is A & J Express. I gas up, chat with the cashier ("Cold enough for ya?") and leave. The bike won't start again. Then it does. I decide from now on to put it into neutral before turning it off and it doesn't happen again.

6:30 PM Saturday 9/27/03 - Arrived at Beemer, Nebraska. Sort of an anti-climax. I took some pictures and the nice folks at the gas station witnessed my mid-point. It was getting dark and they warned me about deer. I felt great at this point and considered riding straight through back to Milwaukee. I decided to assess how I felt at Des Moines.  

10:00 PM Saturday 9/27/03 - By the time I got back to Des Moines I was tired. Twelve hours on the road - I'm right where I want to be as far as time and distance. I decide to stop and rest at a Motel 6 and figure I can sleep until 2:15 AM to be on the road at 3:00 AM. In bed at 11:00 PM. I kept waking up to some loud noise. Crappy sleep. At 1:30 AM I was wide-awake and pissed. The noise is the door of the next room slamming on the bolt bar they have kept open so that their door stays open. Wham! I decide to dress and leave. I get all of my gear on and am just about to leave. Wham! I whip the door open and there are two startled 16-year-old boys standing there. "That is so fucking LOUD!" Two more gaping 16 year olds stick their heads out of the door. “I’ve been waking up to the sound of your fucking door slamming on that fucking bolt for the last three fucking hours!" One of them says "Can’t be. I’ve been asleep." I turn to him with what I hope is a really cold, evil stare. He says "Sorry." I pick up my bags and walk down the hall.  

2:15 AM Sunday 9/28/03 - So began the not-so-fun leg of the trip. It was cold. I could see my breath. My visor was fogging badly. I was seeing plenty of fresh, dead animals on the interstate so I was keeping my speed down and I had to stop every 100 miles because I was tired. My miles-per-hour average for the trip was going way down. I hadn’t considered that this leg was going to take longer. I guess that it’s OK that the boys in the motel woke me up early. Thanks boys. At about 6:30 AM Sunday it finally gets light out and I get the speed back up. I’m really cold and I’m starting to get stiff and achy despite my heated jacket.  

8:55 AM Sunday 9/28/03 - I get a timed receipt at the gas station for my finish and at 9:00 AM I pull into my yard. 23 hours and 1053.9 miles on the odometer. Mapquest says 1047.5. Stella hears me come in and gives me a big welcome. I get a beer and put on a wool hat and chat with Chris who spent the night with Stella. I feel pretty out of it. I’m shaky and my ears are ringing despite my wearing earplugs. How the heck do you do 11 days of this??? I’m happy though - it was a good trip. My folks call, I call Julie, Dave calls. I feel good. It was a good birthday weekend.