Long Distance Riding is Getting In My Blood

It's been a few weeks since my motorcycle ride through Southern Minnesota and Southern Wisconsin.  I enjoyed the ride immensely.  The challenges of planning, packing, routing, weather and physical were all invigorating.  I rode (unverified) 645 miles in about 30 hours.

I'm on the email distribution for the LDRider mailing list.  There are constant discussions of various charity and fun long distance rides, technical talks like baffles in supplemental gas tanks, and occaisional political commentary.  It's all good.

At the Iron Butt Associationg website, there are a few rides that can be done to qualify for calling oneself an "Iron Butt Rider".  One is the SaddleSore 1000 (1000 miles in 24 hours), and the Bun Burner 1500 (1500 miles in 36 hours).  (There is even 1500 miles in 24 hours, but let's not get crazy.) I like the idea of the Border to Border Ride too.  Hmmm ... intriguing.

View Long Distance Ride, 2012 in a larger map

I'm thinking Summer of 2012 for this.  In my typical style, I've already plotted a 1000 and 1500 mile trip.  Of course I have plenty of time to decide on what I really want to do.

If I do the 1000, I could head south to Iowa City, IA, then west to Lincoln, NE (619 miles, 10 hours).  I have friends there and could probably stay for the night.  The next morning, I'd drive back home (442 miles, 7 hours).  This is around 1,060 miles.  A little more than necessary, but not bad.

One nice thing is I can qualify for both the 1000 and 1500 ride at the same time.  That route needs to include more than one rest place.

Dan