Preparations for first Iron Butt ride

[ColoNavy]

Over Memorial Day weekend (Saturday) I plan to do my first long ride on my 2009 Wing with Champion Kit. I will be going from Colorado Springs to just east of Little Rock AR, mostly on I-40. I have read the Iron Butt site hints for long rides but I am wondering how a trike will affect the ride and is there any unusual challenge that a trike presents?

BTW, I will have had the brake recall done, all fluids changed out and a new front tire (Avon). Without an auxillary fuel tank I will be carrying a roto-pak fuel pod for an extra gallon. I also will be carrying a pakit-rak on the rear hitch.

Thanks, Keith

 

[Haste Maker]

Have fun on your ride...I did mine in 2012 on my 2002 two wheeler...I now think it would be easier on a trike.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Just looked it up. Not a bad beginner ride (900 miles). :qpnmt: On my way out to Tucson last week, on 2nd day I was feeling my oats and went through the night. Carlyle, PA to Big Springs, TX. 1698 miles straight. A new personal record (beating 1612 miles from 2004).
So my recommendations are...Carry 5 hr energy drinks:Coffee:. I will drink 1/2 bottle when feeling tired. Also, taking a break and walking it off helps get the juices flowing. In past 1000+ mile rides, I have also taken 15-20 minute power naps on bike (while parked you peanut galley clowns out there).
Keeping a CD of The Ramones queued up for emergencies also helps. Also, if you can leave a couple hours before dawn, riding in daylight helps a lot. Next day I finished my trip with a hop, skip and 700 mile jump.
It also helps that I have worked all shifts (including graveyard shift) in my life and my sleep schedule is so messed up I don't know whether it's day or night sometimes!
The air temp was also ideal for riding. Not too hot, not too cold. Too hot and you get drowsy. Too cold and you feel the need to stop often to warm up.
Have fun but don't be a Bozo. I would never recommend anybody do the crap I get away with.:AGGHH:epper:

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Over Memorial Day weekend (Saturday) I plan to do my first long ride on my 2009 Wing with Champion Kit. I will be going from Colorado Springs to just east of Little Rock AR, mostly on I-40. I have read the Iron Butt site hints for long rides but I am wondering how a trike will affect the ride and is there any unusual challenge that a trike presents?

BTW, I will have had the brake recall done, all fluids changed out and a new front tire (Avon). Without an auxillary fuel tank I will be carrying a roto-pak fuel pod for an extra gallon. I also will be carrying a pakit-rak on the rear hitch.

Thanks, Keith

Which Iron Butt ride are you doing. Highway construction, accidents and bad weather will kill the ride. Don't expect any sightseeing on the way.

 

[ColoNavy]

I am doing the Saddle Sore 1000. Total miles for the route I am taking, per Google Maps, is 1029. I plan to leave at about 3:00 AM. I am planning about 17 hours which should get me to the hotel at about 9PM (allowing for time zone change).

I am definitely concerned about road construction and weather in Oklahoma. I should get through Oklahoma by about 5:30 PM, before the notorious Okie weather spins up. My final concern is the reduced MPG on the trike (35 mpg) will drive more gas stops and reduce the average speed to about 60 MPH.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

When I did it, on a two wheeler, we stopped every 140 miles for fuel and every other stop for an energy drink. I ride back and forth to Daytona, about 875 miles from here, on two wheels. Without traffic problems it takes about 14 hours. Just watch out for the wildlife at dawn and keep hydrated........
In 2008 I rode 960 miles to Iowa in 14 hours on a trike.

 

[Shimpy]

I did mine in 2008 with 9 others and I was on two wheels then. Gas wasn't a problem because we usually stopped for gas earlier than needed because we made several route changes and had to document it. Stops were strictly held to 10 minutes and we stopped for lunch for 20 minutes. Among the 10 bikes was 1 Harley and 2 sport bikes. (guess which one broke down). He got the Harley running and caught up with us about an hour later. (amazing because we were running pretty quick then). I have to give credit to the sports bike riders as I know I couldn't have ridden one of them for 19 hours.
If I did it by myself which I'd prefer I know I could have done it quicker.

 

[Haste Maker]

If I did it by myself which I'd prefer I know I could have done it quicker.

I agree...doing it by yourself is the quickest way.