Seems the riding continues to increase as I travel for work. Time spent enjoying the sights and sounds of other than the slab.... non existent.
Averaging 3000 per month with the majority of those miles being between Tampa and Miami, I-75 is becoming quite boring! It's time to go for a ride instead of the routine point A to point B that seems to be the norm.
The Iron Butt Association, in conjunction with the annual Winter Party, is hosting a SS1000 as part of the festivities. The preplanned route is an all-Florida ride with the start/finish at the host hotel in Jacksonville. Required stops are in Daytona Beach, Tampa, Ocala, Chiefland, Tallahassee, Pensacola, and Tallahassee (again). The route covers 1043 miles with about 20% being on SR19, a four lane non slab route through a few of the small towns and cities of western Florida.
To make this ride unique, the IBA has selected a few "legends" of the IBA and long distance endurance riding. The log sheet will have bio's of the riders. Upon reaching the checkpoints, the log will be signed by the IBA legend next to their bio. Hmmm..more like an autograph, don't you think?
This ride has so many registrants that the IBA staff will stagger the start and release 20 riders at a time. There are time windows at each checkpoint which gives this ride the look and feel of a rally.
Today was day one of bike prep. Oil and filter change; spark plug change; air filter cleaned; overall inspection too. So far so good. Heated gear is working just fine and it looks like it will be needed.
Tonight, I'll load the route into the GPS and then it's just a countdown until the start. I'll get a little warm up as I need to travel to Miami for work on Monday and will depart for Jacksonville late Wednesday. That will put 750 miles on the bike before I even arrive for the Legends ride.
My goal this time is to take a few pictures and enjoy the SS1000 and not just eat up the miles in record time. Of course, I say that every time. Maybe this one will be different!!
More to come....
Saturday, February 27, 2010
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