Posted: 30 April 2007 at 5:09am | IP Logged

Bun Burner Gold 1500

1521 miles, 23 hours & 26 minutes

By Jeffrey Rumminger, IBA #24683

In November of 2005, I failed at my first attempt for a BBG on my stock HD.  Poor clothing choices for the temperatures, lack of route planning, and inconsistent speed control all caught up with me at the 1000+ mile point, and I knew it was over.  However, I’m the stubborn type, and vowed I’d be back to conquer this ride with my stock HD.

Since that failed attempt, I’d done more research via the IBA website, ridden a couple more 1000+ mile days out of necessity due to moving from GA to TX, and rode my first competitive rally, the Cape Fear 1000, 2006 in Wilmington NC.  I was getting smarter, knew my bikes strengths and limitations much better, and felt I was personally ready to attempt the BBG again when my schedule allowed and conditions were favorable.  That day arrived on April 22, 2007.

PLANNING & PREP:  I was registered to ride the Cape Fear 1000, 2007 and took time off work to get my bike set up and ready.  After looking at the long range forecast, time available, and the fact I was to end the rally in Wilmington NC  (1340 miles away from my new home in Wichita Falls TX)  it seemed like a perfect opportunity to go for the Gold again.  All I needed to do was find a way to add some miles to the trip home.  The bike was ready, I was rested and mentally prepared for some long riding, and on Thursday, April 19^th  I departed for Hattiesburg MS as my starting location for the rally.  The ride to Hattiesburg and the 26 hour rally into Wilmington NC would prepare me even more for the demands of the BBG.

THE STRATEGY:  I wanted this ride to be ‘old school’ and only use basic aids for planning, navigation, and execution…maps, odometer, and wrist watch were my tools for the job.  The long riding that got me to Wilmington would serve as practice with efficient gas stops, managing my fatigue, and generally putting me in the right mental state.  I decided I would not leave my saddle during any gas stops until I was sure my speed and fuel profile was working.  My goal was to do this run with a stock fuel tank only; hence, I would plan to be on interstates with plenty of 24 hour gas stops available.  I’ve learned my bike uses fuel best below 3000 rpm in 5^th gear, and that speeds over 80 mph decrease my range per tank at an exponential rate.  That big fairing pushes a lot of air and aerodynamic drag becomes a huge factor at higher speeds.  I planned to run between 72-78 mph to keep the engine where it likes to run, and also avoiding the chance of troopers stopping me which could waste enough time to end the ride.  Due to the demographic of riders at Cape Fear, I had perfect sources of information regarding interstate conditions around the eastern half of the country, so I could learn where NOT to go and avoid construction and known traffic delays.  My fuel plan was to not push each tank too much into the reserve because one mistake of running out of gas, and I knew this ride was over.  My route plan was to take I-40 as far west as made sense based on low temperature forecasts, then head south for warmer temps, and west again.  I would be layered properly, electric vest on, and ready to crank it up if needed, and my roadcrafter suit was my outer gear.  My food and water plan was simple---no time to get either one properly----so choking down Zone Bars on the bike as I rode, and sipping water from small bottles stashed every where I could put them was the plan.  Just enough food to keep my stomach quiet, and just enough water to avoid dehydration headaches, but not enough of either to make my body think it was time to stop and empty out with urgency.  I made check points for myself for monitoring progress and go-no-go decisions to either finish the ride, or abort (again).  These check points were 6 hour intervals where I would compare my two, and only, electronic devises that were to be used---my odometer and digital wrist watch strapped on my handle bar.  During last years rally, I had met Larry Ensley, a highly experienced and accomplished long distance rider.  I met up with him again this year and we actually rode together for part of the rally.  In Wilmington NC, Larry and I spoke about my plan and he provided valuable feedback.  I hit the sack early for extra sleep in my motel room at the Greentree Inn, our Cape Fear 1000 host motel in Wilmington NC.

THE RIDE:  My start witnesses were two fellow rally participants, both IBA members of course. Odometer verification and signatures complete, I putt-putted the 50 yards across the street from our motel to the gas station (odometer reading did not change).   Back on the street to the I-40 ramp heading north and I was on my way.  I rode very heavy handed initially with aggressive accelerations and speeds above my optimum for good fuel management (guess I was still in the rally mindset of running around for bonuses!) and my first tank went quick.  I settled down, and stabilized my bike into my planned profile and got my brain thinking right for a BBG versus a rally.  The weather was as forecast----clear, sunny, warm, high pressure every where I was going.   Traffic was typical Sunday interstate traffic.

At the first 6 hour check point, I was 43 miles ahead of my bench mark…and by the second 6 hour point, I was even further ahead.  I was gaining on the profile and building in pad (I would need it later).  My decision point for turning south was Nashville TN.  I stopped before the city to get a gas receipt, then took the interstate into the city versus taking the bypass because of construction issues I had heard about----sure enough, traffic was a mess, but I rolled right past it on my way into the city.    South on I-65, found a place for a gas receipt to show both sides of my turn point, and the journey south started as the sun was low and getting lower.  My stay-in-the-saddle-gas-stops were working perfect, and one stop was between 3-4 minutes long!...but everything lined up perfectly for that one. 

More miles, more stops, more miles, more stops.  The clothing and layer plan was working great, and my route plan of heading south into warmer temps was working great too.  My speed control was nearly flawless.  I occasionally had to bump over 80 mph for a passing situation, but got right back on the profile.

I had to head west eventually so I could end as close to Wichita Falls TX as possible, but I also didn’t want to end up in Dallas/Ft Worth traffic jams on the way and get screwed out this ride at the end game.  I wanted to end south of Dallas, but not too far south.  That thought process and lack of good intelligence information about the interstate through Tuscaloosa AL on the way to Meridian MS drove my next decision----press further south on I-65 to Montgomery AL before turning west.  That decision would cause a slight panic attack later in the night that made me almost regret making it.

I had been through that area a couple times while moving my family (and then myself) from GA to TX last summer and fall….and I knew there was an interstate of some sort connecting Montgomery AL and Meridian MS, but I’ll-be-damned if I could think of it at the time and it was driving me nuts…but no way was I pulling over to check my map just yet.  The exit for Tuscaloosa went past and I was still heading south toward Montgomery...guess I had made my decision.

Into Montgomery AL…reading signs….racking my now fatigued brain….and no interstate heading west to Meridian showed itself.  I could not afford the time it would take to press even further south into Mobile AL and take I-10 west because it would put me WAAAY too far south of home and I’d miss work the next day.  I had to stop and get receipts showing the turn point in Montgomery, so I got a quick glance at my map under the light of the gas pumps as fuel poured into my tired Harley. 

Highway 80!!....damn…that’s what it was…a divided highway connecting Montgomery AL and Meridian MS with a few little towns to slow me down.  The slight panic attack started.  I screwed it up…I should have gone through Tuscaloosa…what the hell was I thinking!  I finished the fuel stop, decided I was NOT going to back track.  The extra miles would be great but I’d be too far from home at the end of this ride and end up missing work the next day---again, not an option.  It was late, it was Sunday (becoming early Monday), no one would be out except the occasional cop and some deer---and both concerned me.

I got back on the road; got rolling again….and took another stop just after taking Highway 80 to get a receipt showing my route into Meridian.  For the first time since I left Wilmington, serious doubt crept into my tired mind about this plan.  Thinking I would be slowed down too much on Highway 80, I debated right then and there about an abort decision.  Screw it….I have to head west sometime anyway, right?, and I’m here now… so press-on was my decision. 

I paid attention to the speed limit signs and ran 5 mph over the posted speed.  I got my mind settled down, and did some mental-math with my brain that was slowly turning to mush from fatigue. 

I figured I could make it as long as I was able to keep my speed up to 65 mph for most of the trip to I-20 in Meridian MS.  I was far enough ahead of my profile by now, I figured I could burn some time and still be okay as long as I-20 didn’t slow me down.  I had been on I-20 three days earlier on the way to Hattiesburg MS, so I knew it was open and easy to make time.

Not a soul was on the road except me, some east bound truckers, and two deer.  Fortunately, they (the deer) stayed in the ditch watching me roll by.  At several locations parked in the grass of the median, like rattle snakes waiting to strike, were cops.  Since I lacked electronics to detect radar, they showed themselves only as I was approaching close aboard due to my headlight indirectly hitting their reflective emblems.  Knowing I was an easy target, I was being smart about my speeds, yet not too ‘lawful’ because I didn’t want them to think I was trying ‘too hard’ to be ‘too good’, then pull me over to see if I’d been drinking.  They (the cops) stayed in the ditch and watched me roll by.

Into Meridian MS (can you hear my sigh of relief?!)…gas receipt…did some more mental-math, decided I could afford some much needed rest…and checked into the Iron Butt Motel.  The dark side of the gas station building provided a discrete place to rest, so I positioned my bike a few feet from the wall, loosened my helmet, set my Screamin’ Meanie and put it in my lap as I leaned against the wall next to my now ‘ticking’ V-Twin.  I felt comfortable with the situation, but still made sure my pistol was accessible by unholstering, safety off, and saddle bag unlatched for a quick grab if needed.  The Screamin’ Meanie worked great, the nap was productive, and after securing my saddle bag, I was back on the road and up to speed.  Did some math again based on my odometer and handlebar-wrist-watch, and decided I was doing fine and knew I was probably gaining time again.

The journey between Meridian MS and the faint sunrise in the eastern TX skies was one of the strangest riding experiences of my life. 

Without going into details, I did every trick in the book to keep my eyelids from crashing down.  I argued with myself telling my brain  “nope, we ain’t got the time to rest now so shut up, quit whining about it, and get to work keeping me alive so I can get this ride done”!  Anyone who knows me knows how stubborn I am…and eventually, I won the argument, my brain conceded and did what I told it to do.  I took another gas stop near Shreveport LA and started heading for TX.  Did some more simple math that was now very difficult to accomplish, and decided barring anything really weird with traffic, or my bike breaking, I was home free…I can’t describe the adrenaline rush I felt, and fatigue was no longer a factor.

I started finalizing my plan for the finish line….I’d get at least 1515 on the odometer due to errors I learned about with my other IBA rides, then get into the nearest town for a final receipt, and call the cops.  Those snakes-in-the-grass were about to become my best friends when I needed witness signatures for my odometer reading!

Kilgore TX---that’s where it ended.  No fan fair, no finish line tape to break, no nothing…just a trashed out Harley with a whipped out rider pulling into an Exxon station and filling up.  Not sure how to explain the feeling of seeing the gas receipt time 7:07 (central time)…I had started at 8:41 eastern time.   23 hours 26 minutes 1521 miles.

Called the cops with help from the clerk behind the counter…two of them stopped by and I did the standard PR thing about the IBA and they were happy to sign my form.

I stopped by a local diner for some breakfast…ordered pancakes with coffee.  No more Zone Bars for this Long Rider.

Jeffrey Rumminger

IBA #24683

Posted: 30 April 2007 at 6:23am | IP Logged

Congratulations on completing a difficult ride.  Your style of writing allowed your readers to almost be there with you.  Great job.

BTW welcome to my state of Texas!

Lowrider