Posted: 06 June 2007 at 5:12pm | IP Logged

For the past year I have been getting on this website reading, with interest, the stories of all of your rides wondering what is it that drives y’all to go the distance in whatever time is allotted.  Well last Friday, I decided to try my own SS1000.  Living in Scottsdale, AZ, I was trying to catch a time where the temperature would be just right between spring in the desert and summer in the high country.  Last Friday turned out to be the right day, not only from a weather standpoint but also work freedom made it possible. I made the mistake of getting route input from two work colleagues.  My original plan was to run the route from Phoenix to Flagstaff, to Albuquerque, to Las Cruces and back through Tucson to Phoenix, all super highways, 70 mph.  My colleagues said, you’ll be fighting semi’s the whole way, why not try a more picturesque route through some of the National Parks. I listened to them. 

I started from Scottsdale on my 1200 GS at 0430 last Friday.  My colleague inspired route took me to Flagstaff, then to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, thru the Grand Canyon National Park (for an hour at 15 miles per), East and North to Jacob Lake, a town just North of the North Rim of the Canyon, NW to and thru Zion National Park in Utah (again, at 15 miles per for over an hour), West to Las Vegas, South over Hoover dam (slow again) and then to Kingman, AZ back to Flagstaff and South to home in Scottsdale.  Starting out in Scottsdale it was 60 degrees.  Flagstaff was at 40 so on went the electric jacket, that felt good! The Grand Canyon was beautiful and the day was clear, just all those gawkers, can’t blame them, but I had miles to go, they just don’t understand. 

Around the Canyon on up to Jacob Lake and down the other side of the mountain toward Zion.  Around 1300 stopped in Fredonia, AZ and it was HOT.  The bike thermometer, in the Sun, registered 120, thank goodness for that camelback.  Given the heat, my enthusiasm waned a little so I called a friend who’s first words after I told him my location, “You’re almost ½ way.”  That was all I needed to hear, no turning around now.  So, on to Las Vegas.  Once on I-15 I felt free again, no more slow traffic, this would be easy all the way to Phoenix.  One of the very few negatives about a stock 1200 GS is that 5.2 gallon fuel tank.  I rolled through Mesquite, NV thinking I could easily find a station later on.  It’s pretty desolate in that part of Neveda and I started getting nervous when my gauge didn’t do its normal switch over where it starts counting down the miles until you’re out of gas.  Bad jujus were talking to me making me think that the gauge would quickly do its switch over with no miles left to go.  The bad thoughts got the better of me and as soon as saw the possibility of gas it was 5 miles off the track to Logandale, NV.  Once those demons were satisfied I was home free once again. 

Traffic was not bad thru Las Vegas and even Hoover Dam, although slow, it was at least steady going. Fueled up once again in Kingman at 2000.  Upon leaving Kingman I noticed that it was only 178 miles to Phoenix, but that was down US-93 verses almost 300 going thru Flagstaff.  I started thinking about all those elk and deer feeding along the highway as well as those alligator retreads, what’s a want-to-be long distance rider to do.  No choice, go the long way, can’t make mileage taking short-cuts.  Once the decision was made the going was easy, just leap froggin trucks to keep my PIAAs in front of them.  I got a little sleepy and stopped at the last rest area 50 miles North of Phoenix for a 20 minute nap.  Refreshed, I rolled into Phoenix.  At 2220 the highlight was having 5 super bikes race off Pinnacle Peak Road onto I-17 in front of me.  They had to be doing 140 and as soon as they got on I-17 they behaved and slowed down to 65. Although I don’t condone that it looked like fun. 

Arrived at my daughter’s doorstep at 2252 for her witness.  What a great thrill.  I want to do that again, but forget the National Parks, just too much slow for me.  I hope the paper trail passes the grade.  I want to be an Iron Butt-er. 

Posted: 06 June 2007 at 6:08pm | IP Logged

Congratulations on your first Iron Butt ride.  I know you are really feeling good right now.  You are a real Iron Butt-er now since you already want to do another.  It just gets a hold on you and it's had to break.  

Lowrider

Posted: 06 June 2007 at 6:33pm | IP Logged

Congrats on completing your Iron Butt.  I live in Chandler and finished my first SS1000 in April doing the interstate route you mentioned.  Glad I went the slab route on my first ride and will probably use mostly interstate when I do my BB1500.  Thanks for the info on your route .....I would like to do another SS1000 and take the scenic route through Payson, Show Low, etc., so it was good to get your input on the route you took.

Settle in for the wait for your official certification .... but I'm sure the satisfaction of completing the ride is a reward in itself .... it is for me!

Cathy

Posted: 06 June 2007 at 10:20pm | IP Logged

Thanks Lowrider, Cathy, Dan and Sachi for the accolades.  It was great fun. Dan, I know you'll do well.  Sachi, I agree with you, it's a good idea to plan those gas stops.  I just wanted to make sure I stopped at all the major directional turns. It occured to me that I did not give any totals.  My bike recorded 1041 miles which pretty much matched my Google maps outline of 1045.  I bought 24 gallons of fuel for an average of 43 mpg. I know the average mph is not worth mentioning but I attribute that to the slow tour thru the National Parks. Nevertheless, thanks,

Jon

Posted: 07 June 2007 at 8:54am | IP Logged

Hey "Trusty" -

Allow me to offer my congratulations as well. You definitely did it the hard way but it's all good. Thanks for the write up and welcome aboard!  

Posted: 07 June 2007 at 1:14pm | IP Logged

Thankyou Jerry White and Mike Fitzpatrick for the pat on the back.  I hope some day to meet other Iron Butt riders and especially the ones who responded to my ride story.  It's been a big boost, thankyou.

Jon Engebretson

Scottsdale, AZ