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Earning my second long distance riding award

© Brian Salisbury

On a clear, crisp September morning in 2002, I took off on a 1,000-mile motorcycle ride though five states then home again in less than 24 hours.

In addition to achieving my time and mileage goals, that trip enabled me to gain membership in a long distance riders' group called the Iron Butt Association.

For an account of that ride and my reasons for taking it, please look at "Earning my first long distance riding achievement award" by clicking onto http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/moto... .

After nearly two years since that first effort, I decided to try a longer, more demanding ride.

What's the Iron Butt Association?

The Iron Butt Association is a loosely knit group of well over 13,000 motorcycle enthusiasts dedicated to safe, long distance, endurance riding. The group is based in the United States where most members reside, but many other members are scattered throughout the world.

Learn more about this unique association by clicking onto their Website at http://www.ironbutt.com .

After accomplishing the minimum 1,000-mile ride in less than 24 hours, a rider can attempt many other Iron Butt jaunts of even greater lengths and intensities. Just plan a route anywhere in the country or the world that covers the desired distance, then go for it.

That is what I recently set out to do. I wanted to see if I could cover 1,500 miles in less than 24 hours.

Besides adding 500 miles to my longest one-day of travel, this ride would require me to manage my time and speed more strictly than ever. By maintaining the speed limit, or going five or six miles per hour faster on interstate highways, I could cover the distance while gaining enough time to stop for fuel and food and possibly a short "power nap" if necessary.

Many riders who have attempted this particular Iron Butt ride, have indicated that they made it through the time window by only a few minutes. Others made it with much more time to spare. Road conditions and whether or not they encountered traffic jambs frequently determined their success or failure.

Plotting a course

My first step in the process of taking this ride was to plot a route at least 1,500 miles long -- preferably a bit longer to make sure I'd cover the required distance. I decided to make things very easy. I'd go west from my home on Long Island, New York, then south to Knoxville, Tennessee. Then I'd turn around and do it again in the opposite direction.