Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique SaddleSore 1K Tips

I've registered for the Redwing 19 charity SaddleSore ride here in VA. It takes place in four more weeks and was wondering if anyone out there could give a few tips from their 1K or long distance rides. I'll be with a group of six others and the only Triumph rider. Looks like we'll be stopping every 150 miles for a gas and nearly the whole route is superslab. I'm not too worried about packing tools, unless someone really thinks different (maybe a patch kit). The only things I could think of were:
- chain lube (may not even worry about it..spray down before and after the ride)
- ziploc bag for gas receipts
- sunscreen lotion
- change of clothes if possible rain that day
- couple of Advil

I have done a couple of 500+ mile rides but all were daytime rides. One question I do have to the harder core riders is how have you felt after the sun goes down after riding hard all day? My concern is simply cold. Being tired, worn and lowered body resistance is it smart to pack the chaps and maybe a sweater? Or would that be overkill? Thanks for any inputs!

I did mine in August so it was considerably warmer, but about an hour after the sun went down it was cool enough for me to put on a sweatshirt. I had well over 700 miles done before dark too, so I knew that it was a short way to go (relatively speaking) once the sun went down. If you have saddlebags, you have enough room for everything you'll need for the trip. Wet weather gear and sunscreen are a must. The ziploc bag is a good idea. Maybe a sheepskin pad if you don't have one. My backrest on the Corbin was an absolute blessing. Powder your butt with some Gold Bond or similar. Tinted and clear eye wear (doh!), it's going to be dark for a few hundred miles at least. Have fun! I'm thinking of my next one, although after the one I did, I said never again! Next time I will have a Tour Tank for more range.

Pack some water and snacks. hot or cold out, you can get dehydrated being outside in the wind all day. Take your breaks, get off the bike and stretch. don't be in a hurry you only have to average about 42 mph to make it in 24.

think about some biker shorts, some say they makes it more comfortable. I like boxer briefs. I know -TMI, too bad.

Cold and tired is a no-no. While I've never ridden that kind of distance, I have had hypothermia get me while riding. Not a good thing.

Make sure you are well rested and have the proper clothing for the worst-case scenario.

Good gouge so far; keep it coming. Stewart, yeah, TMI...but I asked for it.

I can't speak to the biker shorts but I wear underarmor during cold weather riding. If I could find some boxer length bottoms I would wear them every time I ride.

A tip for you on the superslab. Get one of those large pony tail things. I "acquired" several from my daughter. I slip it over the throttle grip and just let it ride there between my hand and the inside end of the grip. When my hand gets tired I put it in between the grip and housing and pull it in (wedging it in the gap) then twist the throttle to the speed I want. Cruise control on the way cheap. When you want to resume control you just put your finger through the loop sticking out of the gap and pull it back over onto the grip. Works like a charm.

I was thinking some Underarmor. I've got a shirt but that doesn't do a whole heck of a lot for the tush. Good trick with the pony tail holder!

TMI...yeah...more TMI info coming.

The underarmor is great. I find that going a size smaller helps keep the goods where you want them, especially in warm/hot weather when the goods like to travel on their own.. BTW...the Heatgear Boxerjock is what youll want.
Another option that I keep reading about in magazines is padded biker shorts. Check Aerostitch.com

You say that your stopping about every 150 miles....will your bike go 150 miles between fuel stops. You may need to enhance your fuel capacity.
Someone did a write up on adding more capacity but I cant find it....anyone, anyone,anyone at all...

http://tourtank.com for added capacity
1,2,3,4, and 7 gallon tanks

You should wear your chaps from the get go. When you are in the wind all day, they are not noticeable. Eat light. But eat. A small bag of almonds and a small bottle of gatorade are perhaps the best purchases at refueling stops. Lot's of energy and no heavy weight in your belly to make you sleepy. Get plenty of sleep before you start. Carry energy bars and water with you. Those too are light but extremely nutritious. Carry a pair of long johns. When the sun goes down you can change into those. A heavier set of gloves will make you happy when the sun goes down. Might think about an mp3 player. Helps with the fatigue after four or five fuel stops. As far as your rear end goes, either you buttocks can take it or it can't. You will find out which category yours fits into. Use the rear pegs sets. Nice lay down position. Yup, you will be all over your motorsickle. When you have a hard time concentrating, it is important to pull over and collect yourself. A five minutes respite will help vastly. Another tip is to eat at wendy's. No not one of those numbered menu selections: A hot cup of java and a hot cup of chili. Works wonders for the core body temperature.

Regarding the chaps, wear em for those instances of light rain and asphalt protection. They will keep your legs dry. Also, a non perforated jacket that will repel water just long enough to ride through a light rain. Saves loads of time and once again, while at speed, they are not burdensome.

I'll be quite fine for 150 mile stops. Even cranking on the throttle going through the gears I can get in the 150 range easy. In fact got 167 before shifting the other day; was going in the 60mph range but had the lady on the back. Sounds like we'll be snacking it most of the day and roll into Cracker Barrel for dinner. Looks like I'll definately pack the chaps...they're insulated too so that'll help.

Did you make it?

I bought a couple of sets of the padded cycle shorts from Aero and they are great! I bought a pair from REI and it was terrible-like wearing a diaper. I have found that it's important to avoid any clothing with seams where your body touches the seat. After a few hundred miles you develop a very personal hatred for that seam.

Those tanks are a great idea! I ride with a Gold Wing and he is always complaining I am stopping for gas every 150 miles. I suggested he could hang a hose off the end of his bike and I could refuel like the fighter planes do.

Yep, we made it Dave. Here's the overall numbers: 448 registered, 423 showed up, 408 finished. There was some seriously nasty thundershowers the last 300 miles that detered many. We rolled out of the start roughly 5:45am Saturday morning and finished about 20 hours later. Could have finished at least an hour earlier if not for the rain.

90% of all bikes were either HD touring or Goldwings. Needlessly, everyone thought I was crazy; no, just Triumph tough! The Under Armor underwear was SMART!! I did see another rider with beads on his seat and thought that was a really good idea to keep the blood flowing. And if one ever considers doing an endurance ride, don't go cheap on rain gear! I love the boots I use to ride but they aren't worth squat in the rain.

150 mile stops was a good range for the group I was with (7 of us). Each stop I took in a either a power bar or jerky stick along with a bottle of fruit juice. Had one coke later in the day and a cup of coffee at our last stop prior to finishing.

In short it was AWESOME. Many of us are already talking of doing a Bun Burner: 1500 miles in 36 hours. After finishing this one we all still felt relatively good and could have kept going. The next day we hurt and were sore (and still had to ride 200+ miles back home). Not to mention 300 miles in the rain had me sick as crap all this week. Still worth it.

Awesome, congrats!

Excellent Cale. Maybe I should ask myself "where have you been Staffo?" but I've never heard of these type of runs. I really like the sound of them though, particularly given they can earn some much needed charity money for those in need.

So, can anyone let me know what the format is for raising money. Like do you ask people to sponsor you per mile or what? Just interested cos this type of run sounds like a really good challenge for all involved and at the same time perhaps a good sense of comradrie given the shared positive objective.

Yep, sounds like a great idea and something I'd like to do I reckon. Well done

The different types of rides and the charity are seperate components. The Iron Butt Association (IBA) is a legitamet association that oversees and approves the different types of endurance rides. They can be checked out at www.ironbutt.com

The charity portion of this particular event was the Redwing 19 organization (can be found at http://redwing19.com/). They organize different ride events to raise money for the children of fallen Navy SEALS and Army 160th Aviators that were lost in Afghanistan June 2005 during OPERATION REDWING.

Redwing 19 is unique in that it works in conjunction with IBA to put on IBA approved Saddle Sore 1K charity rides. Charity funds are raised through registrations, raffles and pure donations. The goal for this particular event was to raise enough for each child to receive $1000 (18 children I believe). That was shattered and each child will receive at least $2000.

Regarding the ride itself, Redwing 19 plans and submits a route and details of a 1000 mile ride to IBA. IBA will approved the route and be standing by at the start/finish to record individual's start/stop times and odometer reading. We also had to turn in receipts to show proof of locations and times. We were lucky that this event broke two world records so IBA made a strong showing and we were able to receive our IBA certificates and patches right then and there vice waiting at the mailbox.

I hope this helps Staffo and if you have any additional questions please ask.

Congratulations! When 3 of us here did our SS1K we did it on the way to the GA rally 22.5 hours (the first 5 in a hard rain) you were lucky to have IBA so involved...took almost 6 months for our paperwork to be approved! Congrats again, and welcome to the club "Worlds toughest Riders"

Rob IBA #30305

Thanks for the run down Cale. I really respect the redwing19 association as the riders who participate are in their own way making a significant difference to the families of those who died for their country.

Well done on your achievement too Cale for finishing the 1000 miles. I can only try to imagine what it must be like but like many of these things until you do it you don't REALLY know do you.

cheers and who knows, maybe I might try to organise something similar in the future to raise money for charity cos it's a great idea

Anytime Staffo and best of luck to you!

Thanks Rob. This is something I've wanted to do for many, many years. Not only finishing but also going into the record books is an incredible feeling. It was kind of weird; the first 150 miles sucked more than the final 300 in the rain. Guess it just took that 150 to get into the groove. Afterwards all was pretty darn smooth. Two of the guys I rode with had already done a SS1K (through a previous Redwing 19 event) and from what I understand the only thing left is for IBA to issue my number. We already have our patches, pins and certificates.

Some of us are already looking at doing a Bun Burner and a 50CC. These endurance rides are like crack.

Congrats, Moe is right as you now know. You just have to sit there and do it. You use the whole bike lol.