IBA Legends SS1000

[coacha]

Some time around 0600 on Thursday of this week, Mike, Leanne, Jim and I will embark on the Legends Saddle Sore 1000 ride. The ride is 1000 miles in 24 hours and will be done all in the state of Florida, leaving from Jacksonville and going to check points in Daytona, Tampa, Ocala, Chiefland, Tallahassee and Pensacola. At each check point we will be getting the chance to meet former winners of the Iron Butt Rally.

I know that all 4 of us are really looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of the ride. Mike and I are packing our warmest clothes; and Jim and Leanne are probably getting their heated gear ready and testing their heated seats and grips ;).

I will post some pictures late Thursday or early Friday of the ride, along with some thoughts. I'm sure Mike and Jim will too.

[jmilucky]

Leeanne and I pre-tested our "gear" going to Daytona yesterday, brisk 37 when we left Palm Bay. Everything appears to be a go but now Leeanne would like heated socks to go with the electric jacket, pants and gloves...do you think we should just take the car instead?

[MikeInFla]

With all that heated gear it takes the fun and adventure out of the ride.

Why don't you rent a helicopter so you can properly look down on us schleps who don't have the fancy bikes and gear. ;)

[MikeInFla]

Dress Warm.

Pensacola High 56 Low 37

Tallahassee High 59 Low 33

Jacksonville High 57 Low 37


Since we are going to be getting back at night it will probably be down in the 40's.

[coacha]

Originally Posted by MikeInFLA

With all that heated gear it takes the fun and adventure out of the ride.

Why don't you rent a helicopter so you can properly look down on us schleps who don't have the fancy bikes and gear. ;)

Wonder if we stopped at each check point in a helicopter, it that would count. Be a heck-uva lot quicker.

[coacha]

I got the routes loaded into the GPS. Tomorrow night I'll pack everything up and get things together. Gotta remember to get some more AA batteries cause Joe won't be with us to give me some ;)

[jmilucky]

Yeah, Leeanne's packing too. She asked if she could bring the trailer so she'd have enough room for the wet bar, portable sauna and massage table. I told her we were cutting back this trip so she's leaving the wet bar behind.

This is really roughing it...Will there be spectators along the route with paper cups of orange juice?

[MikeInFla]

I think she should put the trailer on your bike since your not a long distance rider and once we get to a rest stop near Ocala you'll probably poop out and need to Sauna and a cosmopolitan .

Leanne, Ron and I will catch up with you back at the hotel.

[coacha]

Well my bike is packed, I'm ready to go
Just sitting here outside the door
Mike is itching to hit road
When the dawn is breakin on Thursday morn
Jim and Leann will be so warm
I'll be freezin but I won't complain


Leavin on a Nomad, don't know when I'll be back again.

[kawgirl]

I like it Coach!

[mrfuni]

Hey Coach,

With all that heated gear and Tupperware they'll have an asterisk next to their name. ;)

Be safe all...

[trosco]

To be morally supportive of Ron, Mike, Jim and LeAnn: I was up this AM at 0600 and checked my outdoor thermometer. It said it was 30 degrees here in Jax! News says 33 but they check in the center of town and it is always warmer there!
So these poor souls are freezing their butts off! Ah, but what a sense of accomplishment... ???.... Nope, not worth it! That rugged individualism and camarodery.. ???.. Nope, not worth it!
You'd have to pay me!!! But, if you all make it back to Jax tonight before 10 PM (my bed time) the hot tub is open and on 104! Give me a call and we'll thaw you out! Otherwise give me a call and we'll get together tomorrow and ride down to Caribbean Jacks together!

[swiftboot]

Trosco, I guess they must be still sleeping and trying to thaw out from the ride. I thought one of them would have posted their experiences by now. If you guys out there, give us a shout. chuck

[MikeInFla]

We are back. What an experience. Ron, Jim, Leanne and I met Wednesday night at the hotel for a pre ride meeting for all the rules. Everyone was pumped up and ready to get started. People had all sorts of bikes from a Honda CS50cc to Goldwings.

The majority of the IBA pros had BMW R1200 RT, LT, GS and what ever letters they have. Several Goldwings and 3 Nomads.

The four of us were in the first group of 20 that took off at 6:00am Thursday morning. I think it was in the mid 40's.

The way the Legends ride work is, a legend of the sport is there at each check point to verify your stop by signing a sheet of paper that has a small blurb of their accomplishment.

We get to the first checkpoint in Daytona and have our paper signed. We stop for gas and the four of us split up since the goldwings can go much farther on gas that my Nomad could.

Ron can provide more details for the rest of the ride. Let me fast forward to the last 3 stops.

We get to Tallahassee and find out we are surprisingly in the top 15 or 20 riders. We began a long ride to Pensacola. During the ride we find out Ron's headlight is out. Thankfully I had a spare bulb and while in Pensacola we take the time to change it out. We head back and the sun starts to drop. SO DOES THE TEMP.

It dropped very fast and by the time we reached Tallahassee it was mid to low 30's. Ron and I were so cold we were shaking and miserable. It just so happens the stop in Tallahassee was at a waffle house. I never thought a waffle house would look that inviting to me. Ron asked if we could stay but I knew he was only kidding.

We get back on the road for the last 140 miles and the temp dropped even further. We got colder and were chilled to the bone. We decide when we got back to the hotel we'll have a beer to celebrate before hitting the rack.

We get in at 11:40 and the bar closed at 11:30. DAM IT

Across from the hotel was Steak and Shake. A triple burger and many many cups of coffee later we finally get warm enough to leave. We saw Jim and Leanne ride in about 1am.

Jim and Ron can fill in the blanks. To summarize, it was long, cold, mentally draining, physically demanding and one of the hardest rides I ever did. Can't wait to do the next one.

[swiftboot]

Thanks for the update Jim. I am sure you all feel a real sense of accomplishment. Cant wait to hear all the details. chuck