For almost two years, I have wanted to join this club of elite, long-distance riders -- The "Iron Butt" Assocation (IBA). Some may scoff at the notion of riding just for miles and bragging rights, but if you stop to think about it, riding a motorcycle requires a lot of attention and focus. It is a risky activity, performed on the streets among the (oftentimes) less attentive. Riding 1000 miles in 24 hours proves that you have the endurance, stamina, and mental self-control to survive and push yourself a little harder than the average rider. It says that you have pushed your limits and come out stronger for it. At least, that's what it means to me.
I didn't do a lot of preparation. My tires and my oil are both due to be changed soon, so I wanted the ride to be an out-and-back, where I start and end near home. I planned several routes in the days prior, and I made sure that I was eating healthy, drinking enough water, and getting enough sleep. Watched for a break in the weather and a break in the suffering at work, put in for a few days vacation, and packed my bags. Wasn't planning to sleep anywhere, but I packed my camping gear anyway, just in case.
The path that I took: Google Maps link (https://goo.gl/maps/84vMeGCW2Bt)
Note: The new Google Maps API limits the number of waypoints you can have, so the overall route link above includes major stops, but cannot include all of the details of the individual turns that I took. It has most of them, but it is short seven miles from actual. I've included routes below for each segment --- those are more detailed and more accurate.
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-jFwdnZ4/0/L/final%20route-L.png)
The Start
I woke up about 3:30AM without an alarm. I was alert and ready to go. I had already prepared coffee the night before and staged it in the fridge (I like cold coffee). Bike was already loaded, clothes and gear were staged. All I had to do was shower, drink my cold coffee, and hit the road. The wife was not happy about getting up this early, but she was my witness, and she performed her duty.
The official starting place was the Love's Truck Stop in Falkville, Alabama. It's only a few miles from the house, and I had already tested one of the gas pumps to make sure the receipt was legible and that the date/time/location was printed on the receipt and correct. My test pump was #16, and it was perfect. I arrived at the Love's about 4:15, but I had to adjust my gear and re-route my battery tender pigtail for my heated gloves. That meant removing the duffle bag and straps, etc., so I could remove the seat. Ugh. Anyway, it didn't take that long, and when everything was situated to my satisfaction, I finally started the pump and collected my receipt.
Official start data:
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-BprkxNH/0/S/stop%201b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-KM56Hwf/0/M/stop%201a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-vF9srz7/0/M/stop%201c-M.png)
Was this your first choice for a route, or did you decide when you started?
What was the easiest and hardest part of the trip?
What in the hell were you thinking making a lap around crazy town?? lol
Falkville, Alabama to Athens, Tennessee
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/1wm2jSTbdpF2 (https://goo.gl/maps/1wm2jSTbdpF2)
Segment: 192 miles
Completed: 192 miles
Officially got on the road at 4:48AM per gas receipt #1. It was just above 40 degrees and extremely foggy for the first 1-1/2 hours, until just before Chattanooga. I was a little worried about morning rush hour traffic in Chattanooga, but it turned out to not be bad at all. No accidents, not really any slow downs. I was doing a comfortable pace, and the bike was getting good mileage, so I pushed on through Chattanooga to Athens/Decatur. Stopped for gas at Shell Rocky Top Market, which had a Dunkin' Donuts attached to it. I had completed 192 miles, and I was ready for a little breakfast and warmth. Broke out a pack of toe warmers. I asked for decaf coffee, but they only had 1/2 cup remaining, so I told her to make it a 50/50. The veggie egg-white wrap was okay, but the strawberry doughnut was amazing!
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-RrSWsNj/0/S/stop%202b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-sNzBZ2J/0/M/stop%202a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-8SX26pk/0/M/stop%202c-M.png)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-MKMB8rb/0/L/ss1000%20%281%29-L.jpg)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-CCcbVDf/0/M/ss1000%20%284%29-M.jpg)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-VDdHs7j/1/M/ss1000%20%282%29-M.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-zddpNHr/0/M/ss1000%20%283%29-M.jpg)
Athens, Tennessee to Greeneville, Tennessee
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/xH7qR2DcymS2 (https://goo.gl/maps/xH7qR2DcymS2)
Segment: 129 miles
Completed: 321 miles
I continued on across I-40 East through Knoxville and on up to US-11E, then over to Greeneville, Tennessee. The reason I chose Greeneville was to participate in USA Tag o' Rama game on the ADVRider forum. The game mascot, "Nutsy", was hidden in a tree behind President Andrew Johnson's home, which is now a National Historic Landmark. Nutsy was hiding in the split of the tree for over two months, and he was covered in dirt, leaves, and slugs, but thankfully no spiders. I almost didn't find him, he was buried so deep. But he was happy to be liberated and back on the road. He is not allowed (actually court forbidden) to travel by any means other than motorcycle, so he had to wait for an adventurous soul on two wheels to come rescue him.
After getting the tag, I wandered around Greeneville a bit looking for a modern-looking gas station with pay-at-the-pump. Finally found a Phillips 66 Lee's Food Mart, got my gas, and hit the road back toward Knoxville.
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-mKKCk5g/0/S/stop%203b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-cwxCTcc/0/M/stop%203a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-V2Xx2BQ/0/M/stop%203c-M.png)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-XqbQ7L6/0/L/ss1000%20%285%29-L.jpg)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-CpVTTP2/0/L/ss1000%20%286%29-L.jpg)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-Wmjmh4C/0/L/ss1000%20%287%29-L.jpg)
Greeneville, Tennessee to Robbinsville, North Carolina
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/sjvFtiTFmqk (https://goo.gl/maps/sjvFtiTFmqk)
Segment: 140 miles
Completed: 461 miles
Got off I-40 at Marysville, US-129, and followed it "straight" (ha!) into Robbinsville, North Carolina. Most of you all know US-129 as "The Dragon", a really fun road that is often overrun with morons in the summer months. Well, let me tell you this. On November 19th, after all of the stores and resorts are closed for the season, and the temperature is about 68 degrees, and the sun is shining --- it is a tremendously fun and sublime ride. Got stuck behind a mini-van from Florida for a bit, until they decided to pull off and let me pass. Down the road a bit, I stopped for a photograph of Nutsy on The Dragon. I was planning to go all the way into Robbinsville to the Exxon across from the Microtel Inn, but Skyway Food Mart was open and looked inviting, and it was right at the corner with 143 leading to the Cherohala Skyway, so I stopped there instead.
At this point, I realized that I was now having fun, instead of droning down the interstate, but my average trip speed was falling like crazy. I had been averaging about 60-65 mph until Maryville, and now my average was almost 54 mph. I had been on the road for almost nine hours, and I had only completed 461 miles. I felt like I had made a mistake running The Dragon, but it was too late now.
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-vp5KD5b/0/S/stop%204b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-bZrzpcM/0/M/stop%204a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-8wJHbsF/0/M/stop%204c-M.png)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-MCkQHfj/0/L/ss1000%20%288%29-L.jpg)
Robbinsville, North Carolina to Cleveland, Tennessee
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/2JsA4GP41zM2 (https://goo.gl/maps/2JsA4GP41zM2)
Segment: 101 miles
Completed: 562 miles
I rode the entire 51 miles from Robbinsville to Tellico Plains without seeing a single motorcycle. I only saw three cars, and four state DOT trucks removing debris. The line of storms that had passed through the day before had downed trees, but all of the roads were open by the time I came through. But it was surreal enjoying that beautiful road, on a beautiful, sunny fall day, practically all by myself. Stopped for a couple of photos, then passed right through Tellico with stopping. Highway 39 from Tellico to Etowah was slow --- I had found the traffic again. It was slow going all the way to Cleveland. Finally made it to the Pilot Truck Stop at the entrance to I-40. I was now at 562 miles, and I had been riding for 10-1/2 hours. Again, not happy about the average speed, but I had enjoyed two great roads with very little traffic. I was ready for some food, so I grabbed some protein, a coffee drink, and a candy bar. Next stop .... Atlanta?! :o
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-Zh3SSbR/0/S/stop%205b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-XxbwQB4/0/M/stop%205a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-dmMmhrM/0/M/stop%205c-M.png)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-kdgVcfr/0/L/ss1000%20%289%29-L.jpg)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-QBxB9Gj/0/L/ss1000%20%2810%29-L.jpg)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-MJbz2NB/0/M/ss1000%20%2811%29-M.jpg)
Cleveland, Tennessee to Atlanta, Georgia
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/aX5iYANyaKC2 (https://goo.gl/maps/aX5iYANyaKC2)
Segment: 163 miles
Completed: 725 miles
Above, Johnny asked why I chose crazy town. I assume he means Atlanta! My route called for me to truck it west across Tennessee to Memphis, and then down to Birmingham via US-72. I don't know ... for some reason, I really did not want to go to Memphis. I was thinking of all the trucks. Memphis is a hub for lots of trucking companies, and I didn't feel like dealing with it that night. So I changed my plan to go down to Atlanta. Problem was that I still needed a lot of miles, so Ewan and Charlie popped into my head. After I stopped laughing, the phrase "Long Way Around" kept nagging at me. Then I realized that the purpose of this ride was to push myself and stretch my limits. I have ridden in large cities before, but the level of driver craziness in Atlanta is off the charts. What better way to push myself to the limit, than to dive headlong into crazy town.
Now is a good time to point out that I was using my trail GPS to record my track. It had been dutifully laying breadcrumbs for about 14 hours when the batteries died. I was too busy running Atlanta's rush hour, a.k.a. "Death Race 2000", to notice. At least it shows that I started around the long way. When I stopped for gas in southwest Atlanta, at Camp Creek Exxon, I was too busy watching the people watching me to notice the GPS was dead. Didn't figure it out until later after crossing the Alabama line. All I knew is that I still had 275 miles to go. I was starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-v3f239K/0/S/stop%206b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-wTp35LZ/0/M/stop%206a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-QrPBkKN/0/M/stop%206c-M.png)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-TBfHq9F/1/M/ss1000%20%2815%29-M.jpg)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-Nd6bvdt/0/L/dead%20gps%201-L.png)
Atlanta, Georgia to Moody, Alabama
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/Yw7zrhUj1KD2 (https://goo.gl/maps/Yw7zrhUj1KD2)
Segment: 130 miles
Completed: 855 miles
Going around Atlanta, there were long periods of stop-and-go followed by spurts of interstate speeds. But overall, my average speed had dropped again. I was now averaging 48 mph for the whole trip, and there was nothing I could do to improve it. I was in too deep. It was going to take 21 hours to finish this thing. Once I realized that and accepted it, the ride became more relaxing. I was back in "the zone", or what psychologists call "flow". I was concentrated and alert, but it was enjoyable and relaxing also.
I was getting cold again, so I stopped at the Starbucks in Oxford, Alabama. Some inattentive momma managing three children almost hit me with her car... why do people think that they can share your parking space since you are on a motorcycle and not using the whole space? It's my space! Bugger off! Or at least say, "Sorry!" Anyway, Nutsy enjoyed his double-tall foo-foo latte in the controversial red cup.
After warming up, changing the batteries in my GPS, putting my liners back on, and plugging in my heated gloves, all was well, and I made it to Moody Marathon gas station with ease. I had completed 855 miles. About this time, Kevin texted me to ask how it was going and was I coming in on I-20. I smelled an ambush...
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-XXCd79Z/0/S/stop%207b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-dc3Lbzf/0/M/stop%207a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-Gg4KPRk/0/M/stop%207c-M.png)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-LNs5Fp4/0/M/ss1000%20%2812%29-M.jpg)
Moody, Alabama to Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/uoy7TPEAkR32 (https://goo.gl/maps/uoy7TPEAkR32)
Segment: 72 miles
Completed: 927 miles
Sure enough, right after passing Old Irondale Road, I was lit up with blue lights. I took the next exit ramp so we would be a little safer and not be targets on the side of the interstate. Everybody wants to pretend to be a badass, so I took a couple of pics of my bike with the blue lights. Then I noticed Kevin was taking pictures also, and I dropped to my hands and knees, just for giggles. It was all in good fun, and there was almost no traffic, so we weren't causing a disturbance. We stood around chatting for about 20 minutes, then he had to get back to work, and I still had 140 miles or so to ride. Made it to McFarland Chevron in T-town just before midnight. I had completed 927 miles, and it was time to turn around and head back home.
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-tqP6gkF/0/S/stop%208b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-WRGT5Kx/0/M/stop%208a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-6z5bpdL/0/M/stop%208c-M.png)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-zggCrcb/0/L/ss1000%20%2814%29-L.jpg)
Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Falkville, Alabama
Route: https://goo.gl/maps/4c3KiWUVtAB2 (https://goo.gl/maps/4c3KiWUVtAB2)
Segment: 114 miles
Completed: 1,041 miles
Finally made it back to Falkville at 1:54AM. Total distance 1,052 by odometer, 1,041 by Google Maps. My odometer is only off by 1.06%. Elapsed time was 21 hours and six minutes. Not bad for a first attempt! Used the same gas pump, #16, because I knew that it made good receipts and the date/time were correct. Got home about 10 minutes later, after going through some really dense fog, and had a late night snack before crashing on the sofa. Haven't slept that good in a while. Next day, I started working on the application to get my Iron Butt certificate and license plate holder. Nutsy wanted to help!
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-msGJVng/0/S/stop%209b-S.jpg) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-rT3QJwt/0/M/stop%209a-M.png) (https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-MfmwCnS/0/M/stop%209c-M.png)
(https://nicegoat.smugmug.com/SS1000/i-TH5gsbq/0/L/ss1000%20%2816%29-L.jpg)
Quote from: jrobinson on November 21, 2015, 01:28:36 PM
Was this your first choice for a route, or did you decide when you started?
What was the easiest and hardest part of the trip?
What in the hell were you thinking making a lap around crazy town?? lol
No, my first choice was to ride to Key West, but there was a lot of rain forecasted for Florida on Thursday. I also had routes plotted for Texas and New Orleans, but it was all for naught. Once I got up to Tennessee and North Carolina, there was no way that I was not going to pass through The Dragon and the Cherohala. I'm glad that I did, even if it added a couple of hours to my day.
The easiest part of the trip was planning it, packing, getting the bike ready, and getting started on the ride. Also, the curvy bits in Tennessee and North Carolina made it all worthwhile.
The hardest part is getting in "the zone", where you are focused, alert, and aware of your surroundings, but also enjoying the ride and not thinking about the distances. You have to stay focused to stay safe, and staying focused for 21 hours is hard, unless you are relaxed and on your game. It gets harder the longer you are in the saddle. It is important to take breaks frequently, but not for too long. I saved time on the data collection by using the iPhone to record the odometer and GPS locations of the stops. Made it easier to go back and fill out the paperwork later, instead of spending time on it during the ride. My breaks were focused on relaxing, not filling out paperwork.
Crazy town was chosen just to stretch myself. Atlanta drivers are some of the most aggressive in the South. I knew that it would require all of my patience and judgment to survive a lap around I-285 during evening rush hour.
That's it. I've finished all of the documentation. All that is left is to submit the application. It's not for everybody, but if you decide to go for it, feel free to ask me any questions.
All of the forms and requirements can be found on the IBA's website: http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/ (http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/)
Hope you enjoyed it!
Congratulations, Glenn! That plate frame will look good on your bike.
Great job Glenn on the trip and the write up. We'll done
Good stuff GlenN. Congrats buddy.
Your comments and summary are spot on.
I am glad I did one and got all the bragging rights stuff. (License plate frame and certificate + a sticker)
My SS1000 was a great one, with lots of stories.... a few snow flurries before daybreak as we left Knoxville, one guy filling his bike with diesel by mistake in Georgia with a full recovery by the team effort, one rider on a Yamaha R6, and 100 miles of me freezing my butt off on the Cumberland Plateau heading to Knoxville as the clock approached 1:00 am (seriously, shaking all over and yelling in my helmet).
We did: Knoxville - Charlotte - Atlanta - Bham - Tupelo - East Memphis - Nashville - Knoxville.
1024 miles in about 21.5 hours
I'd kinda like to do another.....
I think doing it solo adds a degree of difficulty...awesome job G-man!
Great job on the ride and the write up. I'm with Brian...thinking about another one.
Mine was 1069 miles in 17 hours from Tucumcari NM to Tuscaloosa.
After I got the packet from my SS1000 in April 2014, I went on to the IBA store and ordered another of the standard "worlds toughest riders" plate frames for my other bike. Imagine my surprise when this came out of the envelope! I e-mailed customer service for the IBA store, and Mike Kneebone himself answered. I told him what happened, and he got the right one sent out to me. He said not to bother returning this one, to either destroy it or hang it on the wall for inspiration. I'm honored to own one, as there are only about 300 of these out in the wild. I may attempt a 50CC or a 100CCC someday, maybe even on the Bonneville. (For those that don't know, a 50CC is coast to coast in under 50 hours. Most riders take the shortest route across I-10 from Jacksonville, FL to San Diego, about 2400 miles. A 100 CCC is, you guessed it, coast to coast to coast in under 100 hours. The IBA has certified about 300 100CCC rides. For the truely hardcore, 3 people have actually completed a 200CCCC. Jax-SD-Jax-SD, 9600 odd miles in 200 hours.)
(http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff103/maydaymike_album/IMAG0354_zpszf4rjegi.jpg)
Congrats! Great write up.
BTW, I just completed over 1000 miles myself...............in about 3 weeks ;D
Quote from: TFancher on November 21, 2015, 08:51:28 PM
Great job on the ride and the write up. I'm with Brian...thinking about another one.
I'm also planning to do some more Iron Butt rides in the future. For 2016 I'm thinking about a BBG1500 (1500mi in 24 h), and maybe an in-state SS1000 using no interstate highways.
I'll probably do another next year, maybe blast down to Key West in the spring...
Quote from: TFancher on November 21, 2015, 08:51:28 PM
Great job on the ride and the write up. I'm with Brian...thinking about another one.
Mine was 1069 miles in 17 hours from Tucumcari NM to Tuscaloosa.
... and on a brand-new Connie. You missed the break-in oil change by 469 miles!
Quote from: gharshman on November 21, 2015, 10:43:23 PM
I'll probably do another next year, maybe blast down to Key West in the spring...
uhhhh, when the time gets closer, gimme a call, because......
Quote from: gharshman on November 21, 2015, 10:43:23 PM
I'll probably do another next year, maybe blast down to Key West in the spring...
Hmmm...
Good Job and write up.
Some time I'll have to write up my attempt to become the first person to do a SS1000 on a Norton :'(
So I'm minding my own business, and see this sketchy lookin' dude ride past...
(http://www.pbase.com/kwb377/image/161905319.jpg)
I pull him over...bike looks kinda weird. Versys?! What the Hell does that even mean?! 'Zat some kinda pinko Commie fag motorcycle?
(http://www.pbase.com/kwb377/image/161905323.jpg)
I asked the little guy...kinda funny lookin', with bolts for eyebrows..."Show me where the bad man on the motorcycle touched you...". But he was too afraid to say anything...happens all the time with sexual/domestic abuse. Weirdo on the motorcycle even called him "Nutsy". I guess that answers the question of where he touches him.
You just earned yourself a free beatdown Mr. Easy Rider...
(http://www.pbase.com/kwb377/image/161905352.jpg)
congrats. been thinking of doing one of these. down to key west and back would be fun. . .
Excellent write up Glen. Completing one is very satisfying for sure. I did my first (and only so far) SS1000 a few years ago, 1071 miles/22.5 hrs on my DR650. I've been wanting to do another for some time. I have a few routes mapped out for a BB1500. I'd be up for for another SS1000 too. I'm interested in one in the Spring if you give it a go.
Great write up
I have been toying with the idea of doing an Iron Butt for years but just don't have the right setup just yet. Sadly the seat on the ST1100, which is a corbin, needs to be redone. And I have reservations on doing one on the VTX1800 due to the low mpg it gets. Sadly I think I will always just dream about doing one.
I'm thinking I'd like to try a BB1500.
Just started researching a route leaving from I-65 in Warrior.
One possible route:
I-65 south to Mobile
I-10 via I-12 west to Lafayette, LA
I-49 north through Shreveport, LA to Texarkana, AR
I-30 east to Little Rock, AR
I-40 east to Memphis, TN
I-55 south to Jackson, MS
I-20 east to Birmingham
I-65 north to Warrior
(I tried to embed a map, but lost my route)
Google maps shows 1560 miles and @ 22 hours drive time. With some strict time management and a higher avg. cruising speed, we might be able to pull off a Bun Burner Gold (1500 in 24 hours). Even if we failed that, we would still be able to pull off a standard Bun Burner (1500 in 36 hours).
My concern was hitting major metro areas at rush hour, and trying to minimize heading into the sun (especially on the last leg). Running the route clockwise, I used a 3pm departure...CCW at 2pm.
My potential BBG1500 route is Jasper-Birmingham-New Orleans-Memphis, and back the same way. I did it this way so I would only have to plan half as many fuel stops. I did a test run a few months ago, to check for any problems. I ran it one way, then took the more direct route back home from Memphis to Jasper. I completed the first 760 miles to Memphis in 11.5 hours, so It should be possible. I'd probably want to do a few shorter rides on the weekends leading up to it to train. It would also be easier with more fuel capacity. Cruising at 75-80, The Bonnie's tank is pretty much dry at 150 miles. I usually plan 120-130 miles for fuel stops. With the Russell saddle on my bike (yes they really are that good, and worth every penny!), I could easily do 250-300 miles before I'd need a stretch.
Quote from: KevinB on November 22, 2015, 11:05:40 PM
I'm thinking I'd like to try a BB1500.
Just started researching a route leaving from I-65 in Warrior.
One possible route:
I-65 south to Mobile
I-10 via I-12 west to Lafayette, LA
I-49 north through Shreveport, LA to Texarkana, AR
I-30 east to Little Rock, AR
I-40 east to Memphis, TN
I-55 south to Jackson, MS
I-20 east to Birmingham
I-65 north to Warrior
(I tried to embed a map, but lost my route)
Google maps shows 1560 miles and @ 22 hours drive time. With some strict time management and a higher avg. cruising speed, we might be able to pull off a Bun Burner Gold (1500 in 24 hours). Even if we failed that, we would still be able to pull off a standard Bun Burner (1500 in 36 hours).
My concern was hitting major metro areas at rush hour, and trying to minimize heading into the sun (especially on the last leg). Running the route clockwise, I used a 3pm departure...CCW at 2pm.
My first SS1000 was similar to your proposed route, but I lopped off the Mobile leg and ran it CCW. Jasper-Memphis-Little Rock-Texarkana-Shreveport-B'ham-Jasper.
One of the routes I have mapped for BB1500 - Leave from the Pilot on Daniel Payne Dr, up to Flint Michigan thru Indiana then return to Daniel Payne Dr via Ohio. Ignore the route end pin, Google Maps limits then number of POI's. There would be another 126 miles back to Daniel Payne Dr, total of 1539. Hotel/rest break planned at the 1091 mile point.
(https://zookster.smugmug.com/Other/My-Smug-Mug/i-6ZjbXxs/0/L/BB1500%20Flint-L.jpg)
The section through Toledo and Detroit really sucks. Just sayin.
Hats off, I do good to do a 1000 miles in a plane.
Congrats man, that is great.
Got my e-mail certification today. My IBA number is #63019. Yay!