Extreme FT
Miles, Miles and More Miles
Let me start by saying I’ve always considered myself a pretty good long distance rider. I’ve done a bunch or Iron Butts and put a good 15,000 on just my touring bike each year. In fact, last September I did 14 states and 4,000 miles in 5 days and frankly, when I look at real long distance riders, I’m a relative lightweight. Just when you think you’ve ridden a bunch of miles and think you have a good long resume’ of asphalt under your belt you meet a guy like Allan Karl.
Allan is a guy who on July 4, 2005, left his home in southern California and went on a two year motorcycle adventure around the world. ‘Been there done that’ you say. Seems everyone is doing round and down and up and back and over there and here adventure, but this guy takes the cake. Without any support team and riding a mid sized bike, a ‘05 BMW F650GS Dakar, Allan rode 62,329 miles through 54 countries and crossed all seven continents! Along the way his single cylinder bike consumed 1,116 gallons of fuel and he personally took over 30,000 photos. Hell, my little Cannon fills up after about 300 shots! So my 14 little American states, who cares?
It seems these motorcycle riders are attaining feats that go farther faster and cover more ground than ever before. Part of the reason is the increase in modern bikes dependability and the road surface technology that has kept our and many other countries roadways in good or at least decent repair. Try riding a thousand miles on a ’69 BSA and see how far you get before something pukes! Modern bikes like Goldwings, Road Kings, and K1200’s just up the anti on dependability and ride ability. I rode the Pan American Highway in Central America in B.B.K. (That’s “Back Before Kids”) in the 90’s and it was a pothole hell. I hear that it’s much improved now.
Check out www.ironbutt.com and you’ll see just how popular long distance riding has become. The organization has over 34,000 members and is growing by leaps and bounds. Their web site is extremely organized and lists all the types of challenging levels riders can participate in. Examples are the SaddleSore 1000 (1000 miles in 24 hours), BunBurner 1500 (1500 miles in 24 or 36 hours), and the 50cc Quest (coast-to-coast in 50 hours). There is no trophy or awards banquet or big paycheck for setting a record or attaining a goal. It’s just the satisfaction of completing one of the events within the time restraints.
What’s the point (?) a non rider may ask. Kind of like the age old question of, “why did the man climb the mountain”? The answer is obvious. Most internet searches revolving around queries like “long distance moto...” or “longest moto trip” seemingly ends up with a long ride which in the end seeks profit. Seems everyone who does one of these crazy long trips has a book for sale or a fundraiser revolving around their particular trip.
The record that I am most familiar with is an Argentinean guy named Emilio Scotto of Buenos Aires. He’s ridden over 456,729 miles across 214 countries from January 17th 1985 to April 2nd 1995. He set off on his Honda Gold Wing, with $300 and no previous riding experience. Along the way, Scotto learned five languages, became a Muslim, and married his girl friend in India. According to the Guinness Book of World Records this is a record for motorcycle travel without time restraints. I wonder if I could set a world record? Perhaps, the most flat tires on a motorcycle in one month? Maybe the dumbest motorcycle part purchases on e-bay after six beers past midnight? Perhaps even my record setting motorcycle trip of nine days with one pair of socks. Note to self, switching socks left to right makes them no less stinky each day!! (Editor’s note to Steve- How many Walmarts did you pass?)
Well, I am quite content to do a couple of boring old iron butts a year on American tarmac; a thousand miles here, a thousand miles there and a few beers at journey’s end. No world records. No book deals or endorsements with fancy web sites. Just a sore ass and a pile of stinky socks.
Well, signing off for now. Remember, ride hard, ride safe, and when life lets you, ride full throttle.