I’ve done my first SS1000 this summer, and have been strongly thinking about a BBG attempt either this fall or next spring. I know @BuzzCap7 has done a few, and would love to hear some of your advice. I’d love to hear advice from others who have attempted or completed a BBG or any of the other extreme IBA rides.

 

EXCELLENT my friend!!! NICE job............I will be back here likely today and edit this post putting in my suggestions.

WELL DONE!!! This way as you know, u get the benefit of other IBAers. OH, when you become an IBAer (CONGRATs!!!) you get aaccess to their IBA ONLY website. There is likely a LOT of GREAT info in there. In addition to the A.O.W.

I'll get back to you regarding the AOW and more. NICE NICE NICE!!! You got me all kinds of excited. BUT if u decide not to do an extreme ride, that is 100% A-OK!!!! No worries.

Be bask A.S.A.P. my friend.

@JLSmith526

 

Just got back from my BBG attempt turned BB this afternoon.....if you live where it's really warm....night riding shouldn't affect you too much....we tapped out in the middle of the night last night due to being frozen....mentally we were fine....we had a 43° temp swing and it was just too cold to finish the remaining 300 miles....we are going to try again next early summer....plan a circular route so you don't have to get a half way witness and lose time....pack drinks and food in your hard bags if you have them to avoid going inside and waiting in line...try to plan a route without too many turns....you'll have to stop and get a receipt at every turn so longer straight aways will help excess stops....eat a Kind bar or snickers every stop and drink some if you can't drink while riding....

 

It is admirable for you to do research before taking on an IBA EXTREME ride.

IBA emphasizes safety. Know your limits. If you reach your limit, stop the ride. “Ride To Ride Another Day.” Especially when you are setting up a ride for the IBA BBG. If you “pull the plug” on the IBA BBG (1,500 miles under 24 hours) you still can accomplish the IBA BB which is 1,500 under 36 hours. <-- If need be. Pull off the road, pop into a hotel for several hours. Then get back on the road and finish the 1,500 miles under 36 hours.

There is no shame in calling off any ride. There is only shame when a rider let us there “ego” get the better of them.

Since you are an IBAer, that means you have two very important accesses that no one else has. One is the IBA website where you can talk with others who have pulled off EXTREME rides and learn from them. The other is the database of those who have done EXTREME rides and you can contact any of those guys directly.

I would make good use of those two IBA contacts that you have.

Here are additional things off the top of my head.

Read the AOW (Archive Of Wisdom) that IBA publishes. It is GREAT!!!!

The ride itself ideally should be a straight line. For example I-10. I am not suggesting I-10, but your best time will be made in a straight line.

Whatever route you choose, make sure the timing is such that you are not going to bog down by a big city (like Tallahassee in the example above) during rush hour.

You can check government websites regarding road work. A consideration but most of the time not a deal breaker. When logging 1,500 miles (half way across the USA) you are likely to hit road work someplace.

Starting a ride of this sort should be when you wake up. Not six hours later. Not 12 hours later. When you wake up. That automatically puts sleep (and you need for sleep) as far away as possible.

When you map your 1,500 miles, I would suggest putting a cushion in there. When IBA checks your paperwork and you use Google maps but IBA used MapQuest for example and if MapQuest shows your route is 1,499 miles, I will guarantee you 100%, they will not give you the award for being 1 mile short. They are very strict about this matter as well as they should be.

Hydration is one of the most important things. There are pee tubes some IBAers use. I did not.

Unless they have changed it my friend, you can have up to an 11 gallon tank. (I think 11 gallons.) Which means if you have a 5 or 6 gallon tank, you should be fine. BUT, you can add a fuel cell. More on this matter if you like.

If you have a “peanut” tank or anything let us say smaller than a 5 gallon tank, making a successful extreme ride is very unlikely.

I should have asked you what bike you have. And what size tank is on your bike.

Another key thing is to have some kind of a tart candy to suck if you get tired. Some people actually eat a sandwich while eating. And because of the wind, it is actually an art to do that. Personally I do not think it is very safe. Once, I put a Cliff Bar in my windshield bag and ate it while riding. I did not do that again because it is too distracting. You need to keep your eyes on the road, ahead of you “SEEK” style as you know.

You need to keep your moving average as high as possible. Which means you need to be moving, pretty much all the time. You may want to check out your bike for the most efficient speed. In the 90s is likely unsafe and will also have a very high burn rate. For me, the low 80s worked really well!

Plan your route with this in mind for your bike….I can ride 170 miles before I look to refuel. As I am approaching 170 miles, I start to pull up gas stations ahead of me. When you get off the highway to refuel, you want to stay on that side of the road to refuel. More specifically my friend, most exits are on the right side. You take an exit off to the right, and go to a gas station on the right. (Do not get off on the right, and then take a left back over the highway to go to a gas station unless you have no choice.) If you get off on the right, go to the right and grabbed the first gas station.

In this order, 1. Refuel the bike 2. Pee 3. Hydrate (eat as needed) and get back on the highway. What I just said, should take 20 minutes on average.

You can now test out what I said above with the 20 minute pitstop.

When you are not moving on the bike, you need to be walking. This is a very important point you will find out from IBAers.

When you refuel, either keep the bike vertical (not on the kickstand) and fill it up to the tippy top. If you leave your bike on the kickstand during fueling (like I do though it is only my personal preference) then after I fill it up to the top, I will bounce the bike a little bit to get the bubbles out and put more fuel in.

HAVE A SAFE SYSTEM FOR YOUR RECIEPTS!!!!!!! FORGETTING TO GET ONE, THE WIND BLEW IT AWAY, etc…….. is a heart breake. I put ALL my receipts in my trunk, on the bottom of the trunk which is EASY to get to. AND in a zip lock bag.

Now, you are back on the highway.

Personally (and this is not common) I love riding in the rain. I carry heavy rain gear and light rain gear. If I am in one of the south east states (certainly Florida) most rains I just ride through. You can ride wet. You can ride cold. But you cannot ride wet and cold. So if it is a rain that I can comfortably ride through, I am not stopping. Always, safety first. If you want to stop, then do not think twice about it. Safety first. Safety first. Safety first.

You will find how much you can drink without peeing. It is critically important, you stay hydrated. More than eating, it is critically important you stay hydrated. Maybe when you did your IBA SS1000, you got a sense of that.

Each time you stop, you must have a full bladder. If not, drink more.

One of my tricks is, I will eat a Cliff Bar while I refueling. Save the minutes. Again, I will emphasize you need to be riding. Constantly riding.

When it is considered “lunch time”, I will grab a sandwich at the gas station. Of course, make sure it is one of those prepackaged sandwiches with a “sell by” date a good distance away so you know it is fresh. Do not gamble on eating the wrong food. Personally, I have stomach issues so my eating a salad on the road is not going to do me justice. Do what works for you. Nutrition is important. Eating is important. But hydration is everything.

Hydration with Gatorade or such is a good choice. Interspersing that with water is a good choice.

A word about your bike, make sure it is in top running condition. That goes “without saying”. But the point here that I want to emphasize to you JLS, is that no work, no work, no work (there I said it three times) is to be done to your bike in the last 14 days before your ride.

Simply because, even the best mechanic can make an error.

A friend of mine will not ride his bike two weeks before the trip. Not me. I ride almost literally every day. And if I am going on an LDR, I am riding my bike as always. But I will not violate what I said above. No mechanic will touch my bike 14 days before ride.

Oh, regarding the paperwork, make sure you understand what is required for that particular ride. Witnesses, gas station receipts, or whatever. They may have done away with gas station receipts because you have a credit card stamp. But do not go by me, when you request the paperwork you will get updated information.

Oddly, I feel like there is something missing. If anything else pops in my mind, I will come back here and let you know.

If you do not mind, kindly update us to your travels and how things pan out.

And there is absolutely nothing wrong with pulling the plug on an extreme ride, and picking up (like in this case) the IBA BB. And give the extreme ride a shot another time.

The ride should be FUN. For me it WAS WICKED FUN. If it becomes unpleasant, don't drop your guard for safety, hydration, etc... just call off the ride or modify it to the IBA BB and not the IBA BBG as stated above. OR just call it off totally. There is NO shame in that. Heck, personally I admire those who would even attempt ANY of the IBA's. Not that admiration is needed if you know what I mean.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance to you.

I am truly excited for you!

Safety first. Hydrate. Ride to ride another day.

Luv ‘ya man!!

BC7

OH!!! I just remembered something when I say your SIG. I would strongly NOT suggest riding with anyone in the pillion seat. And group riding on an EXTREME ride is not something I would suggest. But both of course are your call.

Good luck mate!!

 

If I may toss in a few thoughts.

1stly, CONGRATs IHR for giving it a go. NICE!!

I would suggest staying away from anything candy bar-ish. The sugar gets you going but the drop off and feeling of being tired afterwards can be a tough thing to tolerate on an IBA Extreme ride. Each their own. There is no "right or wrong". I 'juss would not suggest it.

Your kind of temp you were riding in, IMO is YIKES! Toss in the wind chill factor and to me, personally, it would be too cold for an LDR. IF, it were to rain while you are cold or water leaks thru your rain gear then you (the general you) are putting the odds of failure against you. You want all of the odds on your side. Gd weather, etc...

My LDRs are typically (not in the NW USA since the WX is too unpredictable) made in June, July, August, and maybe September.

FWIW.........

 

Buzzcap, great suggestions.

I'm planning something for next year myself. Hoping for a BBG and if lucky a Canada C2C. Vancouver to Halifax all in Canada.

Did you mention to the OP about Spotwalla? The IBA recommends Spotwalla for any obscure rides.

I'm no expert but here is the Sunday night version:

Get a Spotwalla account at www.Spotwalla.com.

Have a smart phone and figure out your app you need. I use SW Connect on my iPhone I think SW (Sootwalla( has a FAQ and help section.

Set up your SW account.
Set up your app.
Get mad as it's not working as you think.
Have a walk, chill, beer.
Try again. (Ha Ha)

SW Connet allows for auto tracking, fuel stop tracking, picture tracking and more. I did the I-5 IBA in Feb (pre-covid) and logged all my fuel stops meticulously I inserted my trip distance, fuel volume, and price. It does date time and location. Really I could have added a picture of the receipt and odometer and then toss the receipt. (I'd still keep em).

Anyhow the point is for verification, Spotwalla is better than a witness.

I also use it for touring as a nice record of places gone etc.

I'd add, setting up the trip and sharing the link with loved ones - they see you moving. Lastly the exclusion zones need to be setup otherwise they can make a good estimate to find you where you live.

Anyhow -
I plan my trips using Google maps and Google sheets. I estimate fuel stops to be 10 minutes. If you really gotta pee, stop and use your fairing for "privacy..". I tell my buddy we don't eat on IBAs. You don't eat, you don't s***. I'm a Redbull guy so I go from H2O to RB and back. I carry a little fuel to ensure I have 49(?) mi range just in case.

IBAs are awesome. Most don't get why you'd bother. I'm now set pretty well with my CVO limited. Wear it out with IBA miles ha ha. Heated grips - check. Heated seat - certainly.

OH - auxiliary lighting. OP - do you have any?
I like the Clearwater Lights myself. Pricy but what not..? Light the way I say. The Darlas are the small ones, and they're AWESOME. Engine guard mount and dimmable. I'm contemplating the Ericas for a swap of the H-D led passing lights

Anyhow - lots to do. Lots to plan. Lots to discuss.

Good luck.

H -59216.

 

FLHXHS, thank you and GREAT post.

I did not say word 1 abt Spotwalla.

YES, I did carry a SPOT with me. Though I am "supposed to", ideally have it strapped to ME PERSONALLY (in case I get thrown off the big and can't move) I actually velcroed it to my pillion floorboard right side. Worked GREAT!!!

I also have an iPhone with the "Find Friends" app so my wife can see where I am at all times. More of a curiosity thing.

SPOT works off satellites. GREAT especially when you are remote. My iPhone is ATT cell towers only.

I know you can get sat phones.

GOOD point FLHXHS, GLAD u brought it up.

 

See highlighted above my friend.

That is fantastic!! Maybe you need to change your name to "TransCan1" LOL!

To you FLHXHS and whomever else, if u so wish, feel free to start a Riding Blog for yourselves here so we can follow your adventure. The planning, line of thinking..........whatever you wish.

Not that you should or will. 'juss a thought.

For the CC in CA, pay close attention to where you will be when. When you are in the plains, the riding should be simple. Meaning WATCH for fuel stops at night but not much for traffic slow downs. But, when you are in some of those eastern states sorry Provinces, the going can slow you a bit down as you likely know.

Which end is it more advisable to start in? Check with others who did the CC in CA.

And if u did not ride the Cabot Trail in NS..............my goodness!!! Let me know and I will share a few cool things with you abt it. You will not be that far from it in NS as you know. Oh yeah!

 

There's some great advice here. I did notice a few things that I think are a little misleading or I use a different approach.

1. If you use an AUX tank for fuel, the IBA limitation is for a dated business receipt every 350 miles. The 11.5 gallon restriction is for the Iron Butt Rally (and several other Rallies), but not for certificate rides.
2. You do NOT need to find a witness at a turnaround point. In March 2020, in response to the C19 outbreak, the IBA extended the option to document all Start and End documentation to Photographs with your ODO and the DBR to all members. More here: http://www.ironbutt.com/themerides/ssseries/index.html
3. While there is a Bun Burner Gold that is an extreme ride, and the Bun Burner 1500 which is also a great accomplishment, you can also achieve a Bun Burner Silver, which is 1500 miles in 30 hours. They understand that the BBG is quite a challenge, and wanted to recognize the elevated effort required to finish them.
4. Water is your friend. I personally don't drink any liquids other than water while on long/IBA rides. Gatorade has too much sugar for me. I eat a lot of trail mix and jerky, which will replenish the salts lots to sweating. I also don't have any issues with making a trek to the Restroom at every fuel stop. Like someone mentioned above, moving the legs occasionally is good for the long term ride. You just need to walk briskly. Stopped time should still be minimized. A cup holder can help you drink more while riding so you don't have to try to gulp it all down while stopped.
5. If you have LED lights, you probably have all you need in that department, but you NEED to make sure they are adjusted correctly. Don't trust that this happened at the dealership. It doesn't. If you haven't done it personally, yours are probably aimed too low to be effective. If you can get extra lighting, it can go a long way to helping you successfully complete your ride.

Lastly, make sure every choice you make has the goal of getting you home safe. Do this deliberately, and use the approach on all your rides. Once you get used to using this test, you'll find that it comes naturally, even when you are pushing the clock and your limits. Remember, the stories don't tell themselves. You have to make it back to share yours.

 

Great suggestions.

One point that comes up a lot is what time is best to start. Some say really early in the morning so you have most of the night riding done when fresh, some say close to the normal time you get up, and others say late at night (midnight + or - a few hours) to have almost all of the night riding when fresh.

What you choose depends on you. I am in agreement with Buzz that you want to get a good rest before starting which rules out the late at night start (in my opinion). For me I feel getting up several hours earlier than normal means I don't get sufficient rest so I opt for a 5am or so start (normally wake around 6-7). Again, figure out what works best for you.

On my BBG I planned an "out" if I was running behind schedule, meaning I picked a gas station that was beyond 1500 miles but before my planned end just in case I was up against the wire and did not think I could make my planned stop. It would really suck if you missed the BBG due to a traffic jam 5 miles beyond your planned stop. I also planned a ride of 1550 miles to ensure I had the cushion that Buzz mentioned.

Fuel stops. If the end of your BBG is in a fairly remote area be sure you know which gas station is open past midnight (actually this applies to any part of your ride). My BBG was a ride in to the Jacksonville IBA banquet from Philly to Mobile to Jacksonville. I had assumed that the gas stations off of I-10 were open 24 hours in the Panhandle and I came across 1 or 2 that were not.

Rest. If you start to get tired take a break. Pull over, get off the bike, and close your eyes for 10 minutes. You will be amazed at how much better you will feel. Each person is different, however you do not want to get into REM sleep as that will make you feel like crap if you don't sleep for a full cycle. The rule of thumb I use to prevent that is never rest for more than 30 minutes, and if I need that much or more find a hotel because I am done. I strongly suggest you read this article by Don Arthur on fatigue

And most importantly have fun!!!