So I woke up in Las Vegas, NV at 400am (PST) and went to bed (in my own bed) in Lincoln, NE @ 1110pm (PST). Yup, 1,234 miles in 19 hours and 10 minutes.

I have always thought about attempting an Iron Butt run and I needed to get home; thought this was a good opportunity. Prior to this the longest ride I have completed in one day was 705 miles (Lincoln, NE to Memphis, TN).

The trip started out great. The entire ride through UT was incredible. That state has so much gorgeous terrain. I can always enjoy all areas in UT.

About the time I was nearing Silverthorne, CO I noticed the sky was ALL grey. I kept riding and about 10 minutes later it was starting to sprinkle. I pulled over and put on the rain gear. Within 5 minutes it was pouring rain as I was in the middle of traffic in the twisties as I made my way down the mountains. It just got better, the rain reduced visibility to nothing and it turned to pea-sized hail. The best part, ABS worked GREAT. A midst the hail traffic suddenly slammed to a halt. Given I wasn't anywhere I could pull off I was at the mercy of Mother Nature and the Road Angels. I avoided hitting anything as I sat in grid-lock while the hail beat the snot out of me.

Once out of the hail I managed the rain best I could only to get hung up in the rush hour traffic as I attempted to make my way through Denver, CO. Once again I found myself sitting in grid-lock; I hate rain.

About 30 miles outside of Denver, CO the sky was clear and the sun was out. This was good, however I wasn't planning to stop for several miles...so I continued on with the rain gear SWEATING A LOT!! A quick stop in Fort Morgan and I ditched the rain gear.

I made it to North Platte, NE at 750pm (PST) and decided to take a little longer break as this would be my last stop before pulling into my driveway. I felt good and knew I could make the miles without issue, at this point I had traveled approximately 1000 miles. I called the wife and let her know I would be home in a few hours. What I didn't count on is how quickly it became dark - this added a whole new level of stress. At 43 years old, well, my night vision is crap compared to what it was when I was younger.

After a few phone calls and text message I headed out. Lets just say I did as much as I could to remain VERY focused on the road in front of me. Not going to mislead anyone, I have been riding a bike since I was 4, but I was a bit nervous knowing I needed to cover a couple hundred miles in the dark; this certainly was an unfamiliar feeling - I generally am not very nervous while on my bikes.

The remaining ride was fairly uneventful until the last 65 miles; lets just say my body said it was ready to STOP riding the bike. Man, muscles in the center of my back (that support your arms up as you hold the handlebars) were throbbing SO BAD. Normally dropping an arm for a short while resolves the pain fairly quickly, but not now. There was NOTHING I could do to stop the throbbing pain. Not to mention my *** and knees were at the end of there rope. I am in fairly good shape, but too many knee surgeries (moto-x accidents) were taking their toll.

Bottom line is I made it in one piece and glad I did it. I always wanted to run an Iron Butt. I realize this may not meet the requirements needed for an official document, but I know what I accomplished. Maybe some other time I'll do another long day and make sure to get a witness for the start and end of the trip for the official stuff.

 

Welcome to the club. Now go for the 50cc.

 

Sounds like a great ride we are headed to your hometown formally my hometown tomorrow!

 

Lots of 3-400 mile trips. Did close to 800 miles once. The wind on I-80 in Wyoming beat the **** out of me. Never the f'k again Lol

 

Congrats! That's a L-O-N-G ride...

I've ridden about 600 miles in under 9 hrs (Kingman, AZ to Albuquerque, NM)
and I've been debating trying to do a formal Iron Butt next year.

Good to hear from someone who's just said "Do It!!" and did it..