Softail Iron Butt Challenge
Two of us set of to go to “Hamburg Harley Days” in yes you guessed it Hamburg Germany. A mate riding his Dyna and myself on my night train.
We left home (in England) an a Thursday mid morning rushed to get to Folkestone to catch the channel tunnel to Calais France rode to Maastricht (Holland) visited a mate had a few beers and stayed at his place, Friday morning left for Hamburg and arrived Friday afternoon spent the remainder of Friday and all of Saturday in Hamburg at a great festival, left Hamburg Sunday morning and arrived home Sunday evening at around 7pm.
The total millage for the trip (excluding millage around Hamburg) 1472 miles, the return Journey was 721 miles in one day with stops and the channel crossing it took just under 14 hours.
We left home (in England) an a Thursday mid morning rushed to get to Folkestone to catch the channel tunnel to Calais France rode to Maastricht (Holland) visited a mate had a few beers and stayed at his place, Friday morning left for Hamburg and arrived Friday afternoon spent the remainder of Friday and all of Saturday in Hamburg at a great festival, left Hamburg Sunday morning and arrived home Sunday evening at around 7pm.
The total millage for the trip (excluding millage around Hamburg) 1472 miles, the return Journey was 721 miles in one day with stops and the channel crossing it took just under 14 hours.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
My section chief (when we were both in the Army) is getting married this June, so I was considering just this sort of ride.
Tampa, Fl to Gatlinburg, TN is about 650 miles... and if I tossed in some sight seeing, tail of the dragon, etc I should be able to kick it up to about 900 or so
Tampa, Fl to Gatlinburg, TN is about 650 miles... and if I tossed in some sight seeing, tail of the dragon, etc I should be able to kick it up to about 900 or so
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 494
Likes: 0
From: Reno/Tahoe
Your time may be hard to achieve if you take the twisties through gold country. Most of the Roads around Tahoe are 35-45mph. LA to Tahoe is a minimum of seven hours, eight if you take the 5 freeway. Your looking at a 16 hour ride, I know, I've done it many times. By the way, you will see around seven California Highway Patrol Cruisers on 395, so don't speed. Five over the limit is fine, but any more will get their radars attention.
Last edited by felixsum; Apr 21, 2010 at 11:58 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: soon to be South Carolina!
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=San%20...N&hl=en&tab=wl
Heres my route. This will be after driving from Vegas to San Antonio 3 days prior to leaving for this one. Now that I know about it, I will be doing the IBA challenge. Thanks for bringing this up!
Heres my route. This will be after driving from Vegas to San Antonio 3 days prior to leaving for this one. Now that I know about it, I will be doing the IBA challenge. Thanks for bringing this up!
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 4
From: Kalifornia
felixsum or any other Northerners - what are the speeds like on CA 89 from the 395 to I-80? I'm guessing around Lake Tahoe it's going to be under 45 mph.
And how about CA 49 from I-80 down to Oakhurst? This is the section I'm most concerened about timewise. But I don't really want to jump on I-5 or 99 unless I have to. Any input would be appreciated.
So, anybody else still planning/contemplating doing this? I've got my date set - June 19th.
And how about CA 49 from I-80 down to Oakhurst? This is the section I'm most concerened about timewise. But I don't really want to jump on I-5 or 99 unless I have to. Any input would be appreciated.
So, anybody else still planning/contemplating doing this? I've got my date set - June 19th.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Eugene, OR
Micahpop,
I rode 395 from Mammoth Lakes to I80 last June, all of 395 is fast (75mph+) and beautiful. I got a chance to ride 88, 49 and 120 from I5 to Reno and Yosemite respectively, most of it was rural two lane 60-70mph. There are a lot of cool towns to check out along the way. The loop around Tahoe is painfully slow, more like 25mph. I80 is fast and has multiple lanes when needed. It really opens up as you head towards Battle Mountain. I headed north after Elko but averaged 70-80mph most of the time. I am touring around Hell's Canyon the week before your ride but won't be seeking an iron butt cert this time.
I rode 395 from Mammoth Lakes to I80 last June, all of 395 is fast (75mph+) and beautiful. I got a chance to ride 88, 49 and 120 from I5 to Reno and Yosemite respectively, most of it was rural two lane 60-70mph. There are a lot of cool towns to check out along the way. The loop around Tahoe is painfully slow, more like 25mph. I80 is fast and has multiple lanes when needed. It really opens up as you head towards Battle Mountain. I headed north after Elko but averaged 70-80mph most of the time. I am touring around Hell's Canyon the week before your ride but won't be seeking an iron butt cert this time.
Last edited by Ruralmed; Jun 3, 2010 at 12:46 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 667
Likes: 59
From: Lufkin, Tx.
Anyone in the east-Texas area willing to do meet somewhere to do this I'm willing to do it. Never done it before but sounds like it would be fun at least once, just don't care to go alone, would probably get too boring.