By Bill Kenney
-Well the winter doldrums have arrived with the salty roads and cold temperatures to go with them. Facebook reminded me a few days ago of my friend Craig Cleasby’s birthday. That brought up some great memories of trips we had taken together which included Alaska, Oregon, Utah and numerous East Coast events. On the return trip from Oregon Rally 2010, Craig had to split off in SD to make it home in two days for a meeting. Although I had ridden thousand mile days before I was impressed with how non-nonchalant Craig was about putting a couple long days together. I was so impressed that the following day I left Carl a note on the table at 3:00 am in Kansas City letting him and Roy know that I miss the dogs and was on my way home! They still bust me about it today.
On that note I decided to write a quick RUMBLE article about the Iron Butt Association’s Bun Burner Gold (BBG) return trip from the Salt Lake City rally in 2017. Route 80 runs the width of the US and would be good road to attempt a BBG, BBS or just a BB although I really had my head/heart set on the BBG. The BBG is 1500 miles in less than 24 hrs, BB(silver)S is less than 30 hrs and the BB is 1500 miles in less than 36 hrs.
The ride started out by me “dumping” Joey in SLC after he signed my starting document then off to the gas station to fill up and get a time stamped receipt at 5:00am, that becomes the starting point. Everything from there on out is under IBA guidelines. Documentation includes any stops longer than 30 minutes, gas stops at least every 350 miles and receipts with the time, date, city and state. The highway was near the starting point so off I went on my 2016 R1200RT.
The start was great, I was full of confidence, sunrise with clear skies and a favorite bike with a Rocky Mayer custom saddle. Only a couple hundred miles in to the trip I could hardly stay awake! The squirrels running around my head the night before and the riding into the sun was putting me to sleep and I made a deal with myself that I would call off the trip if it got dangerous. I pulled into the rest area and lay down on the grass figuring the trip was done for only to wake up a half hour later bright eyed and bushy tailed! Back on the road to continue the adventure.
The trip was uneventful in that the route is pretty much a straight run of highway through beautiful country and very large states! Crossing state lines is the best part, it means you are gaining on your destination yet sometimes those highlights are 400-500 miles apart. The hard part for me was when it got dark. I had been hopscotching trucks all day long. I would stop for gas and water every few hours and then back on RT80 and pass all the familiar trucks again until my next gas stop. Around midnight I saw those same trucks pulled over and going to sleep, and now it was my turn to keep rolling on. Not that I am a fan of riding with trucks but they were my traveling companions all day, it was the first time I felt alone.
I didn’t bother with helmet communication at the time as the units available weren’t loud enough for my reduced hearing. But anytime I stopped there would be a voicemail from Craig Cleasby! He told me to call him during the night when I could and we would touch base for a few seconds and he would know I was alright. That’s just the type of friend Craig was and it was very comforting knowing that he was available. It might have been the deciding factor of me completing the trip or not….who knows? Chicago 2:00 am very little traffic then on to Howe, Indiana when my gps said I had gone 1533 miles around 3:30 am (20.5 hrs is 1:30am but with the two time zone difference going east it’s 3:30am in Howe, IN). I figured the 33 miles was enough of a buffer so I don’t come up short on certification. Got off the exit with a gas station and a small motel to get my last receipt and convince the girl at the desk to sign my paperwork, and explaining why, and that she might get a phone call. Called Craig to say goodnight and slept until checkout; then the next day was a leisurely 7-800 miles home.
I’ve included a photo of my GPS showing 79 mph average moving time, the average speed limit is 80 mph on RT80. Although I was probably running 85 or so it made no sense to go faster due to reduced gas mileage and it takes more energy out of you. Total moving time 19:32 hrs which means I basically just kept moving after my “nap” and only stopping to get gas, water and fill out paperwork. I did get a Paul Newman salad at one stop for food and maybe a couple of Snickers bars. Was told to stay away from carbs as they will put you to sleep. I have also included a photo of the cert from the IBA (above). They make it sound like you traveled to the moon and back, which is nice because it is a rarity to travel that many miles in one day in a limo, never mind on two wheels. I am the only Rhode Island rider listed as a BBG finisher, although my hat is off to those who do the IBA Rally and super riders like John Ryan.
