48 States in 10 Days / Geography 101
This is how this starts. I read a story about someone's ride and I think that's crazy!!!
Then I find myself saying "I wonder if I could do that", then it starts............
This is the story of my attempt to ride to all 48 states in less than 10 days.
I would be doing this ride on a 2004 Victory Vegas. The equipment on the bike would include
two GPS's ( one for back-up ) a map tank bag with 3 maps and a Schwinn water bottle.
I would also be bringing a spare drive belt, clutch cable, spark plugs and an oil filter,
two jackets, five pairs of gloves and a rain suit.
I was downloading some road trip music at ITunes for the trip when I came across this song.
I didn't download it, I didn't have to. During the trip I kept hearing it in my head over and over.
I think it helped me. I downloaded it when I got home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXYBU...eature=related
The bike-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...in53/08013.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...in53/08015.jpg
The first thing that I would need to do is plan a route that would hit all lower 48 states
and do it in as few a miles as possible. To do this I used the MapSource program that
came with my Garmin 2720 GPS. This route would start just south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin
and end in Breckenridge, Minnesota. Planning this map would take weeks.
I would not be using the route in the GPS instead I would download 26 way points to the GPS
that I would use to steer myself around the country.
The map-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...in53/48-10.jpg
The numbers on the map are Go-To points on the GPS-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10291.jpg
I am going to have this ride certified by the Iron Butt Association so I will need to follow their
rules for this ride. My first gas receipt would be my first state and my start time, my last gas
receipt would be my end time. I would need a gas receipt for all 48 states plus I would need
to save all my receipts ( food, motels) for the ride so that the IBA can see my route.
I started this ride on Thursday, August 7th at 8:15 pm. I started this ride at 8:15 pm because
my start time would be my end time 10 days later, and my goal would be to do the needed
800 + miles before 8:15 pm each day. The MapSource program showed that this ride would
be 8000 miles, so I would need to average over 800 miles each day for the next 10 days.
I started at a gas station in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. I am going to head east first so that I can
do the east coast over the weekend, hopefully there will be less traffic.
I am also going to try to stay on central time as much as I can.
I get my first gas receipt, check the numbers and head for Illinois. When I get my first receipt
in Illinois the receipt is bad, it doesn't show the city or state so I ride one block to the next gas
station and try again. This receipt is good. The ride continues. Receipts would continue to be
a problem along the east coast. I would be waiting for the receipt and it would say see attendant
or it would say printing receipt and nothing would come out. More time wasted.
Sturgis Michigan-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10001.jpg
The rain started in Ohio, it would rain on and off until Vermont.
Putting on the rain suit in Ohio-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10003.jpg
When I reached the end of Ohio I stopped at a truck stop, I was getting tired so I went inside to
get a coffee and to walk around a little. I didn't know I would be staying here for a while.
I sat on the side of a padded bench, laid back (just to rest) and fell a sleep. I sleep for about an
hour and a half, I felt good and it was time to go.
When I went back outside everything was wet, it had rained again. I least I missed the rain this
time. I was able to make it to Vermont the first day.
The weather forecast doesn't look good but I wouldn't have any more rain until Florida.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10009.jpg
Pictures in Vermont-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10005.jpg
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Day one.
Wisconsin
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Ohio
Pennsylvania
New York
End - Bennington, Vermont.
Total miles for day one - 942. A good start.
.................................................. .....
The next morning in Vermont it's 52 degrees with heavy fog. It would be a slow start.
I pick up a newspaper in Maine, I'm going to buy one in each of the four corners to
show what day I was there.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...53/48-1014.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...53/48-1017.jpg
Day two would be a long day. Traffic and a lot of toll roads-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...53/48-1012.jpg
I stopped in Maryland, I bring a lot of stuff!
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10019.jpg
Day two
Start in Bennington, Vermont.
New Hampshire
Maine
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York (again)
New Jersey
Delaware
End - Hagerstown, Maryland
Total miles for day two - 716. Way below the needed 800 miles.
.................................................. .............
After Maryland it was on to Florida.
There was a lot of traffic due to construction in Atlanta and it was hot.
Atlanta
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10029.jpg
A peach! (I think it's a peach)
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...53/48-1010.jpg
I had used the internet to find this gas stop in Florida. The gas station was just over the Florida
border but when I got there it was closed for repair.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10035.jpg
I was in Maine Saturday morning and in Florida by Sunday night. I had done the east coast in
good time but I was worn-out. I was dehydrated and I hadn't eaten much. I was tired and sore and
I really didn't think I could do another seven days. It this point I am deciding if I should continue.
Florida
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10041.jpg
Day three
Start in Hagerstown, Maryland
West Virginia
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
End in Atmore, Alabama
Made it to Florida but the gas station was closed.
Total miles for day three - 938
.................................................. ............
The morning of day four I feel better and decide to try to make it to all 48 states even if I don't
make it in 10 days. First I need a gas receipt in Florida and then on to Mississippi.
It's another 14 miles to the gas station in Florida and then another 14 miles back to where I am.
( more delays ) Before I leave Florida it starts to rain, time for the rain suit. It would rain
( pouring rain at times ) for 300 miles. The rain stops in central Mississippi and after that
everything goes well.
Good weather, no traffic, no tolls,and no more problems with gas receipts. Now the ride is fun!
Florida rain-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10049.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10050.jpg
On to Kentucky-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10051.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10058.jpg
Sunset in Kentucky-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10061.jpg
Riding into the sunset-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10066.jpg
The days receipts-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10170.jpg
Day four.
Start in Atmore, Alabama
Florida
Mississippi
Louisiana
Arkansas
Tennessee
Kentucky
End in Sikeston, Missouri
Total miles for day four - 819
.................................................. .............
Kansas-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10078.jpg
Oklahoma-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...n53/48-104.jpg
Route 66 - Midway Point-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10093.jpg
Now what's the hold-up???
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Hot Truck-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...n53/48-108.jpg
Day five
Start in Sikeston, Missouri
Kansas
Oklahoma
Texas
End in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Total miles for day five - 902
.................................................. .........
Day six - it's time for an oil change. I stop at a dealer in Flagstaff but they say that they are busy
and they could do it in a little over an hour.
I need to average 60 mph every day so every minute I stop I loose a mile. I can't wait.
I have tools with so I buy oil and ask if I can use a drain pan and I change the oil myself in their
parking lot.
Dealer-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10102.jpg
Oil change-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10101.jpg
I will get up at 4:30 am ( central ) everyday and try to be on the road by 5:30 am. At 5:30 am in
New Mexico it is 55 degrees. I can't believe how cold it has been on this trip. It is August it's
suppose to be hot!!!
I make to Needles, California that afternoon and it's 111 degrees. Careful what you wish for.
Needles-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10105.jpg
I rested in Needles for a couple of hours and then continue on to Las Vegas.
I make it to Las Vegas at 9:30 pm (central) I can't wait to get some sleep, I have been up since
4:30 am. As I am trying to fall asleep at 10:30 pm (my time, central) I realize that it's only 8:30 pm in Vegas.
I'm in Vegas, it's 8:30 pm and I'm falling asleep. That's just not right!!
Riding to Vegas-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10109.jpg
Vegas in Vegas-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10117.jpg
Sun setting in Vegas-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10115.jpg
Vegas race track-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10124.jpg
Day six
Start in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Arizona
California
End in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Total miles for day six - 839
.................................................. ....
Leaving Las Vegas. 5:30 am my time (central) 3:30 am Vegas time.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10135.jpg
And then it's on to Utah
Utah-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10139.jpg
I-15-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10149.jpg
And then Oregon and Washington.
Washington-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10175.jpg
After Washington it's back across Idaho.
Day seven
Start in Las Vegas, Nevada
Utah
End in Riggins, Idaho
Total miles for day seven - 926
.................................................. .........
The next day there would be 300 miles of twisting mountain roads to start the day.
I'm on hwy. 12 in Idaho when I see a moose crossing sign. I start laughing until I see a moose
walking along the side of the road. I don't have time to get my digital camera so I use the
disposable camera that I have in my tank bag.
Day eight was a long day. I was setting the alarm for 4:30 am central time and because of the time
zone change and my math skills I was up at 3:30 am central and on the road at 4:30 am I didn't
know that it was that early until I was leaving the parking lot and one of the parking lot lights lit
up my clock on the bike. Per the GPS I rode 975 miles that day. Long day!!!
Moose-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...n53/48-102.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...n53/48-101.jpg
99 miles. Total of 450 miles of two lane twisting mountain roads in Idaho-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10180.jpg
Ridding through Idaho-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10181.jpg
The Mountains-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10188.jpg
On to Casper, WY-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10191.jpg
GPS - Day eight-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10196.jpg
Day eight
Start in Riggins, Idaho
Oregon
Washington
Montana
End in Casper, Wyoming
Total miles for day eight - 968
.................................................. ........
When I left Casper, Wyoming it was 50 degrees and raining. It was a cold ride to Colorado.
I make it to South Dakota and stay at another inexpensive motel.
51 degrees-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10204.jpg
Colorado-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10211.jpg
Pony Express-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10209.jpg
Bikers Welcome, South Dakota-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10215.jpg
Day nine
Start in Casper, Wyoming
Colorado
Nebraska
Iowa
End in Elk Point, South Dakota
Total miles for day nine - 809
.................................................. ...........
Day ten - I only have 268 miles to go and I have until 8:15 pm to make it. I still need a gas
receipt for North Dakota and then on to Breckenridge, Minnesota.
I made it to Minnesota by 10:37 am.
I had made it in less than 10 days. I had made it in 9 days and 14.5 hours. 9.5 hours to spare.
North Dakota-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10234.jpg
Breckenridge-
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10241.jpg
The last gas receipt, the 48th state.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10255.jpg
Final 48-10 mileage - 8199.7
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10249.jpg
After I get my last receipt I need to find two witnesses. I had planned to go to a bank and have
a notary sign my form. I went to three closed banks before I remembered that I was Sunday.
I found one witness but I still needed another. I was riding to the hospital to see if they would sign
my form and I was passing a church and the congregation is just leaving. Perfect. What could be
better than a minister for a witness. I go inside and show the Pastor (David) the map, and tell him the
story of the ride. We would talk for along time and he agrees to sign my witness form.
We talk for a while after he signs and then...............he asks me if I would like to go to a picnic.
He said that they were going to the park after the service for a picnic, and asks if I would like to go.
This is great, I haven't eaten and I haven't had any real food for 10 days.
What a great way to end the day. The food was great and it gave me a chance to meet and talk
to a lot of people.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10258.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10259.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10262.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10260.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10261.jpg
Day ten
Start in Elk Point, South Dakota
North Dakota
End in Breckenridge, Minnesota
Total miles for day 10 - 268
.................................................. .....
After the picnic it was another 550 miles to get home.
I stayed in Black River Falls, Wisconsin that night.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10272.jpg
After the Falls it was only 200 miles to get home. I made back to Wisconsin on Monday, August 18th.
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w...3/48-10276.jpg
Total miles for the trip per the bike speed-o was 8681.
The first three days were hard and then the ride became fun. Every day was easier, it seemed like
I could ride farther every day.
Fun trip and I learned a lot. (I know where all the states are again) and met a lot of people.
I can't wait to go again!
Yes, you must have an Iron Butt
Wow!
And I believe you devised one of the shortest routes for touching into all the Lower 48, too.
I see you went through Riggins, ID. That drive from Boise, through Riggins, into Clarkston, WA, is one of my favorite drives. Beautiful. I did that on my own epic day when I went from Green River, UT, to Spokane, WA, just over 900 miles. But I was in a car with really comfy seats.
Congrats and thanks for sharing!
And cool on the moose sighting!
I hope you get to spend more time in the PNW then
We have many lovely drives. I'll be glad to help you find them.
Rollin, You gotta read this book "Against the Clock"
Hi Rollin,
Being with the Iron Butt Association you may already know of this book. But if not pickup "Against The Clock" by Ron Ayers. It's the story of his 49 state in 7 days motorcycle ride in 1998. Mark you may want to add it to the reading list on the site. It was a key piece of our 50 state in 8 days trip. Congratulations on a great accomplishment and terrific report.
Gary
