Chris' Ultimate Coast to Coast Ride - Chapter 1

Chris' Ultimate Coast to Coast Ride

Chapter 1

Beginnings

In the fall of 2003, I began planning a motorcycle ride for the next summer. I had just finished competing in the Butt Lite III, and had done reasonably well in the seven day event. My first choice was to compete in the 2003 Iron Butt Rally. After several years of endurance riding experience, and competing in smaller rallies, I felt that I was ready to attempt a ride in the IBR. I had only one obstacle to that goal. I had no guaranteed spot in the rally and would only get to enter the rally via the general drawing. The odds of earning a spot in the rally through the drawing were not good. Still, I waited for the entry process to open up and began thinking of alternate endurance rides as back-ups to riding in the Iron Butt Rally.

In late 2003, entries for the Iron Butt Rally opened up. I filled out my application, said some magical incantations, and sent the entry off with low expectations. But one never knows. Unfortunately, several weeks later, I received the expected news that I had not made it into the rally. I was somewhat heartened when Mike Kneebone, the head of the Iron Butt Association, sent me a note that had drawn a reasonably low number on the waiting list and there was still a chance to make it into the rally. Though I was quietly hopeful for a slot, I did not think there would be much movement on the waiting list. Entries had been drawn much later than usual, meaning there would be fewer riders dropping out of the rally because of unforeseen circumstances. I began working on a back-up ride plan.

Near the end of January, 2003, I had pretty much given up on getting into the Iron Butt Rally, and had decided to take a stab at the Ultimate Coast to Coast Ride. This is an IBA extreme endurance ride, and is described by the Iron Butt Association as a ride to “cross North America from Key West, Florida to Deadhorse, Alaska (also known as Prudhoe Bay, Alaska) in 30 days or less. The ride can be completed in either direction; Alaska to Florida OR Florida to Alaska. Additionally, this ride will take you to the far-north. You can expect snowy conditions EVERY MONTH of the year. The only practical time to plan this ride is in July and August. Even then, you may face snow storms, road construction and endless miles of impassable road. Additionally, in Canada and Alaska you are dealing with more wildlife than in the rest of North America. You should be prepared for encounters with bears, moose and other large animals that will cross your path.” Sounded like fun!

The main obstacle (of many) would be to safely travel the 414 miles (each way) of the Dalton Highway, also know as the Haul Road, that stretches from just north of Fairbanks, crosses the Arctic Circle and ends at Prudhoe Bay on the Arctic Ocean on the north coast of Alaska. This road is “Highway” in name only and can be challenging to even the best riders in good conditions. In bad weather, it is often impassable. In all weather, the road beats the hell out of rider and bike. It is a very remote area indeed.

I was also planning on completing the ride in considerably less than 30 days allowed. Shane Smith had set the record for the ride during the 2001 Iron Butt Rally, making the trip in 5 days, 6 hours, 31 minutes. Paul Taylor owned the record for seconded best time, also during the 2001 IBR, 5 days, 11 hours, 18 minutes. I had no illusions about completing the ride anywhere near times like these. I picked a goal of 6 days to do the ride. That sounded like a respectable, round number.

So I set off planning the ride. The first thing I was going to need was a motorcycle.