I go in for the really long distance stuff. 1000 miles in 24 hours is no longer even a novelty.
Not for everybody, but what is? I really like this format, and am planning on doing some more ASAP.
Wrote a really long story about it, not really for general consumption, but here are some characteristics.
5nDime Rally is a bonus-hunting, scavenger hunt type of event. Like the Iron Butt Rally, but from a different organization. Plan out a route from the bonus locations available, get to as many as possible within the time limit, take a photo or get a receipt or a souvenir at each location, and collect points for each.
High score wins.
5nDime was ten days, with no intermediate checkpoint. A total free for all around the country. As in San Diego, Seattle, Portland (OR and ME), NYC, St. Augustine, FL, and a whole bunch of other places, finally finishing in SLC.
9490 miles and nine days into it, the Concours started running rough and I could not get it fixed in time to stay on schedule, so I ended up with the dreaded DNF. Bad gas? flushed and refilled, then added chemicals. It got better. Then it got worse again. I kept trying to understand the problem, while still staying on the bike and heading toward the Finish.
Power Commander fail? Ground trouble? Trying that next. There are some clues: Runs great with a full tank, progressively worse as the tank empties. Is this a familiar problem?
Thanks in advance if it is. The problem solving is further complicated by the fact that it runs well for an hour or two, then starts running crappy again.
saxman