Well, perhaps I can answer that question: the goal of the trip is to end up in Tacoma, WA, rather than a CC 50 in and of itself. I am simply taking the opportunity (and it truly is an opportunity on several different levels) to squeeze in a bike ride and further, to squeeze in a CC 50. I like long distance riding anyway and this particular ride is nothing short of spectacular IMO.
The US is a fantastic piece of real estate, and I have had, as most of us on this forum have had, the good fortune to live here (born and bred American). It is a large country with several major terrain, climate and area types between the coasts; all of them striking in their own ways. To help this ride along, some really great people have literally paved the way west with a terrific highway system that IMO outdoes the legendary Autobahn (been there, done that). Couple all of that with a great infrastructure that provides ample fuel, food and about anything else one could need all along the way and it adds up to a potentially great trip. Doing it in two days is an experience in itself, and the whole things kind of runs together in my memory (OK, a bit of a blur) and that somehow makes the trip even better. It reminds me of that Russian comic who had the tag- line 'what a country'. Imagine, riding on the back of a great motorcycle, wearing excellent gear (both providing great comfort), on some of the world's finest roadway systems, through four time zones and having two sunrises and two sunsets over your shoulder- what could be better? I guess I could answer your question with another question: who would
not take such an opportunity? Like it says in the song.... 'from sea to shining sea'.
The certification is just icing on the cake. It is just a marker for a certain level of performance, nothing spectacular or even great. But it is nice to have the certificate to go along with the vials of water.
I am doing the ride east- to- west because I will be the most rested and in the best shape leaving when leaving home on this trip. I will not be as well rested when leaving the west coast. Also, the ride west starts from a congested, harder riding area thick with 'forest rats' (whitetail deer) and travels into very open country with far less critters to get in the way. And of course should I blow the ride west, trying a CC 50 on the way out gives me one more chance to try the same thing heading east although I do not know if I would even attempt it for the reasons listed above.
Addressing the endurance part: that is a very individual thing and is more or less difficult based on the person. I can stay fairly alert and able for long periods of time although I would certainly not say I was 100% at the end of that last ride. Still, I believe I am able to perform sufficiently to keep a reasonably safe operating level.
Finally, the really hard part of the question: why? Again, it is a marker or a challenge to complete, sort of like running in a marathon or a triathlon. I read one time 'The question is not 'How far will you go' but rather 'Will you go as far as it takes' ' that strikes a chord with me and I find to ring true; you are not finished until you reach the end, whatever the end means in context (mountain climbing, running or bicycling long distances, even the early boxing matches where there were no round limits and you had to 'toe the line'). A CC 50 is also attractive because it is ultra simple; the rules can be written in a sentence or two without a lot of limits as there often are in other forms of competition or endurance tests.
I certainly am not really going to try to avoid the 'fall over' on the Pacific beach either as that was without a doubt the funniest part of the entire trip- even at the moment it happened. So here is hoping that 1) I can drop the bike on the same side again and 2) I can find three or so more of that same caliber of human who lifted the bike back up the first time and 3) that I have the presence of mind to at least get those people's first names.
This is a photo of me taken just outside the convenience store where I bought a bottle of water to mark the end of the timed portion of my trip; the strain is obvious but I am still standing on my hind legs and still able to pretend I can read. :-)
Brian
OK, I'll ask the question, WHY? You've already done it once, so why do it again, instead of something similar or different this time? Or are you trying to prove to yourself you can do it without falling over at the end? An even better trial would be to do it in the opposite direction, West to East.
Given how much great stuff there is to see by motorcycle while crossing this country, and especially around the PNW, I would think there is merit in "smelling the flowers" along the way, as the saying goes. Or at least saving enough of yourself to ride around the NW on the bike when you get here (or is that part of the plan?). Once you make it to the Rockies, there are some pretty amazing roads that are not Interstate Highways.
Either way, I wish you well, and a safe journey if you do it. Maybe this time more of us can meet up with you, if you do come out this way.