Mile Eater Silver

MarkG · 12-21-2017, 01:04 AM

I bought the 2008 Nomad December 22, 2007. It wasn't too long afterwards I joined KawaNOW and it was a fantastic resource for information. It was a wilder bunch back then and I was eventually talked into being the Safety Riding Moderator. The VBA has grown considerably from the original roots of ten years ago.

Not having ridden for several years, 30 miles before needing a break from the saddle was a little discouraging. Eventually I worked up to a few hundred miles a day. Last year I was corrupted by Gene “Wanderer” and Bud “Idaho.”

Maybe it was time for me to prove riding long distances were real. My first Iron Butt Association SaddleSore 1000 ride was in September 2016. After breaking the psychological barrier of 1,000 miles it became enjoyable. The Bun Burner GOLD, 1500 miles in 24 hrs., was a little tougher but not bad. Not paying attention I realized the Mile Eater Silver was possible in my first year of Iron Butt riding.

Gene and I have done the 50CC Quest, 50 hrs. Coast to Coast, along with a couple of other rides together. It’s been fun. Knowing I can be anyplace in the US in two days leaves more time to explore. Yet 70 miles from Ouray CO to Durango CO took eight and a half hours when I was enjoying the scenery. Nine long distance challenges have been completed so far. I’m working on the route to Jacksonville FL again in March. Maybe Why AZ to Why Not MS and Why Not NC to be different on my way to Florida. I have traveled to 37 states so far, the Northeast is on my to do list in the next couple of years.

The BMW K 1600 GTL I’m using now has been ridden over 23,000 miles since January. Whether 1,000 miles or 3,000 miles it’s just a number. “Plan your ride. Ride your plan.” Do something different outside the box rather than the same old ride.

I hope everyone has fun and enjoys their riding in the coming year.

**JD Hog** · 12-21-2017, 12:48 PM

Congrats

That is a huge accomplishment

**Top Cat** · 12-21-2017, 01:23 PM

Quite the accomplishment Mark. Congratulations.
That being said, it never crossed my mind to do the long distance rides in the shortest time.
I am a slow down and smell the roses type of guy.
I want to see the states I am traveling through and enjoy their attractions.
Again, Congrats , to each his own.

ldhthept · 12-21-2017, 10:39 PM

Impressive

Hillhouse · 12-22-2017, 07:48 PM

GREAT job Mark, LD riding can be/is very addictive, one of those things that you just can't explain. But do it and you understand.

That first Saddle Sore can be such a barrier in your head.

THANK YOU for being part for the TOUR of HONOR

Glasshousebc · 12-23-2017, 10:47 AM

Great accomplishment. Thanks for the inspiration

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Glasshousebc · 12-23-2017, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

Quite the accomplishment Mark. Congratulations.
That being said, it never crossed my mind to do the long distance rides in the shortest time.
I am a slow down and smell the roses type of guy.
I want to see the states I am traveling through and enjoy their attractions.
Again, Congrats , to each his own.

I’m with you, I like to take my time though... still, it’s an inspiration to read, eh?
Here’s to stopping and smelling the roses next season. -21 up here at the mo, so reading about riding is all I can do 🤦🏻*♂️😆

Loafer · 12-23-2017, 06:25 PM

That is fantastic Mark, Congratulations to you!!

**coacha** · 01-30-2018, 03:00 PM

Congratulations Mark. That is quite an accomplishment and you should be very proud. I need another extreme or 48 hour ride to get my bronze level. Some day when I have the time I'll try the Silver level certificate. Finding the time in a calendar year is tough.

**Rasta** · 01-31-2018, 12:03 PM

This is some doing! Congratulations Mark!! A few of these I know you did with Wanderer. Is he in this club now too then?

**schoeney** · 02-01-2018, 02:31 AM

Wow Mark. That is impressive.

I wish I had the time that you and Gene do to enjoy motorcycling to the max.

Ride on!

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

**wanderer** · 02-01-2018, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasta

This is some doing! Congratulations Mark!! A few of these I know you did with Wanderer. Is he in this club now too then?

I need one more ride for the Silver Certificate. I plan on riding a SaddleSore 1000 all within the borders of Oklahoma in the next month.

blowndodge · 02-01-2018, 10:38 AM

Something tells me you'll make it Gene!! LOL

**smokier** · 02-03-2018, 07:35 AM

Go get em! Congratulations!

Ride safe,
Smokier

Navigator · 02-27-2018, 04:53 PM

Well you certainly jumped in with both feet, uh both wheels, after not having ridden for many years with a large touring bike and long range accomplishments. Impressive.

12-21-2017, 01:04 AM	#1
MarkG Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,255	Mile Eater Silver I bought the 2008 Nomad December 22, 2007. It wasn't too long afterwards I joined KawaNOW and it was a fantastic resource for information. It was a wilder bunch back then and I was eventually talked into being the Safety Riding Moderator. The VBA has grown considerably from the original roots of ten years ago. Not having ridden for several years, 30 miles before needing a break from the saddle was a little discouraging. Eventually I worked up to a few hundred miles a day. Last year I was corrupted by Gene “Wanderer” and Bud “Idaho.” Maybe it was time for me to prove riding long distances were real. My first Iron Butt Association SaddleSore 1000 ride was in September 2016. After breaking the psychological barrier of 1,000 miles it became enjoyable. The Bun Burner GOLD, 1500 miles in 24 hrs., was a little tougher but not bad. Not paying attention I realized the Mile Eater Silver was possible in my first year of Iron Butt riding. Gene and I have done the 50CC Quest, 50 hrs. Coast to Coast, along with a couple of other rides together. It’s been fun. Knowing I can be anyplace in the US in two days leaves more time to explore. Yet 70 miles from Ouray CO to Durango CO took eight and a half hours when I was enjoying the scenery. Nine long distance challenges have been completed so far. I’m working on the route to Jacksonville FL again in March. Maybe Why AZ to Why Not MS and Why Not NC to be different on my way to Florida. I have traveled to 37 states so far, the Northeast is on my to do list in the next couple of years. The BMW K 1600 GTL I’m using now has been ridden over 23,000 miles since January. Whether 1,000 miles or 3,000 miles it’s just a number. “Plan your ride. Ride your plan.” Do something different outside the box rather than the same old ride. I hope everyone has fun and enjoys their riding in the coming year. __________________ Mark Griffin 2021 Manhattan Metallic K1600GTL 2016 Silver K1600GTL - sold 2015 Red/Blk Cross Country Tour - sold 2008 Red/Blk Nomad - sold KE7HG VBA 00176, IBA 65686, MOA 211564 Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Maggie Valley '11\|Kanab '12\|Estes Park '13\|Red Lodge '16\|Custer '18 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-21-2017, 12:48 PM	#2
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,960	Congrats That is a huge accomplishment __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
	0

12-21-2017, 01:23 PM	#3
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Quite the accomplishment Mark. Congratulations. That being said, it never crossed my mind to do the long distance rides in the shortest time. I am a slow down and smell the roses type of guy. I want to see the states I am traveling through and enjoy their attractions. Again, Congrats , to each his own. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
	0

12-22-2017, 07:48 PM	#5
Hillhouse Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Western MA Posts: 180	GREAT job Mark, LD riding can be/is very addictive, one of those things that you just can't explain. But do it and you understand. That first Saddle Sore can be such a barrier in your head. THANK YOU for being part for the TOUR of HONOR __________________ Present rides 1983 Honda Shadow VT750 - Harley Killer 2005 Yamahe V-Star - Yarley 2012 Kawasaki Voyager - Weeping Angel http://tourofhonor.com/ #97 (2019) #128 (2018) #8 (2017) #458 (2016) IBA #50918 VBA #2296 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

12-23-2017, 10:47 AM	#6
Glasshousebc Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Cranbrook Posts: 28	Great accomplishment. Thanks for the inspiration Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ Have a great one, Steve
	0

12-21-2017, 10:39 PM	#4
ldhthept Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 1,039	Impressive
	0

12-23-2017, 06:25 PM	#8
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	That is fantastic Mark, Congratulations to you!! __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
	0

01-30-2018, 03:00 PM	#9
coacha Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Haysville, KS Posts: 6,259	Congratulations Mark. That is quite an accomplishment and you should be very proud. I need another extreme or 48 hour ride to get my bronze level. Some day when I have the time I'll try the Silver level certificate. Finding the time in a calendar year is tough. __________________ Ron "Coach" Allan, Haysville, KS 1999 Nomad Wine and Red "KawaTanker" 2009 BMW R1200RT 2003 BMW K1200LT "Magic Carpet" DOA 11/7/2015 VBA #00291 IBA # 41995 DS #320 '08 Elkins, WV; '09 Helen, GA; '09 Custer, SD; '10 Stanton, VA; '11 Maggie Valley; '12 Townsend, TN; '13 Estes Park; '13 Blairsville, GA; '15 Eureka Springs; '16 Helen; '18 Custer, SD
	0

01-31-2018, 12:03 PM	#10
Rasta Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ankeny Iowa Posts: 3,697	This is some doing! Congratulations Mark!! A few of these I know you did with Wanderer. Is he in this club now too then? __________________ VROC#34321 VBA#01867 2012 NCR Rally Savanna. IL. 2013 National Rally Estes Park, CO 2014 NC/SC Rally in the Ozarks, Mountain View AR 2014 NE US/Eastern Canada Rally,Lincoln NH 2015 VBA/VRA Eureka Springs AR 2015 Antlers Rally, Antlers OK. 2016 SCR Rally Salem MO. 2016 NCR Rally Hillsboro WI 2017 Eureka Springs AR 2017 National Rally Lake George NY 2004 Blue and Silver 1500 Nomad(RIP 9-26-19) 2000 Red and Silver 1500 Nomad 2012 Pearl White 1700 Voyager
	0

02-01-2018, 02:31 AM	#11
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Wow Mark. That is impressive. I wish I had the time that you and Gene do to enjoy motorcycling to the max. Ride on! Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
	0

02-01-2018, 10:38 AM	#13
blowndodge Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington City, Utah Posts: 16,474	Something tells me you'll make it Gene!! LOL __________________ I love my Victory Cross Country Tour 106. Smells like Victory! Ultra's are Limited There are two types of Harley riders. Those that trailer them and those that push them. The most Interesting Man in the World "Find the things in life you don't do well and don't do those things" Member # 0005
	0

02-03-2018, 07:35 AM	#14
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Go get em! Congratulations! Ride safe, Smokier
	0

02-27-2018, 04:53 PM	#15
Navigator Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Banner, WA Posts: 644	Well you certainly jumped in with both feet, uh both wheels, after not having ridden for many years with a large touring bike and long range accomplishments. Impressive. __________________ Mike USN Retired 2007 Nomad
	0