Beginning stages of a LONG road trip

[pr_capone]

For the longest time now I've been talking to the wife about taking a really long ride on the motorcycle, riding the Dragon's Tail at Deal's Gap, and perhaps even completing the Saddle Sore 1000 mile challenge where you ride 1k miles in fewer than 24 hours. Got laid off so I have some time. Got waterproof gear. Got a GoPro camera attached to my helmet. Gonna do it.

This trip begins at 10pm on July the 5th. I need to get to Illinois within 24 hours of wall time to complete the Saddle Sore challenge. From there... it is a tour around the middle and eastern US.

1st stop - Chicago (catching a Cubs v Braves game... first Braves game ever, the Sears Tower, and some local fare)
2nd stop - Cleveland (Pro Football HoF, Cuyahoga Train ride, Lake Erie, DT Cleveland, and local fare)
3rd stop - North New Jersey (Visiting family, Atlantic City, local fare)
4th stop - Virginia Beach (Visiting friend in Navy, touring an old war ship, hanging out)
5th stop - Atlanta (catching my first Braves home game!)
6th stop - Tail of the Dragon (318 turns in an 11 mile stretch of highway)
7th stop - Sikeston, MO (meeting family there... eating at the original Lambert's!)
8th stop - Wichita (staying with family)
9th stop - Denver (back home)

Total miles traveled - 4,458

As for the Saddle Sore Challenge... this is my itinerary

Denver to Chicago – Iron Butt Challenge
Stage 1: Depart Home at 10PM – Arrive in Ft. Collins at 11:20 PM
Stage 2: Depart Ft. Collins, CO at 11:30 PM – Arrive in Sterling, CO at 1:20 AM
Stage 3: Depart Sterling, CO at 1:40 AM – Arrive in North Platte, NE at 4:50
Stage 4: North Platte at 5:10 AM – Arrive in Grand Island, NE at 7:30 AM
Stage 5: Depart Grand Island, NE at 7:50 AM – Arrive in Council Bluffs, IA at 10:30 AM
Stage 6: Depart Council Bluffs, IA at 10:50 AM – Arrive in Altoona, IA at 1:10 PM
Stage 7: Depart Altoona, IA at 1:30 PM – Arrive in Davenport, IA at 4:10 PM
Stage 8: Depart Davenport, IA at 4:40 PM – Arrive in Aurora, IL at 7PM

Total miles traveled to complete challenge - 1,038

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I will have a link available the day I leave with a link to track my progress. Below is what I will be doing this all on.