Marie had been thinking about doing an Iron Butt ride for about two years. She told me that she was ready and that when we leave for Sturgis, she wanted to do the Iron Butt Association's Saddle Sore 1000.
She got her first gas receipt at about 2:00 AM and was off. The route she chose was from home in wine country to Rawlins, Wyoming via Highway 80. The variety of terrain, rain, hot and cold temperatures and fatigue was a real challenge.
The route started by heading east over the Sierra Mountains and across the Nevada Desert to Salt Lake City. Then up into the Rocky Mountains and over the Continental Divide, finishing at Rawlins, Wyoming. Total distance according to Google Maps 1024 miles.
 |
Just east of Reno, taking a short break, that Sportster
looks good in the morning light.
|
 |
| After leaving Wendover and the rain at the Nevada/Utah state line, she passed Bonneville and headed across the salt flats at about the 600 mile mark. |
 |
Tired and happy with a feeling of accomplishment, she got her final gas receipt in Rawlins Wyoming. Marie did a little over 1000 miles in 20 hours.
|
