Planning the route is the biggest part of most of my trips. On this one, however, the route planning is easier, because someone has already laid it out. But there is still planning involved. The expression used on how to be competitive in this is "it is not how fast you go, it is how slow you don't go" I.E. stops for gas, food, bathroom, or taking pictures of check points will cost you time. The better I plan, the less I will have to stop.
There are checkpoints every day that you are timed on. And to confirm that you have been there, you have to take a picture of the check point with a time stamp. So, you have to be familiar with the check point as you go flashing by. This means spending time on the computer looking at the Google Street view.
Though I will have a GPS, I still must be acquainted with the route in case it craps out. Also, there are some choices that can be made to fine tune the planned route. You only have make the check points and the rest of the route is alterable if needed. Close scrutiny of the route shows there are some advantages other than the planned route. But studying them to be sure they are as they appear takes time.
Fuel is the key to the fastest time. Some riders are putting auxiliary tanks on to extend their range. I am just taking an extra 2.5 gallon tank strapped on the back. It is quicker to refuel from it than at a gas station and it gives me a chance to quickly stretch my legs. This should keep me to one gas station stop per day. However, it has to be strategic to the route. The other challenge is that with over fifty riders with similar fuel range, there may be a line at the station thus costing more time. This could lead to "....how slow you go" problems. So research is required to find several stations within the same area. In the back woods of Alabama or other states this is not easy.
Fortunately I booked all my hotels early as many of them are all booked and some riders are looking for alternate hotels. Some are nice and some are going to be a mystery. The hotels are a mix of Mom and Pop's and known chain hotels.
Day 5 route across New Mexico into Arizona
Check point for day one: Jimmy Carter's childhood farm
Day 3 check point: Texas state line.
"Wow, that looks like a long trip. almost as far as Madagascar"
Lots and lots and lots of Google maps
Fuel is the key to the fastest time. Some riders are putting auxiliary tanks on to extend their range. I am just taking an extra 2.5 gallon tank strapped on the back. It is quicker to refuel from it than at a gas station and it gives me a chance to quickly stretch my legs. This should keep me to one gas station stop per day. However, it has to be strategic to the route. The other challenge is that with over fifty riders with similar fuel range, there may be a line at the station thus costing more time. This could lead to "....how slow you go" problems. So research is required to find several stations within the same area. In the back woods of Alabama or other states this is not easy.
Fortunately I booked all my hotels early as many of them are all booked and some riders are looking for alternate hotels. Some are nice and some are going to be a mystery. The hotels are a mix of Mom and Pop's and known chain hotels.
