Here's Everything I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before My First 1,000 Mile Ride.

If you’ve ever mentioned wanting to complete an Iron Butt ride, regardless of your audience, you’ve probably heard the same responses.

“That’s insane.”

“That sounds miserable.”

“Why would anyone ride that far?”

What I didn't find a lot of was practical advice from people who actually did it.

Yes, riding 1,000 miles in a day is physically demanding.

Yes, somewhere around hour twelve you will start questioning your life choices.

But with the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be nearly as miserable as people make it sound.

Before we get started, one thing I’d like to point out…

Every product mentioned in this article has earned a permanent place on my motorcycle after more than 70,000 miles of riding over the last three years. Some of the links below I earn a small commission on, but most do not. I am not a "influencer," I have a job and family like the majority of you. I am choosing to share my experiences in hopes yours go smoother than mine initially did. Each of these products genuinely made my rides easier, not because someone sent me a free product. 

Now before anyone calls me "seasoned" or a long-distance rider…

I honestly don’t consider myself one.

Sure, I recently completed the lower 48 states continuously in six days, which was pretty insane.

But the truth is, I only started riding long distances about two and a half years ago.

Before that… I was just another weekend rider.

 

My First Long Ride

My first real motorcycle trip was from South Florida to Oklahoma for the Fast Life Campout.

I didn’t know a single person going.

Looking back, that was probably the best decision I could’ve made.

It gave me the opportunity to experience long-distance riding without worrying about being completely alone.

Somewhere during that trip, I realized something much bigger than how far I could ride.

I realized…

I didn’t need anyone else to go.

That one trip completely changed the way I looked at motorcycle travel.

Since then, I’ve ridden more than 70,000 miles in three years.

All while working a full-time career, being a wife, and being a mom.

Finding that balance isn’t easy.

There’s a very fine line between being a responsible adult…

…and throwing some crap in your saddlebags and disappearing for a week.

That’s a whole different blog.

For now…

 

Let’s talk about the things I genuinely wish someone had told me before my first 1,000-mile ride.

 

1. If Your Ass Is Happy… You’re Happy.

I’m not even joking.

People ask me all the time how I rode over 1,150 miles a day for six straight days during my 48-state ride.

My answer surprises them.

It wasn’t horsepower.

It wasn’t some magical riding ability.

It was my Wild Ass seat cushion.

I paid full price for 4 months ago after Pat Cornell recommended it, and I’d pay double tomorrow.

These aren’t your typical gel seat pads.

They’re built using the same air-cell technology used to help prevent pressure sores for people confined to wheelchairs.

The result?

Instead of sitting directly on your motorcycle seat, you’re floating on a pocket of air.

If you’re planning any kind of long-distance trip…

Buy one. Seriously. It’s worth every penny.

I use the Wild Ass SMART - Classic Motorcycle Cushion

Your going to pay full price, just like I did, BUT, it will get you free shipping if you use code: Jessrips  

Link: https://www.wild-ass.com/store/?srsltid=AfmBOorbzurbXzgN6cH8YdCCNfSQCLBhQ9frV9JGsRzOP5RLp_WArAQX  

 

 

2. Stop Measuring Miles. Start Measuring Gas Stops.

This is probably the biggest mental trick I use.

I never think about mileage.

EVER.

If someone tells me I still have another 650 miles to ride…

That sounds exhausting.

But if I know I only have four gas stops left…

Suddenly the day feels manageable.

Break the ride into smaller victories.

One gas stop. One snack. One stretch. One more receipt.

Before you know it…

You’re pulling into your hotel wondering where the day went.

3. Buy a Magnetic Tank Bag.

Performance guys…I already know what you’re thinking.

“Tank bags are (gay) ugly.”

You know what’s uglier?

Digging through your saddlebag every single gas stop looking for your wallet or those almonds you saved a couple gas stops ago.

Or your receipts. Or your chapstick. Or your jerky.

Mine carries:

• Wallet

• Receipts

• Snacks

• Phone charger

• ChapStick

And yes… Sometimes a gas station glizzy.

DON'T BE JEALOUS...GET YOUR OWN.

The less time you spend digging…The faster you’re back on the road. (It's Science)

Link:  https://amzn.to/44phQTU

 

4. Buy a Cargo Net.

This might be the most underrated purchase I’ve ever made.

Weather changes constantly.

One minute you’re freezing. The next you’re sweating.

Instead of playing saddlebag Tetris every gas stop, I peel off a layer, roll it up, slide it under the cargo net, and keep riding.

Simple. Cheap.

One of the best Amazon purchases I’ve ever made.

Link: https://amzn.to/4vTrCJS

 

5. Ride YOUR Pace.

Stop worrying about Brian from Facebook.

Seriously.

Everyone wants to tell you how fast they rode their Iron Butt.

Nobody talks about how much extra fuel they burned.

How tired they were fighting the wind all day.

Or how exhausted they felt trying to keep someone else’s pace.

Find your speed. Find your rhythm.

Ride the pace that’s comfortable for YOU.

You’ll enjoy the ride a whole lot more.

You want a challenge yourself, not be miserable. Enjoy it!!

 

6. Don’t Forget About Your Back.

Everyone talks about sore butts.

Nobody talks about sore backs.

Three years ago I bought a $20 office chair lumbar cushion because the motorcycle-specific one wasn’t going to arrive before my trip.

I figured I’d throw it away afterward.

Three years later…

It’s still on the bike.

Rain. Heat. Thousands of miles.

I’ve even used it as a pillow while grabbing roadside naps.

Sometimes the cheapest modification turns out to be the best one.

Link: https://amzn.to/4vl9gAp

7. My Cardo PackTalk Pro Never Leaves My Helmet.

I originally bought my Cardo because I wanted music.

Turns out… The music became one of my least favorite features.

Long-distance riding can get lonely.

Having friends call throughout the day gave me little boosts of energy exactly when I needed them.

But my favorite feature?

Crash Detection.

If something happens while I’m riding alone, my emergency contact automatically receives my GPS location.

As someone who spends a lot of time riding solo…

That peace of mind is priceless.

Code: Jessrips

Link: https://cardosystems.com/discount/JESSRIPS

 

8. Don’t Rely on Cell Service.

The Garmin Zumo XT2 has become my primary GPS.

National Parks. Back roads. Middle of nowhere.

Cell service disappears.

The Zumo doesn’t.

It also makes finding gas stations, tracking routes, and navigating unfamiliar roads incredibly easy.

It’s one of those purchases you don’t fully appreciate…

Until you’re somewhere with zero bars.

Link: https://amzn.to/4vsdshX

 

9. Invest in a Quality Phone Mount.

I’ve gone through plenty.

Some vibrated. Some broke.

Some made me nervous every time I hit a pothole.

The Klock Werks ioMount has been flawless THROUGH EVERYTHING.

I’ve never once questioned whether my phone was staying attached.

It also makes grabbing my phone for fuel receipts or quick photos effortless.

Sometimes buying the right product the first time actually saves money. 

(NOT SPONSORED)

LINK: https://getklocked.com/products/iomounts-magnetic-phone-mounts-harley-davidson

 

10. The Biggest Secret…

People think riding 1,000 miles is about toughness.

I don’t.

I think it’s about preparation.

Comfort.

Hydration.

Planning.

Fuel stops.

Good gear.

The right mindset.

Every little annoyance chips away at your mental energy.

A sore butt.

A stiff back.

Digging through luggage.

Getting lost.

Running out of water.

Remove enough of those frustrations…

And suddenly 1,000 miles becomes a whole lot more enjoyable.

Will your first 1,000-mile day still be hard?

Probably.

Will there be moments where you question why you signed up for this?

Without a doubt.

But I promise you this…

When you pull into that final gas station…

Take your helmet off…

And look down at an odometer showing over 1,000 miles…

You’ll realize something.

You were capable of far more than you ever imagined.

And as someone who only started riding long distances a couple years ago can do it…

So can you.

I’ll be rooting for you.

 

— Jess