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Long-distance riding has taken Greg Rice and his trusty Honda Gold Wing all over the continental U . S ., Canada and Mexico , including Alaska ’ s infamous Dalton Highway , a . k . a . the Haul Road .
since , and I ’ ve been invited several times to participate in the Iron Butt Rally — an 11-day scavenger hunt that involves riding 1,000-plus miles per day .
Planning for an Iron Butt ride begins long before I hit the road . Weeks in advance I start rounding up items I need to take with me , organizing everything on the dining room table where I can see it so I don ’ t forget anything . Many hours are spent on the computer using mapping software to plan my route . After my years in the navy , I was a sheriff ’ s deputy , followed by years working as an IT project manager and software developer , and I ’ ve even owned a motorcycle accessory store . All of my occupations have required a high level of organization and attention to detail . That ’ s one of the reasons I enjoy long-distance riding so much — preparation and planning are part of the fun .
Riding 1,500 or more miles in one day is something I ’ ve done nearly 100 times , with 46 of my Bun Burner 1500 Gold rides certified by the IBA . Long-distance riding has taken me from the East Coast to the West Coast and every state in between , as well as Alaska , Canada and Mexico . Although this style of riding isn ’ t for everyone , for me it ’ s been a great way to get out and see the world . I live in south Florida , and when I need a case of white line fever , I ’ ve been known to ride all the way to California and back just to have a hot dog at Pink ’ s .