By Stormy
Cool Biker Lunch and Rides Facebook group page hosted a 1K in 1 Day challenge during the 2020 riding season. It was perfect timing because it gave members something to do during the crazy lockdown of COVID19. For the ones that do not ride, they might wonder “why would you torture yourself and ride 1,000 miles in one day?” They would not understand that our self-esteem soars when we have been able to accomplish something like this, and to some who treated the challenge like it was a race to see who can complete it in the best time, the higher the self-esteem will go. To me, personally, I carried an unaccomplished feeling for a year because the first time I attempted this in 2019, I was hit by a car right when my odometer read 1,001 miles, but I could not verify this accomplishment because I was unconscious in the hospital and my motorcycle was totaled. In August, my great friend Kristi and I did the 1K in 1 Day and headed to Sturgis and back. We had time to roam around Main Street and got some cool Sturgis souvenirs. We did the challenge in less than 18 hours. When we boasted about that, of course, it now became a challenge to see who can do it in less time.
First, congratulations to the ones who accomplished it in 2020:
Jason Ennis, Austin Prather, Rachel Renee, Michelle Clemente, Kelli Thomas, Frank Nusser (two times), Stephen Gonzales, James Head, Gary Braley, Kristi Strother, Audrey Paulus, Michael Koller, Ed Collins, Bruce Gorman, Dave Setter, Rick Way, and Wildman Wilson.
Below are their experiences of this challenge:
Jason Ennis
My experience with the 1K was one of enjoyment and pure torture. I have never done something like that before and was determined to be the first one to do it. As my whole life, I love to be the first to do anything. It took me almost the full 24 hours, but I accomplished it.
Austin Prather
I had been seeing the 1K 1Day Challenge on the Cool Biker page on FB. I was interested right away, but I noticed that no one was chomping at the bit which made it much more attractive to me. It really meant that it was not an easy or truly desirable mission, which made me want to do it even more. It was a fun day, and I cannot wait to do it again this year.
Kelli Thomas
It was an extraordinarily rich experience. The whole scene on the trip was all breathtaking. This group works well together which made it smoother. I am deaf, and we got through it with good communication. I would like to thank them all. It was well worth it to accomplish the 24-hour challenge. I will remember this ride for a very long time.
Frank Nusser
I did my first 1k earlier in the year with Austin and the gang. It was not your normal 1k route. Lots of mountain passes and slower roads. It took around 21 hours. I wanted to beat that time and attempted another 1k in the fall. We had a good group, good route, and great weather. We had a couple issues but still got it done around 14 hours. It was a great feeling to be able to complete this challenge twice in the same year. The only one!
Rachel Renee
Boy was this a challenge. We communicated well and made decisions together as a group. There were a lot of firsts for everyone, and this ride would not be the same without this exact group of people. I am so glad I went along. Met new friends. Seen old places with fresh new eyes. Ride free!
Michelle Clemente
I am glad to make a decision to join the 1k for one day challenger because I was not sure if I could do it as I’m a new rider. It is a BIG challenge for me with routes and mountains. So glad that we made it! Our group is so wonderful to cooperate, communicate well, and enjoy our times with no drama.
James Head
My 1k ride is not only my first try, but also the first time I have left the state by myself on a bike, and only the second time I have done any real distance. I have years of riding, but just never rode anywhere far. My route was down to Durango and then on to Albuquerque and back to Denver. This experience was exhausting, and eventually filled with the shadowy hallucinations, but when I opened Facebook and read all the encouragement from Cool Biker Lunch & Rides members, it made me jump right back on the bike after the fill up and keep on keeping!!
Rick Way
I rode more than two 1K rides in 2020. 2021 who knows? At least once a year, maybe more, is always my goal. I love it. That is why I keep doing it. For me, the destination always changes. It is all about the journey…. Ride safe, ride on.
Stephen Gonzales
Thanks everyone. All in all, it was a fantastic day! I stopped and visited with friends and family along the way to Las Vegas. Some of them I have not seen in 10 years. Part of my route took me though my hometown and places I camped and hunted when I was young. I even got to spend some time remembering good times while riding. So yes, this was a fantastic day!
Kristi Strother
I met Audrey right off I-25 and exit 136, at a Maverick gas station right off the freeway. She was all smiles. We both were. I had made some funny Bat and Shark signs to help us tease each other about our bikes. We took photos of our mileage and held silly signs. Off we went! The road in front of us, the cold morning wind whipping at our faces, music cranked high, our hair blowing, two friends embarked on our amazing, Sturgis 1k Challenge.
Michael Koller
I really only went on this ride to beat someone’s record after friendly banter on Facebook, so I hooked up with Ed Collins to accomplish this. The route was chosen specifically for that reason, straight and easy! I would have liked a more scenic route, but this one served its purpose. The trip was not difficult at all, and I would do it again, especially when our record is broken.
Ed Collins
It was the first week of October when Michael Koller and I did our 1K challenge to Kansas and back. We had a few snafus in the morning that held us back timewise, but we made up for it on the long stretches going 100 mph. Once we passed the state line back into Colorado, ears ringing from the wind noise, the sun hanging low in the sky, temperature slowly dropping, we have 990 miles under our belts. The next cut off is only a minute away. We turned off into a fuel station and the mileage read that we were 1,003 miles up and 13.5 hours. We filled them up, fought our way through rush hour traffic, found a cold drink, a good cigar, and took some time for reflection, 1,000 miles under 24 hours!
Dave Setter
Our 1k/1Day “race” started with a boasting challenge on September 28, by the leader of our riding group (Audrey Paulus with Cool Bikers) posting that the fastest time for the year to date was set by Audrey and her pal, Kristi Strother, at slightly under 18 hours. Bruce Gorman wanted to make the run anyhow with the thought that we could catch a great lunch at a famous Mexican restaurant down in Albuquerque and ride back easily under 18 hours. We picked a date a few weeks out that worked for the group, Saturday, October 10. However, a few days before our ride, two other riders (Ed Collins and Michael Koller) completed their 1k in a record setting 13.5 hours. They threw down a gauntlet that Frank Nusser dared us to beat. So much for a relaxing lunch ride down and back to Albuquerque, as the race was now on.
THE RIDERS: Frank Nusser, Craig Harlan, Bruce Gorman, and Dave Setter. As a group, we had been on several longer rides together. It helped that we knew each rider’s skills and road savvy, especially, if we were going to beat that damn 13.5 hours.
We finally made it to 1,000 miles, right at 14 hours. We celebrated as Frank passed out candy cigars, as our salute to those who had set the 13.5-hour record. Until next time, cigar dudes!
Bruce Gorman
I kissed my wife, ‘See you later’, and I stepped out into the darkness. Ready for whatever the road has waiting for me.
Steve “Wildman” Wilson
Chronicles of the Wildman and the Thousand Mile Ride
On 5 November 2020, I embarked on a 1000-mile ride on my 2003 Honda Goldwing. I pack more than I need, but I just wanted to make sure I am prepared for a variety of possibilities and eventualities. I get to bed early for an early start. I wake up at 0200 and finish my packing and checklists and get on the road. I get my start receipt at 0255 and off we go. I ride to complete this trek. I ride to get a sense of accomplishment. I ride to finish what I started. I get to the last gas station to get my final receipt. I am tired and dirty, but after 21-1/2 hours and about 1,057 miles, I am accomplished. I go around the corner home and I have a celebratory drink, shower, and go to bed.
Gary Braley
My 1K 1D ride was for me: it had been an unusually rough year, and it was about time for me to get my head on right. I went through Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. Got off the highway and took a few backwoods mountain roads where I grew up. My plan was to use all the time I had to just cruise and enjoy, enjoy my bike, enjoy the scenery, and enjoy me again. It turned out to be a fantastic day, over 23 hours of time, just me and my bike. I believe I traveled 1,141 miles taking in the beauty and smiling that I had missed all the rain…lol. I cannot wait to take the similar trip this summer, only this time, my daughter will be riding her bike with me. My bike truly is my happy place.
Todd McLaughlin and his friend Bruce Leipold attempted this challenge on October 11th. Their route was Denver to Provo to Green River and back. After they hit Laramie, they decided to opt out of the challenge for they ran into some dangerous weather, 60 mph winds and rain with snow in the forecast! They will be back in 2021 to finish this accomplishment.
Anyone else want to do this challenge this year?!! There are some rumors that the above will be back this year to beat their time. I am looking forward to hearing about their journeys.
