Story & photos by GREG RICE

LIFE DOESN’ T SLOW DOWN until I hit the road. When I embark on a long-distance ride, I leave all of life’ s hectic, fast-paced issues behind and embrace the rhythm of the road. Chasing the painted line on the right side of the road for miles gives me a case of“ white line fever,” a healthy condition that keeps me sane.

My long-distance riding started back in the 1970s, when a motorcycle was my primary mode of transportation. I was in the military and did not have enough money for a car, so a motorcycle was a great way to get from here to there on the cheap. Riding around town eventually led to traveling by motorcycle, which soon led to long-distance touring.

Money was tight and I couldn’ t afford a hotel when out touring, so I learned to ride straight through to my destination. Long-distance riding suited me, and I made trips in the late’ 70s from Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago to Miami, Florida, to Bike Week in Daytona, and to the original Americade Rally in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Back then I rode a Kawasaki KZ650 with a National Cycle windshield, with my duffel bag and a sleeping bag strapped to the sissybar and a pup tent strapped to the front of the fork. It felt great to be on the road, but I preferred sleeping in a bed rather than on the ground. That’ s when I got the bug for long-distance riding, and it never went away.

In 2000, I learned about the Iron Butt Association( IBA), and in 2002 I completed my first IBA ride, a SaddleSore 2000 – at least 2,000 miles in less than 48 hours. I did it on a Kawasaki Nomad 1500 Fi cruiser, and it was a hell of a ride with all types of weather, including rain of biblical proportions. I’ ve been involved with the IBA community ever 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’ ll need and 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 more than 100 times, and many of my Bun Burner 1500 Gold rides were 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, Mexico, and down through Central America to Yaviza, Panama, where the northern section of the Pan-American Highway ends and the impenetrable jungle of the Darien Gap begins.

Although this style of riding isn’ t for everyone, it’ s been a great way for me to get out and see the world. I live in south Florida, and when I get 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.

Greg

Rice was our guest on Episode 29 of the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast. To listen, visit RiderMagazine. com / insider.

66 / MARCH 2026 / RIDERMAGAZINE. COM