“Aspire to inspire. It’s never about the destination but about the journey getting there.”
In 2019, KSolo did something that most motorcyclists can’t even imagine — he rode over 100,000 miles, through all 50 states and two countries in one year! This was no easy achievement. But two bikes, 50 states and two countries later, it’s one that he is very proud of. Get Yonder Magazine sat down with KSolo to learn more about his journey, why he decided to embark upon it, and what he learned from it.
GY: So, you rode your motorcycle over 100,000 miles within a one-year period. What was your inspiration behind wanting to achieve this milestone?
KS:Reaching such a milestone was never a goal of mine. It wasn’t until l met Andy Andersen in Smithers, British Columbia, that l actually heard someone say they rode a motorcycle for 100,000 miles in one year. Up until that point, l didn’t know and hadn’t been exposed to that type of rider. Having ridden over 70,000 miles in prior years, and over 50,000 each year for the past seven years, I knew it was attainable. It wasn’t an initial goal of mine, I just wanted to ride — and I kept riding. The miles just continued to add up, as I wanted to see more things, and do more individual rides.
GY: At what point did you say to yourself, “I can hit 100,000 miles this year?”
KS: Once I hit 70,000 miles for the year, and with the amount of time I had left, I knew I could hit 100,000. So, it was then I decided to knock out another 30,000 miles.
GY: What were your total miles from Jan 1 – Dec 31?
KS: My total miles [during that time] was 101,226 documented miles with the Harley Davidson Owners Group (H.O.G.) Ride 365 program. All miles were verified during my interval services.
GY: How many miles did you average per day to achieve this?
KS: It averages out to about 277 miles a day. However, there were days that I rode over 1,000 miles a day, and some days I rode 200 – 300 miles. I can honestly say that out of 365 days, I rode about 300 days.
GY: Riding motorcycles across the country is expensive. About how much would you estimate you spent to achieve this milestone on gas, hotels, food, and maintenance.
KS: I estimated l spent between $25-30K. That’s taking into consideration lodging, food, maintenance, tires, clothing, incidentals, and of course gas. After holding a hand full of gas receipts worth over $500 you see the other side of the journey. It’s not cheap.
GY: What are some of the sites, landmarks and places you visited during those 100,000 miles?
KS: Well, the greatest part about my journey is that l got to visit all 50 states again, as well as British Columbia, Nova Scotia Province, and Mexico. Landmarks include: Prudhoe Bay, Alaska Highway 101, Blue Front Café in Mississippi, and Cherokee Warrior Memorial in Oklahoma. Arizona and Wyoming both have a special place in my heart, as well. This was my second time riding all 50 states and two countries in one calendar year. I completed the Four Corners and the Top to Bottom Run.
GY: Were these impromptu rides, or were they planned?
KS: Both. I support my motorcycle club 110% and my lifestyle allows me to travel more than others. Having multiple chapters in different states across the country allows me to ride and see my club brothers on both coasts and attend club functions. I am a Premier Member of the Iron Butt Association, The Southern California Motorcycle Association, the Arizona RAT Pack, and now a member of the Mexico Iron Butt Association, and The Asphalt RAT Riders. I also participate in different organizational rides such as RTE X USA, where l won first place by visiting 200 plus locations across America to include Hawaii and Alaska, Canada and Mexico.
GY: How much maintenance was required to achieve your goal?
KS: : Services were performed every 5,000 miles which averages to over 20 regular services from January 1 to December 31. I estimate 10-15 full set tire changes because some tires wore faster than others, and l pushed others to the limit.
GY: How did you handle weather challenges, as this required you riding through all four seasons?
KS: With long distance riding, there’s only two seasons, cold and hot. They both presented their own challenges. Cold is just that — cold. I sustained frost bites on my hands when l was in the military. They are my Achilles heel when it comes to availability to the elements. I don’t wear heat gear. I only use heated gloves. I usually just layer up. You get too comfortable when you wear heated gear. The heat will test you mentally because the heat from above and the heat reflecting off the highway will cause you to hallucinate or possibly fall asleep. Riders have perished because they underestimated the dangers of heat exhaustion on the highway.
GY: What percentage of those miles did you ride solo, with friends, or club members?
KS: Last year was probably my most solo riding to date. I would say 80% solo, the rest with club and friends. Each portion brought its own memorable moments that inspired me to keep riding, even when I was in the middle of North Dakota and on the Dalton Highway in Alaska.
GY: Spending so much time on the highway, where did you stay?
KS: I stayed at hotels; I stayed with club brothers. I camped out some in a tent. I slept on park benches and at truck stops. I still believe in the old biker concept of surviving on the road. You stay where you can. You lay your head where you can rest, not just where you’re comfortable.
GY: Would you do this again?
KS: Yes! Hands down I would.
GY: Now that you completed this amazing achievement, what’s next for you?
KS: I am currently looking into buying a pull-behind camper and doing some international riding. After my 100,000-mile year, I participated in the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge in August of 2020 and the SCMA USA Four Corners True X. I’m planning to go off the grid some this year.
GY: Would you like to thank any sponsors, friends, or organizations that might have supported you throughout your journey?
KS: First and foremost, my riding brother Shareef AsSadiq and his wife Joyce, Ivana Harmon, Kenneth Andrews, Andy Andersen, Michael Kneebone, Eric Buskell, Rod Thomas, David Moore, John Lopez, and Bobbie Lung Krull. My Solid Brothers of DAHURU MC, Team Get Yonder Magazine, The Iron Butt Association who recognized me as the 18th Member of the 100K Miles in one-year Club, Boneyard Harley Davidson of Winterville, NC, and all of dealerships across the country that kept me rolling. In addition, Dead Center Cycles, Bullitt Auto, Southern California Motorcycle Association, and all of the businesses that supported me by providing professional assistance. The names are too many to list because without a solid support team, this journey would never have been possible.
