Marion Chronicle Tribune

Eight Days, 49 states: That's quite a ride!

BY MISHELE HUNT

Whopper of a trip includes stop in town to see family.

Mark Campbell visited 49 states, including Alaska, in eight days, 14 hours and 14 minutes. That included a stop in Fairmount to visit his parents, Dan and Darlene Campbell.

Campbell participated in one of the many motorcycle rides sponsored by the Iron Butt Association. His ride ended in Hyder, Alaska, where the attended the Hyder Seek event hosted by Ron Ayres.

Ayres broke the world record in 1998 for riding to 48 states in six days, 31 minutes, Campbell said. He later set another record by riding to 49 states, he said.

"I was not attempting to set a new world record," he said. "The Iron Butt Association has a variety of different rides that it certifies as long as certain requirements are met. This ride requires that it must be completed in 10 days or less."

Campbell rode his 2005 Honda Gold Wing with his friend, Tom Fuchs, and the two only stopped if they absolutely had to.

"These rides require a lot of seat time," he said. "We basically eat on the bike and try to only stop for necessities, such as fuel and restroom breaks."

Campbell said he ate beef jerky and protein bars while he rode the motorcycle, and he drank only water.

"The protein bars were a natural source of protein and tasted great," he said. "This diet did exactly what I intended: I was never sleepy."

Campbell stopped for a visit in Fairmount. Darlene Campbell was glad to know her son was home and safe. "I'm scared to death of (mo-torcycles)," she said. "There's not much protection. I'm a mother, so of course I worry about him. "It was nice to be together," she said. "He called every day during his trip to check in and to let us know not to worry."

Campbell enjoyed meeting new and old friends during his ride and at the event.

"It was an experience of a lifetime," he said. "It would seem to me that every American would be interested in visiting every state in our nation. Maybe not in 10 days or less, though."

Although he enjoyed the ride, Campbell doesn't plan to participate again, he said. He and his wife, Karen, however, do plan on riding back to Hyder next year for the reunion, he said.

Originally published June 21, 2007

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