Why ?
There is quite a long story behind this. Too bad is isn't too interesting. Here's the short version of the sequence of events that led to planning this trip.
September 2000; crashed my 10-year-old Ninja ZX-11
November 2000; purchased replacement bike, ZX-12R
Summer 2001, discovered the Iron Butt Association and discovered the joys of long distance riding. For more info on some rides and an endurance rally I did, go here.
July 2003, discovered that the ZX-12R has one major flaw for LD riding, tire wear. This made me abort a Bun Burner Gold 3000 attempt. For that story, go here. Despite arriving home reconciled with the bike, deep down I knew I was kidding myself.
2 weeks later, heard about a BMW R1150GS for sale. Into the garage it goes. Yes honey, I'll sell the Zx-12r to compensate...
With a proper LD bike there's no stopping me now... I had plans for maybe the Butt Lite in 2004 and perhaps an Iron Butt Rally after that. Until...
Flash forwards to mid-September, 6 hours before leaving for a little SaddleSore 1000 to try out the new bike. "You're out of control", says the Significant Other. "When will this end?", "Can't you see that it drives me crazy to see you riding through the night and wondering if you will be alive the next day ?"
I understood her point. While I don't ever feel like I'm taking risks, I could see how someone else could perceive this.
Negotiation results; I would give up riding through the night and doing 24-hour "IronButt" rides. What I would get in return was a 3 week bike trip in Summer 2004.