By Staff
LOTS OF GOOD ADVICE Billy Breland, seated, talks with members of the Twin States Harley Davidson Owner's Group. Breland left this morning on a 1,500-mile trip on his Harley Davidson. Pictured standing are, from left, Steve Reetz, J.B. Griffith and Dr. Carroll Rice. Photo y Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star.
By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
Oct. 2, 2001
A 1,500-mile trip might sound a little long to most people. Now consider doing it in 24 hours on a Harley Davidson motorcycle. That's what Billy Breland of Collinsville plans to do.
He started his journey this morning. If all goes well, he should be home by Wednesday morning.
A motorcycle association is sponsoring this certification program. Breland will receive the "Sore Saddle Award" if he drives 1,000 miles within 24 hours. If he can cover 1,500 in 36 hours, he will earn the "Bun Burner Award." If he can do the 1,500 miles in 24 hours, he will receive the "Gold Award."
He has to turn in all his gas tickets and have people sign a form along the way to prove that he actually made the trip in the allotted time.
His route begins at his home in Collinsville. He will drive to Meridian, and then to Jackson on Interstate 20. From there, he will take Interstate 55 to Hammond, La., then head east on Interstate 10 all the way to Jacksonville, Fla.
Breland will turn north at that point to Savannah, Ga., on Interstate 95. He will take Interstate 16 to Macon, and then drive into Atlanta, where he will pick up Interstate 20 and head for home.
He plans to stop every 150 miles or so for gas.
Breland is a member of the local "Hog Chapter" of the Twin States Harley Davidson Owner's Group. While some of the members may be questioning his sanity for attempting such a trip, all wished him well.
Breland grew up up in Meridian. He rode motorcycles for years but stopped for a while. He started riding again in December 1999, when he bought his Harley Davidson Softtail Heritage. He is the owner of an independent industrial maintenance and mechanical company.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551, ext. 3217, or e-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.