What's the point though? Getting two certs for one ride that's very similar to another? I understand someone wanting the basic SS1K cert while doing a BB1500 as well, different accomplishments and distances, though done during the same ride.
If you did the I-80 E2E Gold, the additional distance and effort to accomplish the 50CC Gold is non-existent. By the way, I'm not sure who started calling the ride The Hard Way, but it's actual name is just a 50CC Gold, no listing exists for a 50CC THW cert, near as I can tell from the IBA web site. San Fran to New York or any other two coastal cities as long as the mileage is 2900 or greater.
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The problem here is simple. If you ride a 50CC Gold along I-80, you have by default ridden an I-80 E2E. Yes, you could have chosen a different route for the 50CC Gold, but the point is you did not. You could have sandbagged the ride and done it in over 48 hours too. The 2 hour difference between the rides makes it confusing to some. Claiming both certs for the same ride just means you paid twice as much to document one single ride. Pick one, do that. Then if you want the other cert, do another ride and celebrate that ride with the second cert.
Remember a few things; The I-80 E2E route is 2903 miles. The 50CC Gold must be 2900 or greater miles. You're not required to get to the actual coast for a 50CC Quest or Gold ride, that's just a fun and memorable experience to include. If you rode a I-80 E2E, you could claim that exact ride as a 50CC Gold. It meets every requirement for the ride. Doing a 50CC Gold in 2 hours less than the maximum allowable time doesn't make it a different ride, IMHO.