IRONBUTT Have you ever thought about doing an Ironbutt Ride

[shoresr]

Ironbutt.jpg (16.46 KiB) Viewed 9624 times

I am sure you have seen bikes with this license plate bracket. You can have one, too!!

(I added to this posting, Step 6 on June 4, Monday 2012--- if you read this before then that info was not here)

As most of you know I have done several Iron Butt rides. I get a lot of questions about these rides. So on June 6, 2012 I am setting up an Iron Butt ride that you are welcome to take part in. I am planning the IronButt Saddle Sore 1000. This is riding 1000 miles in 24 hours.

I will be riding I-70 from Kansas City to Limon, CO and back, 1038 miles. I have selected this route and I am posting this on under the Rides tab, because it is possible for anyone to do the ride who can get to I-70. You can start anywhere you want at any time you want. You can start in Manhattan, Salina, Junction City, anywhere there is a filling station close by. For example you can start in Manhattan, ride to Limon, then to Kansas City and back to Manhattan. I suggest starting early and ride away from the sun as much as possible. The more guys or gals we have on the road the more help will be available in case help is needed.

Right now I have four guys riding. I will be posting tips and suggestions for planning a successful Ironbutt ride. If you want to be included on my email list send me your email address at twowheels2eat@gmail.com This is to be safe and fun. We won't ride if the weather conditions aren't good. Think about it. You will never have a better opportunity. There is no reservations required, you can decide not to ride the day of and you can quit at anytime.

To find out more about the Iron Butt Association
http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/getdo ... fm?DocID=1

Currently, I am not planning on turning in my ride. I have done it 3 times. I am just doing this to help, assist, coach and answer question. I feel my Iron Butt experiences have taught me a lot about riding and a lot about myself. It is something you will never forget and always be proud of.

I hope you will join us,

Roger
Saddle Sore 1000 ....1000 miles in 24 hours 3 times
Bun Burner 1500 .....1500 miles in 36 hours
Bun Burner Gold......1500 miles in 24 hours
Saddle Sore 2000.....2000 miles in 2 days
Saddle Sore Gold.....2000 miles in 36 hours
50 CC....................Coast to Coast in less than 50 hours.


Step 2:

I have had a couple guys say they were interested in doing an IRONBUTT ride but they were not too sure. So I have offered my help and assistance. Knowing, what I do about you, I thought this might be something that might be of interest to you. Anyway, I thought I would check with you and see if you're interested. The guy that has gotten me into this still works. I gave him some dates that work for me. Right now he is planning on June 6, but I am waiting for a firm confirmation, before I go too far. We will cancel if it is not a good day for riding, rain, wind heat. There is no use in making it unpleasant. That is one good thing about an Ironbutt ride, it is you and you alone. You don't have to tell anyone when you are going to do it or that you have decided not to do it. It is all about gas receipts, and make sure they have the correct date, tirme, gallons, and location. Below is a link to their website where you can download the appropriate forms.

My tentative plan is to ride out I-70 to Limon, CO turn around and come back.
We would leave from the QuikTrip at 107th and Roe.
It is 1038 miles roundtrip
I usually average 68 mph
That is 15:15 riding time without gas stops
I figure gas at around 200 miles. Some less some more that is 5 gas stops. I figure gas stops at 15 minutes. Put in 6 gas stops 1:30 for gas stops.
Total time 16 hrs and 45 minutes.

I like to maximize daylight so a 5 or 6 am start is good. That may seem early, but trust me you will be awake early and excited.

That should have us home not later than 10:00 pm

You seem to know your body and what foods it needs to keep going long hours, most people don't. I pack everything with me so I don't have to stand in line to check out. That takes to long. A little cooler or cooler bag is nice. Hard sided makes things easier to get.
My experience tells me I need 3-4 substantial meals, that I eat while riding or gobble during the gas stop. When I start at 5 or 6, even after eating a breakfast before I start, I will be starved around 9:00 am. Probably the hungriest of the day. I will probably take a subway footlong for two meals and the third? (by the end of the day I am sick of subways and they aren't looking very good.

Plenty of energy and breakfast bars. Watch out for things that melt. Some of the bars are soft and chewy and they are really messy and hard to unwrap while riding.

3-5 in the afternoon is a down time for me. Gatorade is my salvation!! Usually I mix it half and half with water unless I am really hurting, then it is a full bottle, full strength and probably a chocolate candy bar. This is usually a longer break.

I, too like to have candy to suck on---lemon drops life savers etc.

This is the SADDLE SORE 1000. You have 24 hours to ride 1000 miles. Most ride it straight and complete it in 18 to 19 hours with gas stops. Here is a link to the guides lines and how to get your certificate.
http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/getdo ... fm?DocID=1

If you are interested and we'll set a date, I will post this on the Romeo website and open it to anyone else that might be interested. This is a neat riding accomplishment that those who have done it are really proud of. You can bet that everyone who has done one puts that license plate on their bike and after the first they usually do more rides. It is really not as hard as it sounds. Guys just need a little nudge to get them started.

Oh yes, this is just my way of doing it. You have 24 hours to do it in, so if you can stay up 19-20 hours just riding along at 55 mph, but I won't be with you. I am old and like to be in bed by TEN

http://www.ironbutt.com/rides/ssbbfin1. ... N=97094862

STEP 3: 5/26/12 WE ARE 10 DAYS BEFORE THE RIDE (5 guys have indicated to me that they want to try this)

By now I hope you have snooped around on the Ironbutt site. You need to download the forms. Witnesses can be at anytime, they don't need to be present at the beginning or end of the ride. Since I am not a participant I can witness or your wife or any friend. I think they are just trying to keep the "dogs and monkeys" from getting certified. This is legitimate and they have integrity.

Preparation, don't change or do anything different the day before this ride without checking it out or testing it in advance. On your bike or you. For example, don't go out and decide to buy a new seat or new helmet the day before the ride. Sure it is ok to buy a new seat or helmet to do this ride, but do it now and break it in or try it out BEFORE you do the Ironbutt. The same goes for your bike. Don't have work done on your bike or do work on your bike and then saddle up and try riding 1000 miles. You wouldn't go buy a new pair of hiking boots and start up Pike's Peak the next day. We all get excited and get great ideas the closer the day comes. Do it sooner than later!!

Spend so time thinking about how you think the ride will be the best for you. I had a good visit with Harold (Jr) yesterday. He lives in Hoyt, KS. That looks to be 30-40 miles of Topeka. He wants to try this on a Vulcan 750. He's a better man than I am!! But we were discussing his "plan of attack". He has already figured out gas is going to be a problem. He can only go about 140 miles. He says he is pretty familiar with the stations along I-70 and he is going to carry an extra gallon of gas. I will also have some gas with me. Harold says he knows he can't do this in 15-16 hours, and he has not problem with riding the extra hours or maybe taking a nap. Harold is thinking about starting a hour before daylight and may ride down to the east turnpike entrance to start his ride. I just did a google map from Hoyt, KS to Strasburg, CO. It's 505 miles. Harold, I think that would work for you. A word about miles. You have to prove your miles. Make sure you have gone 1000 miles!! Most bike odometer are not accurate. The best is a GPS, but if you don't have one check your route with at least 2 mapping programs and you might ask someone else to verify your calculations. If in doubt go the extra mile. I can't imagine doing all the riding and then having them say, "oh by the way you are two miles short." You are responsible for documenting your route. You do this with a map and gas receipts. I have found they are good people and if you are not trying to cheat you will have not problem getting certified. Harold said, "make sure you waive when you go by!!" We need some way to identify ourselves to fellow IRONBUTT riders. Any ideas?? How much are those orange safety vests?

Monday May 28, 2012 (9 days before the ride)
STEP 4: YOUR BODY ON A LONG DISTANCE RIDE

A side note: I hope you will read the note that Steve sent in. It should be below this somewhere. He is the guy that read my first announcement, got excited, got on his bike and did the ride. You can do that, too and at anytime you feel like. I am not writing all this stuff to scare you or try to make you think I am some "hardcore" rider. I am only trying to give you some ideas that might make the ride more fun and more enjoyable. You don't have to suffer to do this ride.
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FOOD: Above is a picture of most of the stuff I packed and took with me on my Coast to Coast ride. I think you can recognize most of the things in the picture. Try to plan so you don't have to buy anything during the ride. Looking for what you want or deciding what you want and waiting in line to pay takes way too much time. On an IronButt Gold ride I had to eat everything on the bike at 75mph. Not a good idea and is not recommended. On this ride you don't have to do that. Just depends on what time you want to get home. My stops get a lot longer in the afternoon, so you might want to make the morning stops faster. One thing that is reoccurring in most things I read about IronButt rides is NO Caffeine!! Every morning I have 3 to 4 cups of coffee. I do the same on an IronButt ride day. I think I would feel worse if I didn't have my coffee. I try to change my daily routine as little as possible. Last week a rider said he thought getting a 5 Hour Energy drink might be a good idea. I asked him if he had ever tried one of those. He said he had not. I suggested that maybe on a IronButt Ride was not the place to try one. You know your body, listen to it. Make as many decisions and try them out before the ride. After 12 hours in the saddle you don't think as clearly and you don't make as good of decisions.


Probably the most important thing is hydration. Drink plenty of water. With the wind and sun you lose a lot more moisture than you realize. In the late morning and late afternoon I start mixing Gatorade with my water, half and half, unless I am really feeling hot and tired, then I start drinking the Gatorade straight. It helps with your electrolytes. Missing from the picture are my Subway Sandwiches. I usually by a foot long and eat one half for lunch and the other for supper. Make sure you get something that will keep. I usually leave lettuce off. It gets soggy and almost inedible. Putting your food in a hard sided (easy to find things and they don't get mashed) six pack cooler is good.

CLOTHING: Hopefully, temperature won't be a major concern on this ride. It should be a little chilly when you start out in the morning, but it will warm up pretty fast. Layers are always a good idea. When the sun goes down, because you have been hot all day you will get cold, even if it is 78 degrees. Again, layers, put them on take them off. Make yourself comfortable. Although it is up to the individual I suggest keeping as much skin covered as possible and use sun screen. Take it with you and apply during the day. Cooling items, vest, clothes, neck things and all nice. Steve said he used a "camel" and drank 5 liters of water! Do whatever you can to make yourself comfortable. Raingear: That is up to you. No one says you have to ride in the rain if you don't want to. Don't ride, suit up or quit. Ride your own ride.

STEP 5: Some final thoughts...BEFORE THE RIDE!

I really benefited from Steve's comments. He made the following comments that I thought were helpful:
1. Get everything ready the night before
2. Leave early and try to avoid "rush hour"
3. Don't ride fast! You lose all the time you gain, to reduced miles per gallon, resulting in more fuel stops.
4. Don't make phone calls.
5. Bring all food. It takes too much time to buy food along the way.
6. See if you can make a 15 minute stop. Gas and bathroom only. Don't take time to eat. Load your pockets with what you want to eat or drink before the next fuel stop. (It is not safe to eat or drink while riding.)
7. Steve says he could have cut of 90 minutes and 35 miles. That is up to you. It is easy to say after you have completed the ride. Steve completed the ride safely and in less than 24 hrs. Congratulations, Steve.

STEP 6 (added to this post on June 4, Monday, 2012)

The day is almost here. I don't have a lot to add to what I have already sent you. The weather looks warm but OK. It looks like high of 88 and breezy. I came from Hot Springs today and it got to 95. It was warm but the humidity was low so it didn't feel hot. None of us drink enough water, so think water and lots of it.

If you are planning on starting with me at the QuikTrip at 10700 Roe at 6:00 am June 6, I would appreciate it if you would let me know, so I can be looking for you. I will probably get there about 5:30 am. I am suggesting taking the turnpike to Topeka. If you are going that way the toll is $2.50. I suggest you have that ready and in your pocket. If you are coming back that way you will need another $2.50 for the return trip. You certainly don't have to take the turnpike. I just chose that for speed and time.

I assume you have downloaded your IBA forms and have witnesses lined up or you're going to have me sign them. You do not have to find someone at 6 in the morning or 10 at night to sign the forms, but you do have to have a receipt that will start you ride and a receipt that will end your ride. If you take a route other than what I suggest make sure you ride enough miles!!

Make sure your receipts have date, time, and location as well as gallons. Since we are going and coming on the same route we have to make it clear to IBA the order in which our receipt fall. If you add gas from a container not purchased at a gas station make sure you note it so your MPG doesn't go askew.

Right now I have eight guys on my list. Barton B, Bill, B, Howard V., Harold T (Jr) & Roger (maybe), Rex C. Steve B and Terry G. That is quite amazing. Guys are starting at various times and places. I think it would be good if we shared cell phone numbers. If you have a cell phone send it to me and I will send it out to everyone. My number is 816-804-7828. The more guys we have on the road the better the odds of having someone around if someone needs assistance.

Remember safety first, ride your own ride. There is absolutely nothing wrong in quitting. You are just smarter than the rest of us. This is a personal challenge and it can be done any time you feel like it.

This may be my last message. If it is, I wish you all good luck and a safe trip. Keep the rubber side down and I hope to see you along the road.

Roger S.

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Bill B. sent my email about the upcoming IronButt ride to a friend. He couldn't wait and took off and did it. I think you will find his comments interesting...

to Bill, me
Hi Roger,

Looking forward to meeting you... Thanks for the instructions, I could not have made the ride without your plan...

To summarize:

1) Start about 8am. However, wasted nearly an hour on misc BS.

2) Hit traffic on 435. wasted another 10 minutes.

>>> KEY - Listen to Roger leave by 6 am. Get everything ready and packed the night before. >>>>

3) 1st gas stop west side of salina about 200 miles, light came on.

4) Throttle slipped away and was hitting 80-85 in 20-35 MPH wind gusts. 35 MPG. Learned to keep under 80 mph. 2nd stop in Oakley KS about 180 miles. At 180 miles I was ready to get off bike.

>>>> KEY - Keep speed down. It kills mileage.

5) Construction west of salina. down to 2 lanes. Speed limit is down to 60 mph for about 30-50 miles. Both directions. Adds about 30 minutes to trip.

6) Needed to make business phone calls. Wasted about 30 minutes.

>>>>> KEY POINT - No business on trip.

7) Next Stop Limon CO - Gas and city hall photo - Get papers signed. Spent $4.11 per gallon for gas. Expensive.

8) Gas stop - Oakley KS - About 180 Miles

9) Gas Stop - Salina - About 180 Miles

10) last stop OP quik Trip.

Food - Protein bars, shakes, trail mix, about 5 liters of water.

>>>>>>> KEY - Bring all food. "Waiting in line is a waste of time." Roger. I was stuck behind a guy that had to wait for him to look up his account number at the truck stop... 1st stop 35 minutes! >>>>>

>>>KEY - Stops need to be fast. 15 minutes is nearly impossible. need to practice to get it done. Clean windshield, gas, pee, eat two bars, back on bike.

Total Time 17 hrs 42. Could knock off 90 minutes or more if I listened to Roger. 1089 Miles - Could knock off 25 miles.

Note it gets real cold after about 10 pm. needed another stop at toll booth to put on cold weather gear. Best to be home by then.

Note - If you hold the gas receipt just over the speedometer you can get a readable picture of the receipt, the bike clock and the odometer in one photo.

Thanks Roger, I could not have done it without your instructions. I told Bill, I am glad I did it but would not do it again...

I just discovered it is exactly 758 miles from Overland Park to the Canadian Border? Directly north on I29. 1500 miles in 36 hours.... What do you think? You wanna go? Definitely that would be my last IBA ride....

Best regards,

Steve

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by Klem » Sat May 26, 2012 2:01 pm

Roger as you said many have done this including myself. The ride we did was from Emporia to Waco and back 1068 miles in 18 hrs. With the ride to Emporia and then back to Topeka, over an hour in Waco buying souvenirs and eating, a short BS session before leaving Emporia and a long one on arrival, I had 1170 miles in 21 hrs on an old Harley. I had a good time going on the ride and had made plans for some of the other longer Iron Butts when life got in the way. By the time I got things back under control the interest was no longer there.

A couple of observations if I may. First is you must approach this with purpose, it is not hard to do, but you need the mind set that you have a goal. You must seriously hydrate while you are riding. If you do not have a Camel Back or similar way to drink while riding make sure you have at least one full bottle of water each stop. Freezing part of your water to use as ice for the other food/water saves room if that is a problem. Select a riding partner with a similar fuel range. It is easy for a guy with a longer range to crowd his buddy into an empty tank. Probably the most important is do not press on if fatigued. You have about six hours to play with. If you need to stop and rest, you even have time to get a motel, sleep a few hours and finish up.

Don
Motorcycles are like Potato chips One is never enough
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by swanee » Sat May 26, 2012 3:36 pm

Hey Roger,
For those interested, you can now count multiple IBA-certified rides toward Mile Eater Bronze, Silver or Gold. So you still might want to keep receipts, log, witness form etc on that upcoming ride as if you were going to turn it in --just in case you want to use it later toward one of those.

You don't need to pay for an extra SS1K right away if you already have several, but if you keep all the documentation you can turn it later if needed to round out a Mile Eater cert. I think that's how it works anyway.

For details on the new "advanced" Mile Eater levels go to http://www.ironbutt.com/mileeater/

Swanee
IBA #9464
swanee

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[hoser]

A little to organized for me, I guess. Left Rapid city at 6 am a couple years ago and got home to Topeka at 11pm. 894 miles. I assume I could have got another 106 miles by morning easily enough, but why? I did that stuff a lot when I was younger, ride to denver to see a girlfriend, come home the same day, that kinda stuff. Just made me tired. I guess I'm not interested. Hoser

[shoresr]

If you haven't already had enough of my Iron Butt stuff, I posted some pictures and comments on the KC Discussion site.

http://www.romeoriders.com/forums/viewt ... =20&t=1879

It was a good day for a ride!!

[Ken Krumm]

This seems like too much of a ticket punch event to me. The last IronButt event that I participated in was the Colorado Classic 1000. It was 1000 miles through the mountains that included snow, rain, 90 degree heat all in one day. They invited 125 to participate. Once the route was determined, only 45 showed up. At start time, it was 40 degrees and rain in Denver (August 15). Several decided not to start and only 25 finished.

By the time Lee Hunt, Steve Hart and I reach 9000 feet at Berthoud Pass, there was several inches of snow of the road. We had to add about 60 miles to the route by going through Eisenhower Tunnel in the snow to get to Dillon to go North back onto our route. North of Dillon a Goldwing was down in the middle of the road after hitting ice and a BMW GT was stuck in the trees. Why we continued, God only knows. By the time we were in western Colorado, the temperatures were up into the 90s. Frankly, this was the most dangerous and dumbest ride I've every participated in.



Photo taken by Lee Hunt

[swanee]

>Frankly, this was the most dangerous and dumbest ride I've every participated in.<

Yep there's a fine line between "IronButt" and "DumbAss" and you guys crossed it. No offense because I have too (Bun Burner through Death Valley area--nearly passed out from the heat).

First-timers should NEVER attempt anything more than a "relatively easy" ride (what you call a ticket punch). That's enough for over 90% of the entire Iron Butt membership and that's okay.

[Ken Krumm]

I certainly don't agree with the dumbass remark. We didn't begin the day knowing the outcome. If we had, we would have certainly been dumbass's to continue. Hind sight is always 20/20. Once your in the snow, only a dumbass would have continued to higher elevations. We found out later there was 6 inches at the top of the pass. We choose to descend to lower elevations, adding time to the route. Even at the worst of times, the ride was still within our abilities. However, there gets to be point where your accepting an unacceptable level of danger that could result in serious injury or death.

Here's the full article published in BMW OTL and Kansas City Cycle Connection.

http://www.romeoriders.com/forums/viewt ... ?f=9&t=106

>Frankly, this was the most dangerous and dumbest ride I've every participated in.<

Yep there's a fine line between "IronButt" and "DumbAss" and you guys crossed it. No offense because I have too (Bun Burner through Death Valley area--nearly passed out from the heat).

First-timers should NEVER attempt anything more than a "relatively easy" ride (what you call a ticket punch). That's enough for over 90% of the entire Iron Butt membership and that's okay.

The actual IronButt rally event that is an 11 Day, 11,000 mile event required in the past, participants to have the best times in a rally like the Colorado Classic 1000. Its was by invitation only. So, the best time means frankly breaking the law at speeds well above the posted limit. During this Colorado Classic, 25 completed the event in about 19 hours. At times, we were riding well above the posted limits in Western Colorado. The guy with the best time was almost two hours faster than the rest. He most likely ran the interstate to the roads that goes north and south to the check points.

To do an event like this with the intent to simply finish within time, competing with yourself is very different than competing to win an event. I have no problem with a SaddleSore 1000 to simply do so as a personal achievement. For the guys competing to win, the IronButt Rally requires breaking the law for over 11 days in order to gain enough time to simply rest. Since the rally is a competition, its not just interstates. To increase the difficulty, participants are finding locations off the beaten path. With modern GPSs, the participant isn't doing anything other than sitting on their $1000 saddles playing with all their gizmos. With the aid of extra full tanks, cruise control and pee tubes, there is no physical requirement other than to simply sit and break the law at speeds well above the posted limit.

The IronButt Association could fix this problem if they wanted to do so. With the help of modern technology, they could monitor each bike and simply disqualify any rider that exceeds 10 MPH over the limit for a given time. They choose not to do so.

Bob Diehl and I witnessed the end of the Hyder Seek 2007 where IronButt members ride the event celebrating the culmination of Ron Ayres' 49-state ride. These are the top dogs of the Ironbutt community. The Iron Butt Association has instituted a somewhat exclusive "48 States Plus Alaska Award" for riders traveling through all of the 48 contiguous states plus Alaska. Several of these guy practically needed wheel chairs when off their bikes. It reminded me of cough potatoes that never leave their recliners watching TV. It's really a very strange group. They asked Bob and I if we would like to participate in the Hyder Seek. For $100, we could have lunch with Ron Ayres. I thought they were kidding. There was no ride or anything. For them, Ron Ayres was a God. We obviously declined. Our focus was 1,000 miles further North in Inuvik, NWT.

[swanee]

...Bob Diehl and I witnessed the end of the Hyder Seek 2007 where IronButt members ride the event celebrating the culmination of Ron Ayres' 49-state ride...

Did Hyder Seek in '05 but not the "49-in-10" option. At least one couple didn't get there cuz they bit the dust attempting it. You see bikes with so many nav gizmos they resemble the cockpit of an attack helicopter more than a motorcycle. Rube Goldberg fuel systems so convoluted a mini-refinery and moonshine still were probably in there somewhere. Some strange stuff and truly hardcore riders. I dunno must be trust fund brats or dot com millionaires since they're not old guys for the most part. Whatever floats yer boat...or irons your butt

[TomK]

A 1,000 mile day is no doubt a long day of riding. But I have to wonder if the old days rides were not more difficult than today's rides. In the old days we rode smaller bikes, smaller dispacements, no cruise control, many unfaired. Now we have huge bikes, many of the road/touring bikes have stereos, electronic curise controls, and are very similar to driving a car. Riding on the interstate, compared to 2 lane roads or 4 lane highways with lots of stops as in the past is much simpler and prone to longer distances. Again, 1,000 is a long ride, but not like 1,000 mile of yore. IMO of course.

[shoresr]

Ken Krum wrote "This seems like too much of a ticket punch event to me." (and I am sure it would be for Ken)

Yes, to some this would be too much of a "ticket punch", but I organized it to show and let people know that all Iron Butt rides aren't the "nightmares" being described here. Sure, they make good stories and there are people killed and injured every year. That was not what this was about. This Saddle Sore 1000 was meant to show that an Iron Butt ride doesn't have to be dangerous. Too many people think all that someone is killed on every ride and most of the people who do them at "dumb asses" That is true for some of the rides, but not for all of them.

As I described in my after ride report from last week's ride, everyone of this guys gained something from their ride and no one was killed! They learned a lot about themselves and a lot about their motorcycles. I sincerely loved and enjoyed observing the changes in their attitudes and dispositions as the ride progressed. Yes, it might have been relatively easy. I intended it to be that way. We never rode into the sun and temperature was perfect. The speed limit was almost always, 75 mph, I even took them on the turnpike. The route was straight, hardly a curve and the roads were good. Filling station and food were easy to come by. I was confident anyone who came with me could do it. I wanted it to be a safe, fun and a good experience. And it was. I prepared the guys and gave them so good fundamentals. If they attempt another ride they have a good foundation to work from and they will know a lot more about themselves.

Today is my 67th Birthday and I said the Coast to Coast was my last Iron Butt ride. For my birthday Melissa gave me the "National Parks Passport Stamp Book"!! Iron Butt challenge is to get the stamps from 50 parks in 25 states in 1 year I guess I am not through with my Iron Butt riding, but at least she will be with me. If we complete the task in a year fine, if we don't fine. We will get to see a lot more of our beautiful country.

I am glad some many shared their experiences and opinions. Always ride safe, enjoyed riding your motorcycle in whatever fashion that makes you happy and come to as many Romeo lunches and you can

Roger

My after ride report is at the bottom of this
http://www.romeoriders.com/forums/viewt ... =20&t=1879

[TomK]

Make sure you have your "Golden Age Pass" which gets us old farts into Federal Parks free. We ride because we love it, the freedom, the exilheration, the same thing a dog feels when it sticks it's nose out the window of a car. Hard to beat that feeling, regardless of our motivation!

[swanee]

A 1,000 mile day is no doubt a long day of riding. But I have to wonder if the old days rides were not more difficult than today's rides. In the old days we rode smaller bikes, smaller dispacements, no cruise control, many unfaired... 1,000 is a long ride, but not like 1,000 mile of yore. IMO of course.

Good point. Some think the only "real" Iron Butts are the ones who do the 11K IBR. Others think it is the gazillion milers with scores of Iron Butt rides under their belt. Still others think it's the few who do their rides on antique and/or very small bikes that aren't even suitable for high-speed cruises down 1000 miles of superslab. IMO the "real" are the ones who do it to face their own dragons of self-doubt rather than for the bragging rights of "my Iron Butt is tougher than your Iron Butt." That applies whether they've done one SS1K or have a whole wall of assorted IBA certificates.

Swanee
IBA 9464

[Ken Krumm]

The first Saddlesore 1000 that I participated in was 15 years ago with the Heartland Riders. About 20 members completed the ride to include several on open bikes. Back then, the nationwide speed limits were 55, so interstates only gained you time by not having to slow down for towns. I decided to ride the event because I thought Walter Hoffman (65 at the time), was too old to ride it by himself. The members of this club were a bit younger then. Little did I know, I spent the day chasing Walter, the energizer rabbit. He looked like he could do another ride at the end.

Even with the 55 MPH limits, we rode this ride at 5 mph over the limit for 1000 miles. Even at these reduced speeds, we still had plenty of time to check into a hotel in the middle of the ride and sleep for 4 hours. We arrived with 3 hours to spare. Since most of the IronButt events were put together before the higher speed limits, the 24 hour time limit for a SaddleSore allows you plenty of time to get a full night sleep if desired. If you average 75 mph on interstates, you can ride 8 hours, sleep for 6 hours and return in another 8 hours. You can even start the event to match your sleep cycle. There's no rule against sleeping. Safety is encouraged. You get the same certificate and license plate. This is why this organization has over 50,000 members now. Higher speed limits and superslabs make completing these event much easier.

I've had an IronButt license plate holder on my LT for about 15 years. The statement, "Worlds Toughest Riders" has me wondering compared to whom. Certainly, sitting on a motorcycle for a 1000 miles or more isn't all that hard when you're allowed to take breaks, sleep, drink your Slurpee, listen to music, all in the comfort of a modern motorcycle with cruise control, great wind protection and a $1000 seat. You don't have to be tough to simply eliminate the discomforts you have with a motorcycle using the abundance of aftermarket products. For me, the "worlds toughest riders" are participating the the Paris-Daker Rally, Baja, Erzburg, Enduro racing, Supercross or Motocross. When compared to the physical and mental toughness required for these events, long-distance riding is simply not all that tough if you're on a motorcycle that you've eliminated all the discomforts for you. It's simply overcoming the boredom to avoid loosing concentration and practice. If you're used to riding 500 mile days. It's simply doubling the distance. However, if you're only used to riding 100 miles days, a 1000 miles is mentally tough. Like anything, you should build up to these types of events with training. You don't run a Marathon without first training for it.