2007 Iron Butt Rally Participants

[Mellow]

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=22317&stc=1&d=1188944115
The 2007 Iron Butt Rally concluded August 31st.

I wanted to take this time, now that everyone should be back home safe and sound to congratulate ALL the participants, regardless of if the were able to be considered finishers.



Some information about those on ST-Owners.com or those on ST's
that were involved with the rally:




10th Place
Peter Leap (ST1300)
(10,910 Miles - 292,596 Points)

13th Place
Curt Gran-crazykz (ST1300)
(11,090 Miles - 285,512 Points)

23rd Place (1st Place for 2up participants)
Reiner & Lisa Kappenberger (GL1800)
(9,849 Miles - 250,236 Points)

38th Place
Rebecca Vaughn-boxergrrlie (BMW R1100RS)
(9,998 Miles - 222,607 Points)

51st Place
Bill Thweatt-Birdman (ST1300)
(9,999 Miles - 205,319 Points)

64th Place
Alexander Schmitt (ST1100)
(10,584 Miles - 148,232 Points)

DNF
Maura Gatensby (ST1300)
(9,117 Miles - 147,868 Points)

DNF
Steve Broadhead (ST1300)
(3,337 Miles - 60,123 Points)

DNF
Tom Loftus (ST1300)
(0 Miles - 0 Points)


One thing to note, this post isn't about who placed high, or low or wasn't able to qualify as a finisher. This post is about the passion, commitment and fortitude it takes to participate in this event. This is a huge kudos to ALL the riders in the Iron Butt Rally, the organizers and volunteers that it took to make this happen.

I'll never be able to participate in one of these events as I know I don't have what it takes but I admire those that can.

Iron Butt website (http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm)

[Byron]

My hat is off to all the participants. :bow1:

[STBNE]

:hat1: An Incredible undertaking that just boggles my mind.I concur with Mellow and admire each and every one of you.It takes a lot of courage,fortitude,and dogged determination to even attempt such a feat.My congratulations to all participants.:bow1: :bow1: :bow1:

[motomac]

Joe, Thanks for digging all that up. Congratulations to all of you. I will never compete in the IBR, but have a few long days in the saddle and know that it takes lot of concentration to string several 1000 mile days in a row, and the longer you're out there the harder it is to get it done. So again, I tip my helmet to all who competed regardless of finish points.

[BigTom]

Joe:

I don't think he's a memeber here (is on the list, where no member EVER leaves:)), but another of interest is #8 finisher Alan Barbric. Riding an FJR, now, Alan is the first guy that looked at a toasted 28 amp ST1100 alternator and said "I think a 40 amp will fit". He made it be so, a hero to all of us who ride the pre '96 ST1100's. I'm sure he is credited here in our article....

[Skywriter]

This is amazing stuff...

Congratulations to all!

[forgitaboutut]

I wish I could do it!....but congrats to everybody who participated!

[Austin city limits]

I will buy a beverage of their choice at Moonshine anyday!!!

Congrats to all!!! It really is just to Cool to witness this!!!

[M&M Take2]

Congrats to all! I don't think I've got the sheer guts to pull that off but you've got to "tip the hat" to those that do. Well done! :bow1: Marty

[half_a_tiger]

To all participants, congrats! You definitely made us proud!

[DAS]

I'm just a wannabe and thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated all the IBR riders for showing us how it's done.

[sirepair]

Congratulations to ALL involved! An incredible undertaking, no doubt. I thoroughly enjoyed the web-connected armchair version and hope to start participating in LD rides (as soon as I get the ST....one in the works!!)

[Sink]

I'm sure all of us Butt Crack Rats send our congrats to all involved. As I've said before, I can't even imagine doing 1000 miles in a day, let alone this!

Kudos to all involved!

[BikemanKZ]

Congratulations to all those riders, no matter the order of finsihing, although I knew Curt would do well! They don't call us "the world's toughest riders," for nothing!
KZ

[Tom B.]

Unbelievable accomplishment!:hat1:

I admit I didn't follow the Rally as closely as most here at ST-Owners.com, but I did 'tune in' often to follow the progress! What an amazing group of riders. I can only dream of putting that kind of miles on an MC! Maybe if I had the cash to retire, I could train for it and try but...not likely, just more dreaming! I'd just like to be able to ride for more than an hour before needed to take a break! Heck, I'd be happy learning how to go thru the twisties better.:rolleyes:

As Mac said, my helmet off to all who rode in the rally!!!:bow1:

[Viggo]

:bow1: I humbly bow before all those who participated regardless of where they placed in the standings. The mental and physical endurance required for an event like this boggles the mind.

[Horst]

wow .... crazykz finished 13th ???? .... incredible !

congrats to all, but 10th and 13th place deserve an extra bow.

WELL DONE !!!!

:)

[Horst]

"...the Council members were all surprised and disappointed at the level of outside assistance that many riders had received. Riders who had stretched the definition of "undue assistance" to the breaking point were asked to contemplate the possibility of trying to rationalize their actions in front of everyone attending the banquet ... assistance they were too embarrassed to talk about. A number of riders have already gotten the word. Others will soon."

'NUFF SAID

translation: M. Kneebone is pissed and who can blame him ???

Go Mike !

[Jeff F]

I loved the rally.

IMO, all competitors distinguished themsleves through exceptional courage, intelligence, mental toughness and strength. Monetary gain was not in the cards.

These are the kind of people I think our society should look up to - dare I call them heros.

Sports celebrities and movie stars - not so much.

[LDMike]

Interesting sticker on one of the helmets of the riders:

"LD riders are a truly an unique entity, a rare breed..
Harley riders are a dime a dozen"

Sounds like a good line for my sig line...

[Brighteyesue]

You IB'rs ROCK!!! I couldn't do it. I am so proud to have met some of the folks listed.

:yr1:

[George]

I had Breakfast with a few finishers and those who hang with the LD list last Saturday. Gotta say that Mark (72 Harley) was among the hardy finishers. He was in process of rebuilding the rear cylinder on his old bike, in the parking lot, as most were enjoying the amenities of the luxury hotel.

Youse guys have no idea!

I tend to ride long, dark miles while out and about. I (and my ol' ST-1100) did 2 consecutive 1000 miles days during this trip. Did lots more miles between stops. I took 34 days to do what these guys did in 11. And, I'm still tired.

[heatmaker]

Ive said it before and Ill say it again. Those guys are true IRONMEN!! My hats off to all that participated. Matt

[lddave]

Have been there done that I have to say great job done by all, now get some sleep.

[BikemanKZ]

What kind of "undue assistance," was Mike talking about? Getting help for reapirs or maintenance on a bike? Getting local help to find a bonus point? Or having an associate get points for the competitor, which would be cheating??
KZ

[Maura]

It was legal to have your bike serviced by others at the checkpoint, in fact the opportunity was conveyed to us by the rallymaster. They problem with 'undue assistance' was riders having their route planning done by others (usually rally vets) while they were sleeping or riding or whatever. This was not really prohibited, so it is incorrect to call it 'cheating' . There was not to my knowledge any problem with getting assistance to find a bonus spot, all were pretty easy to find, and no allegation whatsoever that a rider had an associate get points. THe routing assistance was not illegal, it was just not in the 'spirit' of the rally in some people's opinion. I did all my routing myself, so I have only myself to blame :)

Maura

[Mark]

Maura,

I was sorry to read of your... expensive rest stop!!!

As the others have mentioned, I can only read about you LD riders...:bow1: :bow1: :bow1:

Mark

[Louie Louie]

Congrats! Its good to see several ST13's. A couple years ago there werent many competing.

[jwayden]

:bow1: :bow1: Hats off to all the ST-riders who finished! I'd be curious to know what seat brands are most popular by Iron Butt finishers on the ST1300! BTW, after deliberating for weeks, I finally ordered an '07 ABS from the dealer here in El Paso -- should be in next week! :07biker:

[KrazyKooter]

Good choice on the silver. I think if Curt would have been on a faster silver ST, he might have had time to pick up a few extra bonuses. :03biker:

[jzulaski]

It varies due to personal preference but most old timers will tell you that Russell Day-Long Saddles are the way to go.

The other 3 big names are Bill Mayer Saddles (run by Rocky Mayer), Rick Mayer Custom Saddles, and Rich's Custom Seats.

Russell was invented by Bill Mayer Sr. who then sold out the design and later started another business. Bill "Rocky" Mayer (Bill Sr's older son) then took over and Rick Mayer started his own business.

Rich O'Conner has had a custom upolstry business in the Seattle area for years but has been building his Motorcycle seat business up for the last 10 years or so.

I prefer the Russell myself.

Regards,

[jwayden]

:yr1: Thanks Joe! I might have to jump in on that Russel Day-Long Group Buy!! And as KrazyKooter already knew, I've learned in the past few weeks that the '07 silver is faST!!

.

[OldSuperSport]

What about tires?

What kind of tires are they putting on the ST to make 11000 miles? They cant be changing tires during the rally. Maybe a hard compound? Just curious because my rear tire is pretty threadbare at 9000-10000.

[BigTom]

Yeah, there is some tire changing goes on. There are some pretty good accounts and speculation about this years rally in this site. One of the key words to try is "Butt Crack Addicts". Really:)

[PLCBithead]

This is simply amazing. Congrats to all how did this amazing feat of endurance and skill. I sure would like to get some pointers from them. Particularly how managed to avoid a sore tukus:bow1:

[jzulaski]

Alan Barbic also has an ST1300 and has had a tail-dragger aux fuel tank designed and built for it. The bike wasn't quite ready for the Iron Butt Rally so, Alan rode his FJR which was read.

Regards,

Joe Zulaski


Joe:

I don't think he's a memeber here (is on the list, where no member EVER leaves:)), but another of interest is #8 finisher Alan Barbric. Riding an FJR, now, Alan is the first guy that looked at a toasted 28 amp ST1100 alternator and said "I think a 40 amp will fit". He made it be so, a hero to all of us who ride the pre '96 ST1100's. I'm sure he is credited here in our article....

[BikemanKZ]

This is simply amazing. Congrats to all how did this amazing feat of endurance and skill. I sure would like to get some pointers from them. Particularly how managed to avoid a sore tukus:bow1:

Get a better seat and start practicing to condition your butt.
KZ