I must say i do know a few intense iba/r riders. They push themselves beyond imagination or ability to percieve thier riding accomplisments. I know 3 people right now trying to do 125000 miles in 125 days. Breaking the old record of 100000 miles in a 100 days.
An honest question
- Thread starter Igofar
- Start date
No disrespect to those who enjoy them, but I never understood the fascination with IB rides. In my youth, I would do a few IB+ days back to back on a sportbike simply because we were too poor to stay in a motel for any longer than we had to. In retrospect, if I had the time and money, I should have slowed way down and enjoyed the change of conditions, sights, sounds, and smells, or chosen a closer event/adventure. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but hopefully my foresight has improved...
Thanks Igofar for the question. Yes, I think Iron Butt has it's place. I rode an Iron Butt saddle-sore 1000 several years ago with one other rider, just for the sense of personal accomplishment. I did buy a IB license plate holder very understated, no tee shirt. I did not frame the IB award cert for display, it is stored in an awards box somewhere in my attic. But you are correct we did not have time for much except riding, we stopped for only food and gas, no flowers. The IB ride is rarely mentioned. Other than that, I ride a 2006 ST with my wife on back for mostly local rides 100-miles or so and we do stop for attractions. I do the bike maintenance, and she smells the flowers for both of us. Not sure all riders that have done Iron Butts are as single focused as you describe above.
The hardest part about the longer records (anything past two weeks in duration) is not the riding. It's the logistics. You have to have that much time off, routes, decent weather, maintenance stops calculated in, tires and parts on hand, the money!, a hall pass, etc. The planning may be more difficult that the execution.
Plus if you put in 1200 mile days you can sit still one day a week.
BTW, this is when car tires' worth really shines, but still, 3-4 sets of tires!
I had that same 1989 FZR1000 and toured on it thru the '90s, rolled over the odometer and finally sold it with 118k on the clock. A buddy had the GSXR, we went to Canada from SoCal on sport bikes, but I did that trip on my FZ750 because the FZR1000 wasn't out yet.
Seems like we have had similar paths so to speak, lol. The bike was fairly new in the picture as I had sold my 1987 FZR1000 to get the EXUP model. His bike was the '86 750. We rode up the NJ Turnpike through New York towards Canada. It rained most of the trip... at one point the rain was so heavy and visibility so poor that we missed the exit toward Toronto. A couple of hours later, we realized we were well on our way towards Montreal. Meals became gas station snacks as we hadn't budgeted for the extra fuel required for the detour. Good thing I weighed a buck 30 at the time, lol. We crossed Canada though Ottawa to Sault Ste. Marie to our final destination of Brainerd, MN to see the first US round of World Superbike.
I still have the bike (and the helmet I believe). My brother crashed it when I returned to California, and it could use some work (mostly cosmetic). I have since given it to one of my sons who is currently serving in the US Army. I am secretly collecting various parts to do a restomod and perhaps surprise him by riding it out to him like I did his MT-07 (SoCal to Kansas). I was even thinking of doing one AHRMA race so he can tell his future kids (hopefully!! lol) that it used to be Grandpa's racebike
No you dont get acrue miles. 1000 a day everyday. Logistics are more than likely done with assistance. The schedule guru, tires, oil etc....The hardest part about the longer records (anything past two weeks in duration) is not the riding. It's the logistics. You have to have that much time off, routes, decent weather, maintenance stops calculated in, tires and parts on hand, the money!, a hall pass, etc. The planning may be more difficult that the execution.
Plus if you put in 1200 mile days you can sit still one day a week.
BTW, this is when car tires' worth really shines, but still, 3-4 sets of tires!
Ive done 4 - 1000 mile days. 10 for an ibr event would be brutal. A 100....1000 mile days no F%^ing way....lol
My IBA SS1000 didn't really achieve any bragging rights. But it does give me a benchmark for what I know I can do. (The motorcycle is never in question.)
Planning a ride is sometimes a bit of a challenge. How long do I want to ride? What scenery do I want to stop and enjoy more fully. Where is gas...that's important in a few areas where a little road sign says there's no service for XX number of miles. What you learn to do for an IBA ride, transfers over to your shorter and more reasonable rides.
I've surprised myself totally this year. I didn't expect to have much time to ride at all. Instead, things have worked that I've been able to ride far more than I ever expected. 23,000 miles in 14 months is a bunch of miles. Oil changes, tires, brake pads...the logistics are important. You do learn those things for an IBA ride...and then use them for those other rides that are "normal".
Chris
All these things are important as we plan ambitious rides, but not necessarily IBA qualifying rides. I've recently done some trips to Kalifornia. One leg was relaxing...the other a grind. Do I enjoy the grind leg of the trip? Not at all. But I know I can do it. Why? Because I did a SS1000.
Planning a ride is sometimes a bit of a challenge. How long do I want to ride? What scenery do I want to stop and enjoy more fully. Where is gas...that's important in a few areas where a little road sign says there's no service for XX number of miles. What you learn to do for an IBA ride, transfers over to your shorter and more reasonable rides.
I've surprised myself totally this year. I didn't expect to have much time to ride at all. Instead, things have worked that I've been able to ride far more than I ever expected. 23,000 miles in 14 months is a bunch of miles. Oil changes, tires, brake pads...the logistics are important. You do learn those things for an IBA ride...and then use them for those other rides that are "normal".
Chris
I did a single official saddlesore a long time ago. Did I do it for others? No. Did I do it "for myself"? No, I wouldn't put it that way.
I did it because that specific route was very exciting to me when the kick stand went up. I loved that ride. But as soon as I parked the bike and calmed down from the riding, the experience was completely in the past. That ride didn't mean anything more than any other ride I got excited about.
Maybe riding is irrational, as in rational thought just doesn't apply. I sure like it though.
I did it because that specific route was very exciting to me when the kick stand went up. I loved that ride. But as soon as I parked the bike and calmed down from the riding, the experience was completely in the past. That ride didn't mean anything more than any other ride I got excited about.
Maybe riding is irrational, as in rational thought just doesn't apply. I sure like it though.
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
There is no good reason for what I'm about to do...
If you were to look at the average age of UK or European IBA riders, you would realise that the average age is contrary to what you would imagine.....
When I was younger and of course married, and in the service, I had no time or money to even consider long distance riding......
As I grew older, still in the service, along came these "children"... so less time, less money and ended up with less bikes.... none for a while....
Eventually I got a bike again, but self employed now, kids grown up, less money... no time, no long distance riding....
Then an opportunity to retire arrived, a couple of years early, now I had time and I got a bit of money, so was able to start riding a bit more, well a lot more.....
Even got to go to Nordkapp on my RT!
I had a crack at a few IBA rides, the problem with them is the miles get piled on the bike and money gets used quicker.... our fuel is stupidly expensive!
Changed the bike..... now I have the NT1100...
Yes I still ride some IBA rides, I set myself a target and once there I will be done.... well none of us are getting any younger are we!
Why do I ride LD rides?
Personal time, enjoy riding, enjoy the challenge..... four more rides and I am not sure I will want to ride LD any more in terms of 24.36 or 48 hour challenges....
I will still ride though but more for the sheer pleasure and freedom it gives me.....
Oh and I would consider myself one of the younger members of IBA UK as I am only 70 next year......
When I was younger I did a different set of things people consider stupid, like running up the Rock of Gibraltar twice..... well it was just sitting there asking for it..... got certificates for those as well, being under 30 minutes for the ascent!
None of this was done for bragging rights because there is always someone who has ridden further, longer, or run marathons or other such ludicrous things.
When I was younger and of course married, and in the service, I had no time or money to even consider long distance riding......
As I grew older, still in the service, along came these "children"... so less time, less money and ended up with less bikes.... none for a while....
Eventually I got a bike again, but self employed now, kids grown up, less money... no time, no long distance riding....
Then an opportunity to retire arrived, a couple of years early, now I had time and I got a bit of money, so was able to start riding a bit more, well a lot more.....
Even got to go to Nordkapp on my RT!
I had a crack at a few IBA rides, the problem with them is the miles get piled on the bike and money gets used quicker.... our fuel is stupidly expensive!
Changed the bike..... now I have the NT1100...
Yes I still ride some IBA rides, I set myself a target and once there I will be done.... well none of us are getting any younger are we!
Why do I ride LD rides?
Personal time, enjoy riding, enjoy the challenge..... four more rides and I am not sure I will want to ride LD any more in terms of 24.36 or 48 hour challenges....
I will still ride though but more for the sheer pleasure and freedom it gives me.....
Oh and I would consider myself one of the younger members of IBA UK as I am only 70 next year......
When I was younger I did a different set of things people consider stupid, like running up the Rock of Gibraltar twice..... well it was just sitting there asking for it..... got certificates for those as well, being under 30 minutes for the ascent!
None of this was done for bragging rights because there is always someone who has ridden further, longer, or run marathons or other such ludicrous things.
"There is no good reason for what I'm about to do..."
Sadlsor do you realize how PROFOUND this is? I want that on a T-Shirt!!!
Sadlsor do you realize how PROFOUND this is? I want that on a T-Shirt!!!
Yeah...I climbed mountains. Why? Because it was there.
I also have walked around every level of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In Venice, there was this tower in St. Mark's plaza... I just had to do it.
And in Zion, there was this mountain...
...and I had to see what it looked like from the top.
I really wish I had thought of that...
Chris
I like that...
Probably depending on where you stand/personal horizon...
Talk with some weekend-warriors about trips to Norway, Scotland, etc... and they declare you insane for spending 10~14 days in the saddle...
But those Weekend warriors will spend thousands of dollars on a camper, hold up traffic on a hill. I think they are the insane ones.I like that...
Probably depending on where you stand/personal horizon...
Talk with some weekend-warriors about trips to Norway, Scotland, etc... and they declare you insane for spending 10~14 days in the saddle...
Some don't need a camper for that, them on their "street fighter" can be obstacle enough...
sirbike
Site Supporter
Love it.
This is zen for my next bike purchase.
Sadlsor
Site Supporter
I could always find a "good" reason for another bike purchase, because good is always in the eye of the beholder.
Well said , I followed your 3000 mile ride too , well done on that also.
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I still have not submitted my photos and receipts to the Iron Butt Association for the Saddlesore 1000 ride I did on June 12 through the 13th.
I may never submit those documents because there are problems! I had forced detours, other detours simply by getting lost. It wasn't always practical to stop at a gas station or other business to document how far I got off my intended route before getting back to the right highway.
And numerous gas stations that I wanted to stop at were closed, and many small towns I passed through especially towns where I changed from one highway to a different highway going in a different direction, had no gas stations in them at all!
Some stations didn't have receipts printing at the pump, though in all but one case I was able to go inside and get a receipt from the clerk. But my final stop of the Night --the trip End Point-- was at a gas station that said it was open 24/7 according to the Internet, but when I got there it was self-serve only at pump, and the building was locked with all the lights turned off. (No bathroom, either!)
The pump took my credit card and let me fill up with gas right to the cap but then I found this gas pump could not print a receipt!!
I had 10 minutes left before my 24 hour time was up .
I may never submit those documents because there are problems! I had forced detours, other detours simply by getting lost. It wasn't always practical to stop at a gas station or other business to document how far I got off my intended route before getting back to the right highway.
And numerous gas stations that I wanted to stop at were closed, and many small towns I passed through especially towns where I changed from one highway to a different highway going in a different direction, had no gas stations in them at all!
Some stations didn't have receipts printing at the pump, though in all but one case I was able to go inside and get a receipt from the clerk. But my final stop of the Night --the trip End Point-- was at a gas station that said it was open 24/7 according to the Internet, but when I got there it was self-serve only at pump, and the building was locked with all the lights turned off. (No bathroom, either!)
The pump took my credit card and let me fill up with gas right to the cap but then I found this gas pump could not print a receipt!!
I had 10 minutes left before my 24 hour time was up .