IBR 2027 - Do You Have What It Takes?

[Sadlsor]

You're right, @Donk , and no one has yet mentioned the extreme calculations and mental gymnastics required with enough points to even finish, much less in the top 10.
The route plans, time / distance calculations, the time it takes to bag the bonus (often within a narrow window of time), and all of this while not missing a checkpoint which will immediately earn you a DNF... AND on less sleep than optimal.
Yeah, it requires so much more than what most people think, which is mistakenly "sit here, twist that."
Not so.
Can't wait for the next one, and to see who will be the Daily Scribe.

 

[jodog]

And let me say a word about the term "scavenger hunt." The IBR isn't a scavenger hunt but we use that term because it's kinda close and it keeps us from having to do a 30 minute explanation. You are given a rally book, gpx KML and TXT file that contains all the information needed to find and document a bonus. You're not out looking for an object in the wild. When you leave the start you have a plan and all the waypoints you are trying to hit on that leg of the rally. Given that the waypoint may be close or very very far away from each other there may be some long highway cruises. Last time I had a bonus in NC followed up by the next one in TX. There are a few that are time-sucks, like the one on top of black mountain on the TN/VA border, or was it NC? Anyway it was steep and rough gravel. I was considering abandoning the bonus when I saw a goldwing coming back down. Well, if he can make it .... In the '25 rally Paul introduced "loops" and you had to complete a loop in each leg to be a finisher with your finishing place determined by how many additional bonuses not required for your loop you could manage. The loops were designed to make riders get close to the 11K mileage. In previous versions riders could be finishers sometimes with as few as 9500 miles or so. The 11,000 miles in 11 days is a motto not a requirement. Also, you have 2 checkpoints that require you to stay put for 16-20 hours so really 10 days of riding. The roads vary from interstates to riding across cow pastures. Seriously, I was dodging cow ***** cuz that stuff is slick. And then there's the weather. And in '25 the weather was brutal.

I think in the final analysis doing both the certificate rides that many here do as well as the IBR are about undertaking a challenge, one you don't necessarily know you can complete, and subjecting yourself to independent (and public) verification. To be able to complete the task relying on yourself and your own abilities under harsh conditions and seeing it through, that's the "trophy."

 

[gordow88]

I stand by what I said....... Ridiculous

I concur.

 

[Donk]

I stand by what I said....... Ridiculous

I concur.


Are you ok with the fees associated with climbing Mount Everest? The fees associated with The Boston Marathon? How about the cost of competing in the Olympics?

Let's be honest or at least try to be be honest with yourself. Is it the fees that bother you or the idea of test of self? You vs you at a very intense level? Why not just say, It's not for me?

 

[Uncle Phil]

We do what we like to do - whether it is ride distances or run highways from coast to coast or border to border.
My 'Saddlesore' was doing the entire Natchez Trace down and back - which was a challenge not for the miles but the speed limit restraints.
According to the Iron Butt folks I'm the only one who has ever done it for a Saddlesore (it is on my certificate) - average speed 52 mph.
Just did 765 miles from RanchStoc back to the Holler this year because the bike was acting up.
I can still do the miles but I have no desire to unless it is needed.
For years while I worked I had to do 'compression touring' because of limited vacation.
I've done many 1,000 mile days (not back to back) - rode from Alburqueue, NM to Nashville, TN in one run.
Done three 800 mile days back to back to get to the West Coast and three 800 mile days to get back because of limited vacation days.
The 'Big Dance' is what it is and kudos to those that want to go after it.
50CCs and 100CCs are also a big challenge - but not of any interest to me.
But if that's what floats a feller's boat, may his boat be floated - I ain't paying his bills nor riding his/her bike.
As far as cost goes, if you want to dance you have to pay the fiddler's price, not complain about it.
And you have to prepare for the dance!

 

[the Ferret]

I have no desire to do an Iron Butt for 3 reasons..(1) it doesn't interest me (2) don't think I have the mental stamina to deprive myself for that long (I do like to eat and sleep..and shower) (3) don't think I have the physical stamina to do it. Maybe 40 years ago...but I doubt it even then lol

I did a "half" Iron Butt lol (5500 miles in 11 days) when I rode from Cinti to Cali and back in 2014. That was plenty of saddle time for me. 10 hours a day in the saddle for a week and a half straight was exhausting, and I missed my family and home.

If someone wants to do an Iron Butt. I wholeheartedly support them and wish them well. Same to Everest climbers, or Marathon runners, or some other physical activity that is emotionally draining and physically exhausting, but it's not for me. It's not in my nature.