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IBR 2027 - Do You Have What It Takes?

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.
 
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."
 
Jerseyst said:
I stand by what I said....... Ridiculous
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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?
 
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We do what we like to do - whether it is ride distances or run highways from coast to coast or border to border. :biggrin:
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! ;)
 
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.
 
Donk said:
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?
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It’s not for me. My wife and I drove back to our home in western Pennsylvania from Bradenton, Florida back in early March. It was roughly 1150 miles, 17 hours 45 minutes. In our 4Runner. At 67 I have no desire to attempt a long distance ride on my two-wheeler.
 
I'm into it, but won't ever do it, for reasons I stated above.
However, I always appreciate hearing from those who HAVE completed one, or even more. And they have my respect.
Reading the daily scribe's recount is highly entertaining (from my safe and rested position), there is always drama on a wide variety of issues, and just the scouting, organizing, and the devious mind games concocted by the Rally Bastards to earn big points are a frightening glimpse into how cruel and fun the human mind can be.
I'll add that I'm disappointed in a couple of responses attempting to ridicule the entire affair, when it seems a simple "it's not for me" would be more than enough, if any comment were necessary at all.
The IBR crowd truly ARE The World's Toughest Riders, and if tough riders are offensive to you, I'm sorry for you.
I am not accustomed to seeing mean-spirited posts here on st-owners, but I am used to it most everywhere else.
 
jodog said:
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."
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That's a good way to put it.

I rode to the east that morning...though to be fair, it is hard to get a thousand miles by riding to the west from Seattle. ;) That also meant I was riding to the west that evening. :rolleyes:

I didn't plan well the last hundred miles or so. Have you ridden at night in the rain? The light grey pavement turns black and sucks up all the light that hits it. There could be a 2x4 lying in the road and I wouldn't see it. Well, I hit Snoqualmie Pass at night. At the time, it had been under construction for years and would be for more years. The road changed directions constantly through that construction with no warning at all. There were no streetlights, just my headlights. Even the moon was gone behind the clouds. And then it started raining. I had been so tired earlier that I desperately wanted to sleep. Just for a minute or so, but the fear was that if I did, I wouldn't wake up in time and all that effort I'd already put out would be wasted. My guardian angel was put to the test that night.

I did that SS1000 on a 34 hp, 400 cc scooter. When I finished, the scooter seemed like it was ready to go again. But I also realized I was the weak point in the equation. Then multiply that for days on end to do what those guys do.

Nope. I did my SS1000 once, never again. The challenge isn't for the bike. It is for the rider. It's left me with an appreciation for planning more to not make those mistakes again. And to look at riding all day long as something very doable.

For those who do the Dance...all power to them. We each have our hobbies and interests. Just because I don't do it, doesn't mean it isn't worth doing.

Chris
 
On a lighter note after seeing @docw1 's post in Funny, this is another complication for those guys and gals to think about...

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I got a huge laugh at that because for some reason I've made 4 trips to the bathroom this morning. Luckily, it happened after my trip, not during it. I'll bet those guys/gals depend on Depends.

Chris
 
There is a big difference in doing a Certificate ride (point A to point B, sit here twist that!) and doing a RALLY (many details to attend to). Personally, I do understand the appeal of the Iron Butt Rally, BUT! (and there is always a butt) A rally rider must first and foremost be HONEST with themselves concerning their skills, abilities, limitations and attention to detail. I have ridden in several long-distance rallies, and the competition is on many levels, starting with yourself. Winning is also on many levels. Being the first-place finisher is not always necessary (would be nice!). The reward is the personal satisfaction is accomplishing something that most riders cannot or simply would not do. Collecting the bonuses is also entertaining and challenging. Being sent to take a photo of the large bat at an address in Louisville KY. you see a two-story Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat at the factory! the fine print of the address is slightly down the street where there is a wooden bat (the mammal kind) hanging above a door, this is the bonus photo! The comradery of others who share the same insanity is also rewarding. No matter their background or skill level you share an unusual pastime, (think about racing sail boats). I would love to ride in the IRON BUTT Rally. Sadly, being HONEST, I would not be a finisher!
 
My highway pegs completed the Iron Butt one year, I think they came as the 77th finisher. Not on my bike, but at least my pegs have some "Iron Butt Credibility. :roflmao:

I also had a saddle bag lid in 1 or 2 but don't remember the details.
 
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As some have noted, riding the IBR requires preparation to adapt to the requirements you can foresee.

For the 2011 IBR, my first, I started prepping about 10 months in advance.
- Sleep, had 4-6 hours of meetings with sleep professionals gathering information as well as from the IBA "Lessons Learned".
I also spent time with local USAF doctors who train and monitor long distance pilots rest and sleep.
Note, the former Navy Admiral, Surgeon General of the U.S. Navy is also a long distance rider wrote a very informative paper (probably still hanging around somewhere). Best source I found explaining "Micro Sleeps!"
- Food, I bought over $300 worth of various protein and health bars and spent about 2 hours with an USAF Nutritionist. She dumped them all on a table, read all the labels, and sorted them into 3 piles. When finished with the sort, she slid over one pile and said "throw these away, they have no benefit for you." One of the remaining piles was primarily protein and the other veggies and carbs. After checking my weight and hight she advised eating no more than 2 from each pile per day. This was figuring in a one food stop at a McDonalds sometime in the morning. Buy two breakfast biscuits and back on the road. Get situated, eat one while the second one is parked in the STs right side pocket to enjoy nice and warm a bit further down the road.
- Hydration, I'd allow myself one coke per day and water carried readily available for everything else. Staying hydrated is ESSENTIAL for maximizing alertness.
- Problem Solving . . . I enjoy solving the problem! Best training is to ride rallies, as many as you can. Day rallies and multi-day rallies, like the Capefear 1000, the Void and others. You'll hone your bonus collecting skills and how and what you need to carry to capture them.
- Your STead, the rule of wisdom for long distance riding is anything about the bike that makes you tired . . . fix it. If your butt gets tired, add something to the seat or replace it.
- LIGHTS! Whether multi-day rallies or the IBR, YOU NEED MORE LIGHT! You'll almost assuredly be riding in the dark and you need to see everything, and everyone needs to see you! In general, the lights you need are expensive. Cheap money considering the cost of an ER visit.
- Gear . . . ATGATT! Be prepared for anything!

I could continue with at least 15-20 more notes, but that's enough, and what I've noted is just what I did. Other riders have their own variations on preparing and 'riding the ride.' I think jodog, ELC and others are much more experienced than my dated information.

Shuey

PS: My current plan is to ride the 2031 IBR (or 2033 IBR) to become the oldest finisher! Time will tell if I'll be up to it. :smile-2x:
 
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Shuey said:
For the 2011 IBR, my first, I started prepping about 10 months in advance.
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I always appreciate the glimpse inside the twisted, curious, analytical mind of a multi-IBR finisher.
Getting the first IBA cert just for an IBA number in order to be accepted in the ldriders email list is worth it, just to read the wisdom, the varied approaches to rallying, the sarcasm, brotherhood, the drama, the travails and triumphs, and the - dare I say - human spirit of overcoming challenges, is worth the price of admission.
Even if it is only the price of a thousand mile ride to get there.
As you can tell, it was worth it to me. If not for others, that's ok too.
Thanks for sharing, @Shuey !
EDIT: seeting as how you sold the ST, what's the rally bike you have in mind?
 
Donk said:
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?
Click to expand...
its not for me,
 
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