Iron Butt

[Deav]

Who out there has done the Iron Butt ride? 1000 mile ride in 24 hrs. How did it go? Would you do it again? Would you recommend going with someone or is solo the way to go? Any opinions appreciated.

Deav,
Did my SS1000 as part of the waltz accross texas rally several years ago.  Rode the rally alone for the most part.
In 03 did the 50CC with the MTF.  Did all but the last few hundred miles alone.  Last year did the border to border in a ride organized by the Minnesota Long Distance Riders.  There were three of us Okies who did this ride as a team.  To be honest, I enjoyed the fellowship of completing the last ride with good friends.  I did note on the 50CC that no more than three guys rode together and I think that is good.  The good side of going with a friend is fellowship and safety.  The down side is pressing on for the sake of others when you should stop and rest.  Don't know if any of this helps.
Good luck on your ride.  The first 5-6 hundred will seem easy, but I can promise you that somewhere out there the "wall" will show up.
Be safe

Richard

[Valker]

Originally posted by Deav
Who out there has done the Iron Butt ride? 1000 mile ride in 24 hrs. How did it go? Would you do it again? Would you recommend going with someone or is solo the way to go? Any opinions appreciated.

I have logged about a dozen of the 1000/24. These were all because I just needed to get somewhere fairly quickly. I have thought about documenting one for IBA and MTF, but I have just not gotten around to it. Alone is easier in some aspects like not having to push when you need to rest or eat. Easier to gas quickly when alone as there's no one to stand around and talk to. Probably safer with someone else in case of breakdown or crash (not likely).
Is the seat on your bike comfy enough for this? Do you have several different places for your feet to move? Don't forget to stand up occassionally to streatch the legs and butt. If you just want to do it for  personal goal or to join an organization, I'd recommend staying mostly on major roads as the small, fun ones just take longer. Go to Ironbutt.org and look at their 29 tips. That is just good advice.
Good luck-let us know how it goes.

[Deav]

Thanks Valker, yes the seat Is a slightly padded corbin and fits pretty well, came back from Sturgis this past year on it and my better half didn't have to play the 15 ways to sit on a motorcycle game. I was fine up front. Last  time with the Mustang setup on the Vulcan I was squirming by the end too, I liked the Mustang just wasn't for me on long hauls. About done with Sturgis for more than a day or so, give me an open road..

[Valker]

I like long days, but I also love the flower sniffin' kind of rides. On the rare occassions when I go to Sturgis, I usually stay away from town. I only go to visit with folks from across the country who only show up there. I have friends that I hang around with. I usually got no closer than Custer any more.

[Deav]

somewhere out there the "wall" will show up.

Can relate to that BigR  Hitting the "50" mark this year,would be curious how I would do.

[Valker]

Ardys Kellerman is a 70 year old lady who regularly rides in the Iron Butt rally....11,000 miles in 11 days:eek:

[Marc S]

I just finished reading all three of Ron Ayre's books "Against the Wind"  "Going the Extra Mile" and "Against the Clock".   All three are excellent books.  Rather than going into detail about them, just go to http://www.aerostich.com to see what they're about and/or buy them.  

My senator, Dave Zien does his day to day business from a motorcycle.  I forgot the actual numbers but his Harley has got to have 500,000 miles on it by now.  He is a true "die hard" in my book.  I remember my hometown annual parade when his bike overheated and quit at the begining of a 1/2 mile long 5% grade and he pushed it through the parade in 90+ degree heat. Also, I don't know if it is officially documented but he was supposed to have broken the 30 consecutive 1000 mile days record a couple of years ago.  Imagine that!  On an AMF Harley to boot!  

good luck, ride safe,

Marc

 I am with Valker. I had done several long days and just last month decided to do a SS1000. I ride a GL1800/A and I have a satillite radio to lisiten to. This helps. The "WALL" will show up at some point. I became ill one hour into my run and stopped for a hour and recovered enough to go on and completed in 17hrs. The intent when starting was to do the BB1500 at the same time but health would not allow.
I learned some things about myself and will do another run.

[Deav]

Ardys Kellerman is a 70 year old lady who regularly rides in the Iron Butt rally....11,000 miles in 11 days

Now that is impressive...:shocked:
Guess I will be doing the ride this summer, I'm in.

['KC']

The IBA has a number of rides. The 1,000 mi. in 24 hrs. is just a "Butt Burner". That is one of the sort of break-in rides for the newbies.
I've done those a few times, though not documented, like Valker. The last time that I did it was probably on my way back from Sipapu 2 yrs. ago.

I did the SS1000 a couple  years ago on my 2001 Valkyrie with Tourer Package and a Mustang seat.   The comfortable seat is a must.   Being able to move your legs out to hyway pegs helps a lot also.   I also installed Kuryakyn handle bar extenders to bring the bars back to me a couple inches...that helped me too.    I rode with a guy on a Harley Roadking.   We took it easy and ran 70-75 mph and stopped about 1 time an hour and a half for 5-10 minutes.  The IronButt tips are good also...don't eat candy bars, eat light and good for you stuff.   Bring water.  Best time is on the interstate so  plan out your gas stops as in Texas they can be 50-80 miles apart.  Keep your group small, a group can only go as fast as the slowest bike.   Plan your stops...know what you need to do...do it and get back on the bike.....any time you stop your mph average is plummeting.   We averaged 53 miles per hr on the trip and rode it in around 20 hrs.    If you get sleepy  or exhausted give it up......no shame in not making it......be safe and have a good trip.

[rws]

I have done several documented IBA rides.... 3 Saddle Sore 1000 (1000/24 hr) and a Bun Burner Gold (1500/24 hr) to date.

My IBA rides

Been thinking lately about the BB Gold (1500/24)....even got on Mapquest last week and found that from Houston to El Paso downtown is 750.    Don't know if I can do that in 24 hrs but what to heck...like I said, no shame in not making it....may go for it.....may not.....should be able to at least get another ss1000 while trying....I could always go for the 1500/36 hrs.

hey there RWS.....manoman....I like that licenseplate.....gotta have one