Triumphrat

davidc

Tomorrow a.m. I am going to set out on an Iron Butt Association ride, 1k miles in under 24 hours, to earn the coveted IBA certificate. The Bonneville is all spiffed up and ready and the weather looks promising. I will go from central New Jersey to Buffalo, NY to Gettysburg, PA and back to NJ: a total of 1,001 miles and 16 hours [nonstop]. I figure I'll hustle up to Buffalo [not shuffle] and toward Gettysburg before dark, as night riding is not my favorite thing to do. Since I must keep a log, I'll note fuel milage information as I go along - good opportunity to do this. I must say that I am quite excited about the whole thing, but I'm sure my butt will be draggin' when I get back, iron or not. By the way, my wife and kids think I'm nuts, but they thought that already - I'll give 'em proof.

The documentation required is specific. Has anyone done one of these runs that can give any input to the documentation aspect? I'd hate to ride the whole trip and mess up on an avoidable technicality. I'd appreciate any input.

I'm bringing a camera, so I'll post a few photos.

webonnielad

Remember to keep your gas reciepts as they will have times, destinations and gas input on them. I believe that's one of the ways they verify your mileage.

My friend took it steady with a lot of twenty minute beaks.
It's only a 1000 miles and you have a whole 24 hours so don't burn yourself out trying to accomplish it all at once.

Take all the right riding gear.

Let us know how you got on.

Good luck

Jon. (UK)

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790cc 2003 T100 Bonneville. 18T Front Sprocket, AI Removed, 125 Mains, 40 Pilots, Thruxton Needles, 1 Shim,3mm Air Hole, Mixture screws 3 1/4 turns out left carb, 3 turns out right carb, Unifilter, NH Belmouth, NH Classic Togas with no mutes inserted, Stock Ignitor Unit. Hagon 320mm rear shocks & progressive fork springs. Last measured. 61.60 hp, , Max torque 48.40 in 5th gear at the rear wheel at 7200 rpm, 105 mph in 5th at 6500 rpm.

Geoff

Good luck, David. are you "taking it to the bridges?" face it head on bro
G

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I never wanted to lead, and I never wanted to follow.
I just wanted to ride

davidc

I hope no high bridges, but if I hit one, I'll just keep my eyes closed while crossing.

KingOfFleece

I'm in Buffalo. Shoot me a PM and I'll give you my number if you have a problem. Good luck!

Lucid

David-

Good luck, safe riding and may your arse soon forgive the evil you're about to bestow upon it!

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Mods.- BC Superbars, Predators, Nark'd, Ikons front & back, Dart Screen(blacked-out), K/Q Seat, Renntec Grab Rail, Fork Gaitors and Knee Pads

Beereakfast

I might be full of it. (likely) But I believe that the gas reciepts need to be signed by an attendant at the station, complete with a legible name and contact number for the gas station. That would make it easier to proove the legitimacy of your trip.
Good luck!

Big_Rick

Actually, you only have to have a documented witness at the Start/Finish point. This can be the gas station attendant at your first/last stop, or anyone else willing to give their full contact info to vouch for you. But keep all your fuel receipts and note your mileage at each fill up just to make things easier later on. You will have to lay out your route with all the stops and Mileages and submit it with the paperwork. You can download the witness forms and log sheets from the website www.ironbutt.com Or Click Here
At least you should have some good weather for your ride. Nasty weather can make it Hell. When I did it, it was 5°C when I started, 2°C when I finished and never much warmer in between. Pretty cold in an open face helmet with no more than a flyscreen for wind protection (read: no wind protection)
Good luck on the ride and let us know how you made out.

__________________
Some people are a lot like Slinkys.
Not really good for anything, but bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

MES

go to the official website. The requirements are quite specific and are downloadable.
http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm

I have never done an official Iron butt. couldn't be bothered to keep the resciepts.
There is plent of time to complete the trip. The thing that kills you is stops.
Be organized and efficient. One person gets food/drinks (or checks the map for projected time and route) while the other fills the bike and does the logs. Know the route. if you get lost your screwed unless you are a good navagator. Team work is key if you are a group.

Riding at night is very tiring. start predawn (3am) so that you are fresh ride throughout the day after stopping for lunch (after the crowds) eat gorp or power bars to keep from bonking. Keep water easly reachable and DRINK IT. Stop at 8Pm and SLEEP for 3 hours and then finish her off.

I think the most important thing to know is when to abandon the attempt. S*it happens If you aren't making it then rite it off.

I've done Los Angeles to Cabo 5 times and that is/was through some trying conditions. The first attemp we mistimed and got caught on the spine at night. That is deadly bad . we pulled off the road (as best we could) and slept in a ditch. Woke up the next morning to a closed hiway because a truck missed a turn and hit the rock face and caught on fire.
We won because we lost.

Good luck you can do it.

Donkeypunch

I used to ride with a guy who is actually sponsored to ride iron butt rides. He rides a BMW. I think he mentioned the 11 day run where they sleep like 2 hours a day.

Doing 1K miles on a T100 is a huge accomplishment. Its a totally different bike then most people are riding. Best of luck!

PS - he did mention that someone does a lot Iron Butt rides on a Bonneville with no windshield ,so its doable.

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2006 Bonnie Black - NARK, D&D pipes, 145 mains, 40 pilots, 3 turns out, AI gone, California Beans and Sprouts Package gone, rear pegs gone, Norman Hyde Single Seat, Carrand Horn