A buddy at work convinced me to do one back in April 2004; I had him convinced that I was going to do it on my Night Train without a windshield. A dealer nearby had an off season special on his rental fleet of $25 a day, so I rented a Electra Glide Classic and put 1400 mile on it.

I think I burst my buddies bubble when I didn’t send in the paperwork to get the IBA recognition, and told him “I don’t care about merit badges”

 

We ( me and the ol' Gal ) are getting too old ( almost 64 trips around the sun for both of us ) to pound down a thousand miles in one day but we did manage 730 in one day ( morning 'til evening ) this season on the way back from Sturgis loaded down and pulling a Bushtec. The last 200 miles was in the rain too ... Maybe we aren't too old :>)

 

I done over 1000 a day a few times and 1500 in 24 hrs. Never intended to break the 1000/day point. It just happened. Never thought of trying for the patch. No problem.

 

I would like to try it. Not thru the association just on my own.

 

It is an individual thing.
But you might as well keep your receipts to have it verified.

 

Some of the rides are very difficult, others less so.
I've completed the SS1000 (24 hours), SS1500 (36 hours), SS2000 (48 hours), Lower Great Lakes 1000, and 50CC (50 hours coast to coast - Jacksonville, FL to San Diego, CA).
The least difficult ride was the SS1000, I rode from my home in Syracuse, NY to Detroit, had lunch, rode home, and was back in time for a late dinner.
The most difficult for me, was the SS2000. It was my first attempt at an IBA certified ride, and I rode from Syracuse, NY to Birmingham, AL in the summer. I completed the ride, but I was uncomfortable for half the time in the heat and humidity. (This was riding gear issues which I've since remedied.)
A SS1000, 1500, or 2000 only requires you to average 42 mph to complete the ride in the allotted time. The 50CC requires a 48 mph average.
The tough ones are the Bun Burner Gold, which is 1500 miles in 24 hours. That requires a 62.5 mph average. That is difficult to complete without auxiliary fuel and the higher speed limits found in the western part of the US.

 

If there was one that started from my town , I'm pretty sure I would do it

 

You don't understand how it works.

It starts from anywhere you want it to.
Fill your tank anywhere.
Grab the receipt.
The location and time on the receipt is your staring time and location.

Ride 1,000 miles, keep your receipts along the way.
1,000 miles later, fill up one last time. That is your stopping location and time.

Send them and starting and ending affidavit in and you will certified.

It isn't an organized ride. In fact they advise you not telling friends when you do one so you don't have the pressure of not finishing.

 

not quite that easy -- for the easy ones (1000 in 24, 1500 in 36 and 2000 in 48) you just need anyone who is willing to put their name on the sheet with address and phone so that IBA can verify the starting and stopping.

For the other tougher ones (1500 in 24, 50 CC and 100 cc to cc) you need a law enforcement, fireman or certified IBA member to do the verifying.

I want to do the 100 cc to cc - but my wife is totally against it.

 

I thought that is what I said when I said affidavits.
The basic ride really is pretty simple paperwork.