Considering the Iron Butt Association
#1
04-15-2018, 06:54 PM
Considering the Iron Butt Association
I知 considering joining the iron Butt Association this summer with a ride from Phoenix, Arizona ending in Custer, SD. Wife doesn稚 want to participate so she値l fly and meet me in SD and then we値l spend a couple days sightseeing before heading home.
The route I知 considering goes east through Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM then north through Denver, CO and Cheyenne, WY and then on to Custer, SD.
I知 sure someone here has rode from Phoenix to Sturgis. Any advice you can pass along? Also, for those who have gone 1000+ miles in 24 hours on your Harley, if you have words of wisdom to pass along, I壇 be indebted to you.
The route I知 considering goes east through Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM then north through Denver, CO and Cheyenne, WY and then on to Custer, SD.
I知 sure someone here has rode from Phoenix to Sturgis. Any advice you can pass along? Also, for those who have gone 1000+ miles in 24 hours on your Harley, if you have words of wisdom to pass along, I壇 be indebted to you.
#2
04-15-2018, 07:33 PM
My first question is how long of a day have you done so far? Prior experience and practice will definitely help here.
My next question is have you read the archive of wisdom from the IBA page? There is a lot of good advice there that most of use used to get started (it's still useful to experienced riders too).
Also relevant would be knowing what kind of bike you have and any farkles you might have added. If you're not comfortable on your steed after a quick 250 mile ride, a 1000 mile day is going to be miserable.
Almost any Iron Butt rider is going to tell you that covering miles isn't about going fast, it's about going. The less your wheels are stopped, the better your chances are of making your goal.
Welcome to the insanity.
My next question is have you read the archive of wisdom from the IBA page? There is a lot of good advice there that most of use used to get started (it's still useful to experienced riders too).
Also relevant would be knowing what kind of bike you have and any farkles you might have added. If you're not comfortable on your steed after a quick 250 mile ride, a 1000 mile day is going to be miserable.
Almost any Iron Butt rider is going to tell you that covering miles isn't about going fast, it's about going. The less your wheels are stopped, the better your chances are of making your goal.
Welcome to the insanity.
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#3
04-15-2018, 07:56 PM
2016 Road Glide Ultra, stock as the day I bought her.
The longest ride I’ve done is 300 miles more or less. I wasn’t uncomfortable, but I could see where my back might get sore after a few 100 more miles. I might consider a backrest and foot pegs.
I’ll definitely look at the IBA page as well.
The longest ride I’ve done is 300 miles more or less. I wasn’t uncomfortable, but I could see where my back might get sore after a few 100 more miles. I might consider a backrest and foot pegs.
I’ll definitely look at the IBA page as well.
#4
04-16-2018, 06:31 AM
As far as comfort, spend some time figuring out what makes you want to get off the bike after a couple hours then fix that. Highway pegs and a backrest can help out a lot...just make sure they are adjusted correctly.
Good luck!
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#5
04-16-2018, 06:36 AM
When working up for an IB attempt, I try to do several 3-500mi days, back to back to back. Then rest up for a few days and strike out. Doing it this way definitely makes 1000/24 much easier. A good backrest is as important to me as a good seat, and when preparing, just do increasingly larger "loops" I usually start with 200mi or so, and go out to 600mi in a day. Stopping only for fuel, and lunch typically. I run at a relaxed pace, and keep a relaxed "just seeing the sights" mindset. It makes the whole endeavor much more enjoyable.
During the summer months, when it's hotter than Satan's taint down here. I have been known to leave at 6-7pm and ride East with the sun to my back, riding till 3ish in the morning. Find me a spot to sleep until the sun wakes me up, and make the return trip with the sun at my back again. Less eye fatigue and almost always less traffic to deal with.
Eat good food, drink water. Spend a few minutes walking around a gas station parking lot when you stop for fuel. It goes a long way.
During the summer months, when it's hotter than Satan's taint down here. I have been known to leave at 6-7pm and ride East with the sun to my back, riding till 3ish in the morning. Find me a spot to sleep until the sun wakes me up, and make the return trip with the sun at my back again. Less eye fatigue and almost always less traffic to deal with.
Eat good food, drink water. Spend a few minutes walking around a gas station parking lot when you stop for fuel. It goes a long way.
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#6
04-16-2018, 08:53 AM
Club Member
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#7
04-16-2018, 10:03 AM
Road Master
In addition to what others have said:
When riding don't forget to drink water and stay hydrated. It's real easy to be focused on the ride and not drink water and wind up with heat stroke.
You may want to consider highway pegs to have another place to place your feet.
As Lew said, keep moving. There is plenty of time to do the ride. You don't need to make your fuel stops like Indy pit stops, but you don't want to be taking 30 - 45 minutes at each one either
And regarding speed, it is not necessary to significantly exceed the speed limit. Doing so actually wears you out and any time you may gain you will loose if you have a roadside chat
Everyone has fun doing different things. Some enjoy a 20 mile ride with a group of friends, others like riding 1000 or more miles in 24 hours or 1000 miles a day for several days. It's all good and who cares.
When riding don't forget to drink water and stay hydrated. It's real easy to be focused on the ride and not drink water and wind up with heat stroke.
You may want to consider highway pegs to have another place to place your feet.
As Lew said, keep moving. There is plenty of time to do the ride. You don't need to make your fuel stops like Indy pit stops, but you don't want to be taking 30 - 45 minutes at each one either
And regarding speed, it is not necessary to significantly exceed the speed limit. Doing so actually wears you out and any time you may gain you will loose if you have a roadside chat
I don't understand the big deal documenting and getting phone numbers. It's not like you win money, it's just for fun. That said, I've done numerous 800 mile days and one over 900 on the Deuce. Having the setting sun at your back and not in your face made a big difference.
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#8
04-16-2018, 11:11 AM
Club Member
I guess I should explain it better. I meant the IBA wanting so much documentation and people's phone numbers before they accept that you completed the ride. I'm not against doing an Iron Butt run. I've thought about doing one myself.
#9
04-16-2018, 12:14 PM
Road Master
The reason is to verify the rides to ensure that those that claim they have completed a ride truly did so. Much of that is on the way out as they are piloting an online submission process where you can take photos of your odometer and a receipt, use an electronic tracking system such as Spotwalla, and skip the witness forms. I'm not sure when it will be put in place.
#10
04-16-2018, 02:35 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
No, no, no, no!
I've been riding since '69 and my longest ride was 877 miles (with a lot of two lane roads) and although I could do a THOUSAND miles on one ride, I have no intentions or need to do so!
Last year, the wife and I rode home to Michigan from S.C. (on her 63rd birthday) a distance of about 715-725 miles (our odometers didn't agree) and it took us 14 hours, including the stopping for two meals.
I was on my Ultra and she was on her Heritage.
I told her that we could stop anytime she wanted, but NO, she wanted to say that she could do it again (we had done this before in '07 or '08) so we had to make it all the way home.
I ride a motorcycle for enjoyment and pleasure, NOT pain or endurance!
I've been riding since '69 and my longest ride was 877 miles (with a lot of two lane roads) and although I could do a THOUSAND miles on one ride, I have no intentions or need to do so!
Last year, the wife and I rode home to Michigan from S.C. (on her 63rd birthday) a distance of about 715-725 miles (our odometers didn't agree) and it took us 14 hours, including the stopping for two meals.
I was on my Ultra and she was on her Heritage.
I told her that we could stop anytime she wanted, but NO, she wanted to say that she could do it again (we had done this before in '07 or '08) so we had to make it all the way home.
I ride a motorcycle for enjoyment and pleasure, NOT pain or endurance!