Iron Butt group ride - these guys are tough!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
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From: Ft. Wayne IN
Iron Butt group ride - these guys are tough!
I'm down in the Dallas area doing a consulting gig for a large company and staying in a local hotel in McKinney. Went out last night about 9pm and saw 6 bikes pull under the canopy. It was about 40-45 degrees. Spoke to the guys (and a gal) to see what's up. They are all from the St. Louis area and did a group ride down to San Antonio, departed Saturday and began the trip home yesterday. They all went down to pay respects to one of the guy's nephew who died in motorcycle crash last week. They had a "support" vehicle following them with a large trailer. They had to load another bike that wasn't running right into the trailer last night. Three in the trailer at this point, so they started out with 9 riders in total.
They did an Iron Butt (1000 miles) on their way down. When they left St. Louis Saturday, it was 36F. Yesterday morning here it was 32F. It's 38F now and they are going to leave in about an hour or so. About 600 miles to go today and they are all confident they'll make it. I took a photo, but can't yet figure out how to access photos on my new Samsung phone.
I admire the hell out of them for doing an Iron Butt and honoring the departed, but also doing it in the cold! Took a snapshot, but I haven't
They did an Iron Butt (1000 miles) on their way down. When they left St. Louis Saturday, it was 36F. Yesterday morning here it was 32F. It's 38F now and they are going to leave in about an hour or so. About 600 miles to go today and they are all confident they'll make it. I took a photo, but can't yet figure out how to access photos on my new Samsung phone.
I admire the hell out of them for doing an Iron Butt and honoring the departed, but also doing it in the cold! Took a snapshot, but I haven't
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: North Carolina
Good story, thanks for sharing.
If the roads are DRY and I have my heated gear, mid to upper 30's is not an issue at all. I actually really enjoy riding in those temps with all my gear. Without heated gear they are tough, but it can be done.
If the roads are DRY and I have my heated gear, mid to upper 30's is not an issue at all. I actually really enjoy riding in those temps with all my gear. Without heated gear they are tough, but it can be done.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Long Island, New York
30's is a bit cold for a long ride, even with the right gear. Then in the dark, no thanks that is just too cold. 40's and up, with the sun out for me. Local ride, sure whatever we gotta do, but an all day ride on the Interstate, that is too much, or should I say too little.
Good deal for them, I am sure the people they visited appreciated their efforts to get their.
Good deal for them, I am sure the people they visited appreciated their efforts to get their.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Whiskey Falls, Texas
Got caught a couple hundred miles from home a few years ago. I knew it was coming but I was tired and stopped for the night. Woke up to steady temps in the low 30's and a dry sleet falling. No heated gear but I did have heated grips and I was leathered up. Even at that I was stopping about every 60-70 miles to drink coffee and warm up.
10-15 degrees makes all the difference in the world!
10-15 degrees makes all the difference in the world!
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,978
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From: Michigan
Time and distance has a lot to do with riding in cool, cold or wet weather (at least for me).
Once I get cold (or wet and cold) for me the fun is over and it's time to head for shelter
I've always said that I've never been as cold on a snowmobile as I have on a motorcycle but that was years before I finally gave in and started wearing the proper gear.
I've left home on trips a few times when the temps were between 45-50 degrees but I knew the weather would be warming with the sunrise
I now have heated seats, grips, along with a heated jacket, gloves. leather jacket, leather over pants and h-d rain gear and a FF mod helmet but even with this gear riding hour after hour over long distances at temps below 50 degrees can become uncomfortable and for me tiring.
Once I get cold (or wet and cold) for me the fun is over and it's time to head for shelter
I've always said that I've never been as cold on a snowmobile as I have on a motorcycle but that was years before I finally gave in and started wearing the proper gear.
I've left home on trips a few times when the temps were between 45-50 degrees but I knew the weather would be warming with the sunrise
I now have heated seats, grips, along with a heated jacket, gloves. leather jacket, leather over pants and h-d rain gear and a FF mod helmet but even with this gear riding hour after hour over long distances at temps below 50 degrees can become uncomfortable and for me tiring.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,987
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From: NC
With appropriate riding gear, it's not bad riding in those temps. Back 15 years ago, I purchased an Aerostitch Darien riding suit. I mostly use it on longer trips. But will wear it locally when the temp justify it.
Add in an electric vest and I'm good for all day.
Add in an electric vest and I'm good for all day.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,007
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From: Wilkes Co.- N.C.
Time and distance has a lot to do with riding in cool, cold or wet weather (at least for me).
Once I get cold (or wet and cold) for me the fun is over and it's time to head for shelter
I've always said that I've never been as cold on a snowmobile as I have on a motorcycle but that was years before I finally gave in and started wearing the proper gear.
I've left home on trips a few times when the temps were between 45-50 degrees but I knew the weather would be warming with the sunrise
I now have heated seats, grips, along with a heated jacket, gloves. leather jacket, leather over pants and h-d rain gear and a FF mod helmet but even with this gear riding hour after hour over long distances at temps below 50 degrees can become uncomfortable and for me tiring.
Once I get cold (or wet and cold) for me the fun is over and it's time to head for shelter
I've always said that I've never been as cold on a snowmobile as I have on a motorcycle but that was years before I finally gave in and started wearing the proper gear.
I've left home on trips a few times when the temps were between 45-50 degrees but I knew the weather would be warming with the sunrise
I now have heated seats, grips, along with a heated jacket, gloves. leather jacket, leather over pants and h-d rain gear and a FF mod helmet but even with this gear riding hour after hour over long distances at temps below 50 degrees can become uncomfortable and for me tiring.
I did a solo from Ft Lauderdale to Winston-Salem, N.C. (about 820 miles) one time to see dad in the hospital.....Florida was nice and N.C. was forecast to be clear and 55 or so for the week......I packed light, jean jacket, flannel shirts, hoodie, etc....
Overnited in Georgia and got up to 40° temps.....No problem says I.....lol......40° standing in the sunshine is vastly different than 40° at 80 mph!.....By the time I got to dad's place I had on everything I brought with me including the rain suit!......
I went in the house, built a fire, got something to eat and took dads cage to the hospital.....Sitting there, 2 hrs off the bike, talking to him, still shivering......lolol......
Went by one of the big sporting goods stores before I left for home and bought one of those big puffy one piece ski suits and gloves.....I looked like a blue Michelin man going home, but I was WARM!......
Wind chill is a bitch.....ha!....
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Seasoned HDF Member
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From: Virginia
We ride down from NW Va to Daytona every year in March. It’s always dicey first week of March through the mountains , seen snow…sleet…rain. The right gear makes all the difference.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
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From: Philly PA
With the proper gear a ride like that isn't that difficult to someone who has done it before.
As for the group ride part, that is common in the Long Distance Riding community except most of us ride separately with no support vehicle.
The Iron Butt Association has their annual banquet in Jacksonville each March and riders from all over the country attend. There is also the last ride of the year next week where riders meet at the Stage Coach Cafe in Stockton AL which usually draws up to 600 riders from all over the country including the Northeast.
As for the group ride part, that is common in the Long Distance Riding community except most of us ride separately with no support vehicle.
The Iron Butt Association has their annual banquet in Jacksonville each March and riders from all over the country attend. There is also the last ride of the year next week where riders meet at the Stage Coach Cafe in Stockton AL which usually draws up to 600 riders from all over the country including the Northeast.
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