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There are a lot of different Iron Butt rides and looking back some of the rides need more planning and preparing.
The Heven to Hell rides are just 1000+ mile day rides but include the top of Mount Evans or Pikes Peak and the lowest point in Death Valley. So, need to be prepared for possible snow at the top of the mountains and maybe 120's in Death Valley. Also adds timing. When do you want to end the rides in Death Valley or the ride to the top of the mountains? The Heaven to Hell Gold ride also includes a ride through Independence Pass, don't want to ride through the pass in the dark or while riding into the sun. It's does add ride timing.
The Ultimate Coast to Coast ride. Key West, Florida to Deadhorse, Alaska, will again include temperature extremes and 100's of miles of gravel/mud. It will count as one ride, but you will be traveling for days and 1000's of miles.
If you like planning and preparing, try the IBA 48/10 Plus. This ride will take you to 48 states plus Alaska in less than 10 days. The rules are very simple, must have at least one receipt for each of the 49 states and the ride must be completed in less than 10 days. You create the route, there is no official route. They want a copy of all of the receipts but there must be at least one for each state.
There are also northernmost to southernmost point rides in Canada. The standard ride will take you to the end of the Dempster Highway, the Gold version will take you to the Arctic Ocean and will include almost a thousand miles of gravel travel.
If you think Iron Butt rides are easy, it's time to raise the bar. If you don't see anything during an Iron Butt ride you are doing it wrong.
During an Iron Butt ride. At least there's no traffic.
Iron Butt ride. Got fuel?
June- Very windy and in the 30's at the top of Mount Evans. I was lucky, it was only 115 degrees in Death Valley. A week later it was 129 degrees in DV, glad I wasn't there then!
Ending an Iron Butt ride at 4:00 am in the middle of Death Valley is not the smartest thing I have done. On a cloudy night it's dark! The HID headlight helped.
Last edited by Rollin'2; Dec 11, 2022 at 02:20 PM.
How many miles did you Iron Butt guys ride between stops?
Or did you base your stops more on hours in the saddle?
It depends.
On my 100CCC I rode as far as I could, 350 miles because you need a receipt at no more than 350. On my BBG where I went from PA to Jacksonville via I-81 and some other highways to Mobile I had a few legs of much less because I needed to mark the turn. And sometimes I need to stop for a rest room at 100 miles.
That's me. Your mileage may differ Go with what is good for you. On a SS1K you have plenty of time. My fuel stops are sometimes 20-30 minutes because I am checking Facebook and replying to friends and family commenting on my trip. (I post my Spotwalla link so those interested can follow along)
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Go with what is good for you. On a SS1K you have plenty of time. My fuel stops are sometimes 20-30 minutes because I am checking Facebook and replying to friends and family commenting on my trip. (I post my Spotwalla link so those interested can follow along)
