Iron Butt Association
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: co
I did my first 1,000 Iron Butt in 24hrs this past summer on my 1989 Harley Davidson Electraglide Ultra Classic. It was in Colorado over the continental divide several times and began the ride at 3am riding up to 10,000ft elevation and freezing temps starting out... it was tough.
I would recommend doing it with a planned event so you get fired up for it and don't bail. It's too easy to pack it in when the going gets tough... which it will.
I ate very light, made quick gas stops, and didn't take any down time for sleep. Also, I have cruise control which really helps your hand from cramping and numbing. My lower back was screaming by the time I was done and I was useless the next day. Probably won't do it again 'cause it was a little too much IMHO. Good luck and kick ***!
I would recommend doing it with a planned event so you get fired up for it and don't bail. It's too easy to pack it in when the going gets tough... which it will.
I ate very light, made quick gas stops, and didn't take any down time for sleep. Also, I have cruise control which really helps your hand from cramping and numbing. My lower back was screaming by the time I was done and I was useless the next day. Probably won't do it again 'cause it was a little too much IMHO. Good luck and kick ***!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,692
Likes: 7,257
From: Syracuse,NY
Some good points already made. Stick to the highways. The faster the speed limit the better. Get gas at the stations right at the exit. The first 500 miles should be easy. Get your gas and get right back on the road. After that your stops will probably be longer just to stretch and eat and use the bathroom. One way or another your going to be riding at night, bring warm clothes. I was freezing. Like someone else said, don't ride into the setting sun.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
I did my first 1,000 Iron Butt in 24hrs this past summer on my 1989 Harley Davidson Electraglide Ultra Classic. It was in Colorado over the continental divide several times and began the ride at 3am riding up to 10,000ft elevation and freezing temps starting out... it was tough.
I would recommend doing it with a planned event so you get fired up for it and don't bail. It's too easy to pack it in when the going gets tough... which it will.
I ate very light, made quick gas stops, and didn't take any down time for sleep. Also, I have cruise control which really helps your hand from cramping and numbing. My lower back was screaming by the time I was done and I was useless the next day. Probably won't do it again 'cause it was a little too much IMHO. Good luck and kick ***!
I would recommend doing it with a planned event so you get fired up for it and don't bail. It's too easy to pack it in when the going gets tough... which it will.
I ate very light, made quick gas stops, and didn't take any down time for sleep. Also, I have cruise control which really helps your hand from cramping and numbing. My lower back was screaming by the time I was done and I was useless the next day. Probably won't do it again 'cause it was a little too much IMHO. Good luck and kick ***!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,619
Likes: 57
From: New York
Are most IBA rides solo or does anyone ride in a small group?
Obviously the group would have to be pretty small to avoid wasting time waiting for lights, physiological differences, breakdowns, etc.
I would like to try it but I think it would be fun to do with a friend or two.
Obviously the group would have to be pretty small to avoid wasting time waiting for lights, physiological differences, breakdowns, etc.
I would like to try it but I think it would be fun to do with a friend or two.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 85
From: Florida
Are most IBA rides solo or does anyone ride in a small group?
Obviously the group would have to be pretty small to avoid wasting time waiting for lights, physiological differences, breakdowns, etc.
I would like to try it but I think it would be fun to do with a friend or two.
Obviously the group would have to be pretty small to avoid wasting time waiting for lights, physiological differences, breakdowns, etc.
I would like to try it but I think it would be fun to do with a friend or two.
If you decide to do it with more than one person one of the first things you have to agree on is if one rider breaks down or can't finish for some reason, does the whole group abandon the run?, one guy stays back with him? or if he isn't hurt, leave him to get home when he can.
I've ridden with guys I know well and ridden a lot with, but for a timed run, I'd rather be by myself. I only have to worry about my fuel range, my speed, my schedule.
Last edited by Jonesee; Feb 18, 2014 at 12:22 PM.
Supporter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 147
From: Grays Creek, NC
Never really understood why this was so difficult on a touring bike? Me and A buddy did it twice in a weekend heading to an event and back. We were both in the Army and didn't have a choice so that made it easier I guess. But we left about 5am and were there that night by 11PM just in time to party, stayed the next day and left the next morning and did the same on the way back. A lot of the speed limits in Louisiana are 75mph so we would do 84-85 and in Tenn they were 70 so we were ranging between 80-85 in Tenn. We did the tank to tank using the above 200 mile mark to start looking for fuel. But with cruise and a back rest while playing tunes I didn't think it was any different than taking a car or truck? I was also navigating so that made the ride go quicker as well. We stopped for fast food for lunch and BBQ was waiting for us when we got there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
I did my SS1000 mostly on Hwy 50 and I-80 in Nevada, in a relatively large group (8 bikes, I think). We rode from Utah toward Reno in the morning and headed back on I-80 in the afternoon/evening. We left around 4:00 a.m. and got back around 1:00 the next morning. The size of our group slowed us down. It was nice having the sun at our backs the whole time.
My lunch was too big -- left me drowsy about an hour later. If not for the 5 hour energy I would have had to bail out.
Hwy 50 was great for an Iron Butt, although there were a couple of time we got stuck behind a pickup pulling a trailer with a bull in the back. Unfortunately, after we got around him the first time he passed us at our next fuel stop.
I'm glad I did it. I bet you will be too.
My lunch was too big -- left me drowsy about an hour later. If not for the 5 hour energy I would have had to bail out.
Hwy 50 was great for an Iron Butt, although there were a couple of time we got stuck behind a pickup pulling a trailer with a bull in the back. Unfortunately, after we got around him the first time he passed us at our next fuel stop.
I'm glad I did it. I bet you will be too.
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Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 503
From: Garrote, California
Yes, and thanks for reminding me. I will have to schedule gas stops at both locations. My bike can make 186 miles between fueling stops. Thanks again.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Ohio
Several years ago I used to ride with a couple guys that was into the Ironbutt association. I attended one of their dinners in Daytona during Bikeweek. The guy sitting next to me was the first one to complete the big ride (1000 / mi / day for eleven days) on a 125 Suzuki.
As for me, I did a couple 1000 mi / day trips but never bothered registering. My longest trip was 1150 miles from Estes park Co to Elkhart Ind. I rode a BMW K1200lt.i was exhausted at the end. I remember I started seeing things running across the road in front of me that weren't real at the very end. I seem to remember the first 1000 miles wasn't to bad, but the last 150 was like torture. The worst part was at the end I had to ride thru a high traffic area in South Chicago. It was 5 lanes of cars and trucks and my ability to react was shot.
Anyway I found that 1150 miles was my limit. Today at 64 I'm not sure I could do 1000 miles. (Maybe)
As for me, I did a couple 1000 mi / day trips but never bothered registering. My longest trip was 1150 miles from Estes park Co to Elkhart Ind. I rode a BMW K1200lt.i was exhausted at the end. I remember I started seeing things running across the road in front of me that weren't real at the very end. I seem to remember the first 1000 miles wasn't to bad, but the last 150 was like torture. The worst part was at the end I had to ride thru a high traffic area in South Chicago. It was 5 lanes of cars and trucks and my ability to react was shot.
Anyway I found that 1150 miles was my limit. Today at 64 I'm not sure I could do 1000 miles. (Maybe)