Iron Butt Riders

[shanedman]

Has anyone done any of the Iron Butt rides?
I was curious, so i went to their site and read up on the rules and everything.
Something that i may be interested in doing in the future. (not too soon, since i just sold my bike, and need to get a new one.)
Just wondering if anyone has done them, specifially the 1000 in a day, or 1500 in 36 hrs.
They sound pretty hard to do from reading about them, but also sound super fun and would be cool to join that "club" as well.

another notch in my belt one day maybe?

I am just wanting some input. Maybe next summer i can arrange one, if there is any interested parties.

[Fort Bend Rider]

Dusty, the 1000 and 1500 are not that difficult. The 1000 only takes about 17 hours if you stay steady. The 1500 is easier, and you can even take a four or five hour sleep break. Most do the 1500 Gold which is 1500 miles within 24 hours, and it takes about 22 to 23 hours, and is a bit more difficult.

If you look on the IBA site there are riding tips. The most important thing is not speed, but managing your time. Another key component is planning your ride. Plan as much as you can on non urban Interstate. Also try to plan to ride in daylight in areas that are known for deer.

Rider comfort is essential. If you can not sit in your saddle all day without pain, then you are going to have issues.

[lddane]

I did my first SS1000 in 1996 and have done a wide variety of the rides over the years. A Saddlesore is really a pretty easy ride and I don't even do any preparation or planning for them. If you are on an Interstate and riding within 5 mph of the speed limit, it could be as little as about 14 hours. One key factor is time spent off the bike. IT helps to have a good sized fuel tank and be able to ride tank to tank. When you do stop for fuel, don't waste time. More than 10 minutes stopped is too much. This is especially true as you move into the more extreme rides.
Often when I am doing a ride that is about 1000 miles in a day, especially in the summer, I will start at about 4:30 or 5 AM and ride until around 3 in the afternoon, Then I'll stop and take a nap and start up again around 5 or 6.This lets me avoid the most brutal heat of the day and I'll finish the ride around 10 pm or so.
The SS1000 and BB1500 are both easily doable by anyone willing to spend the time sitting in the saddle.
Go for it!

[M38A1]

Couple documented SS1K and half a dozen or more grand-in-a-day just getting out of or back into Texas under my belt. The 1k's really don't need planning as noted other than totally understanding the documentation process and sticking to it.

Larger fuel tanks help, especially in West Texas headed out I-10. 3rd week in June is best as you have the absolute most daylight available.

Do a search on the board here. Lots of threads on tips/tricks/planning.

[Meriden]

I have one in the mulling it over stage since I don't know any better. You'll get tons of advice, so here is my favorite Iron Butt ride report:

It's 4am and I have a craving for some BBQ

m

[gixxerjasen]

Originally Posted by Meriden

I have one in the mulling it over stage since I don't know any better. You'll get tons of advice, so here is my favorite Iron Butt ride report:

It's 4am and I have a craving for some BBQ

m

Thanks! I'm flattered!

[Meriden]

Where credit is due. It was a good ride.

[KenH]

1000 miles takes about 19 hours on a TW200.

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by KenH

1000 miles takes about 19 hours on a TW200.

THAT is hard core!

[gixxerjasen]

Originally Posted by Texas T

THAT is hard core!

Indeed.

[MaxxTraxx]

I wanted to do one earlier in the year until I really started looking into it....now im back to planning stage. I am gonna shoot for some time mid 2013. I've been building my endurance up to do 500miles or more stretches over a few days or so to prepare for 1K on the bike.

I agree with the others, planning is crucial.

[KenH]

Plan your timing so that you are between large urban areas during rush hours. Traffic can kill your average speed and can be very dangerous when a rider is fatigued near the end of the ride.

[shanedman]

Originally Posted by lddane

I did my first SS1000 in 1996 and have done a wide variety of the rides over the years. A Saddlesore is really a pretty easy ride and I don't even do any preparation or planning for them. If you are on an Interstate and riding within 5 mph of the speed limit, it could be as little as about 14 hours. One key factor is time spent off the bike. IT helps to have a good sized fuel tank and be able to ride tank to tank. When you do stop for fuel, don't waste time. More than 10 minutes stopped is too much. This is especially true as you move into the more extreme rides.
Often when I am doing a ride that is about 1000 miles in a day, especially in the summer, I will start at about 4:30 or 5 AM and ride until around 3 in the afternoon, Then I'll stop and take a nap and start up again around 5 or 6.This lets me avoid the most brutal heat of the day and I'll finish the ride around 10 pm or so.
The SS1000 and BB1500 are both easily doable by anyone willing to spend the time sitting in the saddle.
Go for it!

I PLAN to do plenty of PLANNING... haha.


Great advice from all... will take all into account.
Soon as i get another bike, i may start the PREP-work of planning everything. Will let everyone know if/when it will happen, and of course i will invite all who are willing.

[Fort Bend Rider]

Originally Posted by shanedman

I PLAN to do plenty of PLANNING... haha.


Great advice from all... will take all into account.
Soon as i get another bike, i may start the PREP-work of planning everything. Will let everyone know if/when it will happen, and of course i will invite all who are willing.

Be careful with your invitations. There is no problem with ridding with a buddy, but the larger the group the more likely something will break. When humans form a group, the tendency is to stay as a group. In the event of a breakdown, or even worse an accident, then then all your effort to complete the ride is lost because someone may have gotten a flat tire.

There is no magic number. Some will say doing it alone is best, but I have always liked the buddy system.

[Bob Dahringer]

Originally Posted by Fort Bend Rider

Dusty, the 1000 and 1500 are not that difficult.

Tell him about your UCC ride for some real inspiration.

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by shanedman

I PLAN to do plenty of PLANNING... haha.


Great advice from all... will take all into account.
Soon as i get another bike, i may start the PREP-work of planning everything.

Don't over analyze this. A SS1K is really not that big a deal. It may seem daunting when looking at it from the outside, but as long as you can "sit there and twist that" for 18+ hours that's all you really need to worry about.

From the bottom of Austin to the northern bypass of San Antonio to the I-20 merge, to FTW to Georgetown is roughly 1035 miles (always build in a cushion) and 16 hours according to Google Maps. Figure in another 2 hours in gas stops, and 4 hours in eating/resting and you're still finishing with a 2 hour cushion.

There's gas all along the way so just determine what your fuel distance will be when riding at higher speeds (80+ speed limits), make sure there are gas stations in that general vicinity, and go.

Easy-peasy, and as Ft Bend Rider said, don't ride with a group. No more than one the first time and only if you are already compatible on fuel stops, pee stops, rest stops, etc.

[Meriden]

The only thing that gets in my way when plotting a route is the Interstate system. One the one hand it seems like the most practical way to accomplish and SS1000. On the other I'd rather not ride than spend 17 hours sitting in the middle of that rolling warehouse. Better keep looking at the maps. Maybe 90 to Fort Davis and back.

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by Meriden

The only thing that gets in my way when plotting a route is the Interstate system. One the one hand it seems like the most practical way to accomplish and SS1000. On the other I'd rather not ride than spend 17 hours sitting in the middle of that rolling warehouse. Better keep looking at the maps. Maybe 90 to Fort Davis and back.

Valid point, but it is recommended for those attempting their first effort just due to the simplicity of the ride.

[Fort Bend Rider]

Originally Posted by Bob Dahringer

Tell him about your UCC ride for some real inspiration.

Baby steps first.

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by Fort Bend Rider

Baby steps first.

Don't want to scare them off?