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Cruiser
Posts: 174
Edmonton, AB | Hey guys and gals. My wife and I are planning our first IronButt attempt riding two-up in the next week or two. SaddleSore1000. We have a route picked that covers some nice parts of Alberta and British Columbia and what I think is a good game plan. Last weekend we did a "practice run" of over 500 miles (on a mix of mountain roads, single lane highways and divided highways) to check on our pace. We were just over 10 hours (including a total of 2 hours stop time for gas, breaks, and meals) when we hit 500 miles on the GPS so our pace was pretty much right where I wanted it to be.
I am looking for any advice you folks have to offer, especially in reards to the documentation part of the process. I would hate to have my plans spoiled by a paperwork error and I am hoping to learn from the experience and/or mistakes of others.
Any advice would be appreciated.... |
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Tourer
Posts: 430
| Look up Rollin on this site. Also, if you PM him he is a really nice guy to talk to, he is glad to share his tips and experiences. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
Sunshine Coast, B.C. Canada | I did my first Iron Butt run, coming back from Nashville in May.
I made sure to have 2 copies of all the forms from the IBA web site before I left (kinda hard to print new ones on the side of the road)
Double check that receipts have a time and postal/zip code.
Staying hydrated was a huge factor in keeping alert.
By going from east to west, I got the most daylight.
As for the paperwork, I entered my route into Google maps, (using my fuel stops as waypoints)
Sent COPIES of all receipts and witness forms plus a copy of the Google map.
Received my "Golden e-mail" at the end of June from the IBA
Good luck
P.S. I did my ride on a sunday, so roadwork was not an issue. |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Big Big container of Gold Bond powder cover inch of your body and you'll make it easier then you thought. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 880
Orlando, FL | I never really understood this cave man rite of passage. What's the point? So I can have a sore ass, be tired as hell and say I did it? Then make sounds like Tim the Toolman? I'd rather enjoy my miles. Each and every one. I have a couple of buddies that have the Iron Butt logo's displayed on their bikes. Like that makes them a better rider? Nope! |
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | i did a UnOffical I.B. from kansas to pittsburgh. i rode I70 the whole way.. it did it just over 20 hours. my success was, 5 hour energy and advil. I did this ride to come home from my mothers house.. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 721
| Having done 7 different Iron Butt rides between '96 and '06 there are a few things I would recommend, First, keep yourselves hydrated but not so much that you have to make special bathroom stops, keep stops for gas and food, preferably doing both together. Second, keep a logbook, nothing drastic, just time, date, location, and what you were doing at that stop. In addition you will need to keep all receipts you have to document your ride to the Iron Butt Association. Receipts for gas really help you keep proper documentation and logs as they usually have all the information you need. Third, DON'T SPEED! Most of the western United States and Canada has speed limits on the major highways that allow you to easily average 65 to 70 miles per hour which is more than you need in order to do 1000 miles in 24 hours, besides, the more you go above 70 mph the worse your gas mileage will be and thus you will have to stop more for gas. Forth, REST, REST, REST! Rest up before you start your ride, plan on getting a power nap or two while on the ride (it's amazing how much your body recovers with a simple 15-20 minute nap). You have one great asset on this ride and that is your wife on the back seat, if you don't have an intercom or helmet to helmet system get one because the talking is a great way to get the miles to fly by. My last Iron Butt was back in 2006 (back when my wife was still my girlfriend) when I rode 1054 miles from the LaQuinta Inn at the Denver Tech Center in Denver, Colorado to my house near Fox Lake, IL in a time of 17 hours, 25 minutes. I left Denver at 5 a.m. (Central time, 4 a.m. Mountain time) and got to my house at 10:25 p.m that night, just in time to see the Fourth of July fireworks over the Chain O' Lakes. Here is a little proof that people run Visions at the IBA: 
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | Besides adequate clothing for any situation, rain or shine, I also used a fake sheepskin dog mat to keep my butt from sticking to the seat in the heat. That's probably the best invention ever made. It removes pressure points that you don't even know are there, but will find all about after about 900 miles. You can fold it different ways as well, and I know for a fact on the latter portion of the trip I was folding it every chance I could to change my seating position. You won't regret spending a few bucks on this item! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 174
Edmonton, AB | Thank you all for the great advice. I do appreciate all those who took the time to offer input...There has already been a couple of suggestion th I hadn't thought about.
Please keep the advice coming.
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Cruiser
Posts: 174
Edmonton, AB | Double post... tinger frouble....
Edited by Newfie 2012-07-04 11:17 PM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | Keep the stops short. Every minute stopped is a mile lost.
Write the mileage on each receipt. Chech that each receipt shows the time, date and place. Keep the receipts dry - Zip Loc bag works.
I plan all of my gas stops on 1 day rides. Saves time. Don't forget your witness forms,
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | If you have the room print out the log from the IBA site and use a clipboard, I found it easier to work with. Keep a ziplock bag to stash your receipts in that way you dont misplace one. Keep the log and baggie together.
Ive got a few IBAs on my Vision. I also believe the sheep skin is great stuff......money well spent. If you buy it from Alaska Leather the medium size fits perfectly on the drivers portion of the Vision seat.....just like it was made for it. You'd have to pry mine out of my cold dead hands.....THAT good.
Try to time your stops for fuel, drinks and bathroom all at the same time.....BIG time saver. Find a rhythm.....it will come easy.
http://www.alaskaleatheronline.com/servlet/the-6/Sheepskin-Motorcyc...
Edited by aaronrkelly 2012-07-04 11:26 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | stay hungry my friend. In other words, eat light and don't eat or drink stuff high in sugar. Stay hydrated. Rest well in the days leading up to your trip. I agree that sheepskin is a big help. To the comment about not understanding the ironbutt rider. To borrow a Harley phrase, if I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand  . I love challenges. I also love that it can get me to amazing destinations in less time so less superslab time and more quality time . Better utilization of my vacation days. Typically makes my trips more affordable (less lodging expense and food because I keep on trucking). I'm not a rich man so it allows me to do things that I generally would not get to do otherwise. I had the most amazing Sturgis experience last year, If I hadn't done it ironbutt style , I wouldn't have gotten to go at all . And the ironbutt license plate back doesn't claim participants are "better" riders. It says "Worlds Toughest Riders"  I have only done 2 ironbutts, planning another in August. Going for the bunburner Gold this time. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1308
Sand Rock, AL United States | I know I addressed the physical preperations and you were asking about the documentation. The iba website documentation rules are pretty clear and they have good suggestions for physical preperation. I try to stay away from greasy food too. I compare it to running a marathon. You run the first part wiht your legs , you run the second part with your head. Be smart, alert. Stop if you get sleepy, don't try to drive through it. Your training is put to the test in the 2nd half of the marathon just like the 1st 500 miles is relatively easy but the 2nd half is where being rested prior to trip, staying hydrated and nutrition that promotes alertness (i do not promote the use of energy drinks) will benefit. Like Rollin' said , make your stops efficient.
Edited by jimtom 2012-07-05 11:38 AM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 5
| All great recommendations. Most importantly, enjoy the ride!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 348
Sturbridge, Mass | When I did mone, I did ti with two other riders. One guy did it on a Hammer, so we had to stop every 135 miles- so we were never longer than 2.5 hours between stops which was noce to avoid long droning sections.
Use a credit card for gas- acts as a back up time stamp if you lose a receipt.
I took pictures of my odometer at all stops.
Hydrate- YES !!
The one thiong for me that I would do different, we drove 512 miles out, turned around and came back. I would drive as far/long as I coukld in one day- then stop. get soem good rest and come home. Your mind set is once we tunred around- we were on our way home and perhaps pushed becasue "we are almost there"
Good luck and be safe ! |
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Request advice for first IronButt Attempt