| Author | Message | ||
     Curtyd |
WOW, I am as excited as a kid at XMAS reading the daily updates. Maybe some day I will get to be there, Kneebone accepted my 'riding resume' several years back, but the entry fee and other commitments foreclosed it. A guy can dream though! | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
That's a crazy tank! I spent $300+ having my stock Bandit seat modified by Sargent to try get get more miles out of my arse. I still look forward to refueling stops at 140 miles or sooner. I don't know how those guys do it. They must shoot Novocaine into their butts! Tipsy | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Exhaustion is setting in. Two riders dumped their bikes and are out of the event. One at an intersection and one while making a u-turn and went into a ditch. I can relate. On my last seven day event, I got lost coming off an Interstate. (Twice) I couldn't figure out how to get back on the Interstate. Had to rely on my GPS. Brain had turned to mush. | ||
| Court |
I'm not a big fan of the Iron Butt. The idea of sending folks zooming around in triple digits (don't buy their bullshit, those folks are routinely running 120+) who haven't slept in 3 days is dangerous. | ||
| Rotorhead |
I disagree with the 120+ idea. LD riding is disciplined riding of overall moving average. LD riders just don't hop on a motorcycle one a day and say "hey lets drive 11,000 miles in 11 days". For some it takes years to build up to do what I think is the top level of motorcycle sporting and endurance. If you don't agree I challenge anyone who has never done a 1000 miles in 24 hrs ( the smallest step in the iron butt association). Mathematically easily done to maintain a 60 MPH speed for 16.6 hrs plenty of time to spare. It is hard for many to get the picture that the Ironbutt rally isn’t a race. It is a scavenger hunt across north America in 11 days. It is a complete endurance both mentally and physically and for the motorcycle mechanically. There are safety mandatory rest stops and rest stops that give you "reward point's" to rest. The few that may run at high speeds to make it from point to point are bad time managers and don’t do well at the end with the point total. Grouping the riders in the Ironbutt rally as BS artists and running 120+ isn’t fair. Would it be the same as saying all Buell owners are the red headed stepchildren that couldn’t afford the real Harly? I don’t think so!! | ||
| Lorazepam |
Rotorhead, it appears you understand the LD experience. Some of the folks doing this rally will get 4 hours of sleep every day, and do rather well. Optimizing your route, knowing a sucker's bonus from an efficient use of time and distance. How to change on the fly due to weather or mechanical troubles. It isnt about "laying the ears back". if you want to be successful, you manage your time and distance, getting the maximum points with the least mileage. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
I have to agree with Court in this case although I do wish Bison the best of luck and would like to see him win. Rotorhead and Lorazepam are correct in the "theory" of LD rides, but because the Iron Butt adds in the points competition and puzzle solving equation, it is extremely different from riding 1000 miles in 24 hours. That is merely a way for people to decide they can sit in the saddle that long. Very few, if any, of the riders in the "Holy Grail Iron Butt" will cruise along at posted speed limits between bonuses. They will all attempt to pick up as many bonuses as possible and haul ass in between because they don't know how many points the others have accumulated. That's just human nature. I feel bad for the guy that was attempting those "manly" points and totalled the Gold Wing. I would have liked to seen at least one rider get it, but he did not have the machine for it and now he has no machine at all. Again that is just another case of the organizers creating a dangerous situation for their own enjoyment. | ||
| Dynasport |
Well, I've only done the easiest of the IBA rides, the SS1000. It was enough to challenge me. It was also enough to make me want to do more to challenge myself. OTOH, I don't think I am capable of operating safely on the limited sleep they get for days in a row. I don't know if it is a matter of training your body to do it or if it is a matter of being genetic freaks. My only shot I think would be massive amounts of chemicals. So, while I can dream of one day competing in an event like this, I just don't believe it is realistic. And I really hope they are not doing triple digit speeds. I think if they were the accidents wouldn't be of the variety that have been reported so far. Just my thoughts. | ||
| Lorazepam |
He knew his bike, and could have turned around any time he liked. The rider made it what it was. Thank god you never exceed the speed limit when you are riding your motorcycle. If you get a speeding ticket during the rally, it is grounds for a dq. I can only speak for the people I know personally, and they do not spend time at excessive speed. The cumulative effect of the concentration needed to run isnt worth it over the long run. | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Speeding tickets aren't necessarily grounds for DQ. Taken straight from the rules, "Please keep in mind that you can be disqualified from the Iron Butt Rally for reckless riding or excessive speed." Has anyone been officially DQ'ed for either yet? | ||
| Karlsbad |
Hey Rotorhead, I resemble that remark I am the red headed step child, never could figure that one out as a kid, Oh well. Been there done that a long time ago was a young pup of 23 made it 4 days almost 5k miles. It's not all about speed, speed does help but methodical unrelenting pace with no stops is what gets you the distance big tanks, piss tubes, and well planned stops keep you up front. I wish them all well it is one heck of an adventure no doubt about it. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
"Has anyone been officially DQ'ed for either yet?" The first one that comes to mind is Jim Owens. (He is in the '07 IBR) A couple of years ago he averaged 95 mph on a leg or event and told his tales on his web site. His first place finish was taken away from him. I've also been on rallys that have you place your drivers license in a sealed envelope. When you return to the judging table, if your envelope has been opened, (presumable by a law officer), you do not receive any bonus points. I'm not arguing that there is no speeding taking place on these type of events, but usually the riders with the most efficient, well executed ride are the ones that finish in the front. If you have ever entered one of these type events, the first thing you will notice when the rally packages are given out are the lap tops. Riders start with plotting out the best routes, watching for the sucker bonuses, adding time for collecting the bonuses, dialing in roads under construction, rush hours around big cities, etc. 1,000 miles/ 24 hours on the interstate is no big deal. But a 1,000 miles on rural roads, waiting for the tide to come in, fighting rush hours or the timing of "daylight only" bonuses adds to the stress,mentally and physically. The IBA slogan is 'Worlds Toughest Motorcycle Riders', and this group of riders is proving it. I can't wait for the next write up of yesterdays events. | ||
| Alchemy |
From the Day 5 checkin reports "Dick Fish was another rider thought to have a good chance of placing near the top that is well back in the pack. He scored only 72,973 points on his ride to Perce Rock. Dick is expecting that Goose Bay is again likely to be a bonus on Leg 2 and, if it is, he says he is going for it this time. He is going to be disappointed when the bonus listings are handed out at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning." It seems some of the more respected riders are not placing as high up in the standings as some of the lesser knowns. The leaders are running well over 100,000 points at this point. Best of luck Dick! | ||
| Augie_dogie |
Bienhoabob: "I've also been on rallys that have you place your drivers license in a sealed envelope. When you return to the judging table, if your envelope has been opened, (presumable by a law officer), you do not receive any bonus points." Utah 1088? | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Augie dogie, The Utah 1088 is on my wish list. Hopefully next year. The quote refers to the Bonzai Road Rally, held by the Glacial Lakes MC. (www.glmc.org) | ||
| Jmhinkle |
""I've also been on rallys that have you place your drivers license in a sealed envelope. When you return to the judging table, if your envelope has been opened, (presumable by a law officer), you do not receive any bonus points." That wouldn't get you far in the State of New Mexico. If you attempt to purchase anything on a credit or debit card other than gas at the pump, you have to show your ID about 99.9% of the time. Great idea though. That sucks that things are not working out for Dick. Maybe in 2 years there will be more Uly's. (Message edited by jmhinkle on August 25, 2007) | ||
| Coolice |
Any updates on Dick? | ||
| Chrisgrant |
"Dick Fish was another rider thought to have a good chance of placing near the top that is well back in the pack. He scored only 72,973 points on his ride to Perce Rock. Dick is expecting that Goose Bay is again likely to be a bonus on Leg 2 and, if it is, he says he is going for it this time. He is going to be disappointed when the bonus listings are handed out at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning." Got this on http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2007.cfm | ||
| Alchemy |
From day 6 report: "If your name isn't George Barnes, Homer, Alaska should probably be considered a sucker bonus. If you name IS George Barnes, it should probably be considered a sucker bonus. But several riders are bound to try it. I'll be surprised if Dick Fish isn't one of them. Looks like Dick might be heading for Alaska. I believe there are only a few who might be trying it. I think one of the Beemers is out due to an oil leak in the rear drive line related to the Alaska leg. Here is the quote from day 7: "His BMW R1200RT, the one with the all-new, never needs maintenance final drive, is puking rear end lubricant all over Public Highway 16. Dammit! It's bad enough that Rob's valiant effort has to end this way; what's worse is that I am going to have to listen to that cackling witch of a rallymaster reminding me of our side bet on the percentage of BMWs that would finish without mechanical failures." (Message edited by alchemy on August 27, 2007) | ||
| Jmhinkle |
Rob Nye is the one who lost his final drive. He was on the crazy Police looking bike. Maybe all those lights up front blocked too much cooling air for the rear end. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Another unbreakable beemer broke down. "Glenn Pancoast is the second victim of a rear drive failure on the all-new, never needs maintenance final drive on his R1200GS. But he will apparently be back on the road tomorrow." | ||
| Alchemy |
Dick Fish continues on his way to Alaska. I think it is Hyder, AK. It is interesting following the daily reports. http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2007.cfm | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
How many, if any, fatalities have happened while on these rallies? I did a 1000 with the wife on the back of my bike many years ago and I can't imagine doing that again the following day, let alone for 11 days straight. Those guys have balls and my respect. | ||
| Alchemy |
Electro... I don't know about "guys" exactly but this link reveres a rider killed a bit freakishly in 1999. Fran Crane http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/1999.cfm?DocID=29 | ||
| Discochris |
Fran Crane is the most notable fatality in a distance rally. I can think of three others. Pauline Rolston passed away on the second Butt Lite when she was apparently run off the road by a car. Uncle Bud Yates died last year on the Spank Rally when he hit the back of a truck. A rider, whose name I don't remember, died on the Blackfly rally in Canada when a car came over the hill in the wrong lane. Considering the number of people who participate in these kinds of events, and moreso, IBA sanctioned rides as a whole (over 30,000 members now), the number is really quite small. Most riders I know, know when to stop and not do anything foolish, especially the longer they're involved in the sport. | ||
| Discochris |
As for being DQ'ed, Jim Owen was DQ'ed after winning the 2005 Minnesota 1000 when his star-traxx showed him regularly running triple digits. He did not run in the Butt Lite last year, but I don't know if he's been banned permanently from Team Strange events. There have been other riders banned permanently for speed violations. Is that to say that some riders don't speed to excess? I'd be lying if I said that I didn't know of some riders who do. However, most don't, or at least stay reasonably close to the limit. You don't have to be running WFO to do well in these events. You have to be smart, know your bike, and know your bodily limits. | ||
| Wesman |
Anybody have an update on the IBR .... (and Mr. Fish) the IBR website seems to be not updated. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
They just updated the site. It now has the last two days. Another BMW's final drive went out. The first leg 1st placer had a crash on I-80. etc., etc | ||
| Alchemy |
Dick Fish is still in the running. "Dick Fish was at Mount Rushmore headed for Wall Drug" The exhaustion seems to showing on some of the riders. | ||
| Nimnal |
Fact - Dick Fish and his Uly are doing pretty well, and it is good to see the bike running strong verses all the BMW carnage. Opinion - I am a fan of just about every type of motor sport in existence, but I think this thing is dangerous to the point of insanity and should be discontinued. Day and night at 100 mph while completely exhausted is totally unsafe. Just look back at the number of accidents from this group of experienced riders. I wouldn't want to be riding like that, and I don't even want to be on the same road with someone that is. |
