My Ironbutt Ride

completion of my first of hopefully many Endurance Rides

Published on July 5, 2007 By Ziggystyles In Life Journals

Marcie went up to MN a few weeks back...actually almost a month ago to take care of her mom who had hip replacement surgery. So that left me alone at the house for a few weeks until I went up to see them. Our anniversary is on the 24th of June and I decided to take my bike. I havent really been on any long rides with my bike...maybe 400-500 miles at most...if anything. The ride that I normally take from here to there is about 900 miles.

Since Ive started riding, I've heard of this organization called Ironbutt. Basically, its a volunteer run place that reviews your long distance rides and certifies them. That makes it sound simple I guess..but its not. Its not just motorcycle rides...its long distance / endurance rides. 1000 miles in 24 hours, 1500 miles in 36....1500 in 24....coast to coast in 48 hours, coast to coast to coast...border to border....florida to alaska....etc. Any long distance Endurance motorcycle ride that can be documented, they verify and give you a certificate for.

Ive been itching to do one for quite a while and decided this would be the opportune time to do it...going up to MN. However, for this first ride...I had to do their easiet ride which was 1000 miles in 24 hours. I managed to tweak my route and go from here north to Billings, Montana and then east past Fargo...which brought me in with 1040 miles. I figured I could make it easily during day light hours...no problem....no sweat.

WRONG.

I had everything set...a cooler on the bike passenger seat to act as both a cooler and back rest for me. I had a bottle of water in my cup holder and with everything packed and tied down...I headed off...to the gas station, this was about 7am. I noticed the bike was acting rather wobbly so I checked the tire....5lbs...when its supposed to be around 36. Brand new tires so it didnt make sense to me. Turns out...the tire stem was bad. On my bike...it has these weird 90degree valve stems and they tend to get bad rather quickly and it is often recommended they are changed with each tire change. I didnt know about that until after the fact...but alas.

I called the yamaha shop (no honda place around here) that changed the tires...they let me come in and after a few hours, had the bike ready to go and I headed off around noon. I made it up to a town about 100 miles from here and my water idea wasnt working out at all. I have a cup holder with its own cup....but I knew I was going to be drinking a ton of water...more than that 32oz mug could hold...so I used the mug itself as a cup holder for my water bottle; but that didnt work well because as soon as the bottle was empty...the vacuum created by the air going around the bike was sucking the bottle out of it.

I stopped at Wal Mart and picked up a hydration pack and a banana (to ward off sore rump muscles) and tried on the pack...but it didnt work with my cooler acting as a back rest. So I tied the pack to the top of the cooler and headed off again. That hydration pack I picked up holds 2 liters of water. I figure during the course of the trip, I drank at least 11 liters of water.

I continued north stopping for gas here and there...and stopped at a Flying J in Billings for gas and dinner at a buffett (not really a good idea for dinner on a LD ride...but I hadnt eaten all day outside of some granola bars). As I got back on the bike...I noticeda couple of Harley riders getting suited up. Turns out, after about 30 minutes...they were about 1/4 mile behind me and stayed that way for a couple hours until they pulled off. After another 30 minutes, I got gas too and got back on the interstate. However...it was dark...probably around 10pm or so and a storm was ahead...with lots of ligthning. My bike has the weather band on it so I listened for a while and ended up stopping under a bridge to see where the storm was going. After a few minutes...the bikers that followed me...ended up passing me and then turned around to check on me. We chatted for a few. Turns out, they were from Glendive, MT and had left that morning around 4am for their OWN Ironbutt ride. They took off and I followed until they turned off at their town.

I ended up stopping at some messed up rest stop in Wilbaux, MT. You actually had to drive through the town to get to the rest stop. I couldnt find a hotel in the previous town because of some class reunion or whatever, so I figured Id nap at a rest stop. I got there around 11:15 and tried to sleep in a covered area...but couldnt becuase of the noise of the trucks and the like...that and sleeping on concrete isnt helpful. I tried sleepign on a bench...just sitting and putting my head on my pillow. I dont know but I must have slept because when I gave up it was after 2am.

I got back on the bike and rode until I hit dickinson, ND and stopped for breakfast at Perkins. Got on the road again and kept on driving until I hit my destination around 11:30 am...just a few minutes short of when my wife got out of church so I was waiting for her.

All in all...I had fun. Id change somethings of course to make it go faster next tiem...like leaving early in the morning. Id also make sure to just stop and fill up...go to the rest room and get back on the road again asap. Lots of little things at lots of stops adds up after a while. Had I not stopped for dinner, sleep, breakfast and the like...it would have taken me about 16 hours I figure. I spent about 120 bucks during the trip...most of which was on gas. My legs were sore because I couldnt stretch them out. Im about five 9 and the highway boards I installed don't seem to help me stretch out my legs...that and if I move my legs in the wrong direction...I get burned by the engine...rather toasty.

Just yesterday on Tuesday...I rode back and took the normal route...894 miles. Shorter...took me about 16 hours I think. My legs and butt were super sore though...dang. I like riding...but its not good when one has to pop some advil. Might need to look into getting an aftermarket seat.

Unfortunately Marcie has the camera...otherwise Id show a picture of the bike....lots of MN bugs on there.

Comments

Ziggystyles

on Jul 05, 2007

well I have a six gallon tank...and I had to stop every 220 miles. I figure I was getting about 36 miles to the gallon or so. Not bad actually.

Jythier

on Jul 05, 2007

I think highways in Montana have faster speed limits than other places. I know the fastest where I am is 65, but in Michigan it goes up to 70... I can only imagine how fast they're letting them go in Montana, where it takes 1000 miles to get to the next town.

At 75 MPH you have 2 hours and 40 minutes to stop for food, bathroom, resting, without speeding. As for the traffic... Montana. As to inclement weather, weather.com! But I can't figure out how to avoid h.

Since they have 24 hours to do it, that actually leaves 8 hours and 40 minutes to deal with everything.

Ziggystyles

on Jul 05, 2007

Lol...well wow. Welcome back to your old self where if I have to explain...its because you don't understand.

The IBA is dedicated to SAFE, long distance riding. They don't certify rides that are not safe. If I broke the law or someone reports me being unsafe....I don't get my certificate. If at any time, I felt like I was being unsafe to myself AND / OR others....I would immediately stop the ride. Last thing I need to do is get killed (most likely if Im in an accident) or kill or hurt someone else. Marcie will even tell you that during our however many years of being together...that Ive let her drive the car twice...when I felt I was no longer able to safely drive.

You know, truckers have VERY strict laws to follow in regards to how many hours they can drive, and how many they can be on-duty/not driving, ie: doing all the other crap that comes with the job.

Right...but Im not a trucker. Also...keep in mind that a ton of truckers fidget the numbers and sneak around the system. I never once said I was tired during the trip. I had a nice sized dinner which gave me energy and as well as drinking plenty of fluids and granola / energy bars during the trip. I stopped at the rest stop to take a nap and gain back some energy and take a break.

And for what? You gonna carry that thing around in your wallet to make you feel like a big man, Ziggy? You gonna whip it out and pass it around at parties? "OOOhh, lookie here, I gottum big Iron Butt certificate in my wallet, aren't i just the COOLEST biker ever?"

Not this one, no. Ill probably frame it and put it on the wall somewhere. Its one of the easier rides and not a big deal to brag about because the IBA didnt even certify those rides for a long time. But in order to do the more difficult rides, I have to have this one completed as a prerequisite. Its not easy. They double check your maps and reciepts and the witnesses to make sure I did everything by the book. If it was easy, more people would be doing it. Its just a challenge and a ton more fun than sitting on my duff all day.

Also...Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota all have 75mph speed limits on the Interstates. I drove 80 during the day and slowed down to about 70 at night

I swear, you remind me of the idjits I see on the road every day, zipping along at crazed speeds, darting in and out of rush hour traffic, wearing shorts, tank-tops, and sandals, yet proudly wear their $200 helmets, as if they had anything between the ears worth protecting in the first place.

Well for one...I take motorcycle safety classes so Im able to handle my 900lb bike better than most crotch rocket riders can handle theirs. I purchased 400 dollar tires to replace my older ones which still had plenty of tred...but I felt the old ones were old and drying out / cracking. The new tires are the best ones I could get for dry / wet traction and are considered top of the line. I just spent over 400 bucks on new helmets for the wife and I along with a modulating brake light system. One of the major purchases I plan on making next is custom made riding gear for us. Of the things i have purchased for the bike...they have been for added comfort OR visibility / protection. If my bike was to fall and slide...I could still stay on the bike because of the engine and side guards which keep the bike at pretty much a 45 degree angle. I bought the bike with safety in mind. The bike has 1800CC's of engine...lots of power. It also has better stopping power than my old bike. These were the main reasons I bought the bike in the first place, to get me off the line and get moving...acceleration is important, especially on a bike.

1040 miles divided by 16 daylight hours comes to 65mph--- how in the world did you think you could accomplish this without:a) stopping for gas

Uh...get off the bike...fill up. While filling up, stretch and fill up hydration pack with water-gatorade mix. When tank is full...get on the bike. 3-5 minute stops.

stopping for food

eat a big breakfast before you leave on the ride. During the ride, stay hydrated, eat bananas once in a while to prevent muscle issues. Pack energy bars in your jacket, shirt, or the rider accessable storage compartments. Anyone with half an ass for a brain knows that if you stop for a full meal, you are going to get tired quickly. Also...stopping at fast food places will just make you have to stop more for restroom breaks...don't need to eat greasy foods during the LD rides....or at all for that matter.

c) stopping to piss

While filling up...go in and piss...takes what...a minute? Go back outside and look! the bike is filled and ready to go!

d) stopping to rest

Most of the issues with this ride are just comfort issues...not rest / tiredness related. However, lots of bikers take quick naps at rest stops to regain energy here and there. I did that myself. I didnt feel tired at all, but tried to rest anyways. With some of the other rides...people are able to manage their time really well and stop at a hotel for a few hours to get a good nap / sleep before continuing. Most often, many issues are resolved just by getting off the bike and stretching.

e) avoiding all traffic

For one...its the interstate. 2, people generally drive in the same direction you are so the traffic goes with you...faster people can pass you and you can pass faster people...thats how it works. Second...Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. Not much traffic at all. I was very surprised at the traffic in eastern MT and western ND....nobody for a quite a long time in either direction.

f) avoiding all inclement weather

This is called proper planning. You research your route (because IBA ride requires planning) and monitor the weather for the week before the ride. Also...I have a Weather Band feature installed on my bike. It covers the entire country and no matter where I am...I can tune into local or regional weather. Its run by the National Weather Service which is an agency of NOAA. So...if I see (and I did) dark clouds ahead...I can press WB and figure out exactly what is going on. I also had a backup route if all else failed. But rain doesnt hurt my bike actually..just slows me down.

g) speeding like a moron to make up for time lost dealing with the above?

No need if you do everything correctly and know what you are doing.

h) killing yourself or someone else as a result of the fatigue induced by trying to qualify for some meaningless certification which would only serve to prove in writing what a moron you are?

I think many motorcycle accidents are a result of cagers (you...those that drive in cages...cars) not paying attention. Some Grandma in a Buick LeSabre with a handicapped sticker was driving in front and tot he left of me on a four lane road in Gillette Wyoming the other day. She started to swerve right into my lane without checking her mirrors or blind spot. If I wasnt paying attention, she would have hit me.

Ziggystyles

on Jul 05, 2007

But thanks for telling me 'how to.' I still think the IB competitions are pointless, and regardless of the 'official' story, they encourage unsafe behavior on the road.

Yep...its all a big conspiracy.

If you think you can hang on to a 900lb piece of machinery that's just been violently and unexpectedly struck by a 2000lb piece of machinery at 80mph just because you've got crash bars and fairings, think again. That 45% angle don't mean a thing when ya slam into the median, the curb (which tends to make one airborne, wheee) or the side of a van.

I didnt say anything about being hit by something else or hitting anything...I said if my bike fell over. wanna reread it?

For one...If Im on the interstate and violently run into something at 80mph...something is obviously very wrong. Something has to be stopped for me to run into...or I have to really be creative in my driving skills. Also...fairings are just fiberglass and plastic and do little if anything in an accident.

The overwhelming majority of injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident are to the rider's feet and legs, and they are far too often crippling. Before I'd shell out hundreds of dollars for a helmet, I'd invest in some sturdy boots and custom-made leather chaps. A leather jacket is a must, as are decent gloves. Something to help *me* slide along the road intact once I am seperated from the bike.

Last thing Id get for riding gear is leather. Saving my skin with skin doesnt make much sense when it takes about 80-110 lbs of force for leather to tear. Most knowledgable riders get Kevlar or a air mesh kevlar blend (1260lbs to tear) along with added protection pads on the shoulders, elbows and back. IE...something made by JoeRocket, Motoport or First Gear.

Unlike you, Ziggy, this 'cager' (hah, that's a laugh, as I've only been bikeless since the year 2000) has been in several bad motorcycle accidents, and I've buried more friends who've died on their bikes than you'll even have in your lifetime.

ok? Im glad you know me so well.

One thing I've never understood about cyclists (you'll never, EVER qualify as a 'biker' in my book, chump) like yourself is--why do you bother? You've got your machine loaded down with so much CRAP you might as well be in a car. I'll bet you even have a little walkie-talkie system set up in your helmet, and a windsheild wiper on your fairing.

Well you havent ridden since 2000. My bike is a touring bike...purposely designed and built for long distance rides. Its meant to tour the country and for one (or two) to ride around on, over great distances. Why drive in a car when I can drive my bike instead? It has the capability of a CB....FM and AM radios, Weather Band, Auxilliary, cruise control, rear adjustable suspension, storage, optional CD player. The newer models come with GPS as well as an airbag and improved speaker system with an amplifier. Its not built for me to be uncomfortable. I rode from 12noon until 11:30 am the next day with a few stops here and there; and I didnt go to bed until 11 that night. I can ride long rides, stop and still have plenty of energy to do whatever else there is to do. The features it has are designed for comfort. I plugged in my MP3 player and listened to my own tunes the way up there and back. I can add a GPS unit that mounts to the handlebars for improved navigation and weather information. And yes...we do have intercoms too. I just bought new helmets which have pockets in them for intercom systems. I hopefully will be getting those soon so I can communicate with my wife. I guess maybe its just me...but I like to talk to her and while on the longer bike rides...it would be nice to have the ability to communicate with her; and if we had the CB installed, she could communicate with other riders in the group as well.

Lol....and no...we dont have a windshield. You see....(which...Im sure you know...because you know me so well according to "your book"). The Gold Wing that is sold in the US does not come with or even have the option of adding a wiper system. The wiper system does come in Japanese versions of the bike. But since the Wing is American Made...you can see how that isnt an option. Also...Im sure you know this as well...but if you take care of your bike and have the windshield cleaned and waxed and put the right stuff on it, you dont need a wiper system as the rain just beads off thanks to the wind. Of course...keep in mind that you shouldnt need a wiper system in the first place because technically, you shouldnt be looking through the windshield, but over it.

Tractormansavesthedayagain

on Jul 10, 2007

Touche.
T-man

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!