Wednesday, September 06, 2006

So, You Think You Have An Iron Butt?

The Iron Butt Association

The Iron Butt Association is dedicated to safe, long-distance, endurance motorcycle riding.
http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm

July 22nd-06, I had an opportunity, along with a riding buddy (Kevin Pugh), to ride the Iron Butt SaddleSore 1000. This is the first required ride before a rider can move on to other longer, or more difficult rides. The SaddleSore consists of 1000 miles, ridden on a motorcycle, in 24 hours or less. The ride requires a starting and ending witness and each turn in the route must be documented with gas or other receipts that include time, date and address. http://www.ironbutt.com/ridecerts/getdocument.cfm?DocID=1

As novice long distance riders, Kevin and I planned to use as much of the 24 hours as possible, while still achieving the timed goal. This plan would allow a 5 hour motel rest stop near the middle of the ride in Tuscaloosa, AL. Future Ironbutt rides will not afford such luxuries.

Kevin and I left Lone Oak, KY at 12:58 PM on Sat. July 22nd-06, and rode a predetermined route that took us through Charleston MO, Memphis TN, Jackson MS, Birmingham AL, Trenton GA, Nashville TN, Vienna IL and back to Paducah KY. We rode a total of 1,103.30 miles and arrived back in Paducah at 12:40 PM on Sunday
,
July 23rd-06.

The only difficulty we encountered was thunderstorms between Jackson, MS and Tuscaloosa,AL.




Update:
I received notification that the Ironbutt Association has certified my ride (April 19th. 2007). Officially I am now IBA #27254.




Opportunities always look bigger going than coming.
~Author Unknown~
Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.
~H. Jackson Browne~




Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.
~Albert Einstein~

4 comments:

  1. So you submit your documentation and then what? Do you get something for completing it? A certification or patch or badge or something?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, there are small fees and you can get a certificate, pin, patch, and liscense plate holder. All certify your completion of the Saddlesore 1,000.

    ReplyDelete
  3. well, i'm guessing that the certificate doesn't mean much to you, just enjoy ur journey and be safe, go go iron butt mike, lol

    ReplyDelete
  4. You hit the nail on the head Wayne, it's all about the ride! :-)

    ReplyDelete