Stromtrooper Group Iron Butt Ride.

[spongebob218]

I would like to do an Iron Butt Ride next Spring or Summer and thought I would open it up to the whole forum and see if we could get a nice sized group together to do it.

I was thinking possibly a Saddle-Sore combined with a Great Lakes ride, since both can be completed at the same time, but am open to other rides as well.

If anyone has done this, any thoughts/tips/suggestions about strategies, paperwork, etc., would help.

Here is a link to the IBA : www.ironbutt.com

Bob

[JRShaw]

While in theory your idea of a group 1000 mile ride sounds like lots of fun, there are several ideas to consider. If I were doing the ride, I would want to have at least 1000 miles of riding with the members of my 'team' done in several shorter rides before the IB ride. Also, the larger the group, the harder to get in and out gas stops and other rest breaks. For me the max group size would be 4 or 5 riders. What happens if some one rider has a problem? Scrub for all or get him/her out on their own? Does everyone in the group travel the same distance between fuel stops? 1000's and 650's can go different distances on a tank of fuel. Or do you set a 'safe' distance and stop then? You have good many issues to deal with before the ride. Good luck and hope you can find a good group to make the event.

[renojohn]

Sponge ....sounds fun, but a few thoughts. Also, I agree with Larry, however I think a lot of the issues he brings up (while VERY valid) can be made up for with a fun and energized group.

Regardless of the ride, any "group" is going to add time. The more people, the more time. No real way to avoid it.

If it is a first saddle sore for you or others in the group, you can expect fatigue/tiredness to hit ...probably around the 700mile mark for many. We each handle this different, some stop for a 20minute nap, some go for a brisk walk, some do mental excercises and keep on riding ...etc etc. My point being that everyone will hit this fatigue at a different time and have a different remedy. We're not all the same. (Then what?)

to the contrary, I've ridden SS with a buddy and often it is the buddy that keeps things fun/moving when one gets tired and vice-versa.

I think for a 1K SS your plan is very doable and could certainly be fun. It is easy to put 1Kmiles in 24 hours if you keep even a casual pace. Lay it out, have everyone in agreement of what is expected and common undertsanding of actions should things not go as everyone would like. (no hurt feelings if someone says "I'm done" and nobody sticks behind with them) etc

I've seen large groups do these (never been a part of one) and they seem to make it in the nick of time with all kinds of stories of misguided adventures and fun and "i'll never do that again!"

IMO navigating a herd like you describe adds a new dimensionchallenge to a successful SS1K completion. ...and I bet if you do it right, pick people that are fun and positive and capable (and not for the first 100 miles, but after 700miles!) That you'll all come away with a certificate and even better a comradery and friendship that you didn't have before.

good luck, I hope to hear how it goes!

[Howboucha]

I am up for it. Have been wanting to do a great lakes ride for years.
I am contemplating a 1000 mile ride around Indy on I-465. A few guys recently did this in LA. I will be checking into the mileage soon.
B.K.

[Scarlett Harlot]

Maybe South in the Spring and North in the Summer?

[lthrnckpa]

As an IBA vet (hence "Iron" Mike) I have a couple of thoughts.

First and foremost, the success of any IB run, and especially a group one like you're talking about, is dependant upon PRIOR PLANNING. Don't expect to gather your group at the first gas stop, look at the map, say "this looks good", and coast off to your IBA. But don't be unduly intimidated either. Your average Saddle Sore can usually be completed between 16 and 18 hours, riding at REASONABLE group speeds of about 75 mph.

It's NOT ABOUT SPEED!!! It's about consistency. 1000 miles at an AVERAGE speed of 65 mph is only 15.3 hours. Riding two hours at 75 mph means you have 20 minutes for gas/pit stops. Easily doable. The faster you ride the more gas you use, the more gas you use the more often you have to stop, and stopping is what eats up your time cushion.

1 - Keep your group size manageable. I'd agree with 4, maybe 6. I say even numbers because that way everybody has a wingman. If one withdraws or can't finish for whatever reason, so does his wingman.

2 - Experience as a group or partners is critical. You really need to know something more about each other's riding skills and temperaments before you're 500 miles into this.

3 - Both Vee's are easily capable of doing 200+ miles on a tank at 75mph and riding "three-up". And from my experience most riders are ready for a gas/pit stop by then. My suggestion here would be to use Mapquest or something else (HD RidePlanner, GPS, etc) to lay out your route ahead of time. Plan gas/pit stops about 200-225 miles apart and you only have to stop four times during your attempt. (First and last fill-ups don't count against your time.) All of my previous IB's have been on stock Harleys, stopping for gas every 150 miles, or at least 6 times during the ride. And we've never come close to running out of time.

4 - AVOID FAST FOOD like the plague. Eat light and at every gas stop. I use Nutri-Grain bars and plenty of water.

5 - Plan for ONE 30-45 minute stop sometime around 650-750 miles for a light sit down dinner. Not as hard as it sounds. Most exits with gas are also going to have a decent restaurant within sight. Gas up and go straight to the restaurant. Briefly explain to the hostess or waitress what you are doing, order your drinks and a salad or maybe the "special" right up front. Then use the rest room while waiting for your meal. By the time the group is "clean" the meals will be rolling out. Ask for the check right then and pre-pay while you are eating. Remember to tip for the favor of speedy service. You will feel greatly refreshed when you head back out and climb back in the saddle.

6- Read, re-read, and re-read again the IBA's Archives of Wisdom (http://www.ironbutt.com/tech/aowprintout.cfm). Learning from the experience of others is supposedly preferable to repeating their mistakes. (Or so I've been told.)

7 - Last one, for now. If your route is going to include any border crossings DO NOT try to re-enter the United States from Windsor, Canada into Detroit. They are very proud of the fact, and advertise it from huge billboards, that Detroit is the busiest border crossing from CAN to the US. That crossing cost us over an hour and a half on our Lower Lakes Saddle Sore. (And with our sit down supper we still completed the 1204 mile ride under 23 hours.)

[renojohn]

......I have a couple of thoughts.

Great advice ironmike

I especially like the "not about speed"
as well as
# 3, 5, & 6

pace, have a plan, make sure everyone knows that plan, -and review other's (with more experience) advice.

Have fun ...I want to see how this goes for your group as well as see how many great friendships are made (or broken!!) as a result of your group SS1K!

[Tige]

I am up for it. Have been wanting to do a great lakes ride for years.
I am contemplating a 1000 mile ride around Indy on I-465. A few guys recently did this in LA. I will be checking into the mileage soon.
B.K.

You do it and I will do it with you. From my house, around I-465 and back is 104 miles. Do that 10 times and I'm done.

Also - I'm in for the SS1000. Even if you only get 2 or so other people to go SpongeBob - give me a shout.

Tige

[lthrnckpa]

I just read the part abbout 10x around on I-465.

You guys betteer go check the rules. The IBA does not generally certify repetitive rides like that. The exception would be, for example, someone who attempts a 1000 mile under 24 hours while staying completely within the borders of Rhode Island. But in cases like Indiana, where there is plenty of room to roam, they probably would not.

The example they use to illustrate NOT certify is a repetitive trip from Jacksonville FL to Daytona Beach FL and back five times or whatever it takes.

[ditchdoc1017]

Did you see the guy done 24 hrs of deals gap 1000 miles on a GW last summer.

[lthrnckpa]

Did you see the guy done 24 hrs of deals gap 1000 miles on a GW last summer.

I'm willing to bet that ride was not certified, and I doubt very much there was anything like reliable witnesses or documentation.

Just a little simple math should tell anyone who has ridden the Dragon that this one is simply not possible. 1000 miles in 24 hours would require an AVERAGE speed of 42 mph, and that is not allowing any time for gas, food, or pee-ing. The Dragon is only 11 miles long. That means he made at least 91 transits of that 11 miles.

Having ridden it last summer I have a difficult time believing anyone short of Matt Mladin could take a Goldwing through there at anything over 40 mph. And by hour 13 or 14 his attention simply would not be up to the demands of that stretch of highway.

It sounds impressive, until you look at what would actually be required and then you realize it is impossible.

[Howboucha]

I just read the part abbout 10x around on I-465.

You guys betteer go check the rules. The IBA does not generally certify repetitive rides like that. The exception would be, for example, someone who attempts a 1000 mile under 24 hours while staying completely within the borders of Rhode Island. But in cases like Indiana, where there is plenty of room to roam, they probably would not.

The example they use to illustrate NOT certify is a repetitive trip from Jacksonville FL to Daytona Beach FL and back five times or whatever it takes.


Good point, but I am not interested in any IBA certification for the I-465 run. Already have my Saddle Sore certificate. :)

[MZBuckeye]

If (hopefully when) I have my DL1000 by then, I'm in. I've been wanting to do the Great Lakes 1000 for quite some time now, but I'm just not sure I can make it on my FZ1. The Strom might work out better for me though.

[Tige]

Good point, but I am not interested in any IBA certification for the I-465 run. Already have my Saddle Sore certificate. :)

If I get it or not - doesn't matter to me. Just doing the trip is the adventure and reward itself.

Tige

[klong]

As an IBA vet (hence "Iron" Mike) I have a couple of thoughts.
6.>> Learning from the experience of others is supposedly preferable to repeating their mistakes. (Or so I've been told.)

BWAAAAHAAAHAAAHAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Listen to Mike on this one; I've known him so long that I can honestly say that this is a lesson learned late in life for him!!!

On a serious note, Mike has done many IBA rides, and his goal is to completely ride the Iron Butt "menu" 2 up, as he often takes his wife w/ him on these rides. Until this past summer, almost all of those rides were on a HD, most on the Road Glide he still owns; fortunately he listened (for once!) and tried out the DL1k this summer, and was hooked!

KevinL

[FJR/V-strom trooper]

I have seen the proof of this ride from a FJR site. It takes a great deal of of concentration to complete a ride like this. I will bet you will discredit a few rides I know that have happened. Example 2445 miles in 24 hours? 3600 miles in under 48 hours by a group of riders. Doubt me? I have proof and will be willing to bet the farm on these numbers. LD riders have done incredible rides, some are just documented not registered IBA sanctioned rides. So before you discredit others accomplishments research the facts. Research the IBA and you will find some incredible endurance riders that have put on some incredible miles. I have friend that have logged over 50,000 per year and some have logged over 85,000 in a year. Do the math. They are incredible.

[MZBuckeye]

Got my bike, so when it warms back up I hope you guys are serious about this, I'm in for sure.

[lthrnckpa]

I have seen the proof of this ride from a FJR site......Example 2445 miles in 24 hours?.....3600 miles in under 48 hours by a group of riders.

I would love to see "proof" of this amazing Gold Winger. Realistically, the numbers speak for themselves. I just don't believe it.

2445 miles under 24 hours. Not unless this was a team of riders on a closed track. That's traveling over 100 mph for 24 straight hours. And that's not allowing ANY time for refueling. No solo rider performed that out on the highway. Where are you going to be able to ride for 24 straight hours at over 100 mph without getting arrested or killed? 15 or 16 hours into a ride like this neither your mind nor your reflexes are up to handling a bike at over 100 mph. (BTW, are they still doing those "24 hours of LeMans" type races?)

I am very familiar with the amount of concentration and mental discipline required for these rides of which you stand in such awe. I've completed five IronButts, four of them two-up. I'm not called "Iron" Mike for no reason. And as I said earlier in this thread; successful, safe, long distance endurance riding is NOT about speed, it's about consistency. They are not beyond the abilities of a determined rider.

3600 miles under 48 hours? Sure, very feasible. That's a standard IronButt Coast-to-Coast 50. Tough, but manageable.

[lthrnckpa]

Regarding your 2445 in a 24 hours, this (http://www.robertstech.com/24-hour.htm) is from a person who has "been there, done that." And it took a five man team of riders plus a full pit crew on a closed track.Nice reading though.

[FJR/V-strom trooper]

Nope in the open desert of Nevada and Utah. Documented check out and check in. Just like any IBA ride only off the record so to speak. Invite only.No one outside the ivited knew about this ride til it was over. I can give you threads to an FJR site where these riders rode 24 hour endurance. As I said a fellow on an FJR rode 2445 in 24 hours, bank. The second place rider was on a Ducati ST6 with a 12 gallon fuel cell giving him a total of 17 gallons of fuel. He rode 2280 miles in that same 24 hour period. This ride was a invite only hard core riders only ride. I saw GPS reading of 160mph documented. I told you the truth now believe it. Those in the LD community do and they live it not just post it. Oh by the way when you have the time to ride it and not talk it. Try riding the Nevada desert and southwest Utah. Ever heard of Gerlach Nevada. Oh and yes there were even women on that ride but they did not quite make the 2000 mile barrier. But they both made 1800+ miles in that time. So doubt if you will and if you have any LD ties, ask them about the men who ride the FJR LD platform. Some of the hardestand best riders in the world. I know some of these gentlemen and ladies personally.

[spongebob218]

What happened to this thread? I posted it as a possible invite/advice needed thread and now people are fighting about riding 2400 on 24hrs. Can it happen on the Strom? No. So why are we arguing about this?

[MZBuckeye]

What happened to this thread? I posted it as a possible invite/advice needed thread and now people are fighting about riding 2400 on 24hrs. Can it happen on the Strom? No. So why are we arguing about this?

Agreed. So who's gonna organize this? I imagine the key to a successful ride such as this is good planning. I would not be a good candidate :D

[element]

IB with a bunch of hairy legs is as much fun as at trip the dentist. But, a Great Lakes ride is always way cool.

FYI, We put together round the lake rides fairly often and this year (2007) we will be doing Lake Erie, but skipping the "armpit of america" (Detroit)

So you ask, How will we do that?

We travel the on senic route of the Lake Erie south shore (east>west) to Sandusky, Ohio. Then we take the lake Ferry from Sandusky to Peelee Island (Canada, you will need a Passport) Camp on Peelee, than another ferry the next day to Canadian mainland and travel to Long Point. We will camp on the at lake side on Long Point. The next day we go off to the Weiland Canal, then Falls and back into NY. Then toward/to Wakins Glenn and in to Pennsylvania's Allegheny National forest, camp and then on torward other parts unkown. Not an Iron Butt but a nice ride

[lthrnckpa]

We travel the on senic route of the Lake Erie south shore (east>west) to Sandusky, Ohio. Then we take the lake Ferry from Sandusky to Peelee Island (Canada, you will need a Passport) Camp on Peelee, than another ferry the next day to Canadian mainland and travel to Long Point. We will camp on the at lake side on Long Point. The next day we go off to the Weiland Canal, then Falls and back into NY. Then toward/to Wakins Glenn and in to Pennsylvania's Allegheny National forest, camp and then on torward other parts unkown. Not an Iron Butt but a nice ride

element, it sounds like a very nice ride. I highly recommend traveling south through the Adirondacks on Route 30. And try to stop by Ausable Chasm. Pretty cool sites. The Cooperstown Farmer's Museum (late 1700's) and the Baseball Hall of Fame are on the path between Ausable and Watkins Glenn. From Watkins Glenn come south on US 15 to Mansfield, then west on US 6 to Wellsboro PA. There's a state park there on each rim of the PA Grand Canyon. The one on the East Rim has a trail called "Turkey Path" you can take to the bottom of the gorge. Some parts have had stairs installed to make it more accessible. Warning, that 1 1/4 mile climb back up is a tough one.

My wife and I have been talking about it and have decided that we really only want to do one, maybe two more IBs ourselves. For the most part they are tiring and boring. We miss much of the beauty you will see on your ride.

The only two IB's we still desire to do both have LONG time limits. The Four Corners Tour allows 21 days, and the Key West-Prudhoe Bay tour allows 30 days. So we figure those are acceptable as we'll be able to camp along the way and see some of the interesting sites.

[lthrnckpa]

What happened to this thread?

spongebob, sorry about that.

[element]

Great areas you mentioned. I did ride Lake Champlain and Lake Placid areas after my on my way back from Nova Scotia. Allow me to say... I enjoyed Upstate NY more than Nova Scotia! Also, I am amaze how IB riders would rather brag about riding 1000 miles than enjoy the people you meet and the sites when you travel on a motorcycle. Slow down and smell the roses.

Truth be known, last winter many riders talked about all the place and things they were going to do, but come summer they never show up... so it won't really won't matter what people stay now.

[JRShaw]

Quick question. Who's Larry?????

[MightyShep]

Quick question. Who's Larry?????

You know, darryl's other brother. :mrgreen:

[JRShaw]

I knew that!!!! And also my other brother Daryl.

[disconnected]

id be in.. I IronButted from Pittsburgh to western Arkansas last summer when my Grandmother died.. I felt okay and was to cheap to pay for a hotel.. all said and done, it took me 22 hours and 15 minutes...

While on this ride I wore my camel back and drank 5 of them.. i filled it fourtimes.. I think keeping hydrated is #1!!!! also a pack of crakers and a energy bar or somthing is a must at every stop.. no soda or caffeine, this will make you pee and you will need to stop.. slowly sipping all day on the camel back is the ticket..

Metally it all seems well and good ,but it is hard, you will get really tired, your legs will hurt, your butt will hurt, your eyes will hurt, everything will hurt.. but it is Worth it and the end of the day..

I am for the great lakes ride.. we could ride there on a friday, meet at a camping spot or hotel.. iron butt it saturday and return to our homes on Sunday with only one day of missed work..

I would be in for that..

greg

[disconnected]

okay, I just did some homework.. relistically Lake Michigan would be the best ride because its the closest starting point in the US.. I just logged on the Idiana Dunes National Park.. there is camping there, a great gathering point on the lake... say.. meet there on a Friday, Iron Butt the Lake Saturday, camp back at Indiana Dunes Saturday night, ride home sunday.. if we get the campground for two nights we can stow our camping gear there.. For the non campers Im shure there are other near by accomodations..

greg

[disconnected]

Here is a Link to Indana Dunes National Park...

http://www.nps.gov/indu

greg

[MZBuckeye]

I was thinking that the Great Lakes 1000 had to be a trip around any two great lakes, maybe that's not right though?

[disconnected]

reat Lakes Ride around the "Great Lakes" in under 100 hours!
Great Lakes GOLD Ride around the "Great Lakes" in under 50 hours! Xtreme!
Lake Michigan 1000 24 Hours around Lake Michigan (North America)
Lake Huron 1000 24 Hours around Lake Huron (North America)
Lake Superior 1000 24 Hours around Lake Superior (North America)
Lower Great Lakes 1000 24 Hours around Lake Ontario and Erie (North
America)

here are some options from the IronButt page..

greg

[MZBuckeye]

Ahh. I only remembered reading the Lower Great Lakes 1000 as that's the one I planned on attempting. Nevermind my previous post :)

[disconnected]

I cut and pasted that from the Iron Butt site.. Im not trying to Hijack SpongeBob's thread, Im just throwing out a idea..:) I think it would be a fun time..;) Ahh. I only remembered reading the Lower Great Lakes 1000 as that's the one I planned on attempting. Nevermind my previous post :);)

[spongebob218]

After reading everyone's replies on the subject, I'm away from the Iron Butt and just thinking about doing a scenic ride. I've started geocaching also and would like to find some caches during the trip.

[MZBuckeye]

I'm definitely in for a scenic ride. That might be a better idea. Hell, we can do both, I really want my IBA patch.

[disconnected]

ahhh...you big dork... why not...:confused: After reading everyone's replies on the subject, I'm away from the Iron Butt and just thinking about doing a scenic ride. I've started geocaching also and would like to find some caches during the trip.