2011 IBR - The Inside View

[RideToEat]

If they were a rider wanting to squeeze out extra spots and not just settle on what still is a stellar accomplishment of a triple digit IBA number...they wouldn't have gone to Ontario to begin with. Never go home, too nice of a hotel, the finish line, or a whorehouse in the middle of a rally....unless you're done.

* Put a fork in them...they're not moving. That's my bet.

These particular riders may have had a reason to call it a rally. Maybe they had already achieved their goals, or realized that they were too far from their goals to make a difference.

But Ontario is about a 200 yard detour if you are running from Phoenix to Sacramento or vice versa. And taking a siesta in the peak heat of the day is probably a good strategy if heading across the Mojave or up the CA valley in these temps. If Ontario is where you happen to be around 2 or 3 in the afternoon today, it's a perfect place to take a rest break before the final push.

I can't imagine someone who is still competing, and has expended all this time and effort, deciding to leave a couple of thousand points on the table because a beer and the pool sounds good.

 

[TriggerT]

Very, VERY strange to see so many riders here already.... in past IBRs, they would rarely be in the day before the Checkpoint opened.

Do you think that says something about the format this year? The fact that so many riders could do what was required to be a finisher, and be at the final check point so far ahead of the deadline?

 

[RideToEat]

Very, VERY strange to see so many riders here already.... in past IBRs, they would rarely be in the day before the Checkpoint opened.

Do you think that says something about the format this year? The fact that so many riders could do what was required to be a finisher, and be at the final check point so far ahead of the deadline?

Maybe it's because the format was such that if you didn't make the right decisions in Leg 1, your chance for top 10 was shot. I'll bet some riders decided to settle for a finish once they saw what some of the Leg 1 guys did. I think nearly all thought Hyder was a sucker bonus, and lots thought the 4-corners was a sucker bonus.

 

[mdisher]

Very, VERY strange to see so many riders here already.... in past IBRs, they would rarely be in the day before the Checkpoint opened.

Do you think that says something about the format this year? The fact that so many riders could do what was required to be a finisher, and be at the final check point so far ahead of the deadline?

I don't know about that. I don't know who's there. A top 10 competitive guy/gal? A top tier vet rider capable of a 4th - 25th place? A noob?

Anyone that finished this still rode their asses off. I think the decision to allow the 4 corner monument made it easier than leg 3 should have been, maybe.

But if I were riding, and didn't choose the 4 corners and knew I'd be a finisher, I might be there drinking a beer by the pool. If it's as hot as it's supposed to be, and I didn't feel like I could improve my position by a bunch, yeah, I might be hanging out by the pool. Finishing is a good thing, and it appears they've done that.

No, not my favorite IBR theme, or layout, but it was straight forward, wasn't easy per-see and I respect it.

-MD

 

[Warchild]

Do you think that says something about the format this year? The fact that so many riders could do what was required to be a finisher, and be at the final check point so far ahead of the deadline?

Well, I don't know.... maybe. The thing is.... some of these guys that are back are not just newbies who want to be a Finisher. Some very well-respected names are back already, include one who was a frontrunner in several recent past IBRs.

I am supposed to have dinner with these two riders tonight.... I am sure I will hear an earful, one way, or another! :lol:

But see, right there, that is just odd, too.... to be having dinner with two hard-core IBR riders the evening *before* the Checkpoint closes! :blink:

 

[ConnieRider]

First, we don't know if this person will be a finisher. Maybe that's why s/he is in so early. Perchance s/he missed a northern or eastern state.

But it is nice to see I have a little support.

I can't imagine someone who is still competing, and has expended all this time and effort, deciding to leave a couple of thousand points on the table because a beer and the pool sounds good.

 

[RideToEat]

...the decision to allow the 4 corner monument made it easier than leg 3 should have been, maybe.

That's only about a 1 hour swing.

 

[TriggerT]

But see, right there, that is just odd, too.... to be having dinner with two hard-core IBR riders the evening *before* the Checkpoint closes! :blink:

Yeah, that says something, though I am not 100% sure what. Certainly very different from past IBR's.

 

[Auburn]

If I were in it and my goal was to finish and I already had the 48 done and the 4 corners. Mission accomplished, no reason to risk a DNF any further. I would be very happy to have done something many have not been able to do.

 

[TriggerT]

Agreed. If your personal goal was just to finish; as is the case for a lot of the people who enter the IBR, then hell you could just bag the 48 states, maybe a capitol or two along the way, and call it done. No need to even worry about the 4 corners unless you wanted to finish in the gold. Not an easy 11 days, but many people have done the 48, 48+, or 48++ in only ten days.

Of course other riders (Independent riders) had more flexibility in their routes, since they didn't have fixed check points along the way.

 

[robeth]

930 is at the post office at San Ysidro....looks like they are getting that photo to complete the Four Corners.

 

[ConnieRider]

But see, right there, that is just odd, too.... to be having dinner with two hard-core IBR riders the evening *before* the Checkpoint closes! :blink:

Yeah, that says something, though I am not 100% sure what. Certainly very different from past IBR's.

That really DOES say something. And it doesn't sound good.

 

[jwhite518]

I can't imagine someone who is still competing, and has expended all this time and effort, deciding to leave a couple of thousand points on the table because a beer and the pool sounds good.

And I can't imagine someone who is still competing stopping at the finish line for a break. There will be all sorts of distractions there. If they are on the clock they are stopping somewhere off the beaten path, not rally HQ. Anybody at the Doubletree in Ontario is DONE.

I just spent a very nice hour with Alex, Steph, and Eowyn. Love those guys.

 

[eddiememphis]

Sorry, I don't agree. I bet you a long, cold one that 350 leaves about 7 or 8 tonight and heads out. S/he will go to either Sac or Phoenix, whichever is the higher score.

#350 has not moved. Pay up, sucker.

Edit: You were talking about a beer, right?

 

[ConnieRider]

Let me get my new rear tire on and finish my move to Reno and I will meet any and all you guys for a beer on me.

So sometime in August?? So, a ride to drink? just not too much.

 

[BluesCruiser]

Does anyone know how John Young is doing on his Trident? Inquiring minds want to know and all that!

Dave

 

[eddiememphis]

Let me get my new rear tire on and finish my move to Reno and I will meet any and all you guys for a beer on me.

So sometime in August?? So, a ride to drink? just not too much.

Halloween in Moab? Cool riding and plenty of time to plan.

 

[LowAndSilent]

Wish I could be there to see them roll in, but alas, cannot. It's been fun to see most of their adventure in "real time" though.

Dale, be sure to extend our congratulations to all of the finishers down there in Ontario. They've accomplished a lot and should be proud of what they've done.

 

[Ignacio]

A...B...M.

 

[eddiememphis]

In less than twelve hours, all the speculation and arguments will be settled.

I'm a bit sad. This has been fun. A true adventure. And although I have not left a ten mile radius of home, work and other work, it has been a long ride.

We have argued routes, points, motivation and BMW final drives.

I touch "B" in Google maps and Buffalo pops up. Same with J and O.

I talked to Pops today and he asked about the riders.

What a fun ride.