IBA rally and amazing performances

[tripletango]

I just finished Ron Ayers book on the rally. Against the wind is a super book describes the event to perfection. I truly respect these IBA guys and girls that do the rally. It is a fantastic achievement to even compete.

How many IBA rally contestants are there in the forum? I know Bounce did it and logged many thousands of miles over the period. I hear the FJR is becoming popular amongst endurance riders.

Are there any others out there?

 

[Ignacio]

Great book isn't it?

I thought it was life changing. I think of North America less as a continent and more like my backyard now.

Let me make the suggestion that you refer to them as "IBR Contestants".

The IBA - Iron Butt Association can be joined by anybody that documents a 1,000 mile ride or more. They are issued a number that ranges from (I believe) from #1000 for the longer members to about #22000 for new members now. I'm #20850 myself having joined in September 2004.

The IBR - Iron Butt Rally is for those accepted to run in the actual rally. If they finish--they actually are reissued lower numbers. I think they're up to #300 something. If you see a sig line with a low IBA number--you probably know they're an IBR finisher.

That said, I know of two others off hand that regularly post. Warchild ran to a 5th place finish in '97 and has a clean towel to prove it. And beeroux completed the rally in '05. I think I've seen a couple others around the board too.

The number of FJRs was up significantly in '05 and being a tech. inspector I was excited by the prospects of an FJR winning.

But, the motorcycle is a smalller part of the equation with that stellar group of riders. The platform is probably secondary to the rider here. Personally, I was a bit disappointed the FJR didn't represent a little bit better, but that's fine.

However, there was at least one defection as a result. The leader of the all of the rally except the last 600 miles, Jim Owen, imploded the clutch on his BMW and bailed on the brand. He's now a waiter for an '06 AE and probably an even more threatening contender in '07.

2007 the year of the FJR in the IBR? I'm hoping so and crossing my fingers in more ways than just a cheering section.

Meanwhile triple.......time to think about a rally yourself! Cal 24? Texas Two Step? SPANK? (George is putting it on, Warchild will be a tech. inspector, I'm personally running along with others on this board)

Jump in and get addicted my friend. The water is warm!

 

[Bounce]

Are there any others out there?

Dale (Warchild) Wilson finished something like 5th the year he rode the big rally.

There are others here too.

 

[Ignacio]

Dale (Warchild) Wilson finished something like 6th the year he rode the big rally.

5th place according to The 1997 IBR Results. My favorite piece is first mention of Dale on Day 6 here.

"Who's Dale Wilson?" I asked Mike.
"He did the California 24 last year. And 1,500 miles in 36 hours with his son as a passenger for a Bunburner Award. He might also have done a Saddlesore. Why?"

"The computer says he's going to wind up 66 positions ahead of first place."

Ayres placed 54th that year.

 

[tripletango]

Warchild said that there would be an IBA qualifyer in Reno. I will do that for sure. In the meantime I will check out your suggestions. Glad to see one of the contestants is getting an AE !

 

[bikeama]

I do agree the rider makes the major part of a IBA rally and I was sad to see the BMW brake so close to the end. But don't for get the Honda ST1300 won last year.

 

[Ignacio]

I don't forget the Honda or the rider Shane. He, after all, had the audacity to fill out on his entry form that he was the illegitimate son of Bob Higdon. Anybody who can pull that off and then ride his ass off....is a force to be reckoned with.

 

[tripletango]

I don't forget the Honda or the rider Shane. He, after all, had the audacity to fill out on his entry form that he was the illegitimate son of Bob Higdon. Anybody who can pull that off and then ride his ass off....is a force to be reckoned with.

Higdon certainly has a dry sense of humour. Some of his comments in the book are hilarious but may be not to the contestants!

 

[Bounce]

2003, Day 7, Maine checkpoint

Checking in with Mike and Lisa, Bob says he has to ask a couple of questions to determine how each rider is holding up. Just an alertness thing. Nothing to worry about.

me: okay

bh: what is today's date?

me: i always lose track of that stuff when on the road. i made the checkpoint in time. right?

bh: okay. what day of the week is it?

me: the day the checkpoint opens. right?

bh: okay. who is the secretary of state?

me: robert macnamara?

lisa: that's enough you two! get out of here and go get some rest!

 

[galxy5]

yeah the book is super!!

I have been training for my first IBA SS/BB that I will complete at WFO5,,Ignacio has agreed to be my final destination signature dude!!! the following week I will atempt a CC50 back to Virginia,, in poker I guess you'd say I'm going "all in"

 

[GunMD]

During the 05 IBR I was addicted to the daily updates like crack cocaine. It's like a soap opera, a reality TV show, an athletic event (read, Olympic event) and a sit-com all in one.

 

[kaitsdad]

During the 05 IBR I was addicted to the daily updates like crack cocaine.  It's like a soap opera, a reality TV show, an athletic event (read, Olympic event) and a sit-com all in one.

+1 !

I lived it !

I couldn't believe it when Jim's startraxx icon stopped moving on day 11. Then I saw Ira's posting to the LD Riders forum.

That sucked.