Iron Butt Rides?
- Thread starter GeorgiaRoller
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gixxerjasen
Well-known member
I have to say, I was rather surprised at how much I actually DID enjoy my time on the slab. I really didn't think I would, however I did.
First off, I had a destination with good eats and a mission to help a little old lady. That helped tremendously.
Second, there was just something about shutting down, listening to a little music, having a good length of saddle time, and getting away from my daily grind. I could do this hitting twisty's sure, but it's different when you allow the mind numbing to take place instead of agonizing over it. It's kind of like how spending an afternoon sitting on the patio with a cold drink kind of melts everything away. Once under way you realize you have PLENTY of time to get this thing done and stop fretting over the clock, and start letting the mind melt, it was very nice.
Third, in that state of mind you find that checkpoints start clicking off faster than you'd have thought. I remember cruising through Memphis with a huge smile on my face thinking that just this morning I was In Dallas and now I'm motorcycling through this city two states away on my way to a great lunch. Crazy how far away you can get in a single day.
In the end, I really needed that day to myself. Away from the job, the home, (Love my wife and son of course but a little quite time alone goes a long way), the lawn, and the daily pressures. Focusing on the relaxation of it and the destination made it very rewarding. I think if you just stick a pin in the map 500 miles from home and say "Ok, I'm going to ride there and back" and then focus only on fuel and receipts and such, then you aren't in the frame of mind to enjoy it. As someone who doesn't normally enjoy the slab, I have fond memories of my SS1K day recently.
wheatonFJR
...
Yeah, speaking of clicking off miles, I remember on a ride last year that I saw signs indicating Omaha was 400 miles away or so...and I had to go 500 miles past that.
No cruise control, no throttle lock, no tunes, just a good hard crosswind and even harder gusts to work against. Me and a 14ft lane width of I-80...and airboss 3 seconds ahead.
But hey, atleast I had this babe to talk to at the Welcome to Iowa rest area!
No cruise control, no throttle lock, no tunes, just a good hard crosswind and even harder gusts to work against. Me and a 14ft lane width of I-80...and airboss 3 seconds ahead.
But hey, atleast I had this babe to talk to at the Welcome to Iowa rest area!
GeorgiaRoller
Exit Stage Left
I think what we can all agree on is that we like to ride! unk:
Whether its a 350 mile dayride with several scenic stops, a 4,000 mile week or 2 week long tour, or even (gulp) 1500 miles in 24hrs for a IBA...it's all personal preference and it's all about getting out and doing what you enjoy. I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the comments on this thread and it has given me a better more well rounded view.
The main reason I switched from riding cruisers to going with a Sport Touring bike was because it was a better fit for my riding personality and what my longer riding goals were. I find the ST crowd to be much more passionate about the "ride" which I think is very cool. :thumbsupsmileyanim:
unk: Whether its a 350 mile dayride with several scenic stops, a 4,000 mile week or 2 week long tour, or even (gulp) 1500 miles in 24hrs for a IBA...it's all personal preference and it's all about getting out and doing what you enjoy. I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the comments on this thread and it has given me a better more well rounded view.
The main reason I switched from riding cruisers to going with a Sport Touring bike was because it was a better fit for my riding personality and what my longer riding goals were. I find the ST crowd to be much more passionate about the "ride" which I think is very cool. :thumbsupsmileyanim:
TwoWhldTerror
Well-known member
Passionate about the ride? Puuuhhhlllleeezzeeee...now pass me that beer. :lol:
GeorgiaRoller
Exit Stage Left
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Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
From the very first moment I wanted to ride a motorcycle on the street I only wanted to go around curves. I only use the interstate as a means to an end. The thought of wearing out the middle of a perfectly good motorcycle tire on straight roads is horrifying. Using a Sport Touring motorcycle to go in a straight line for a long way sounded like a complete waste of resources and time.
BUT...
I want that damn license plate holder. I am in the planning stages for my SS1K right now. I read Ron Ayres book Against the Wind. I have been reading reports on this forum and others, many of them make an SS1K sound like it is next to impossible. Even on ADVRider most of those reports go on and on about the difficulties involved. Then I read Gixxerjasen's excellent ride report and realized that the difficulty is directly proportional to the level of Pussitis in the rider. I have made up my mind that I will add this to my list of accomplishments. I don't know if I should thank Gixxerjasen or curse him but his report is the best one yet.
BUT...
I want that damn license plate holder. I am in the planning stages for my SS1K right now. I read Ron Ayres book Against the Wind. I have been reading reports on this forum and others, many of them make an SS1K sound like it is next to impossible. Even on ADVRider most of those reports go on and on about the difficulties involved. Then I read Gixxerjasen's excellent ride report and realized that the difficulty is directly proportional to the level of Pussitis in the rider. I have made up my mind that I will add this to my list of accomplishments. I don't know if I should thank Gixxerjasen or curse him but his report is the best one yet.
Auburn
Well-known member
I would like to do the National Park ride of 50 parks in 25 states in 1 year. Mainly as a reason to see places we have not seen yet. But it has to wait until I have more vacation days per year.
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
There you go! 1,000 miles in a day is only hard if you make it hard. Especially in your own damn mind. Once you do it, you not only realize that it really wasn't THAT difficult and as others have mentioned, your whole outlook on the size of the country and what is 'far' is completely altered. You really have to experience that to comprehend it. It's quite the epiphany.
Really, 1,000 miles in 24 hours is easy-peasy. Now........ 2,000 miles in 24 hours is a somewhat different beast!
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Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
Really, 1,000 miles in 24 hours is easy-peasy. Now........ 2,000 miles in 24 hours is a somewhat different beast!
You sir, have more beast in yourself than the average man. I have read about some of your accomplishments with awe and respect.
I think that trying to explain the reasons for doing this to someone who does not wish to do it is futile. I have long since stopped trying to explain motorcycling in general to non riders. Trying to explain this is like trying to describe colors to a blind person, or sex to a virgin. You can talk yourself to death and never get your message across.
Those of you who know why a motorcyclist would want to ride 1000+ miles in a day already understand. Those of you who don't are just as much right and probably have more sense. I don't have to explain it to anyone really. I earned the $$ to buy the bike, I make sure that the bike does not take a priority over family and I think that gives me the right to act out a decision like this. Of course I will have to get my wife's permission...
SacramentoMike
Not Safe For Work
I suspect I'll never do an IB ride on purpose--only if circumstances force it on me somehow (like being chased by zombies. Fast zombies). First, I get yawning and have a hard time keeping my attention focused the way I should. Second, I want to enjoy what I pass by, take pictures, admire. Might be wrong, but my perception of pushing like hell to get the right number of miles has to detract from that goal. And in any case, unless you do your IB riding in mid-summer in the Yukon, you're going to be riding in the dark. I sometimes like riding in the dark, but not for sightseeing. You who like it, or love it, more power to you, and I mean it.
As for the "500 out, 500 back" slab ride, it's fine, and even that, I'm unlikely ever to do, but one rider I really admire is one of our west coasters who retired from riding a couple years ago after a nasty deer strike. Unfortunately, I don't know what he's up to now, so maybe somebody who knows who I'm talking about will speak up. But this fellow was in his mid-70's then, and seemed to think nothing about getting on his bike in the morning here in the Sacramento area and going to Seattle, or Big Sur and back, or who knows where? One day, local lore has it, he took his FJR over--I think it was 12, could have been more--of the Sierra passes, all inside 24 hours, and I believe he totaled over 1200 miles! In the freaking Sierras! There weren't many of us out this way who could keep up, either for endurance or for speed.
As for the "500 out, 500 back" slab ride, it's fine, and even that, I'm unlikely ever to do, but one rider I really admire is one of our west coasters who retired from riding a couple years ago after a nasty deer strike. Unfortunately, I don't know what he's up to now, so maybe somebody who knows who I'm talking about will speak up. But this fellow was in his mid-70's then, and seemed to think nothing about getting on his bike in the morning here in the Sacramento area and going to Seattle, or Big Sur and back, or who knows where? One day, local lore has it, he took his FJR over--I think it was 12, could have been more--of the Sierra passes, all inside 24 hours, and I believe he totaled over 1200 miles! In the freaking Sierras! There weren't many of us out this way who could keep up, either for endurance or for speed.
gixxerjasen
Well-known member
Thanks! I think...erm. Really you can either make it easy or make it hard. Decide to ditch the slab and go back roads or find twisties...it's gonna take LONGER. Slowing for every town and stopping for every flashing red light, or slowing down for the twists...it all adds time. For the slab, there's PLENTY of time to get it all done. That's very important to understand.
Another way to make it hard is bike choice. It's almost cheating on an FJR, and I presume an ST1300 would be darn near cheating too. You want to make it hard? Do it on a TW200. That'll be a heck of a thread for the advrider crew and yea, it'll be hard, but it'll be a real challenge. I say, if you are just doing it once or want to check it out, cheat and do it the easy way. Slab, well rested, well planned, right bike, stop when you need to, and pay attention to your condition both physically and mentally. Do those things and you will find that the hard part is writing the check and sending off your paperwork.
:blink: Holy shit! That's fodder for my nightmares tonight. I'll blame my lack of sleep on YOU!!!
Willie
Well-known member
careful those little round stamps are addicting so I am told. You will not regret the experience, education and the roads you would probably not have traveled.
Willie
This is an interesting topic to me. As most of you who already know me already realize, I will probably never do a traditional SS1K. That kind of riding has just never appealed to me. Another serving of Slab sir? No thank you.
Like Wheaton, I only use the slab for when I need to get somewhere ina hurry, not for motorcycling enjoyment. When I am on the slab I find that the tedium allows my mind to wander, and I'll be thinking about all sorts of other things than what I am actually doing. That's not what I want out of a motorcycle ride. If I wanted to think about other things I could stay home on the sofa, or drive a car!
No, I really prefer to be fully engaged in the ride. To actually have to concentrate on my surroundings and what I'm doing for the entire time is a big part of my enjoyment.
One of our local NERDS, FJRforumite bbdig, just completed a SS1K last week (his first). It was just an out and back (to nowhere special) on I-90. Mass pike and NY State Thruway. He said that he had promised himself that he would do one before he reached 70, which is in a few months. When I asked him what he liked about it and if he would do it again, he said, "No! Now that I've done it, I don't have to do that again." He also said it reinforced in him the reason why he doesn't like being on the slab: Trucks.
He's right. Trucks (and truckers) are a PITA. The wind turbulence and noise they throw off makes motorcycling around them sucky. Plus many of them drive like they own the road. I love it when you're on a 2 lane interstate and come to a hill and the one truck gets along side another and tries to pass him at .0001 mph faster. So, I guess that is one very good thing about interstate slab: It's a place to keep all of the f***in' trucks so they aren't on the smaller state and county roads.
As far as IBA or other endurance riding, I would have much more interest in doing a Twisty Butt 500 (done some of my own informal ones before), or maybe even a 1K ride where you never touch the interstate. Now that would be a real challenge. But I wouldn't need (or even want) a certificate or a plate frame. If it is a worthy challenge, having accomplished it would seem reward enough.
My ideal "endurance" adventure would be something more like doing a 49 states tour, including a leg up to the Arctic circle. But ideally with no artificial time limits or itinerary. Just get on the bike, point the front wheel in the right direction and go. Stop when you see something cool or when you feel tired. Meet and connect with other folks along the way. I guess that is just motorcycle touring. I think maybe retirement is a prerequisite for that kind of ride.
Like Wheaton, I only use the slab for when I need to get somewhere ina hurry, not for motorcycling enjoyment. When I am on the slab I find that the tedium allows my mind to wander, and I'll be thinking about all sorts of other things than what I am actually doing. That's not what I want out of a motorcycle ride. If I wanted to think about other things I could stay home on the sofa, or drive a car!
No, I really prefer to be fully engaged in the ride. To actually have to concentrate on my surroundings and what I'm doing for the entire time is a big part of my enjoyment.
One of our local NERDS, FJRforumite bbdig, just completed a SS1K last week (his first). It was just an out and back (to nowhere special) on I-90. Mass pike and NY State Thruway. He said that he had promised himself that he would do one before he reached 70, which is in a few months. When I asked him what he liked about it and if he would do it again, he said, "No! Now that I've done it, I don't have to do that again." He also said it reinforced in him the reason why he doesn't like being on the slab: Trucks.
He's right. Trucks (and truckers) are a PITA. The wind turbulence and noise they throw off makes motorcycling around them sucky. Plus many of them drive like they own the road. I love it when you're on a 2 lane interstate and come to a hill and the one truck gets along side another and tries to pass him at .0001 mph faster. So, I guess that is one very good thing about interstate slab: It's a place to keep all of the f***in' trucks so they aren't on the smaller state and county roads.
As far as IBA or other endurance riding, I would have much more interest in doing a Twisty Butt 500 (done some of my own informal ones before), or maybe even a 1K ride where you never touch the interstate. Now that would be a real challenge. But I wouldn't need (or even want) a certificate or a plate frame. If it is a worthy challenge, having accomplished it would seem reward enough.
My ideal "endurance" adventure would be something more like doing a 49 states tour, including a leg up to the Arctic circle. But ideally with no artificial time limits or itinerary. Just get on the bike, point the front wheel in the right direction and go. Stop when you see something cool or when you feel tired. Meet and connect with other folks along the way. I guess that is just motorcycle touring. I think maybe retirement is a prerequisite for that kind of ride.
If you want to have fun, ride long distances and visit unique places, it may be worth checking out. I rather enjoy them. In the 24-36 hour rallies I don't even notice the miles, and the ride is far more memorable for me than a plain SS1K.
Here is a link to my Spot track from the Void 6 rally last year - Spot Track. For those who like to stay off slab, you can see about half of this ride was off the interstate. The rally started in Clarksville, TN, so the track from Columbus to there was just traveling to the start. Format for this rally was 29 hours total, beginning Friday morning and ending Saturday afternoon. This includes a mandatory 3 hour rest stop, leaving 26 hours to ride and collect bonuses. My rally was 1286 miles collecting 16 bonuses along the way. Here is one that didn't make the scoring table:
Gauley Bridge, WV.
Yeah, I'm sure there is a great story behind that picture, Paul.
I forgot to mention in my post that the whole rally thing looks like fun too.
I forgot to mention in my post that the whole rally thing looks like fun too.
Geezer
Parsimonious Curmudgeon
Yeah, I forgot to mention that I did a short rally one time and I enjoyed it. It was the 12 hour Rhody Rally that started in Rhode Island. It was a lot of fun. I'm not sure I'd enjoy a multi-day rally, though.
Twisty Butt 500? Slabbing 1000? WTF,O?
Do a secondary road 1000 or 1500 day. SHEESH! It's as simple as that. Where's the confusion?
Do a secondary road 1000 or 1500 day. SHEESH! It's as simple as that. Where's the confusion?
SkooterG
Purveyor of Crooked Facts
My interpretation:This is an interesting topic to me. As most of you who already know me already realize, I will probably never do a traditional SS1K. That kind of riding has just never appealed to me. Another serving of Slab sir? No thank you.
Like Wheaton, I only use the slab for when I need to get somewhere ina hurry, not for motorcycling enjoyment. When I am on the slab I find that the tedium allows my mind to wander, and I'll be thinking about all sorts of other things than what I am actually doing. That's not what I want out of a motorcycle ride. If I wanted to think about other things I could stay home on the sofa, or drive a car!
No, I really prefer to be fully engaged in the ride. To actually have to concentrate on my surroundings and what I'm doing for the entire time is a big part of my enjoyment.
One of our local NERDS, FJRforumite bbdig, just completed a SS1K last week (his first). It was just an out and back (to nowhere special) on I-90. Mass pike and NY State Thruway. He said that he had promised himself that he would do one before he reached 70, which is in a few months. When I asked him what he liked about it and if he would do it again, he said, "No! Now that I've done it, I don't have to do that again." He also said it reinforced in him the reason why he doesn't like being on the slab: Trucks.
He's right. Trucks (and truckers) are a PITA. The wind turbulence and noise they throw off makes motorcycling around them sucky. Plus many of them drive like they own the road. I love it when you're on a 2 lane interstate and come to a hill and the one truck gets along side another and tries to pass him at .0001 mph faster. So, I guess that is one very good thing about interstate slab: It's a place to keep all of the f***in' trucks so they aren't on the smaller state and county roads.
As far as IBA or other endurance riding, I would have much more interest in doing a Twisty Butt 500 (done some of my own informal ones before), or maybe even a 1K ride where you never touch the interstate. Now that would be a real challenge. But I wouldn't need (or even want) a certificate or a plate frame. If it is a worthy challenge, having accomplished it would seem reward enough.
My ideal "endurance" adventure would be something more like doing a 49 states tour, including a leg up to the Arctic circle. But ideally with no artificial time limits or itinerary. Just get on the bike, point the front wheel in the right direction and go. Stop when you see something cool or when you feel tired. Meet and connect with other folks along the way. I guess that is just motorcycle touring. I think maybe retirement is a prerequisite for that kind of ride.
blah, blah, blah, blah....... I never leave my little area of the world so I am close minded when it comes to any other possibilities.
I guess you can't do it in your neck of the woods Fred, but an SS1000 in these parts is easily doable on two lane highways in some absolutely beautiful country.
As nice as it may be, maybe you should venture out of your neck of the woods every once in a while.
Interesting that you recently posted this Fred:
Maybe you should do a little soul-searching and follow your own advice?
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timk
timk
A couple questions: When date did the Iron Butt ass, come to be. If it is an old ass'n wasn't the first Iron butts just as much about the machines as the riders, with many breakdowns breaking a lot of hearts. With the machines of today it seems half of the equasion missing. I wonder if the old bikes have a special Iron butt today?
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