LDR Rallies funding?

[outofcontrol]

I'm fascinated reading about these organized rallies. 10,000 miles in 10 days? amazing.

I'm confused about the cost of them. never been to one, I'm not saying it's not worth it, but what does the money go to?

I can't seem to find it, but the IBR costs $1,200? is that right? limited to 100-150 people? So it costs $120,000.00 to put on this event?

Is this a fundraiser event for some charity?

I'm really just curious. looks like there's several fun rallies for $500-800. But you meet up and get a list of places to go to and that costs $500?

I don't get it.

Does anyone have a rough idea of the breakdown of what it takes to fund a rally like these?

Hope I don't sound like a jerk with my first post here. And I know it sounds like I'm beating it up about expenses, but I just am curious and have no idea.

Thanks.

-Kevin

 

[Ignacio]

The 2009 IBR was actually $1800 and had a hundred people start.

The amount of preparation, staff, transportation, and who knows what else to put on that pinnacle of an event is rather mind-boggling. Think Olympics for this particular sport and unless you've done a smaller competitive rally it probably wouldn't do much good to try and explain it all. Big picture is that riders fund it and no sponsorship whatsoever. Individual riders have charity connections, but no official charity for the event.

It's an honest-to-goodness amateur competition!

What's probably more easy to imagine is something like a 24 hour rally. For example, I believe the Utah 1088 is $225 to $250. It includes a BBQ, shirt, some swag, a banquet, door prizes.......but most importantly essentially a year of research and riding by the rallymaster to visit locations to build the puzzle for riders. That latter part is probably the most substantial. These folks are not making money on these adventures...let me assure you.

You done a SaddleSore yet? If not, a certain percentage of people that do that..then emerge on the other side destined to try one of these one day rallies. And some of those go on to then figure out the call of the IBR.

 

[jwhite518]

Having done a number of 24 hr events, and done the math in my head, those entry fees seem entirely reasonable. I'd be surprised if those rallymasters make money. I bet they lose money more often than they break even. Putting on a good rally takes a lot of prep, as well as direct expenses the weekend of the event.

Before I did the IBR, I did the math like you and thought, boy that is a pretty big nut. I bet the IBR by itself costs less than 180,000. The IBA must be using the "profits" to fund other IBA activities. But then I was lucky enough to ride in the event last year. I was amazed at the sheer number of staff onsite at the start/finish and checkpoints. Those people are unpaid volunteers, God love 'em, but I imagine the rally covers some of their expenses.

As Ignacio said, the rally is indescribable in a short message. Let me just say that I received good value for my entry fee. I've never heard a single rally rider complain that they didn't get their money's worth. And the entry fee is just the tip of the iceberg, moneywise. It ain't for the faint of pocketbook. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

 

[outofcontrol]

No, I've never done them. I flew to FL to buy an SV650 and rode it back to Oregon. One day I did 1150 miles on it from Austin to Phoenix. I've done about 10 solo rides 5,000-10,000 miles, but never an official rally. I'm really intrigued by the whole thing. I'd love to try it. I'd probably need to start with one of the smaller ones, but the older I get, the more I like to stay away from a schedule and just follow the wind.

I think the IBR is something to put on my "Bucket List". I have a 2yr old and I'm 38. I think this would be a nice activity once she's off to college.

So is there a way to see the old directions or "route" or Checkpoints from previous years? I searched around on the website, and it's kind of hard to figure out. Is there 200 checkpoints and you have to figure out how to connect the dots? Seems like people are all over the map all at once looking at some of the reports.

About the cost; I think I'm just going to have to read some more reports and watch more videos to understand the scope of this kind of event. At this point I don't think I'm really grasping the magnitude of workforce required to put this on. Thanks for the replies. I am still fascinated by the idea. I love seeing the bikes all prepped and ready to go. I actually didn't even know about the IBR until I read Dean Tanji's report about his aux fuel tank https://www.fjr1300.info/misc/tanji.html I love this kind of fabrication for a purpose.

Anyway, thanks again. It's going to take me a while to save up for a FJR. It took me 12 years to save up for my dream truck, but I'm expecting that by next winter I'll be shopping for real. I just need to squirrel away about $500/mo.

-Kevin

 

[Ignacio]

I actually didn't even know about the IBR until I read Dean Tanji's report about his aux fuel tank https://www.fjr1300.info/misc/tanji.html I love this kind of fabrication for a purpose.

Well, you should know about 10% of the field for the '09 IBR are actually forum members here, one staff member, and multiple other regulars.

So is there a way to see the old directions or "route" or Checkpoints from previous years? I searched around on the website, and it's kind of hard to figure out. Is there 200 checkpoints and you have to figure out how to connect the dots? Seems like people are all over the map all at once looking at some of the reports.

The IBR puts their packets and data online after the rally. You want to see the exact stuff I and other riders puzzled out during the 11 days check here for waypoints and bonus listing.

 

[squeezer]

I've never run the IBR but have done lots of the smaller ones.

On the routes:

The rallymasters typically list a whole bunch of bonus point locations and you plot your own route out of that set. Routing is as big a part of the game as riding.

On funding:

Rick Miller, rallybastard of the Mason Dixon 20-20, presents charts with his accounting during the pre-rally banquet. I think one year he made six bucks. If that wasn't his peak, it's pretty close to it. Another year he went far enough into the hole that we had another ride to bring his rally account back to even. None of the rallybastards I know are making money. It's a break even thing they do for fun.

The money goes for the rally swag, rally books for the riders and other materials needed to run the event, hotel (including the conference rooms for banquets and scoring), food, and hotel rooms for the rally volunteers.

That rally is a benefit for the John Hopkins Childrens Hospital, but none of the entry fee goes there. The charity part, as in the other two rallies I try to run each year, is built into the bonus points. For example, at the MD 20-20, Rick publishes a list of small items the hospital has requested for the kids and their families -- small toys, prepaid phone cards, disposable cameras, etc. You bring a few to the check in table for bonus points.

 

[Hello Kitty]

OOC,

I does sound like you're missing the basic rally concept. You might try reading Tom Austin's reports from 2009, starting from the beginning. I know his reports went a long, long, way to helping some of my friends and relatives understand. At least a little bit.

NO ONE would possibly go to all of the locations on the bonus list. There is no 'route' like you are looking for. There is a wide, wide, wide varitey of choices. Each location has a point value. Each rider decides what he/she can accomplish within the time given for that particular leg/duration of the event. While trying to maximize total points. Unless it's a rally where LOWEST points wins! Each rider goes where he or she decides to go. I've known people who do a rally with little or no regard for points, they pick the places that look interesting to visit.

As for costs, East Coast Rallies are more in the low $100 range for a 24(ish) hour event. That typically includes whatever the rally swag is (t-shirt, etc), a few meals (often 2 dinners and 2 breakfasts) and like others have very clearly said, the people who 'work' for the rally aren't paid and sometimes, some of their expenses are covered. And I see absolutely no problem with that. There's also the rental of the space where the festivities are held, those places don't usualy come cheap. Let's not forget about insurance and other expenses that you don't 'see.' I know a few rally masters pretty well and believe me, they do what they can to keep the costs DOWN. In my opinion, you're getting A LOT for your money.

And some of the rallies DO raise money for charity. Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Fisher House and Victory Junction Camp are three that I know of. At some of these events, riders can get a small number of bonus points for bringing a gift for the charity and I believe (but might be wrong) that if there's any money left in the pot at the end of the event, it goes to the charity.

Bottom line is, you really don't understand. If you honestly want to understand, I would suggest that you read as many of the rider's reports as you can find. Iggy gave you a nice lead and they are literally all over the place if you look for them. I'm sure there are some on this forum, I know there are some on the IBA forum from many different types of events.

Oh and there are all sorts of riders who participate in these events. At 38, you'd be on the younger side. People have kids, young and older, it's about doing what we love to do. You are not alone in your misunderstanding, that's for sure!

 

[BIODSL]

And if after reading what's available online you're still hungry, Ron Ayers book is a great read.

https://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/bookwind.cfm

 

[dcarver]

Up front, as the Candy Butt Association prezident, I have no interest in running the Iron Butt, or pretty much any other rally. But I see absolutely nothing wrong if the IBA or other 'promoter' makes a profit from running events. It's a free market system, and those folks hosting events put at risk an incredible amount of time, energy, money, and liability to ensure they are safe, well organized, and run fairly. IMHO, of course, and consider my lack of quals too! :lol:

 

[jwhite518]

I think the IBR is something to put on my "Bucket List". I have a 2yr old and I'm 38. I think this would be a nice activity once she's off to college.

I ran my first rally, the Cal 24, when my daughter was 3 and I was around your age. Been rallying ever since. No need to wait for her to be in college. No matter where in the US that you live, there is a 24 hr rally close by. Rally season is just gearing up, run one this year! Try this list to get started.

As for the IBR being on your bucket list, that's nice but start small. Lots of people think they want to do the IBR, but don't know anything about it. For one thing, you can't just do it because you want to. There are fewer entry spots than potential riders. Spend some time on the IBR website and read the daily reports from past rallies. And of course you can always read my 09 ride report. (ego stroke!)

You do know that of the people active in this thread there are four IBR finishers, three who were top 20. Nice cast!

 

[beemerdons]

https://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41250 outofcontrol: You may find this interesting and appealing, it's Redmond, Oregon 1000 mile 24 hour Rally.

 

[squeezer]

Up front, as the Candy Butt Association prezident, I have no interest in running the Iron Butt, or pretty much any other rally. But I see absolutely nothing wrong if the IBA or other 'promoter' makes a profit from running events. It's a free market system, and those folks hosting events put at risk an incredible amount of time, energy, money, and liability to ensure they are safe, well organized, and run fairly. IMHO, of course, and consider my lack of quals too! :lol:

To be honest, it also wouldn't bother me the slightest bit if they were making a little coin off of all their effort. To be even more honest, I think they should.

It's just that the ones I know aren't.

 

[ChrisW]

You do know that of the people active in this thread there are four IBR finishers, three who were top 20. Nice cast!

Five. Worth every penny!

 

[dcarver]

You do know that of the people active in this thread there are four IBR finishers, three who were top 20. Nice cast!

I once rode 212 miles in *one* day! Does that count for anything? :lol:

 

[FJRay]

You do know that of the people active in this thread there are four IBR finishers, three who were top 20. Nice cast!

I once rode 212 miles in *one* day! Does that count for anything? :lol:

Ya, but not very much :yahoo:

 

[ChrisW]

You do know that of the people active in this thread there are four IBR finishers, three who were top 20. Nice cast!

I once rode 212 miles in *one* day! Does that count for anything? :lol:

I'm a pretty big fan of quality over quantity too. I go both ways.

 

[Bounce]

Having done a number of 24 hr events, and done the math in my head, those entry fees seem entirely reasonable. I'd be surprised if those rallymasters make money. I bet they lose money more often than they break even. Putting on a good rally takes a lot of prep, as well as direct expenses the weekend of the event.
Before I did the IBR, I did the math like you and thought, boy that is a pretty big nut. I bet the IBR by itself costs less than 180,000. The IBA must be using the "profits" to fund other IBA activities. But then I was lucky enough to ride in the event last year. I was amazed at the sheer number of staff onsite at the start/finish and checkpoints. Those people are unpaid volunteers, God love 'em, but I imagine the rally covers some of their expenses.

As Ignacio said, the rally is indescribable in a short message. Let me just say that I received good value for my entry fee. I've never heard a single rally rider complain that they didn't get their money's worth. And the entry fee is just the tip of the iceberg, moneywise. It ain't for the faint of pocketbook. Would I do it again? In a heartbeat.

A lot of the smaller rallies do good to break even. the host it because they get a personal benefit from giving back.

As for the core staff, rooms often get comped at each check point but the vast majority of volunteers carry their own load (or large portions of it). but again, this is america and there nothing wrong with getting paid for your work. as such he cor cor organizers may get some compensation for their work (rally master, prez, and possibly legal counsel and route monkey). if not a fee for services then a reimbursement for mileage to hunt good locations and document them for the rally books. Often though mileage and time off from work are out-of pocket. Bottom line is it's a business that was about to go bust and Kneebone (along with the aid of well-selected help) turned it around. As such they earned what they get.

 

[Rogue]

... I go both ways.

That isn't a very safe thing to say around here.............. if you count barnyard animals some of the members go 4 or 5 ways! :blink:

 

[Bounce]

The 2009 IBR was actually $1800 and had a hundred people start.
The amount of preparation, staff, transportation, and who knows what else to put on that pinnacle of an event is rather mind-boggling. Think Olympics for this particular sport and unless you've done a smaller competitive rally it probably wouldn't do much good to try and explain it all. Big picture is that riders fund it and no sponsorship whatsoever. Individual riders have charity connections, but no official charity for the event.

It's an honest-to-goodness amateur competition!

What's probably more easy to imagine is something like a 24 hour rally. For example, I believe the Utah 1088 is $225 to $250. It includes a BBQ, shirt, some swag, a banquet, door prizes.......but most importantly essentially a year of research and riding by the rallymaster to visit locations to build the puzzle for riders. That latter part is probably the most substantial. These folks are not making money on these adventures...let me assure you.

You done a SaddleSore yet? If not, a certain percentage of people that do that..then emerge on the other side destined to try one of these one day rallies. And some of those go on to then figure out the call of the IBR.

I see you've not been invited to any of the parties on the RM's yachts yet. talk about bling! Ooo Eeee!