Iron Butt Deux

[Joe Nardy]

Some of you remember that I completed an Iron Butt certification last year. I did a Saddlesore 1000 (1000 miles in under 24 hours) on my FJR riding home from our AMA Colorado tour. Some wise guy (Adam? Ryan?) who has exactly ZERO Iron Butt certifications made a comment to the effect that it was no big deal to do it on an FJR.

After the S.E. Rally I rode to South Florida (Delray Beach) for some company meetings. Like last year I was faced with a long ride that I needed to do quickly, which meant taking interstates rather than two-laners. So I decided to do the SS1000 paperwork, which requires witnesses at the start and end of the ride, gas receipts, and a log of stops, etc. I figured I?d see how the ride went and decide if I?d go for the 1000 miles or not. Well, to make a long story short, I left Delray Beach at 4:42 am Eastern Time and arrived at a Super 8 motel in Munfordville, Kentucky at 11:33 pm Central Time for a distance of 1012 miles in 19 hours and 51 minutes. This was done on my 1983 GS1100ED with no fairing. It was certainly tougher than my FJR ride but I actually did it in less time. It was definitely tough and I doubt I?ll ever do it again, but you never know. My total mileage home was over 1400 miles and I did it in about 38 hours including a good night?s sleep. It was certainly within the realm of possibility do complete the next level certification, the Bun Burner 1500 (1500 miles in 36 hours).

Anyway, it is a good feeling of accomplishment and something nobody can ever take away from me. I still have to send the paperwork in and get the official certification but I'm sure that's just a formality. Since I'm already an IBA member I could have bought a 'World's Toughest Riders' license plate frame and stuck it on the GS. But I would never put that frame on a bike I hadn't done the mileage on. Now I can proudly display the frame on the GS as well as the FJR. I don't think the KTM will ever get one!

So now that I have done the SS1000 TWICE, including once on my GS, I have decided to accept criticisms ONLY from IBA members????????[-(

Thanks,
Joe

 

[jimcor]

My GS LD claim to fame (infamy ?) is Sturgis, SD to Lexington, KY a little over 1300 miles in 36 hours. No receipts, no awards, no way I want to ride that little 550 that hard again. Fried the electrics and ate a chain and sprockets, the latter was my fault, too exhausted to adjust it.

 

[8trackmind]

Congratulations on the iron butt!

One question about the iron butt, Joe: Can I use speeding tickets as proof of where I've been, or does it have to be fuel receipts? :-D

 

[Joe Nardy]

Congratulations on the iron butt!

One question about the iron butt, Joe: Can I use speeding tickets as proof of where I've been, or does it have to be fuel receipts? :-D

Surprisingly enough but completely understandable from a legal point of view, the IBA (offficially) frowns on speeding, reckless riding, or use of stimulants. Aaron Frank of Motorcyclist (I think) magazine wrote an article a few years ago about riding a YZF-R1 from California to Wisconsin. Like most (all?) distance riders, he ran some triple-digit speeds, did some wheelies, and drank quite a few Red Bulls. The IBA initially gave him a certification but then revoked it because of the article. I guess that's understandable due to the legal ramifications of endorsing such activities but it's also common knowledge that distance riders haul a$$. I, of course, am the exception. I kept my speed under the limit for the entire ride. :^o

So, I wouldn't use the speeding tickets as proof.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[omaharj]

Congratulations!! That is truly quite an accomplishment. In my dreams I wouldn't contemplate any Iron Butt certification on a GS. YOUDAMAN!!!:-D

 

[ricardo]

Congrats man, do you have a stock GS seat?

 

[Joe Nardy]

Congrats man, do you have a stock GS seat?

Thanks,

Yes and no. It is a stock seat with a Sargent cover and I recently replaced the sagging stock foam with some Sargent's Super Cell Atomic Foam.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[AOD]

Some wise guy (Adam? Ryan?) who has exactly ZERO Iron Butt certifications made a comment to the effect that it was no big deal to do it on an FJR.

Yep, that was me. Of course it was out of fun, but I'm glad you remembered!

Congrats on the ride, as grueling as it can be, I'm sure it was fun. Looking forward to doing it myself some day...

~Adam

 

[Planecrazy]

Well, done, Joe!! I'm going to assume the weather cooperated with you on this ride, because I remember how chilled we both were on the ride home from Brown County last month, and I at least had the luxury of a Windjammer in front of me!

I could definitely envision doing the 1000 on my faired 1100G, but the truth is I don't think I'd ever want to!! Chances are I'll never be in a position where that kind of mileage will be between me and my destination anyway, but you never know. There's definitely a certain freedom associated with living a "child free" life -- Glad you're taking advantage of yours!!

See ya soon, Pal!

 

[Joe Nardy]

Well, done, Joe!! I'm going to assume the weather cooperated with you on this ride, because I remember how chilled we both were on the ride home from Brown County last month, and I at least had the luxury of a Windjammer in front of me!

Steve,

Despite being VERY hot Saturday (It was mid to high 90's through Georgia and Florida) it was plenty chilly Sunday. I don't think it was as chilly as coming home from Brown County but it was overcast and rainy, that wet cold that cuts right through. I wore more layers than I did coming home from the BCR. I'll take it any time over the heat.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Nerobro]

I'm taking a trip to georgia this weekend. That's 940 miles. I should find another 100 miles or so and do this. ;-)

 

[Joe Nardy]

Greg,

Be sure to check the Iron Butt website and download all the paperwork and instructions. It would suck to do the SS1000 and not get the certification due to a paperwork error.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[Nerobro]

no kidding. That is the plan. I just need to find a good cop shop in georgia to get the papers signed down there at.

 

[AOD]

Joe, what are the key IronButt website links for those of us who haven't done it before?

 

[jimcor]

http://www.ironbutt.com/

Just a note, be careful with this at work. Seems there are a bunch of porno sites with almost the same url...:?

 

[Nerobro]

http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm for all you who are google impaired ;-)

 

[80gs1000e]

.....This was done on my 1983 GS1100ED with no fairing. It was certainly tougher than my FJR ride but I actually did it in less time....

....I don't think the KTM will ever get one!.......

Very nice sir, we all know that naked is the way real men do it!

KTM? Thats easy, its just a straight line then....over the hills, and through the woods!

Congrats! 8)

 

[dpep]

So now that I have done the SS1000 TWICE, including once on my GS, I have decided to accept criticisms ONLY from IBA members????????[-(

Thanks,
Joe

Well, that would be me, but I really don't have anything to criticize. I actually have mixed feelings about the whole Iron Butt concept, but I consider Joe's attitude sensible and safe. It is one I share. You don't do it for its own sake; You do it as an add on for a trip you were going to take anyway. And you don't make a big deal out of it ahead of time either to others or to yourself. If it works out, it works out; but if stuff happens to work against it, you don't have ego or stubborness influencing you to go beyond good judgement. If anyone is interested in giving it a try, don't tell us about it. Just download the paperwork, follow the directions, and only tell folks when you are done. Even if you don't do the 1000 or don't even want to, following the IB instructions to document extensively is good discipline for any trip.

Now with regard to the Iron Butt competition held every two years, I have some extreme reservations about that. It is a competition held on public roads that requires riding virtually non-stop for over a week, mostly in excess of speed limits, in a sleep-deprived condition. I find it all very interesting, but I have extreme reservations.

 

[earlfor]

I have to agree with you Don. Its something you do because you want to do it.
It takes a certain type of person to be able to spend that many hours on a bike, and although I have, I dont remember it as being enjoyable. I've already made all the iron butt and butt burner distance rides I want to. I ride a bit easier these days. LOL

Earl

Well, that would be me, but I really don't have anything to criticize. I actually have mixed feelings about the whole Iron Butt concept, but I consider Joe's attitude sensible and safe. It is one I share.

 

[jimcor]

Now with regard to the Iron Butt competition held every two years, I have some extreme reservations about that. It is a competition held on public roads that requires riding virtually non-stop for over a week, mostly in excess of speed limits, in a sleep-deprived condition. I find it all very interesting, but I have extreme reservations.

My reservations have never been 'extreme' just an inner awareness that all is not quite right. The sleep deprived condition is extremely dangerous, to rider and others on the highway with him. In fact, it's a condition right up there with DUI. When I got back to Lexington after my marathon ride I was totally, completely, exhausted. I couldn't imagine being in this condition for over a week.