Iron Butt/Saddle Sore motorcycling.

As I understand it, the goal is to cover 1000 miles on a motorcycle in 24 hours or less.

Um...Why?

My take on motorcycles is that they should be enjoyed, not endured.

I don't ride in monsoons and I don't ride in sub-freezing weather. I have a car or truck for that.

I find it hard to argue with your logic....

I agree. Fair weather rider here. No need to be miserable.

Yeah, I don't get it either.

However, I've driven with several buddies doing Iron Butt rides on two different occasions. Once coming back from Florida, and another coming back from South Dakota. But that involved driving a truck, with me enjoying the A/C while listening to audiobooks and cracking jokes over the CB.

All the benefits of the trip, getting to see new sights and hang out with my friends, just without the saddle sores.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I agree. Fair weather rider here. No need to be miserable.

I rode for the first time this year yesterday. Temperatures hovering just shy of 50°. Bright sun, not much wind.

Full face helmet, thermal t-shirt, hoodie, leather jacket with liner, lined "winter" MC gloves.

Rode about a 10 mile loop and it was fine. By the end of the loop my hands were starting to get cool and (because I didn't think of long johns) my legs were getting cool. I could have ridden further without undue discomfort but mostly what I wanted to do was check out the new helmet for warmth and noise reduction (Warmth: Nice. Noise Reduction: Meh.) the difference taking off the hand guards made (definite reduction in wind buffeting around the chest and helmet, and looks MUCH better!) and the new Corbin seat. (Opinion withheld until after breakin period).

quote:

I don't ride in monsoons and I don't ride in sub-freezing weather. I have a car or truck for that.

Fine if you don't go far from home, but if you ride cross-country you have to be prepared for and ride in any weather.

It's the same reason people go hiking on anything other than just flat pavement.

Sometimes you have to endure some discomfort to see and experience the things that others can't or won't see and experience.

I'd like to say I'm hardcore enough to have done it but between 300 and 400 miles for a day of riding and I'm ready to call it good. I like to stop for a while every hundred or so. Will also avoid riding in the rain like the plague. Not that big on riding at night either. So no Iron Ass 1000 for this kid.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
It's the same reason people go hiking on anything other than just flat pavement.

Sometimes you have to endure some discomfort to see and experience the things that others can't or won't see and experience.

Don't see how that applies here. I can see and experience everything in 3 days @ 350 miles a day and not have to suffer for it or get dangerously tired doing it.

As to getting caught on long distance rides, yes there's that. Again, different circumstances. It's setting out to do it on purpose that eludes me.

I have no explanation, but I've done it. I didn't set out to do it, but on the way I realized I could. After the first 700 miles on my 1998 ZX9R, parts of my body started falling asleep. Mostly hands and feet. I started in Naples, FL and hit the exit for Mammoth Cave at mile 996, so I went one exit further and stayed at a KOA. It took right around 13 hours total. I slept for about 8 hours and finished the next 450 miles to Chicago the next day.

It was 17 years ago and I don't remember much else, except the HOV lane through Atlanta was fun.

I used to go on rides with the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, usually 100-200 miles on a Sunday, beginning with breakfast, ending with dinner.

Although I was never tired by these rides, the thought of an Iron Butt ride never appealed. I commuted on the Gold Wing for a couple years, winter and summer, and that was maso enough for me.

Falls under the category of different strokes. I know people who favor genital piercings. It's not for me, but works for them, so I really don't care.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
Falls under the category of different strokes. I know people who favor genital piercings. It's not for me, but works for them, so I really don't care.

Yup, I get the different strokes thing. Hell, there are people that think it's a good idea to jump off tall buildings.

I was just trying to figure out the attraction.

"Genital Piercer". There's a career path I don't even want to think about.

My take on riding is; If you value your life then don't ride. I know of a couple of people who have been killed and one seriously injured twice.

New London, CT to the Twin Ports of Duluth/Superior in 1989 on my VFR 700 Interceptor in 26 hours. Young and dumb, sure...but it was an experience I won't forget. No throttle lock, and man, did my right wrist get sore and swollen!

Butt fared just fine, but then again, young and dumb!!

I used to ride all year round. The only days I did not ride was if there was ice on the roads, heavy fog or torrential downpour.
I never got into the iron butt rides.
I do have a friend who is maybe the worst at it, you could ever meet.

My friend was going to Dayton to the races and I asked to go. He said Ok, but I only stop for gas....I eat at the gas station while pumping gas and leave. NOT ME.

He told me he went to California on his bike. I said how long did you stay. He said oh, I just turned around and came back.
He traded in 1 Gold Wing that had over 500K mi on it. The dealership just roped it off and it is on display there. He had 275K on one of his wings he got rid of. He is about 70 and still rides all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by BigSwede:
I agree. Fair weather rider here. No need to be miserable.

Same here. Heck, I even just bought a FJR1300, a favorite among the extreme long-distance touring crowd / Iron Butt folks, but mine won't ever have that kind of workout.

quote:

Originally posted by SIG 229R:
My take on riding is; If you value your life then don't ride. I know of a couple of people who have been killed and one seriously injured twice.

Motorcycling has an element of danger. So does my job. Still gotta do it.

Riding my motorcycle is one of the things that makes me feel alive. Right back to that different strokes thing. What does it for you?

But on the topic here, still not interested in ass busting 1000 mile rides in a day. I'm with Paul. Just don't quite understand.

quote:

Originally posted by SIG 229R:
My take on riding is; If you value your life then don't ride. I know of a couple of people who have been killed and one seriously injured twice.

Uh oh, it's that guy.