VFR in a Iron Butt competion?

You can do it. Get a butt pad, some advil, and start early in the morning. Like 3 am. I did it. Kinda boring, but feels good when you accomplish it. Just don't get stupid tired.

 

I'm going to revive this thread since a friend of mine brought up the idea of an iron butt ride in the spring. I have done a 400 mile day in about 8 hours and was fairly tired and slightly sore. Is there a way, physically, to get ready for one of these rides? We are planning the 1000 miles in 24 hours one.

I used to lift weights and be in pretty good shape, but not as much now. I think if I start weight training again focusing on legs, core, back, shoulders and arms I could be ready to do the ride in 2-3 months. If we don't do it before April, It'll be too hot.

I'm also curious if anyone else on here has done them - I saw the above posts.

 

I'm planning on the Kansas trip in 2010 from Vancovuer Canada. That should be somewhere around 5,000 miles I would think

 

Agreed on the bike shorts. I wore some under my blue jeans this summer while I rode a 250 Ninja from Chattanooga to Chicago and back along back roads (including some detours). 1400 mile round trip. My neck was a little sore from the helmet, but my butt was pretty much fine.

 

Its easy on this bike! Go for it!..I did 2000 km, around 1250 miles in one day last summer from wpg, mb to kamloops .bc...I ended up laying on the tank on a chunk of thick foam I stuck inside my jacket,for most of the trip and was comfy as could be! Never thought that would be comfy, but it was great! Nothing hurt~!I doubt i will ever do that again as I am getting too old for that crap and had to ride a hr in the dark at the end of the trip in the mtns and didnt care for that part as was pooped.//, but I was too tite to pay for a room and just kept on cruisin! I have did the same trip on the fjr last summer, which was not quite as enjoyable, and also on the camel bike,which sucked as it was a awful thing to ride.. Either way, the hard part is the first half a day!once that first 6 hrs are over it is easy! On long trips, once the first day is over its even easier! All i need for those trips is my headache pills and a bottle of baby powder and pour it on!! enjoy!

 

Zona:

The biggest thing is to pace yourself. Its not about high speeds. Its about consistant speed and frequent breaks were you eat soemthing small and stay hydrated, whether you think you need a drink or not.

Jeff and I had the fastest bikes in the group when we did it and we were the first ones out and the last ones back LOL! The 97 and his Busa just don't have the gas capacity all the touring bikes and cruisers in the SS1000 we took part in did.

Some basic exercise is a really good idea too. Make sure your back, neck and stomach muscles are in decent shape. And wear the shirt I made for good luck!

BZ

 

Back in 85 I did a 1000 mi in 24 hour porker run in just 18 hours on mine. This is a day after getting back from a 2500 mile trip down the Blue Ridge to the Atlantic in SC and back home. Must have a good firm seat and gas money. That's all. Honda's don't break! I'd take either the VFR, KS1100, GS or Kaw Concours in that order.

 

I was gopnna say your butt was fine too but then people would talk. I switched from a bargain brand helmet to a competition style due to neck issues. It was expensive, but it really did make a difference. It is amazing the difference a few ounces makes on the neck!

 

I rode 885 miles in 15 hours last summer ( I have done this before) and know I could have ridden the 115 additional miles without a problem. I am 57 and am in great shape for my age (at least I think I am); this picture was taken on that ride:

 

Alright another old man on this site that rides. Way to go. Still a 1000 miles a day for 11 days is tuff in a car let a lone on ANY bike. Kinda like the Paris to Dakar ralley but only on asphalt.

 

Comfortable gear, music, gold bond, and a sheepskin seat cover. Bike shorts work well too. Dont forget your rain jacket. It might not be raining where you are now, but it IS raining somewhere.

 

Good advice fellas. I read the 25 tips on the Iron Butt website too.

TY, BZ. I don't like riding super fast anyway. 80-85 mph is my comfort zone for the slab. I'll do faster in short bursts to pass or just for an adrenalin kick.

I am thinking it will be a fun challenge.

 

Endurance events have alot to do with proper training and mental fortitude,the passion(sickness)will pull u through.Good bicycling shorts,hydration(camelback),tunes,snacks,and a bigger than stock windscreen.Busted my ass in different ways,climbing,running and bicycles.They don't have motors.Ironbutt...is that like Ironman?The VFRworld replies are more than I know about your ?Peace and good luck

 

He is correct about the Camelbak as well. I used one on my Chicago run and it worked great. I tucked the straw end in my partially-zipped jacket pocket until time to hydrate. Keep in mind that Camelbaks draw from the bottom of the bag, so don't invert it and expect a good flow of water.

Life at 7000
(The red bike is mine.)

 

This past May I did 870 miles from Nashville back to Dallas. I had planned to stop at the 1/2 point for the night, but realized I didn't have my license (lost it at a hotel), and didn't want the hassle...plus the half way point came at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Started at 8:00 or so, ended at 23:30.


Take a break every 100 miles, whether you need it or not. 100 miles is < 1.5 hours, and it really saves the knees/back/neck. I would stay geared up, but take the helmet/gloves/earplugs out.

Biggest issue for me was my knees (they are bad) and the earplugs really start to get uncomfortable after about 3 hours anyway. Tunes are great to have, even book on tape or similar would be great...something to suck you in and make you forget the mile markers.

I am hoping to do 1000 this summer, on a ride out to Colorado or Back....but not sure if that will happen just yet.

Gear: Leather Jacket, Overpants, Boots, Gloves, Helmet, Hydro Pack, Stock Seat, Thottle lock AND Throttle Rocker (these are key), good painkillers....Super Strength stuff if you can swing it, that doesn't affect your abilities of course. Take the meds before you start, and 1/2 way through as well.

 

Someone posted a while back, could have been Lgn but could be wrong, that on an intended long ride, they take ibuprophan (Advil) up front if they know they are going to have difficulty. Ibuprophan is not mind expanding so safe to take when driving. But beware, it is hard on the stomach so take with food. Also if you have joint problems with knees, same thing may hold true with naproxin. We need a prescription here for that but you can buy it there in the form of Alieve. Again, non mind expanding but hard on stomach so food is a must. I am not aware of eiother of them being habit forming.

I have the good stuff prescribed but have to wait until the ride is over, then deal with the pain after. But as has been stated, frequent breaks, some stretching and a short walk about goes a very long way to minimize the concerns.

 

I agree on this as well. I took some Goody's powder to help with the aches and pains and took frequent breaks. The range on the little Ninja is about 350 miles to a tank, so I stopped roughly twice between fill-ups (or about once per hour and a half). It's nice to take frequent breaks not only to give yourself a rest, but also to take in the sights. That is, after all, the point of travel.

I found another trick that is helpful as well: Nitronorth previously mentioned lying down on a pad of foam on the tank, but I found my tank bag full of blue jeans and socks to be perfectly comfortable. I rested my chest and helmeted chin on it and hooked my feet over the passenger pegs. Your balance is still fairly natural and it is a great way to stretch out for a few minutes on the long straight sections.

 

This has been brough up before and not everyone agreed with this practice. The arguement is that you are not properly astride your bike, therefore have less control. There may be some validity to this. But drivng a cage with one hand on the wheel and one hanging out the window or resting on a gear shifter is a similar comparrison and we all know, we all do that from time to time. I for one do just as stated. Feet over the passenger pegs and chest on the tank. It is a wlecome break on a longer ride without stopping. If there is a pad there then fine but I find just resting across the tank alone is fine too. Maybe my belly serves as a cushion. In any event, control is still very good. Mind you I have linked brakes which comes into play.

 

you definately add to your response time, as I have done this myself, how much your response is delayed is of course debatable and going to be different for all of us. I think it all comes down to choosing where you do it too. I have done it on long stretches of boring interstate, with a large break in the traffic flow, not in commute traffic, not in a group ride, not next to a 18 wheeler. When I did it, it was against a tank bag that would have a jacket liner or sweatshirt and maybe a change of gloves as the pad.