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Getting ready to do my first Iron butt this weekend on my '03 Speedie. Going on the Great Lakes 1000, weather permitting (maybe even if not).

Wish me luck and feel free to impart any advice.

Stop frequently to stretch your legs and regenerate.

Make sure you put together a decent toolkit and first aid kit.

Eat healthy foods.

Keep space between yourself and trucks.

Stay hydrated... and kiss your butt goodbye! (just kidding on the butt thing... well maybe not, but definitely not kidding about the hydrated part!)

Use sunscreen.

Oh yeh and good luck.

Use a sheepskin on your seat- will protect the rear end and always handy to cuddle up to at night- how do I know-would not leave home without it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you're over 50, a mitt full of Oxycontin
and a bottle of single malt for the day after

Everyone may have know this but me, but coffee (cafeine) is NOT a good hydrator. Just the opposite. Start with a cup or 2 if you must but follow it with a good amount of juice, in the AM. Then, as above, keep the water flowing. You might even think about a Potasium suppliment. It'll help eliminate the leg cramps.
Have FUN and good luck!

Boudreaux's Butt Paste

Probably shouldn't ask, but what is Boudreaux's Butt Paste?

Thanks for the tips all. For the hydration, I'm a water junkie. I generally do have a cup of coffee in the AM, but from there generally just drink a lot of water. I got a camel back to make sure I have at least the option of constant water and will of course be stopping for gas about every 2 hours or so, plus water.

For the seat cover, I actually got an airhawk. The sheepskin though widely aclaimed always seemed odd to me as a solution since I'm alergic to wool and it sounded "itchy" to me. The air hawk has made things much better. I also have some Hagon shocks that should arrive this week. I know I shouldn't make last minute modifications, but shocks seem like a fairly stable change to make, not like electrical or carburation changes.

FCTush, never tried that stuff but I hear good things. I think I'll go with some Gold Bond powder and hopefully avoid the need for butt paste, but that seems like more of a post ride solution than mid ride. I can imagine what my mates would say if I was pulling my pasty drawers out of a wedgie all ride long!

Keep the tips coming folks if anyone has some input. Much appreciated.

BTW, my ride mates are three Harley's, so I need some extra good thoughts. You know I can't be the one guy that has a break down!! Fortunatly one of them is a class A mechanic at least.

I have started using one of those backpacks that holds water for longer rides (over 500 miles at a shot) so I can drink without stopping. This is only if it is very hot out too. It eliminates my having to stop before I need gas. They are for runners and such.

Got mine for $5 on clearance at Wal Mart, bought 2.

ride hungry, eating will make you sleepy...
granola bars are your friend

I don't think could beat any of these guys tips, but goodluck anyway. Have a safe but equally enjoyable ride.

I can't wait till I'm able to do the iron but.

rent or borrow a goldwing!

And while we're on the topic of Iron Butt and all that...

http://ironbutt.com/ridecerts/

Ride hungry, but eat right and hydrate well when you can. Savor the real meal at the end of the day....

Wearing a good full-face helmet helps a lot. If you ride with one, you know what I mean, if you don't, you don't.

I've learned that wearing compression shorts helps a lot with controlling "monkey-butt". I wish they had a fly (for convenience), but they help more than I thought they would.

I do ride the slab more than I like to admit, but in doing so I must say riding a lot at night is my preference. Not much to miss off the slab from a sight-seeing standpoint anyway, and the truckers and I get along great. Stopping for gas every 150 miles, you wind up passing the same trucks over and over again. They recognize you when you pass them again. Give them every courtesy, lot's of patience giving them time to pass one another, and they will return the favor. I've had more than one come up to me at a gas stop and warn me of weather ahead, or an accident, or THE LAW....with their CB radios, they can be good eyes and ears...

I ride alone a lot.

And when I've got the right gear on, riding in the rain is a pleasure too.....even at night. Driving lights are key.....

You're certainly right about a full face helmet. I wear a flip up because it is much more convenient, especially since I wear glasses. I learned to keep it down when it's extremely hot. 115 Fahrenheit is like putting your face in a convection oven without a full face down and locked. Last October I rode under a power line with a bunch of large birds on it while my visor was up. One of them dropped a bomb that went just over the windshield, under the visor and around my glasses to hit me in the eye. I don't know how many points he got but it must have been a lot. Even with a Memphis Fats I can't count the number of times a rock or some other debris has bounced off my visor.

Also I agree, eat at the end of the day. Nothing like having to go when you're in a rain suit or out in the middle of nowhere.

Never tried compression shorts but I found a pair of slightly tight boxer briefs that go part way down the thigh help a lot.

Lastly, drink LOTS of water. Dehydration will sap your strength and disrupt your concentration.
I have a pretty good rain suit I worn quite a bit while on the road. I wouldn't call it a pleasure but it sure beats being wet. Invest in pair of rain boots like Fast Eddy sells and put them on before you put on the suit. Otherwise you get boots full of water and the water wicks up your trousers.

Friend of mine is an Iron Butt member. He rode his vintage BSA Thunderbolt from Atlanta to Cape Cod in 23 1/2 hours. He's planning a trip from Alaska to Key west on the same bike next June.

Thanks much guys, really appreciate the tips. Hadn't thought about compression shorts, but honestly I'm not sure about those as a last minute addition. They may be great, but for a boxer guy they may take some getting used to and I'd rather keep both hands on the bar than one on the crotch "adjusting".

Got the water set, and lots of granola. That's about my diet anyway. I've got some decent raingear, 2 sets as I'm sure one won't do and I've got some good Sidi boots that are waterproof. I just know I'm going to have 50 lbs of waterproofing and it won't rain for once.

I'm heading north Friday night to take off very early Saturday morning. Hopefully I'll have a good ride report and some photos when I get back.

thanks again all, appreciate the wisdom and experience.

Back safe and sound. I'll probably put up a longer ride report, but all went well. no real problems, other than normal travel issues. Bike ran flawlessly so no worries about embarassment in front of the HD guys. Really I was pretty comfy with the Air Hawk seat cover and some last minute Hagon 2810s that Fast Eddy (another great story to come) hooked me up with. Honestly, sleep deficit was the only issue in the end that would have kept me from going further. My hands hurt, but otherwise all good. Next trip if there is one will include floor boards and a cruise control/throttle lock of some sort. Even a Throttle Boss was not enough for my liking.

thanks again all for the advice and input.

Peace and safe riding.

john

Yeah... back safe and sound! Good on ya mate!!! Looking forward to those stories!