 Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
As my wife and I plan our first cross-country trip (including the stop in Prescott for SWTF) I find that a lot of folks in my CDC riding group are simply appalled that I am planning on taking two weeks plus a couple of days to do it. Many of them are planning on attempting the CC50 (coast to coast in 50 hours) this spring. Perhaps it is just me, but I don't get it. Endurance motorcycling seems to me a lot like saying
"I flew to Disney world and ran through the whole thing in an hour"
or
"I paid my fees, carried my clubs, and ran the entire golf course without ever pausing taking a stroke."
What am I missing here? I want to enjoy the ride, savor it even, not endure it.
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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 Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,616 |
I dont think your missing anything...
I have days that I love the scenery and just the ride, there are other days that setting a personal milestone (like an iron but ride) is an intriguing idea.
SOLD: 07 Black BA, 39mm FCRs, TPUSA stage 1 head, TPUSA 813 cams, TPUSA 10.8:1 pistons, TTP #3 igniter, Specialty Spares Long Cannons, Tsukayu Hard Bags. 82HP/55tq
NEW: 19 Goldwing Tour DCT
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,502 Likes: 7
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,502 Likes: 7 |
I guess they never heard the saying "stop to smell the roses" It's one thing if you HAVE to get somewhere for a certain time,but to have your whole trip like that? 
'04' Black America
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64 |
I don't know, I think that could go either way. I rode straight through to Yellowstone park in 36hrs and even managed to stop at Rushmore. I wanted as much time at the park as I could get so I guess it's all in what you want to do.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680
Learned Hand
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OP
Learned Hand
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,680 |
Ian, I do understand wanting to get TO someplace fast to spend time there. This however, is just making the coast to coast run in 50 hours and then right back just for the sake of saying on has done it. I suppose having folks who are driven to setting new marks in any field of endeavor are a good thing (Lindbergh et al) but I am sure I would rather wander across the country than race.
Thom
I might be wrong, I sometimes am.
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64 |
That is what I was saying, the Iron Butt is a challenge of endurance. Completing it can bring a certain satisfaction. My friends father did the 4 corners ride. Maine to Washington to CA to Fl and back to Maine in a set time.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
I agree with you Thom. I like to look around enjoy the culture and the food from different areas of the country. I would probably not do more than 400 miles per day.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
If yer out to make a person record of endurance then so be it. If ya want to take a couple o' weeks to savor a trip, then so be that too. These are just two different things. Circumstances permitting, I'd be up to doing either one.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64 |
Quote:
If yer out to make a person record of endurance then so be it. If ya want to take a couple o' weeks to savor a trip, then so be that too. These are just two different things. Circumstances permitting, I'd be up to doing either one.
+1
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
Good thing about freedom.... We can make those choices for ourselves.
Me personally I am not down for the endurance trip. I am in favor of the leisure trip.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Mmmmmmmmm... Iron Butter... great on toast...  
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476 |
i've done 1029 in 22 hours. and i have spent 5 hours going 70 miles. going slow is more enjoyable. there are still times when i have gone from portland to san francisco, but lately i'm in no hurry.
oh yeah my IBA #26647
If it isn't broke, I haven't messed with it.
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7 |
When I did my Iron Butt ride, I had already ridden to Sturgis and around there for almost a week, and I decided to do it on the way home just to see if I could. After riding almost 3000 miles that week, I did the trip home in one shot. I'll do it again one day. But I do enjoy taking back roads and seeing some of the forgotten also.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
Different strokes for different folks
The endurance thing can give you years of bragging, as long as you remember to forget to mention that you couldn't even look at a bike for a week after. Whereas the leisurely ride is the one that you never want to end
Just my 2p
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 242
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 242 |
Quote:
Different strokes for different folks
The endurance thing can give you years of bragging, as long as you remember to forget to mention that you couldn't even look at a bike for a week after. Whereas the leisurely ride is the one that you never want to end
Just my 2p
100% agreed. I love the long distance rides with multiple stops and slow cruising to really take in the scenery.
08 America
Rinehart exhaust, Clearview shield, Viking bags and magic carb's
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 507
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 507 |
Quote:
Quote:
If yer out to make a person record of endurance then so be it. If ya want to take a couple o' weeks to savor a trip, then so be that too. These are just two different things. Circumstances permitting, I'd be up to doing either one.
+1
+2. I just like to ride. Any excuse will do. 
2005 Speedmaster, Tornado Red, AI removed, Uni Pods, JCW 19" turnouts
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
Mmmmmmmmm... Iron Butter... great on toast...
that's what I was thinking. The butter for people with low Iron in their diet. 
I love to take in the sites but the Iron butt is something I would like to do once just to say I did it. When I think about it I have done 600 miles in 11 hours, 400 more would be doable in another 13 hours. But you would probably have to take me off the bike with a shovel after it was over. 
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,736 Likes: 7 |
I was on my bike riding around again within 12 hours of getting home from my IBR
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Great idea, Tom. Nothing better than a ride across the country with your significant other! Hope ya keep us posted on your plans! (Wish we were going with ya!) 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Seems to me that riding cross country is enough to blow most folks minds. Forget about a few of em beeching about taking too long! It's about the riding, not the destination/milestone.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,068 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
I am planning on taking two weeks plus a couple of days to do it.
Well Thom , 'pends on how many COVERED BRIDGES are out that way . 
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,246 Likes: 64 |
Well I plan on going back to Yellowstone and I plan to allow about 3 days for the ride and maybe 4. Not sure how much Wendy can handle, she had a tough time riding to Fl in 2 days and with bad weather we took 3. 2 for the ride home. I can still ride to Fl in a day but her back won't do it and on the way home we had to stop because she had heat stroke. Literally lost her sight while on the bike pulled over and threw up. We stopped for her to cool off. I might go to Yellowstone this summer if I can swing the cost if not I have a few short rides in mind and 1 possible long one. Wendy always wanted to go to Sturgis, maybe we can do that. It's all just ideas at the moment and still have to work up her schedule then I have to put in for the paid vacation time.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
I did the Iron Butt back in the 90's (officially) so I could get the certificate and nifty pin.....a breakfast run to Tucumcarri (?) New Mexico.....fond memories but definately something I would not turn into a regular hobby... I guess it counts even if it was on a Trophy
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Re: Iron Butt-ers
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
While you're there make sure you drink all of Dwight's scotch and smoke all his cigars.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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