Question for the Iron Butt Riders

[CAC]

I have ridden several 1000 mile days, but have never done a certified ride. What is the advantage for me to certify a ride? I understand you get a plate holder, maybe a patch, but other than that why should I certify a ride? Seems to me that the $42.00 cost could be spent on gas. I'm not overly impressed with a 1000 as I classify it as the powder puff of the rides, although they are still fun to do you can get a good 5hrs sleep and still complete one. Those of you that do 1500 in 24hrs and some of the CC rides, my hat comes off to you! I can't go without sleep so those are off my list, lol. The true iron butt at 11000 miles in 11 days is amazing, especially when the winners actually do more. Kudos to all of you that do the rides! I am just curious what do I gain by certifying a 1000 mile in 24hrs and am I no way saying that someone shouldn't get their rides certified.I am planning on doing a 1200 mile day in about 2 weeks is the main reason I am asking.

[kniterider]

The IBA has the 1000 mile certification for those that are not physically up to riding any further either due to the type of bike they own or their own bodily limitations. Allows for a lot more members. It also is a nice warm up ride to test yourself as a newbie. I have done 3-- 50 CCs , bunches of the 1000 milers just to ride with new guys that want to try it. On this last little pizza run I did a total of 5 different days with over 1000 miles...just because I had to, to accomplish that part of the challenge in time. the 50 CC required a first day run of about 1200 miles to Sorona texas from Jacksonville. a 4 hour nap then another 1150 miles to san diego. The ride from Madawaska maine to key west florida for that part of the 4 corners ride took me a bit over 3 days to do the entire EAST coast. It is just a different mind set when I am riding solo. Now when wife is with me 500 mile days max and keeps her happy

[530ktm]

I say kudos to all of you that ride 1,000 mile days. I have never tried this and probably will not. I have done 500 and that is good for me.

[USNRider]

Whats the advantage? Well, besides being able to say that you were certified and your story is fact not much, but some people like that. I certified a 1000 mile day just to say I had and I have the IBA plate holder on my bike. The certification does allow you to purchase stuff from the IBA store if you want that you wouldn't be able to get otherwise and you can subscribe to the IBA magazine, but I think you can get that without getting your ride certified. Its been a while and while I wouldn't certify any additional 1000 mile days I'm happy I did certify the first one. If I ever do any of the other IBA rides I'll likely certify them the first time I do them.

[jmohme]

I have ridden several 1000 mile days, but have never done a certified ride. What is the advantage for me to certify a ride? I understand you get a plate holder, maybe a patch, but other than that why should I certify a ride? Seems to me that the $42.00 cost could be spent on gas. I'm not overly impressed with a 1000 as I classify it as the powder puff of the rides, although they are still fun to do you can get a good 5hrs sleep and still complete one. Those of you that do 1500 in 24hrs and some of the CC rides, my hat comes off to you! I can't go without sleep so those are off my list, lol. The true iron butt at 11000 miles in 11 days is amazing, especially when the winners actually do more. Kudos to all of you that do the rides! I am just curious what do I gain by certifying a 1000 mile in 24hrs and am I no way saying that someone shouldn't get their rides certified.I am planning on doing a 1200 mile day in about 2 weeks is the main reason I am asking.

I'm with you on this. I have done quite a few 1000 mile rides and at least one 1400. I never even thought about certifying any of them. In fact, I never set out to do any of them. They just happened because I didn't want to stop at the time.
I have friends that do the Iron Butt thing and have considered riding along with them, but even then I don't think I would go to the trouble of documenting the whole thing just to get a certificate.

To me, those type of things should be planned out well in advance of the ride, and too much planning just takes all the fun out of the ride for me. Even on trips where I have a predetermined destination, I don't get on my computer and lay out every stop I am going to make. I just plug in the destination to my built in GPS and everything else is up for grabs.

Back to your original question. Iron Butt certification is about bragging rights backed with documentation.

[remphoto]

For me the planning was half of the fun. It gave me an excuse to buy gear like a camelback (which leaked so did not use), better rain gear (which I didn't need), a GPS, etc. I am a belts and suspender sort and was glad I threw in an extra helmet as the face shield broke off of my HJC. The Aleve, jerky and sidecase full of bottled water all made the ride more enjoyable.

[Solidbob]

The IBA has the 1000 mile certification for those that are not physically up to riding any further either due to the type of bike they own or their own bodily limitations. Allows for a lot more members. It also is a nice warm up ride to test yourself as a newbie. I have done 3-- 50 CCs , bunches of the 1000 milers just to ride with new guys that want to try it. On this last little pizza run I did a total of 5 different days with over 1000 miles...just because I had to, to accomplish that part of the challenge in time. the 50 CC required a first day run of about 1200 miles to Sorona texas from Jacksonville. a 4 hour nap then another 1150 miles to san diego. The ride from Madawaska maine to key west florida for that part of the 4 corners ride took me a bit over 3 days to do the entire EAST coast. It is just a different mind set when I am riding solo. Now when wife is with me 500 mile days max and keeps her happy

As Kniterider has said there are many things to try if you are up to taxing your body.. to me it was the preperation and following your planned out route in a timely manner. I tried 4 times prior to finally succeeding all weather related, myself and spouse in our better days rode 800 - 1000 mile days just traveling if we really needed to / but times have changed as age has progressed and now we take the trike about 600-700 tops but mostly in the 500 range keeps her happy. IBA# 5831 Done on 06/19/1999 on my ST1100 and it was a joy.... a riding accomplishment that was documented by my local Police Dept. - they thought I was nuts, but not when I checked in later the same day.

[Haste Maker]

As for me I did the 1000 miles in 24 hours just to see if I could do it at age 67 on a motorcycle, I knew that I could drive a truck/trailer for way over 1000 miles without stopping for a break (and yes I was lying on my log book) "BUT" I still drove a truck for 42 years without a wreck..my next "IBR" will be 1500 miles in 36 hours at age 70..again just to see if I can do it.

[hparsons]

I'm with you on this. I have done quite a few 1000 mile rides and at least one 1400. I never even thought about certifying any of them. In fact, I never set out to do any of them. They just happened because I didn't want to stop at the time.
I have friends that do the Iron Butt thing and have considered riding along with them, but even then I don't think I would go to the trouble of documenting the whole thing just to get a certificate.

To me, those type of things should be planned out well in advance of the ride, and too much planning just takes all the fun out of the ride for me. Even on trips where I have a predetermined destination, I don't get on my computer and lay out every stop I am going to make. I just plug in the destination to my built in GPS and everything else is up for grabs.

Back to your original question. Iron Butt certification is about bragging rights backed with documentation.

I did my certification on an organized run the IBA did (Republic of Texas 1000). That mean they did all the planning for me, it was a fun ride, easy to document (all but the last stop was just take a picture), and enough other riders on the run to keep it interesting.

[jmohme]

I did my certification on an organized run the IBA did (Republic of Texas 1000). That mean they did all the planning for me, it was a fun ride, easy to document (all but the last stop was just take a picture), and enough other riders on the run to keep it interesting.

There you go! Let somebody else do the planning. I could go for that kind of ride, I just don't have enough interest in the certification to bother with it. To me it is all about the ride.

[kniterider]

If you want a preplanned ride... The moonshine burger 1000 is a yearly deal now.. they have all the IBA stuff done ahead of time.. you get you certificate when you show up at the rally point with your receipts THat SAME DAY

[strotter]

Reason: to get the license plate back and pin.. They make great conversation pieces.

[Yellowbird]

I to have rode a 1000 miles in a day and alway tough the requirements were a lot higher. I to would like a license plate plus you a get a Certificate why not join if you like to ride, plus it helps IBA they have been around a long time. Planning my ride for October.

[glarson3]

I've thought about doing one, and came close to doing an unplanned one when plans changed due to fires. Here's a little tidbit of knowledge I've amassed. If your SO is with you on the back, and your plan is to go about 400 miles that day, don't change your mind half-way through, and turn it into 16 hours in the saddle and 850 miles. DAMHIK

[CAC]

All of mine were unplanned. The last one was this past spring heading home from the Rogers ride in. I left there around 8:30 am and rode all two lane roads until dusk and then jumped on the highway and just kept riding. That one was over twenty hours and over 1000 miles.