Did a Ironbutt SaddleSore (long)

[jmax]

Did an Ironbutt ride with 3 friends, a Nomad, Vulcan Classic, Harley Ultra Classic and a Heritage Classic. We rode from New Orleans to a little past Lake City FL. and back. Made stops every 130-140 miles, about 2 hours riding time. Most of the time we were running 80-85 MPH indicated on the Nomads speedo, 72-78 MPH true speed. Left at 4AM was back in my driveway at 11PM. We made a lunch stop on the return leg in Tallahassee from 3-4PM, so it would be easy to cut an hour off if we skipped a sit down lunch. But that hour was a needed recharge. I mapped everything on Google maps using the satellite to make sure there were gas stations next to the interstate. At first I made the stops in the 160-170 mile range, glad I cut back to 130-140 miles because we would have never made it to the longer planed stops. I had my low fuel light come on once, the Heritage had to go to reserve on two of the legs. My mileage for the entire trip was 32.67 MPG according to my odometer at 1073 miles. The other bikes showed about 20-25 miles less on their odometers. According to Google Maps it was 1030 miles which brings the MPG down to 31.36. I was disappointed in the mileage but we did run pretty hard and consistent. The Nomad never missed a beat, a solid performer on the super slab. As for the Physical effects on us, I must say I was surprised how well we all handled it, as the youngest rider is 50. Stopping every 2 hours helped, we would get gas have a drink and a snack, never rushing. Only two of us had to hit the Advil with 6 hours to go, yea one of them was me. I bought a AirHawk cushion just before the ride and I don’t I’d have finished as well without it. Also put a set of Long Horn Hwy pegs, but for me they were a waste of money. I find more comfort hooking my heals on the back floorboards, it makes me sit straight. All in all it was a good ride but I don’t think I’ll be doing it again anytime soon. I think from now on it will be slower and shorter rides for me.

[timebandit]

I would like to try one this season or the next. Got to find some other riders to do it with.

[phred]

I talked to a buddy of mine who did one a few years ago, and he said the same thing, he doesn't plan to do another one!

[ringadingh]

Sounds like it was a well planned trip and a long day, thats a lot of miles on a bike for one continuous trip. Its pretty amazing at what these bikes will stand up to for hours on end.
Congratulations on a good safe trip.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

All in all sounds like it was a good trip. I like to do about one long trip a year. That is all my butt can handle. Glad you guys had a safe ride.

[Cajunrider]

That was a heck of a ride J. I suppose you all had great weather for the trip. Were the winds pretty stiff from the East/Southeast? They've been blowing pretty hard over here for the last few days. Glad y'all made it safely. Congratulations.

[paul]

Very good! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[schoeney]

OK...you got that out of your system and off your bucket list....now you can enjoy the ride!

[Jared]

I too did an IBA ride last spring. My experience was very similar to yours, times and all. You can read about my experience here on my blog. http://utahmotorcyclist.blogspot.com/2009/10/iron-butt-ride-may-4-2009.html

[dantama]

I find more comfort hooking my heals on the back floorboards, it makes me sit straight.


That one works well for me too on long rides.

[ken]

My longest ride is about 330 miles in six hours (my house to Frankfurt) using the Autobahn with two fuel stops. Nothing to write home about, just putting in my 2 cents.

[ringadingh]

It would be easy to do an Iron Butt on the Autobahn, I wish we had roads like that here. Then Id have a Hyabusa to satisfy those days when I have a need for speed.

[foztex]

Sounds like you had a good ride; I ususally ride a 1000 mile round trip during the spring; however, I stop after 500 miles and stay with family for a couple of days prior to the 500 mile return trip. That's a lot different than doing all of that in one day (wow)!

[Idaho]

Ah long days in the saddle. Makes my heart glad. I've never jumped through the hoops to get the credit but I have done two 1000 mile days and several 800 and 700 mile days. Those are fairly easy to do. The 1000 is a little more challenging.

[Netnorske]

That is a long day in the saddle, but what a story, eh?

I find it interesting that the odometer on the Nomad recorded more mileage. Isn't that what that whole lawsuit thing is about that we all got class-action notices for?