But, what really caught my eye was the bike’s license plate holder. Above the plate, the inscription read “Iron Butt Association, World’s Toughest Riders.”
What’s the Iron Butt Association?
The Iron Butt Association is a loosely knit group of about 9,000 (the number is constantly increasing) motorcycle enthusiasts dedicated to safe, long distance, endurance riding. The group is based in the United States where most members reside, but other members are scattered throughout the world.The association puts its moniker onto a variety of endurance rides -- the best known is the 11-day, 11,000+ mile Iron Butt Rally held every two years. However, individuals can try quite a few other Iron Butt rides on their own at any time. Rides with catchy titles like the Saddle Sore 1,000 (1,000 miles in 24 hours), Bun Burner 1,500 (1,500 miles in 36 hours), Bun Burner Gold (1,500 miles in 24 hours) and the 50cc Quest (go cross country in 50 hours or less).
A rider can earn membership in the Iron Butt Association by successfully finishing any one of these and other sanctioned rides. Just plan a route that covers the distance, then go for it.
The fellow I met along the Blue Ridge told me he’d gotten the urge to try a Saddle Sore 1,000 a few years earlier, now he had multiple Iron Butt rides to his credit. Then he said, “I bet you’re ready to give it a shot.”
I wasn’t so sure. I’d ridden a few 700-mile days and they were no treat. In addition, The Iron Butt folks want solid proof that a rider actually completed a ride in the allotted time. Why would I want to ride 1,000 miles or more while taking on the added aggravation of documenting the trip with witness forms, gas receipts and logbook entries?
It took me two more riding seasons for the idea to sink in that I could and wanted to do a Saddle Sore 1,000. During that time, I’d done a few 600-mile days in less than 12 hours while driving mostly on back roads. I knew I could crank out 1,000 miles in 24 hours if I stuck to the “super slab” interstate highway system.
