IBA BritButt 09

[slanty]

Lucky number 28

[alpslapper]

This was a well organised event last year, but the dick running it is the same dick that never sent my validation for the longest day ride last year.

I did the whole IronButt ride last year with postit notes and a paper map - so no need for fancy technology but it helps.

Make sure you get and keep your reciepts save - they deduct points for the most rediculous things like no litres indicated on the petrol receipt

If its the same format as last year you'll need to take a verified 3 hour break. I found the easiest thing was to have the break at a petrol services. That way you can put a fiver of petrol in, get a receipt with the time, record your odo and picture it, 3 hours later fill her up, get timed receipt, snap odo, and youre done. You got 5000 points just for having a verified break last year.

You'll need a digital camera and sd card. The card in my camera couldnt be read on their laptops but it was no problem they just looked at the pics on the camera itself.

Follow the instructions to the letter. If youre required to be in the pic, make sure you are in the pic - otherwise your bike and towel with your number on it will suffice, or just your towel with number.

DONT LOSE YOUR NUMBERED TOWEL !!!!!!!!

And have spare batteries for the digital camera.

Number your receipts at the back. Makes it easier if they get mixed up. I found it easier to record the log as I went along. Others were doing it at the end.

Have a handy, accessible, waterproof pocket/pouch/bag whatever to keep all the paperwork to hand and and the receipts save and dry.

At the very least have the means to repair a puncture or replace with new tube.

Be wary of the wildlife if youre in the dark in scotland. One rider had an off with a deer. He was ok and continued on but he did a fair amount of damage to the bike.

It was great fun. I loved it. You will too.

[Snaphappy]

ref the receipts take a photo of them as well that way they are automatically time stamped and in order and backed up just incase of loss or getting wet.

[MarkR]

My running number is 63. Tom, many thanks for the xtra tips. I recognise that half the battle is in the planning and preparation and having an efficient 'office' for the event. I plan to do the event without a GPS but may have one on the day.

I will be at the Iron Butt meeting on March 21 to test the temperature of the organisation. I have submitted (twice) paperwork for The Longest Day and so far no replies from the USA.

I am looking forward to the event and hope to at least, finish.

Mark

[SteveLee]

I'm in as well (#41). Look forward to meeting up at the March meeting.

Glad the entry fee was paid early as I've just discovered that redundancy may be in my near future! At least I'll have plenty time to wash the bike!

[alpslapper]

I am looking forward to the event and hope to at least, finish.

Mark

The meeting in March is the time to get all your questions answered. There was a good mix last year of virgins and experienced long distance riders. There was a great atmosphere among the riders and everyone was chatty and friendly.

About finishing - if its the same as last year they deducted points for every minute you were over the cut off time and you were marked a non finisher if you were more than 2 hours over the cutoff. Like I said though that was last year and it might be a bit different this year as Im sure they'll have tweeked things and changed some things based on rider feedback.

But if its the same, dont give it a do or die push at the end for those final few points. They wont be worth it and if it means you comming in after the cutoff point you'll probably lose more points than you got in anycase.

Look carefully at the information given with the locations. Some were day time only, some were 24 hours, some were only accessible at certain times eg, tidal roads. This is where your planning comes in. Look carefully at all the information given. Nothing worse than travelling 80 miles to get a 3000 point location only to find you cant get to it.

Generally the further away a location was from the starting location, or the more akward it was to get to, the more points it was worth.

There was also a minimum amount of points you had to get to qualify as a finisher. Cant remember the numer now but it sounded a lot, however, remembering you got 5000 points for having a correctly validated 3 hour break its not as daunting as it seems on paper. My approach last year was to cherrypick the really big points and pick up some of the smaller ones on the way if they were en route.

Petrol is another issue, especially if your in deepest darkest Scotland in the middle of the night. You'll need to make sure youre not going to run out in the middle of nowhere as a lot of stations are closed overnight. Youre not allowed to carry petrol in a lose can bungeed on the back. Auxillary tanks have to meet minimum standards and be attached to the bike.

Goes without saying - but the most important thing is to be safe. If youre tired, have a break/rest/sleep. Sod the points and change your route if necessary. Nothing is worth not comming home to your family and friends.

If properly planned, slow,steady and organised will net you tens of thousands of points, a great ride, some awesome roads, a good laugh, great cammaradarie and the best nights sleep you'll ever have after 36 hours of endurance riding.

[MarkR]

Thanks for all the guidance and advice for this event. I will not only read the regs but study them thoroughly!. I am used to endurance and long distance events but not on a motorcycle. KIMMs and SLMMs, Orienteering running and on Mountain Bikes (Trailquest) to strict total times as well as participating/planning for larger exercises. Last year's JOG to LE ride was 'planned' and carried out without any modifications. The plan over ran by 26 minutes but this was due to the very poor visibility (fog) south of Exeter. I learnt the logistics of riding a 650GS, fuel, time and distance with stops (4) for the Longest Day, so I am prepared to some extent.

28, 41 & 63

[alpslapper]

The plan over ran by 26 minutes

I have a feeling you'll have no worries mate - and love it

Best of luck to everyone taking part

[stanbloke]

Good luck to all who have entered this event..

Just had a meeting with the IronbuttUK ride assesor, in which i pulled no punches regarding the setup and ride verification system that has been a complete failure ( TLD 0.

I have now been assured that the verification for any UK based ride will be entirely assessed by UK assesors and NOT re-checked by the US people.!!. This what had caused all the problems in the past.

Anyone completeing the required paperwork will now receive an email from the assesor when paperwork is in his hands, an email when the ride has been deemed a "Clean" ride and forwarded to Roger to issue the certificate. This system that is now in place will take no more than 4 weeks from submission to receipt of your ride certificate..

I felt I needed to talk to IronbuttUK about this as i was one of the one's who suggested the idea of Le-JoG and the Ironbutt UK certificates. So hopefully all will go smoothly for any XRV'er who wants to attempt any of the UK rides.

Regards

Stan.

[btbloke]

After all the aggro everyone was having last year I never sent mine off, do you thinks it's worth sending all the stuff in now?