Iron Butt Association may sound fictitious or made up, but it is a real group of individuals who share a love for long-distance motorcycle riding. Learn more about this amazing group of individuals who dedicate their life to spreading the love of long-distance motorcycle riding.
What is the Iron Butt Association?
The Iron Butt Association is a very informal group of approximately 50,000 individuals who all have one common denominator – a love of riding their motorcycle for long distances. Individuals who join this group like to live by the slogan of "the world is our playground" meaning that anywhere they can ride they will and do so in a safe manner. No place across the globe is safe from these endurance riders.
How Does Someone Join the Iron Butt Association?
Unlike many official clubs, the Iron Butt Association has a very informal process for granting membership. In order to join the Iron Butt Association, you must successfully complete one of the long-distance endurance motorcycle riding challenges.
The challenges to complete in order to gain access to this exclusive club are the following:
- The Bun Burner 1500 – ride approximately 1,500 miles in 36 hours
- The SaddleSore 1000 – ride approximately 1,000 miles in 24 hours
A few criteria must be met in order for the challenge to be considered completed. Those criteria include:
- The route must be safe
- A witness must see you start the ride
- A witness must see you end the ride
- Keep track of any receipts associated with the ride
Once one of these challenges has been completed, you will be granted entry into the Iron Butt Association. Entry into this club will earn you the following:
- Certificate of accomplishment
- Exclusive Iron Butt Association pin
- Exclusive Iron Butt Association license plate back holder
- Listing on the official website as a true Iron Butter
Does the Iron Butt Association Take Part in Any Specific Events?
Most of the events, such as the Saddlesore 1000, Bun Burner 1500, and IBA 50cc Quest, are informal events that can be completed by anyone at any time. There is no specific day or date in which a person can take part in those events. It can be completed on the individual's own time.
Even though the Iron Butt Association doesn't have a group-specific event that doesn't mean there aren't events where the group will get together to ride. Members of the Iron Butt Association will often take part in several scheduled long-distance riding events throughout the year. Scheduled long-distance riding events that members gathered together to take part in have occurred all over the world from California and New York, to Mexico and Germany.
Long-Distance Motorcycle Riding Safety Tips from the Iron Butt Association
In an effort to spread their message, the Iron Butt Association regularly produces newsletters, eBooks, and other documents that provide tips on how to safely take part in long-distance motorcycle riding.
Some of the riding tips provided by the Iron Butt Association include:
- Prepare for your ride. Don't plan on shopping for essentials while you are on the road
- Educate yourself on when to stop for rests and food
- Be prepared with essential items such as aspirin, vitamins, flat tire repair kit, and safety vests
- Enroll in a tow service in case of an emergency
- Let people know where you are going and the approximate route you plan on taking
- Always carry water
- Stay hydrated
Anyone who loves to ride their motorcycle for long distances may want to consider joining the Iron Butt Association. It is a fun, dedicated group of individuals who love to take part in safe long-distance motorcycle rides.
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