Re: Iron butt ride JUNE 21st - WE ARE BACK ON
getting lots of emails and inquiries form everyone - thanks - here is some updated info I will pass along.
Lots of questions and sorry I have not been back to chime in on things - busy boy this week ...
The only day the ride is official is on the 21st NOW.
Loop backs during the ride have been removed - good call I caught it too. You must ride the route given as there are required stops which you have to pick up a card at from the place of business on the sponsors page. These sponsors are bringing all kinds of riders to the event as well.
The starting time is 7 am to 8 am - You can enter at any of the locations. I have since added a few more so please check out the latest on the website. You leave with your buddies or on your own - its up to you - this is not a group ride but a true test of your ability to meticulously calculate time. Speed is not the answer - get in get out at each stop and move along. The benefit everyone has is that you are all potentially starting at various check points. We should be able to move easily 7-800 riders around the loop without anyone being backed up from the 10 stops there are now.
I have been working at setting up sponsors - who really are the dealers in those specific towns. It has been working out perfectly - the bulk of the dealers coming on board for the ride are my own customers - they love the fact that their customers can actually enjoy a day of riding and they can go with them as well. It is coming together as planned
I welcome volunteers at any of the starting points as obviously I cannot be at each location. That being said I am riding this myself as I hope to earn the certificate just like everyone else. The volunteers can easily do the ride as well - The key here is that you may not get back until the end of the 12 hour period ( or not - Evil Knievel ) but all it means is that if you are a volunteer and if those people who you moved out prior to you they will either have to wait for someone to verify their receipts or they will not be eligible to receive the cert.
The patches in order to snag one of these you must collect a card from each of the businesses along the route which are the sponsors and show them upon completion. Each person with these cards in hand qualifies to purchase a CANNONBALL 500 badge. A truly fitting rewards to be adorned on your garment. These will be date specific.
Mileage question - why is it not 800 klms exactly - good question! Because the entire route has not been tightened up yet. First I want to make sure we can get as many small towns involved within reason, and secondly because the territory we are covering once you get into highway 60 leaves for no room to adjust. If it is over slightly I am not going to worry about. Again it is about the ride! ( CANNONBALL 1000 is already planned and will be added next year - 2 day weekend ride for the die-hard ) Lets just not go into that one here for now.
Sponsors - They might have free water, or not but the point is these people are allowing us to gather and return to one location per town represented. It keeps it clean and simple for everyone.
It is all about knowing who is out there if something does every happen, maybe next time you might need one of them. One never knows. They will not be opening their doors as remember these dealers want to do the ride as well. It was planned for a Sunday for a reason.
again sorry I did not get back to everyone just been busting my chaps sorting out details with people and driving to meet many of the dealers around the loop this week as well.
I can hardly wait - I just need my bike now and all will be good!