IBR 5000

[D-Mac]

Has anyone else around here entered the drawing for a spot in the IBR 5000 rally?

For those that haven't heard, this is the inaugural running of a new Iron Butt Association rally to be held next summer. It's a 5-day, 5000 mile version (as opposed to the more famous 11-day 11,000+ version held in odd-numbered years). It's a merger with Team Strange, who aren't holding their 5-day rally next year but are co-hosting and running this one instead (in a deal with the IBA, several spots have been held in the draw for TS members).

The "prize"? Finishers are guaranteed a spot in the 2011 "big" IBA rally. To me, that means the new 5000 version will probably be a VERY tough rally!

As I write this, I hear that the drawing is complete and that applicants will hear very soon.

If I'm picked (not likely, but you never know), I'll be riding my FZ6 in the rally.

[2wTraveler]

Boy this is going to be a TOUGH rally. I wish I had heard of it sooner, missed the deadline this time around. I guess there is always 2012.

[DNA]

Is this in place of the ButtLite or in adition to it?

[D-Mac]

It's a replacement for it (at least for 2010).

[Tony T]

This is the first I heard of it, sounds cool though.

[CLAY]

I missed all the info for it!  Oh well- I have James Bay plans for next summer anyway...  

[D-Mac]

I just found out I didn't get picked. Bummer, but there are LOTS of more deserving (and hopefully luckier) riders out there than me.

I'm now shopping around for other rally possibilities (there are several out there) and moving full-steam ahead with plans to further mod my bike for next year.

[M]

For over 20 years, TeamStrange has been a recognized leader in the long distance riding community. Many riders were first introduced to the joys and challenges of long distance riding by participating in our premier 24 hour event, the Minnesota 1000. Some chose to use their MN1K experience as a springboard to greater glory in the Iron butt Rally, our sport's premier long distance riding event.

Though 24 hour events can provide a good introduction to the sport, and are challenging in their own right, such events are not necessarily the best training ground for a successful Iron Butt rider. Multi-day events present different challenges and require different strategies for success. The best way to hone these new skills is by practicing them. This is why, in 1999, TeamStrange inaugurated its premier multi-day rally, the ButtLite.

Our vision for the ButtLite (which started as a 5 day rally, later expanded to 7 days) was to provide an ideal training ground for aspiring Iron Butt Riders. We knew from hard experience how difficult it could be to make the jump from shorter events to an 11 day Iron Butt. We reasoned that the ButtLite could serve as an "Iron Butt Boot Camp." Our goal was to provide every ButtLite rider with a solid foundation of skills and experience that could--with skill, determination and a little luck--turn into Iron Butt success. With the benefit of hindsight, it appears our reasoning was spot on. TeamStrange is proud of the many riders who have used their ButtLite experience for the foundation of a successful Iron Butt campaign; whether that success is defined as "finisher" or "first place finisher" (we can claim riders in both categories).

From the beginning, TeamStrange has worked closely with the Iron Butt Association. The IBA has awarded Iron Butt Rally entries to ButtLite winners in part as recognition of the close relationship and affinity between the ButtLite and the Iron Butt Rally. Like the Iron Butt Association, TeamStrange has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting the safe enjoyment of long distance motorcycle riding, which commitment formed the basis for the ButtLite, an event with its own storied 10 year history. Because of this shared commitment and history, the Iron Butt Association has asked TeamStrange to participate in the first ever Iron Butt 5000 event and we are pleased and honored to accept the invitation.

The ButtLite will go on hiatus for 2010, in order to allow Adam Wolkoff and Eddie James to serve as Rallymasters for the 2010 IB5000.

Keep your eyes and ears open for further information from the IBA about the IB5000, and keep up on future TeamStrange events and announcements by checking the discussion board athttp://www.teamstrange.com


Adam Wolkoff
Eddie James

Hey everyone,

Just a quick note on some questions we've heard.



Adam and I were on the fence (even before the IB5000 was announced) about holding ButtLite in 2010, due to our concern about the current state of >this< economy. While we've always maintained that "more events is better", we know full well the financial risk in staging a multi-day. In the short term, we felt that maybe 3 or 4 weak events might not bode well for the future of the community if a RM in 2010 threw in the towel after a poorly attended event. That benefits no one in the long term....TeamStrange included.

That said, in discussions with the IBA, the "joint-effort" idea came up (a concept many have heard us talk about for several years). We truly felt it was a win-win for everyone involved, and made for a strong event and one less multi-day event in 2010 (both of which we feel are good for the LDR scene right now). Another result is that it would likely entice some riders to try other multi-day events.

It wasn't a "we'll give you this if you do (or don't) do that" scenario on anyone's part.
We all just thought it was a great opportunity to put folks from different camps together to work on an event.

So.....discussions were discussed, concerns were noted, agreements were reached.

The big problem left was what to do about TeamStrange riders--many of whom had stayed out of the IB5000 drawing waiting to enter ButtLite. With the IBA drawing entry date now past, something had to be done so they weren't left out in the cold--hence the additional drawing just for TeamStrange riders.

No diabolical scheme, no conspiracy, nothing out of line, no man on a grassy knoll or behind the curtain.
Just various factions working together for the next year.

This is going to be a fun event.  unless you're Lisa.
She now gets to add Adam and me to the group of crazies she has to herd.....

Eddie

Not at all. In fact quite the opposite. We didn't even consider the idea of
running this shorter rally until Steve announced that his rally was sort of
the anti-IBR - few rules, bonuses handed out a month ahead, different scoring
no noise standards, etc. He also said he was almost full. Then nothing was
forthcoming from Team Strange and about that time we ended the IBR with 5
riders in the hospital - one already gone - all of those rookies, and a DNF
rate of almost 30%. Clearly something needed to be done.

So Lisa and I put together the idea for the 5 day rally; one that would give
new riders a feel for the stresses of the rally: routing on the clock, very
tight rules and experiencing the IBR scoring system. Which happens to tie in
nicely with the way TS runs their rallies so it was a perfect match, good
for both organizations and good for the LD community.

I'm not sure why everyone is making this out to be more than it is. Steve
publicly announced he was almost full and originally George Zelenz had
announced SPANK was running in May or June- no conflict there. Just a few
days prior to our announcement when everything was in place, George wrote
Lisa twice asking her if he could end SPANK at the National Meet. In a phone
call later that week, she told him it was perfectly OK to end at the National
but also told him our plans to start the 5000 from there. So George knew
before he announced the change in his schedule that this was happening.

Hope this clears up the timeline for you -

Mike

[discochris]

Congrats to all who got in - you're in for a challenge!  

[CLAY]

So who's in?  Anyone here?

[doug5551]

I am in....

[D-Mac]

I am in....

Congrats!!

[PawnBroker]

I'm in as well, now comes the planning....

[Tony T]

Good luck to those that where chosen for this Rally.

Ride safe, ride far.  

[D-Mac]

As I'm sure you know, this will likely be a VERY demanding rally. With spots being held in the 2011 IBR for finishers, you know they're not gonna make it easy (as if completing any multi-day rally is easy!)

Looking forward to reading all about it. Please post some of your prep strategies here if you can.

[doug5551]

I am very grateful to ST.net as this website and the people on it inspired me to get into this long distance touring thing, and I found the announcement for the MTF SS1000 I did in June, 2007 right here in this subforum.

I have lots planned for training, 2 BBGs, 2 24 hour rallies, trip to SF to do the bonii from the 07 Iron Butt, and a strange ride where I will take 48 to 60 hours and see how many of the 58 California County Courthouses I can photograph as though they were the bonus site.

Bike is pretty well already set up for LD.

Lots of practice for me on Streets and Trips and Mapsource.

Streetmasters class last weekend, the Yank the Weenie Rally this weekend.  White Stag Rally at the end of January. LowCal 250 Rally the end of April.

[pjuddfan]

I'm in as well, now comes the planning....

Rus, you're in! Hey, I'm in too!

[PawnBroker]

Rus, you're in! Hey, I'm in too!

Jim, that's great news.  How've you been?  How's the family?  We should plan on riding down together.  Keep in touch thru here on FB.

Rus  

[dtor]

For those that haven't heard, this is the inaugural running of a new Iron Butt Association rally to be held next summer. It's a 5-day, 5000 mile version

The 5/5000 is a great format for an endurance rally. It's for those of us who can stay focused and roll with the vicissitudes for 5 days, but can't or don't want to do it for 11 days. I know my limitations and I really can't imagine doing anything rigorous for 11 straight days. I rode the first ButtLite 5000 in '99 and had a great time. Team Strange worked their asses off to run a great rally, and that inspired me to not whine and ride further than I thought I could, including a 1500 mile day. But, I was glad when it was over. The day after the rally ended in St. Paul, I rode 40 miles before packing it in at a motel with a pool.

Unfortunately, the riders in the upcoming IB 5000 will not have the pleasure of meeting Eddie James, who was an inspiration for a lot of riders, particularly me.

[Rocket_Cowboy]

I am in....

Just saw this, congrats Doug! I'll be looking forward to the stories when I see you in Denver.

[squeezer]

Eddie James was one of the rallymasters for this. You guys at the finish, please hoist a beer from me in his memory.

[Bounce]

With TS doing the managing of the IBR5000 and the recent loss of Eddie, I wonder if Adam will choose to go it alone or not.

[PawnBroker]

I'm in as well, now comes the planning....

Has anyone received a confirmation from Lisa as of yet?  I know my payment has been cashed, but as of today I have not received any notice that all is on schedule.  

[doug5551]

Plus 1,

Check Cashed, but no official email note from LL.

I take it as the cashed check is our receipt and notice.

[Slonishku]

I was selected, but I had to back out because I have a newborn daughter due on July 7. Stephanie and I will be attending the National meet together in August (hopefully with the little one), but I don't want to leave her alone and give up that away-from-work time with my new baby.  

As soon as I called Lisa and told her that I didn't think I could do the rally, she was 100% in agreement with me.

The 5K should be max awesome. A hybrid TeamStrange/ Half-IBR... that's got so much potential!  After riding the IBR last year, I would love to be doing the 5K.