Am I An Iron Butt?

[Red Diamond]

Yesterday, (Tuesday) I left Richburg, SC at 4:10AM and arrived at home at 11:35PM. I added one hour for the time change, that made the total ride time 20hrs, 25min., total distance of 1101 miles. I probably could knock off about 2 hours for the BS sessions I had to go through every time I stopped for fuel, with someone wanting to know about the bike. One fellow in Meridian, Ms latched on to me like a leach and wouldn't let go, that was ongoing at most stops. No u-turns, but lots and  lots of corn, soybean and cotton fields, one tobacco field. Overall, the bike performed flawlessly, save for the switch problem in Richburg. Stopped at approximately 100-120 for fuel most times, going to reserve at approx. 128 miles. The hammer was down and she didn't back down, not even once, course she backed down a little when she needed more petrol at reserve. A fun ride.

U can send cookies if you think I deserve any (Oatmeal Raisins Preferred), I don't need certification, as I was in a "Zone" and hope to remember this one a long time.
Will post pics later, more Advil needed for now.

[wizard -vrccds#125]

        PAPER YOU DON'TNEED NO STINKEN PAPER  

[Super Santa]

Glad you are safely home, Eli.

Phyllis and I got back to town around noonish yesterday also.

Like Wizard said, You don't need no stinkin' paper.

Enjoyed riding with you, sharing rooms up to the Rune Rally.  Glad you enjoyed the folks up there.

[Former BMW Guy]

From strictly a time/distance perspective you did good.
You averaged just under 54 MPH.
Sounds like you had witnesses so if you can produce a start and finish gas receipt you will get your cert.
Nice to hang on your wall...not many people have them.

Good ride!

JP

[Red Diamond]

I owe the good time I had to you Ray, a special "Thanks" for the invite. The attendees at the Rune Rally were great to be around, a really friendly crowd I might say.
      Sounds like you and Lyn Del did some long miles also, glad you made it home safely.

JP, I think I'll pass on the IB although I have every receipt from the time I left home, Thanks.

[HayHauler]

You're an Iron Butt in my book Eli.  You don't need no stinking paper. 

Hay
Jimmyt

[Disco]

Great job, Eli!   

[john]

                       " The hammer was down and she didn't back down "                                       

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Got your pm. Glad you are back safe and had a good trip. Congrats on the long haul.   

[Mallett]

You are a Iron Butt, Red Diamond.....congrats

[RainMaker]

Yes.  You are an Iron Butt.  The paperwork/certificate only makes it official, but does not change the fact you met all the criteria.

Congrats!

But I'd apply for it if I were you - something to show the grandkids, you know.  My certificate is an interesting conversation piece and I'm proud of the fact I have it.  Don't need it, but happy I do.

[Mallett]

Hey, And BTW guys...the paper don't STINK.....

[2-CUP]

   I am with RainMaker, mine has been hanging on the wall of our living room for several years and there have been many comments about it.......

Glad you had a safe trip and FUN trip...........

[5_19]

the fact you met all the criteria.

I respectfully disagree with you RM. RD you must have an Iron Butt and a strong back no doubt about that! However if it is not documented with the IBA it's not official. Red Diamond it appears the only thing that is missing are the witnesses at the start and finish. They make sure you are on a bike and verify the milage at the start and finish. Those are not always easy to find. That and besides you sending in the paperwork for certification you would be an official Iron Butt member.

I have no doubt you did it  along with a lot of other people.~TJ 

[Doc809]

No you don't need papers to know of your acomplishment.  But the IBA patch on your vest and the decal on your windshield is mighty nice!

[RainMaker]

the fact you met all the criteria.

I respectfully disagree with you RM. RD you must have an Iron Butt and a strong back no doubt about that! However if it is not documented with the IBA it's not official.

You can meet all the criteria of the IBA without applying for the certificate and IBA number. You must agree that many others have ridden the required miles on a motorcycle but never applied (Smokin' Joe, Daniel Meyer to name 2).

Never said RD was an official Iron Butt.  Just that he had one.  I have both an Iron Butt and an Iron Head.........

[Red Diamond]

I can probably get everything I need varified, I'm sure the clerk at the Motel 6 will remember me wanting to work on my bike in the pouring rain. I had to go to the Super 8 motel and get permission from the desk clerk there for me to work on the starter button under their canopy. I purchased fuel before leaving the motel at 4:10AM, have all reciepts in between. When I got home at 11:35PM, my wife jumped me and made mad passionate love to me, well, that I probably won't be able to varify because I don't remember that part, but I do remember crawling through the door. It was a long gruelling day, and it appears getting the IBA certificate will be gruelling also. I was so glad to get home, I left my switch on so that I could see in the dark garage, only to realize after 3 days that I had forgotten to turn the switch off. I think that is where I started to forget things, which is why the luggage stayed on the bike and the love making is a fantasy, I think.

[HayHauler]

RD, you are just too much.......


Hay
Jimmyt

[RainMaker]

It sure makes a better story with those embellishments.

If you can get the guy to sign the witness form from the start and to verify the time (should be something on your checkout receipt to verify that) then you should have no problem getting your wife to verify your arrival time. 

She probably is still smiling from your description of it.

RM

[Rocketman]

I've done it at least twice, and I have a fuzzy memory of a third time.  I never bothered getting the paperwork.  I figured what was important was the fact that I knew I had done it, and I didn't need to pay someone 35 bucks (or whatever it is) for a piece of paper to tell me I had done it.

Good job, Eli.  You've got the important thing already.  The memory of having done it.  If you feel you want the paperwork, fine.  It doesn't make your accomplishment any different.

Mark

[RainMaker]

I do hear a lot of people say that it's just a piece of paper, etc.

But official recognition by a recognized group such as IBA is nice to have. 

My certificate means something to me and is a badge of honor I am happy to have.

So, Eli, if you feel the same way, go for it.  You have the evidence, just need a couple of signatures and you'll probably get it.  That and $45.

Good luck in whichever way you choose to go on this.

Arlington Mark

[Disco]

It doesn't make your accomplishment any different.

Just official.  If you can get it documented, why not do it?  There's nothing wrong with having something tangible (a nice framed certificate and/or license plate frame and/or patch and/or pin (or all of the above) and IBA number) to go along with the intangible memory.  Plus, it will quiet anyone who, for some ridiculous reason, might doubt your veracity. 

If you can't get this one documented, there's always next time!  But do it before your butt gets soft...

[Rocketman]

But do it before your butt gets soft...

Actually, a soft butt is a better thing than being a hard a$$.

(: