As I was writing my previous post my friend Bill was literally in the middle of doing an Iron Butt ride through France. I suppose that was a large part of what started me rethinking the whole blog thing and why I ended up writing something.
Bill successfully completed his ride and in several days he'll be on a plane to come to the U.S. to do another one with me and our friend Adrian. I rode the Cannonball with Bill last year and we got on very well together. We met Adrian in Abilene, Texas. He helped to organize a BBQ/party for the Cannonball riders and seems like a sane, level-headed guy.
Anyway, a bit about the Iron Butt. I explained what it is. I have a harder time explaining why I want to do it. When I tell people about it there's usually a bit of a pause before they scrunch up their face a bit, cock their head, and ask why. My answer makes sense to me but I doubt it does to many others. It's really pretty simple: because I can. Really, it's not a whole lot more complex than that. I like to ride - that's a given - and I also like a good challenge. Some people assume there's a competitive aspect to it. Maybe that would make it more understandable; I don't know. But it's not competitive. Not only do you not win anything, you have to pay to have someone validate your ride so they'll give you a certificate and an Iron Butt license plate frame.
If pressed I'd also say that part of the motivation for this sort of
thing is that I want to do crazy shit while I still can. I'm not old
but I'm getting older. I want to do a 1,000-mile ride on my scooter
when the only ill effects will be some fatigue and stiffness, not a
threat to my life. That's really the best explanation I can give. Most
folks still won't really get it but that's fine with me. It doesn't
need to make sense to anyone but me.
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