For anyone attending the BMW MOA International Rally in Oregon later this year, we are pleased to announce the Redmond 1000 long distance challenge. This is a special SaddleSore 1000 ride (1000 miles in 24 hours) organized and sanctioned by the Iron Butt Association especially for the Rally.

The Redmond 1000 allows riders to begin their ride between 00:00 a.m. Saturday, July 10th and 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 15. However, riders must finish in Redmond 24 hours after they begin and no later than 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 16. In an effort to simplify the documentation requirements, participants will also be required to start in one of three locations east and south of Redmond: Mesquite, NV, Cheyenne, WY or Miles City, MT.

Finishers will receive a distinctive certificate worthy of framing, as well as other Iron Butt Association gifts at a unique Pizza Party ceremony. Founded by Iron Butt Rally veterans during Daytona Bike week, the Pizza Party is an IBA custom steeped in tradition. Mike Kneebone, the IBA Chairman, will host the party and personally present each finisher with his/her certificate.

Pre-registration will be required in order to participate in this special event. We will announce the details, once finalized, in the Owners News and on the MOA forum. Stay tuned. Please send any questions about this event to me at . .

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Redmond 1000 Ride - Part 1, Motorcycle Preparation

By Bill Shaw

Motorcycle touring and long distance (LD) riding are not as mutually exclusive as some might think. The birth of organized endurance riding can arguably be traced back to the first Iron Butt Rally that was held in 1984. Even though there were people involved in long distance riding before this time, there weren't any social networks available to them. Thankfully, the development of the Internet allowed other like-minded motorcyclists to communicate with one another and it didn't take long before they started comparing notes on which modifications and accessories worked best, and which didn't.

Many of these LD enthusiasts personalized their bikes in anticipation of an immediate and/or projected requirement. And in the intervening 26 years, not much has changed. When it comes to selecting accessories today, the process is pretty much the same - decisions are based on comfort and convenience with proven designs that will not compromise the bike's reliability. Most riders also use a relatively simple and time-tested method when shopping for these farkles that includes research, past experience with or specific knowledge of a product, recommendations from friends, and brand reputation.

In this respect, GPSs, auxiliary lights, CB radios, intercom systems, cell phones, satellite radios, MP3 players, and radar detectors are just some of the sophisticated electronics that have found there way onto long distance bikes. This is also why it's best to take a holistic approach to your farkling efforts - to ensure that each accessory is compatible with every other accessory/component of the motorcycle. Moreover repeatedly testing each accessory in a variety of conditions is extremely important since beta testing a new piece of equipment during a multi-day ride is never a good idea. 

You might wonder then, "Since the Redmond 1000 SaddleSore is my first LD challenge, do I really need to fully farkle my bike in order to safely finish?" The answer is, of course, no. Remember, the elder statesmen and stateswomen of LD motorcycling only had maps to help them navigate the ribbon of highways and byways that crisscross the U.S. Having these farkles simply makes life on the bike a little more comfortable - much like a custom made saddle - but they are by no means necessary to successfully complete a LD challenge.

With that said, THE most important thing any rider can do to prepare his/her bike for an upcoming trip like the Redmond 1000 is to make sure that it is properly serviced and shod with a good pair of tires. Everything else is icing on the cake.

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Redmond 1000 Ride - Part 2, Rider Preparation

By Bill Shaw

Much like a vegemite milkshake or Pinto Bean Pie, long distance riding is an acquired taste - which is why the appeal of something like the Redmond 1000 is typically lost on most motorcyclists. But once you taste the sweet nectar of completing a long distance (LD) challenge, you're hooked forever.

The key to safely finishing any endurance activity - whether it is climbing Mt. Everest, competing in the Tour de France, or riding in the Iron Butt Rally - is conditioning. This is why there is a specific training regiment for every pursuit. As it relates to LD riding, progressively spending longer hours in the saddle by riding more miles is a tried and tested formula. This not only prepares your posterior, but your mind as well. As a matter of fact, a surprising and unexpected benefit is that as your body becomes more accustomed to spending longer hours in the saddle, your ability to remain alert for longer periods of time increases too. This partially explains why most motorcyclists are better riders (read: safer) towards the end of the riding season. In brief, conditioning helps counteract not only physical fatigue, but also mental fatigue.

In this respect, there are a number of tricks of the trade that you can do to help offset lethargy. For instance, some riders continually make micro-adjustments on the motorcycle throughout the ride to remain relaxed and sharp. Others find that periodically sucking on hard (tart) candy and eating 4-5 light meals throughout the day, instead of a large lunch and dinner, helps keeps them alert. And inarguably the most important thing you can do: stay hydrated.

Over time, everyone develops a routine that works best for him or her. Since LD riding is generally a self-paced and solitary activity, safely exploring and getting to know your limits can take years. This is also why it's often difficult to "train" with another motorcyclist whose idiosyncrasies can be different from yours. After all, not everyone has the capacity or desire to sleep on a motorcycle (affectionately referred to as registering in the "Iron Butt Motel"), eat their meals at 70mph, or limit gas stops to only 5 minutes every 200 miles.

The beauty of riding in an organized event like the Redmond 1000 is that it is an achievable goal that can be safely completed with a minimum of training. Because interstate speed limits are generally higher west of the Mississippi River, for example, it's relatively easy to maintain an average speed of 65 mph. This means finishing a SaddleSore 1000 can be accomplished in a little over 15 hours, which is a safe and realistic pace for most BMW riders.

Finally, get plenty of rest the night before your departure, stay hydrated throughout the ride, and never, ever ride beyond your limits - get off the bike if you're tired. And remember to have fun. Safely completing your first long-distance challenge is a dish worth savoring.