MTF 50/100CC Iron Butt Association Ride
Michael Glass & Viktoria Juodenaite
100CCC Ride Report March 2003
Part 8
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MTF 50/100CC Iron Butt Association Ride
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FINAL THOUGHTS
The group 100ccc Insanity was an absolutely wonderful event that Vik and I will
always remember. The four-day format makes the event a true adventure and
odyssey. Doing it with others made it even more special as the experience was
shared with a great group of riders.
Vik and I had about a month to prepare, and we did the best we could, given we
were new as a team to timed long distance riding events.
A long distance ride like this is not about speed but about efficiency. The
special needs of two people plus a smaller gas tank translate into longer and
more frequent gas stops. This translates into less miles covered, and in the end
less sleep. We were frequently passed slower bikes, only to have them pass us
later as we sat at a gas station.
The Hayabusa performed flawlessly and is still my bike of choice for all
distances. It is simply a joy to ride. It still needs a lot of work to make it
an efficient tourer, and I will keep working on modifications.
I want to thank BMWRT.com’s Jim Nichols(JungleJim) for all his support,
before, during, and after the ride. Although the BusaPhone was not up to prime
time, Jim was waiting on the other end, 24/7, in case we needed him.
Thank you David (Voodoo) for the Canyon Dancer, tie-downs, gloves and bungles,
and support. Thank you ArizonaAl (customearplugs@cox.net)
for your custom great ear plug/music system and continuing support.
Thank you Jamie and Jerry for being there for us in San Diego. Thank you Peter (PeterScottNJ)
for being there with Jim and Voodoo to greet Vik and myself in Connecticut.
And thank all of you at BMWRT.com for your posts and kind words. It means a lot
to both Vik and myself. Sharing a ride like this with a community of fellow
riders is very special.
Thank you Bill McAvan of BLM Accessories http://www.blm-accessories.com
for your expertise and advice regarding fuel cells, as well as the gear you
loaned us. I hope to order a cell in the near future. Thank you Laminar Lip http://www.laminarlip.com
for letting me sample your great product. I give it a big thumbs up (actually a
big air up)and will review it in detail later.
Steve Hebert -- Thanks again for bringing this ride to our attention and keep up
your good work in the U.S. Army protecting our great country.
Alan Leduc (Motorcycle Tourers Forum http://publish.bsu.edu/00amleduc/MTF/)
– Special thanks for organizing this great ride and life experience. The time
and effort you made really paid off in an event that we will always remember.
Michael Kneebone - Thank you and the entire IBA organization for
being insane enough to dream up and certify all these wonderful life
experiences.
And thank all the other riders and witnesses. The camaraderie and spirit of the
ride was amazing. Vik and I will always remember the reception you gave us at
the banquet lunch. We learned so much just observing your bikes, your
preparation, and the way you handled the ride. The 100ccc gave me a deep and
renewed respect for the long distance motorcycle community.
Above all, I want to thank Viktoria. Thank you for your time, energy and
assistance in all aspects of the ride. You were a great help during the New York
and Florida preparation, as well as during the ride itself. Even when the maps
and notes were lost, you were somehow able to get us to where we needed to go,
using a miniature road calculator while traveling at warp speeds on the back of
a sport bike, in the rain and in the dark!
I don’t think there are many, if any, that could do what you did. Not only did you endure 100 hours on the back of what you called "the flying broom" but you also put up with me for that long a period of time. For that you should get a special award.
