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RE: [ST] Iron Butt Riding



original message:
>
>For STeve, if Frank wrote about riding triple digits or being so tired he 
>had trouble staying awake or the such, no that isn't what every IBA 
>participant does everytime they ride.  Yes, there are probably some, but 
>don't go generalizing the whole group, otherwise this list would apparently 
>be full of SOB's after some of the things in the past few months.
>
>It seems to be an unwritten law within the LD community that you don't 
>comment/brag about exploits of riding fast or tired as they are unsafe and 
>just give fuel to those who can't imagine LD riding is safe because it is 
>beyond their own limits.
>
>Doug Bailey

_________________________________________________________________

Doug, no disrespect meant to you or the LD community.  My 
over-generalization was probably a bit out of line.  So let me clarify.  
What Arron wrote about was more than anything, "Having Fun", it was a 
somewhat irreverent article about his exploits during his LD run.  Some of 
it was written in a humorous vein, and he also made it clear how LD riding 
is a real challenge.  I found the piece entertaining and didn't really give 
it a second thought after reading it.  It was the follow up article, in this 
month's Motorcyclist that got my goat.  It was the response from the IBA 
that was over the top, in my mind.  What Kneebone should have done was just 
"let it go", or maybe sent a letter to the editor, explaining what he didn't 
agree with in Arron's article.  Sending the totally humorless letter that he 
did, rescinding the IBA certification just added fuel to the fire.  Kneebone 
should have known a rebuttal would be printed, which, achieved exactly the 
opposite goal he was after.  It just created MORE negative publicity about 
LD riding.  And it created (at least in my mind) a negative attitude towards 
the IBA in general.  Kneebone is a jerk and a hypocrite in this situation, 
and I stand by that comment.  Further he appears to be more and more lacking 
in any type of sense of humor, or the ability to detect sarcasm in a 
magazine article.

As far as actual LD riding goes, I'm sorry, but most folks that achieve the 
goals of SS1000, SS2000, BB-Gold, 50CC, and the others, DO ride above the 
speed limit, DO ride when fatigued, DO take chances.  Motorcycling in itself 
is inherently dangerous, so be it.  LD riding is an additional risk.  Hey, I 
have nothing against that, trust me.  I've done plenty of LD riding on my 
own, I just choose not the document it thru the IBA, that's just a personal 
choice.  I have nothing against the IBA.  But when folks try and tell me 
that they don't break any laws or take any chances to meet those goals, I 
know better.  The fact that they want to keep it on the hush/hush and try 
and shoot down anyone who writes about it just proves that have something 
they think they need to hide.  Personally, I ain't got nothing to hide, I 
ride long distances, sometimes I break the speed limit, sometimes I pass on 
the yellow, sometimes I ride longer than I should.  But at all times I am 
doing it as a calculated risk, I know the dangers involved, I take my skill 
level into account and a thousand other factors, constantly.  But I do not 
pretend that I am a completely law abiding citizen above any and all 
criticism.  I believe that is the position Kneebone is taking.  He seems to 
be saying, "Who, US??  Why we never do any of the things Frank wrote about.  
So shame on you Arron, and give us our ball back, we aren't going to play 
with you anymore"  What a crock.

Doug, I truly respect what your capabilities are in terms of LD riding, and 
you are a "good egg" to boot.  I consider you a friend, hope you feel the 
same.  But, you know, riding at "80-85" IS speeding in every instance  :)))  
   And riding 20 hours a day especially multiple days IS fatiguing, no 
matter how tough you are.  Is it dangerous??  For some, maybe not for 
others, but in every case it IS taking additional risk.  Kneebone seems to 
want everyone to think that LD riders are not EVER breaking ANY laws, taking 
NO chances, and are just all around good citizens.  We all know better.  And 
again, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with LD riding.  I love it, it 
is FUN!!!  And isn't that what all types of riding should be?  Fun?  It 
seems the Kneebone wants to take the fun out of LD riding, or at the very 
least, keep it very well hidden.

steve duncan
dallas, tx



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