Re: [ST] Iron Butt Riding

[triumph1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

I know I have done some really stupid things on LD rides and I also ride 
very safely most of the time, but when challenged with time and distance 
goals I often get caught up in the moment and do what needs to be done 
to meet those personal goals.  I love the torture and challenge of a 
good ride and like the idea of sticking it to the man every now and 
then.  I ride for the simple fact that being on a bike gives me a sense 
of freedom  like no other aspect of life has ever been able to provide.

Tim Elliott


STeve Duncan wrote:

>
> 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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