I've been wanting to get a spot in this thing since 97. I've been actively trying since 01. I got in for 09.
Here is a link to a page that describes the basic concept:
http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/default.cfmIt's pretty simple. It's not a race, more like an 11 day scavenger hunt. It's held every two years and less than 100 motorcycles are allowed to compete out of thousands that apply for a starting position. I say motorcycles because there are a number of husband and wife teams that participate. Kristen's not interested.
The organizers claim it to be "The worlds Toughest Motorcycle Competition" and they make every effort to live up to that claim. In 2007 about 1/3 of the 97 riders who started did not finish. Many were due to mechanical failures, the others because they did not visit enough bonus locations to receive the required points to be considered a finisher.
Below is a link to the 07 rally updates. There is a lot of material here but I think you might find it interesting. The daily reports are on the left. The rules are over on the right but they are 26 pages long. They are even longer for 2009.
http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2007.cfmThe bonus sheets for both legs are also available. Leg one had 123 to choose from and leg two had 134 with this warning:
"IMPORTANT CAUTION: The following Potential Bonus locations
are like a restaurant menu. If you order everything on the menu and
eat it, you are going to get sick and perhaps die. Please pick
and choose bonus destinations carefully!"
Locations from Key West, Goose Bay Labrador, Hawaii, and Prudhoe Bay Alaska were available.
Some significant rules changes have occurred for 2009. No longer will outside assistance be available to riders. If you read through the daily reports you might start to get an understanding of why.
Good stuff but don't tell my Mother.
