The Vulture's Chronicles
I have been seduced into long
distance riding. I have been fortunate to have seen a
great deal of this world as the result of a father with
wanderlust, a military career, and a wife that likes to
travel. I've always been captivated by what might be
over the next hill and through the years have seen a
lot of what that is.
Some folk I know like to do "flower sniffing" rides and that is cool for them but I just can't do that style of riding. I have to be on the move. I truly enjoy the feeling of being on a bike; the feeling of thrust, and the sensation while cornering. I like the wind in my face and the feeling of rain, and especially transitions from hot to cold or dry to wet, or humid to arid. The most appreciated transitions are day to night and night to day. I like the ever changing aromas and scenery. Strange, but when I stop for the night I get itchy feet and get that feeling which says "I could have kept going".
I have a competitive side. Acquaintances and colleagues have mentioned it, and I have toned it down somewhat as a consequence. As a young rider it caused me to bash my body with regularity trying to do things on dirt bikes that were unsuitable for the demand. I did the best I could with the bikes I could afford and raced against better riders. It was fun.
While surfing the web one night I discovered the Iron Butt Association (IBA) and found an appropriate outlet for my latent competitiveness and riding preferences. The IBA is about long distance riding and doing that safely and sanely. The IBA is an association of folk a lot like I am, at least the ones I have encountered have been. They love bikes, ride hard, tease their friends, and are quitters only when it makes sense to quit.
I have done a few IBA type rides. I think a new member tackles the ride list, like Teddy Roosevelt did most things, to get their documents and pins and the coveted IBA license plate bracket. That turns into competing in a rally or two, and for some, a passion for the long distance rally. For others, like myself, it becomes a plan the ride, do the ride, and reflect on it privately kind of thing. It is mainly a solo affair.
I documented my first saddle sore 1000 and a 50CC which included a saddle sore 2000 as part of the effort. Enjoy the read. I have a few more I can list on this site but that will wait for when I'm really bored.
Iron Butt Motel
Some folk I know like to do "flower sniffing" rides and that is cool for them but I just can't do that style of riding. I have to be on the move. I truly enjoy the feeling of being on a bike; the feeling of thrust, and the sensation while cornering. I like the wind in my face and the feeling of rain, and especially transitions from hot to cold or dry to wet, or humid to arid. The most appreciated transitions are day to night and night to day. I like the ever changing aromas and scenery. Strange, but when I stop for the night I get itchy feet and get that feeling which says "I could have kept going".
I have a competitive side. Acquaintances and colleagues have mentioned it, and I have toned it down somewhat as a consequence. As a young rider it caused me to bash my body with regularity trying to do things on dirt bikes that were unsuitable for the demand. I did the best I could with the bikes I could afford and raced against better riders. It was fun.
While surfing the web one night I discovered the Iron Butt Association (IBA) and found an appropriate outlet for my latent competitiveness and riding preferences. The IBA is about long distance riding and doing that safely and sanely. The IBA is an association of folk a lot like I am, at least the ones I have encountered have been. They love bikes, ride hard, tease their friends, and are quitters only when it makes sense to quit.
I have done a few IBA type rides. I think a new member tackles the ride list, like Teddy Roosevelt did most things, to get their documents and pins and the coveted IBA license plate bracket. That turns into competing in a rally or two, and for some, a passion for the long distance rally. For others, like myself, it becomes a plan the ride, do the ride, and reflect on it privately kind of thing. It is mainly a solo affair.
I documented my first saddle sore 1000 and a 50CC which included a saddle sore 2000 as part of the effort. Enjoy the read. I have a few more I can list on this site but that will wait for when I'm really bored.
Iron Butt Motel