I have ridden some long distance days, but the longest was only 850 miles in about sixteen hours so it seemed prudent to start my Iron Butt connection with the Saddle Sore 1000. I had planned on doing it by myself, but it turned out there was an organized and sanctioned group Iron Butt ride planned out of Seattle, so I joined in as it is far more pleasureable to travel with others and a great deal easier to document since there are "official" organizers and witnesses.
So at 4:15 AM on Saturday, June 30th I set off from my home to meet up with 18 other folks in Seattle and begin the test of brain, bike, and butt! Truthfully I have been spoiled by my past affiliation with the Black Mountain Motorcycle Club in Arizona, which places great emphasis on organization and group riding discipline. The same emphasis was not placed on this run, which was a bit more like every (wo)man for (him)herself. We divided up into three groups based on the mileage range of the motorcyle but the three groups quickly dissapated into various other smaller sub-groups, probably a result of the various skill levels evident. Some folks were experienced riders but lacked group riding skills while others lacked much in both areas! Along with various skill levels there were also many bikes represented including the BMW 1200 GS, various and sundry Harley Davidson's, a couple of Can-Am Spyders, a Honda Goldwing, and even a Yamaha V-Max. But in spite of skill or ride, some eighteen hours after departing from Seattle we all made it back to the final rally point in one piece and on time, the only breakdown having been that of our group organizer!
The scenery was beautiful and the weather delightful, except of course the final 150 miles which involved traveling over a dark and rainy pass, which is to be expected since that was when we were the most tired and riding the most dangerous!
Traveling 1000 miles (actually I ended up traveling 1100 miles since I had to commute to and from the star/finish locations) in 18 hours allows one a great deal of opportunity for thought and reflection. Since this was after all an endurance race, I spent a great deal of time thinking about how much of life involves simple endurance. We speak of genius, hope for luck, and celebrate the overnight success, but the truth is that most achievement is accomplished through sheer endurance and refusal to quit. I believe it was Thomas Edison who said that "success is one percent inspiration and ninty-nine percent perspiration" and my own experience would support this notion. Completing an advanced education - including graduate studies - is as much about the ability to endure as any native intelligence. Einstein is quoted as saying "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with a problem longer." Getting the job you want usually means knocking on more doors than demonstrating any brilliance, and a succssful career often means simply never allowing the vicissitudes of life to hinder your willingness to put one foot in front of the other.
So I have another item checked off my Biker Bucket List, but more importantly I have another reminder that life, like the Iron Butt, is mostly about simply not quiting! Like Babe Ruth said, "You just can't beat the person who never gives up."
