07-16-2019, 01:42 AM
(07-15-2019, 11:48 PM)EmptySea_imp Wrote: The IBR is an amazing event. I doubt that I could complete it, but I may try sometime once I have 2 weeks free from work and "smell the roses" rides with my wife and friends.
There have been many discussions on this forum regarding whether a riders prefer a pre-planned route to a spontaneous ride. While my short rides are often of the spontaneous variety, almost all of my rides of over 150 miles are planned. Why? Well, it's not because I'm not impulsive or that I'm afraid of getting lost or that I lack wanderlust. It's mostly because I enjoy the planning. I like looking at a map and trying to plot a ride that we entertain me and anyone who might be riding behind me. One of the most enjoyable parts of my Saddle Sore 1000 was plotting a route around Lake Michigan that totaled the requisite 1000 miles, put us in view of both Lake Michigan and Lake Superior along the way, and that identified our rest, fuel, and food stops. I plotted that route and estimated that my brother-in-law and I would complete the trip in 20 hours. We did it in 21 as my estimate did not factor in the loveliness of Harbor Springs, MI and the quirkiness of Legs Inn in Cross Village which prolonged our rest stop at each. For me, the satisfaction of successfully executing the plan is an enhancement to rather than a distraction from the riding.
I admire the Iron Butt Rally riders not only for their endurance, but maybe more so for their ability to plan and to work the puzzles on the fly. It does not surprise me in the least that a woman has won this event -- I see no gender-based advantage in riding long distances on a motorbike. I am mildly surprised that it has taken this long for it to happen, but I suppose that can be attributed to the boy/girl ratio being skewed toward boys in this event. Maybe Wendy's accomplishment will change that rolling forward. Congratulations to her for solving her puzzle.
You make an excellent point, MTC. It would be a mistake on my part to assume that just because the lady--and of course all 1000 mile riders--enjoy the challenges of ultra-planned riding, doesn't mean they don't do other type of relaxed, spontaneous trips.
Those who do enjoy the planning and the executing of their plans, remind me of good small plane pilots who plot everything our very carefully. I do admire that, and often apply it in my own line of work--teaching!