Aug,
26th, 2001.
SADDLESORE
1000.
It seemed that subject of the Ironbutt just came up in a conversation, so we thought we should find out more, as it seemed interesting. After reading several articles and stories, we thought we should give it a try, as at the worst it is only one day.
We mapped out two routes one for 1500 miles the other for 1000 miles, tried to work out refuel stops, decided on what to take. Agreed that we should take the chance on our bikes an 86 Kawasaki Voyager and an 82 Yamaha Maxim making it. All that was left was to set a date.
After much discussion and several date changes, the time arrived. It was decided to leave later in the evening due to weather conditions and work schedules.
So at 9:15p.m. we got the witness forms signed at the local police station, had a quick coffee and stretch, fuelled bikes and spare fuel containers and off on the road. The roads where starting to dry after the afternoons storm, so all looked promising, out of Hamilton onto the highway. We kept up a fair speed to our first fuel stop at Barry, fill tanks and on our way again..
About a 100 k.m, further on we started to hit fog, the further north we got the thicker it got, we pulled over around the Burkes Falls area to suite up and fill my smaller tank, from the spare fuel. Onwards and upwards, even with the fog we thought we where still averaging good time. When we can to the next major fuel point, North Bay, I was back on fumes, and the fog was so thick it was difficult to make out the sides of the roads. We luckily found our turn, then the gas station, fuel up bikes grab a coffee, quick work out of mileage to time, nothing to spare, so back on the road.
The fog seemed to break, then come back with a vengeance, we knew this was going to be a real endurance run, it was either the weather or us. At times our speed was as low as 40 k.p.h. which did not keep us at the average of 80 k.p.h. that was needed. Remembering the place names off the map really helped, pull over fuel up, stretch and quick smoke, the off again.
The fog started to thin out a bit, so up went the speed a little to get the average back. Civilization and the next gas stop, New Liskard. Fuelled stretch and on the way again, day light was just starting to show, so the roads looked a lot friendlier, or was it that the sun was starting to show itself. Well as was said before endurance, the sun came out and it seemed to get colder, well at least that’s how it felt. We both agreed that we should give it our best, as at the worst it would only be one day out of our lives.. Next stop Matheson, fuel up and on our way . Starting to feel a little better in ourselves, on through several other townships, till at last the turnaround point Moonbeam.
We
fuelled up, got the witness forms signed, and start on our journey back, as we
left, it seemed that the weather had decided to help, it felt like it had got
several degrees warmer. With
renewed vigour back to Matheson, fuel again, the lady at the gas station seemed
quite surprised that we had used a tank of gas so quickly, told her it was the
second fill, a quick explanation of the Ironbutt, and she wished us her best .
Part way down pulled over for drink,stretch. Now over a 1000k.m. completed, butt starting to tell us this is no longer fun, its all downhill from here.
Pulled into New Liskard, same gas attendant, he asked where we had been, quick explanation, he gave us some real funny looks, he thinks most motorcyclists have a screw or two loose, ( our wives would agree with that). Back out on the road again, it seems as if the roads got wider and smoother than on the journey up. Pull over for fuel fill, the run felt a little easier, nice scenery and not much traffic.
Arrived
at North Bay, fill bikes, grab some food, quick work out of time to mileage, wow
we made up some. So off again, a bit more traffic but now someone else can set
the pace, kept up with the fastest ones.
Pulled off highway at Bracebridge, fuelled from cans, back again, sign read 280 k.m. to Hamilton, just about home, well in 280 k.m. we will be.
Pass Barry next fuel stop, plain sailing right to Toronto, our exit ramp is partially block with an over turned truck, creep across lanes to get past, by the time we got back onto clear road we had only 50 k.m. left to go and over 2 hours left. It seemed that touching the Moonbeam really helped us.
Finally pulled of the highway and into the gas station we started at, filled up got finishing receipt. After taking a sigh of relief, we worked out speedo readings and times, 1759 k.m. (1100 miles) and the time 22 hours and 16 minutes.. Grab a quick coffee and over to the police station to get the final witness form signed.
Round
to my partners house, quick photo of the weary travelers, the put the bikes to
bed, suffer the pain and the joy of
completing the ride.
Two days later when most of the pain had gone, we filled out all the relevant paper work and sent it off , now we have to wait for conformation and acceptance.
It
seem that our 200 k.m. Sunday runs
will never feel the same.
The
same questions where asked, why did you do it, would you do it again, do you
want another beer,, if you do it again can I come.
Now
to plan for the 1500, but it might take a bit of fancy talking and a trip to
Sturgis to persuade my ride partner.
Colin.
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