12 months ago, the thought of riding IBR 25 was off the table, with the news that the event wouldn’t be going ahead due to insurmountable insurance issues. Then, in November 2024, that suddenly all changed when news broke that Paul Tong, with the support of Michael Kneebone had managed to achieve a resolution to these issues and the Rally was back on and inviting applications. I didn’t hesitate to apply and once confirmed planning got underway to compress preparations, that normally occur over a 16–18-month period into the remaining 7 months.
With the event staged out of Coralville Iowa, logistics for Bec and I were relatively easy. After the long flight from Australia, we spent a week acclimatizing and getting over the jet lag in Minneapolis, it was a short 4.5 hr ride to Rally HQ on the Saturday, followed by the prestart requirements and banquet on Sunday.
The IBR2025 Rally Theme.... Origins. Ride like its 1991
At the prestart banquet, the rally theme was revealed. Origins, or more specifically the origins of the IBR would form the theme for 2025. Paying homage to past riders and past rallies, while at the same time acknowledging the new era the IBR was entering with a new Rally Master, the use of an app for bonus submissions enroute and stricter safety requirements. Also, the rally packs wouldn’t be handed out until the next morning, a major departure from previous rallies. There’s nothing to do tonight but rest and sleep!
Rally Master outlining the task ahead for riders.
Leg 1, all too soon the riders meeting was underway at early o’clock Monday morning and I was back in my hotel room planning a route for leg 1. Riders had three strategic rally options to chose from. These were:
Heading out on the start of Leg 1. Credit to Tobie Stevens
And I was off! Looking back now, Leg 1 seemed to fly by in a blur. The ride into & out of Estes Park CO in the pre-dawn darkness was sublime, followed by the long haul across I80 to Provo UT, then swing by a bonus in Salt Lake City, followed by a run up into Idaho for a bonus, then staging across to Ashton ID, just outside Yellowstone. Pre-dawn I was at Old Faithful to collect this bonus and then worked my way across the park collecting a few other bonuses along the way. The ride over Beartooth Pass was in bright sunshine and no wind, glorious! Then it was a matter of working my over to Devils Tower, via a bonus in Montana. I had heard the sad news about Mike Lindstrom and this stayed in front of my mind as I made my way back to Rally HQ to complete leg 1.
Estes Park Colorado Loop Bonus.
Provo Utah Loop Bonus
Idaho Loop Bonus. The ride in to here off the interstate was priceless
Old Faithfull Yellowstone Park. Loop Bonus.
Devils Tower Artwork Loop Bonus. Time to head for Rally HQ
Checkpoint 1 formalities. Credit to Tobie Stevens
Leg 2. Have I ever ridden a harder leg in an IBR, it doesn’t feel like it! I selected a circular route that had me circling anti clockwise around Rally HQ through Nebraska, Kansa, Missouri and Kentucky, therefore avoiding the worst of the storms that were on the way. Or so I thought at the time. Leaving Rally HQ, I rode into THE storm, and for the next 3 hrs sat in rain, thunder and lightning, as I worked my way northwestwards. Once clear of this storm, late morning, the heat and savage cross winds arrived with vengeance. Did I say it was hot, with savage cross winds? It was to stay this way for the rest of Leg 2, unrelenting! In a happy coincidence, Bob Bowman and I arrived together at the same bonus location, of Alien in a window. We were doing the same loop, just in opposite directions.
By the time I arrived back Rally HQ, I had an infected ear from the rubbing of my helmet against my ear plugs, and I felt flat after grinding through 3 days 100-degree heat and savage cross winds. Bec helped me with some bike maintenance, ready to roll for Leg 3, then it was time for some much needed sleep.
Leg 2 Loop Bonus in Iowa. having weathered hours of storm/rain/thunder/lightening this was the precursor to 100 degree days
Leg 2 Loop Bonus, small town Nebraska. I had a major close call near here after nearly missing a stop sign. (my fault)
Alien in a Window, Kansas. Bob Bowman and I arrived here at exactly the same time, from opposite directions
Ogallala, Nebraska at Sunrise. Loop Bonus, Alien Water Tower
Kelly Station, Kentucky. Loop Bonus. Time to head back to Rally HQ, only 9 hrs away in 100 degree, humidity and savage cross winds
Riverside Iowa. My last bonus (non loop) for Leg 2. Soon be at Rally HQ....only just a few miles down the road.
The Leg 3 riders meeting was subdued. You could tell the rally was taking a toll on riders and motorcycles. Once the rally packs were handed out and we retired back to our room, the routing was relatively simple exercise. Pick your loop (pre-defined route) and just ride the ride. Oh, and collect some additional bonuses along the way. I selected the Eric Jewell Loop (Washington DC, Greeneville TN, followed by Bandolier Monument Park in New Mexico) Leaving Rally HQ, I was planning on collecting the Washington DC bonus that night, of course forgetting the time difference. Not to worry, I rolled into Germantown, just outside DC at 10:30pm for a few hours sleep, before collecting the bonus at 6:00am Tuesday morning, along with fellow riders Jake and Lionel. After that it was down to Greenville TN, and scoot across to New Mexico, overnighting in West Memphis. (that was exciting). The ride into the New Mexico bonus was one of those WOW moments, (who knew this place existed? OMG) before heading up to Taos NM to take my final rest bonus for the rally. The last day of the rally was collecting bonuses in Denver CO before trudging my way across I76 and I80 back to Rally HQ, where I rolled in at 1:30am, after a small diversion to Des Moine to collect a gas receipt bonus. (What a beautiful city at night)
Heading out from Rally HQ for the start of Leg 3. Washington DC here i come! Credit to Tobie Stevens
First Loop Bonus of Leg 3 (1 of 3) Washington DC.
The joy of that moment in time when IBR riders converge for a few brief moments of companionship. Taking a moment with Jake and Lionel.
Second Loop Bonus of Leg 3 (2 of 3). Greenville Tennessee. Time to go west young man......to New Mexico
Third & Final Loop Bonus of Leg 3 (3 of 3). Bandolier Monument Visitor Centre, New Mexico. Time to close the loop and head for Rally HQ
Taking a moment in the New Mexico mountains as the sun sets. It doesn't get any better than this.
That joy of arriving at the finish and reuniting with loved ones. Is good.
Bec was waiting to see me in, along with a handful of other supporters, it felt so good to have finished the ride and be home safely. Scoring next morning confirmed I was the finisher and then had the Finishing Banquet to look forward to. After a few hours watching the final riders come in, I took a few hours to nap before heading down to the banquet. Paul Tong did a great job of not just resurrecting the Iron Butt Rally but also hosting the Finishers Banquet. There was a very moving video tribute to previous IBR riders who passed away, this included Peter Greene, a fellow Aussie resident in the USA. This was then followed by an even more moving tribute to rider Mike Lindstrom who died in Leg 1, suffice to say this was an emotional moment for all.
My score card for the rally based off the new rally app, scoring was quick and easy
Before the standings were announced there were some informalities to attend to, including my walk of shame to recollect my rally flag from Paul. I had “lost it” just after scoring, so I didn’t lose any points. (I had left it in the staging area outside the scoring room). So, out of the 99 starters on Day 1, there remained 45 finishers, and I was announced at 19th place, a silver level finisher. The top 10 included not just the usual big dogs but some rookies including two women, with the winner being Nicole Meuse, joining Wendy Crockett in a very exclusive club.
My thanks to Paul Tong and the Rally team for enabling this year’s IBR to go ahead. It almost didn’t happen, as we all know. Kudos to all the riders who gave their all, regardless of whether they finished or not. Legends all!
So, the following is a summary of my rally objectives and strategy I used to achieve these objectives:
IBR 2025 Objectives
My Kinda Rally
With the event staged out of Coralville Iowa, logistics for Bec and I were relatively easy. After the long flight from Australia, we spent a week acclimatizing and getting over the jet lag in Minneapolis, it was a short 4.5 hr ride to Rally HQ on the Saturday, followed by the prestart requirements and banquet on Sunday.
The IBR2025 Rally Theme.... Origins. Ride like its 1991
At the prestart banquet, the rally theme was revealed. Origins, or more specifically the origins of the IBR would form the theme for 2025. Paying homage to past riders and past rallies, while at the same time acknowledging the new era the IBR was entering with a new Rally Master, the use of an app for bonus submissions enroute and stricter safety requirements. Also, the rally packs wouldn’t be handed out until the next morning, a major departure from previous rallies. There’s nothing to do tonight but rest and sleep!
Rally Master outlining the task ahead for riders.
Leg 1, all too soon the riders meeting was underway at early o’clock Monday morning and I was back in my hotel room planning a route for leg 1. Riders had three strategic rally options to chose from. These were:
- Leave now and come back in 11 days riding the 1991 IBR route (Origins!), or:
- Leave now and come back in 11 days after visiting 42 State capitals, in acknowledgement of the 2011 IBR, or:
- Ride the 3 legged loops, (pre-defined mandatory routes, or loops) of the traditional 3 legs coming back in for each leg to Rally HQ.
Heading out on the start of Leg 1. Credit to Tobie Stevens
And I was off! Looking back now, Leg 1 seemed to fly by in a blur. The ride into & out of Estes Park CO in the pre-dawn darkness was sublime, followed by the long haul across I80 to Provo UT, then swing by a bonus in Salt Lake City, followed by a run up into Idaho for a bonus, then staging across to Ashton ID, just outside Yellowstone. Pre-dawn I was at Old Faithful to collect this bonus and then worked my way across the park collecting a few other bonuses along the way. The ride over Beartooth Pass was in bright sunshine and no wind, glorious! Then it was a matter of working my over to Devils Tower, via a bonus in Montana. I had heard the sad news about Mike Lindstrom and this stayed in front of my mind as I made my way back to Rally HQ to complete leg 1.
Estes Park Colorado Loop Bonus.
Provo Utah Loop Bonus
Idaho Loop Bonus. The ride in to here off the interstate was priceless
Old Faithfull Yellowstone Park. Loop Bonus.
Devils Tower Artwork Loop Bonus. Time to head for Rally HQ
Checkpoint 1 formalities. Credit to Tobie Stevens
Leg 2. Have I ever ridden a harder leg in an IBR, it doesn’t feel like it! I selected a circular route that had me circling anti clockwise around Rally HQ through Nebraska, Kansa, Missouri and Kentucky, therefore avoiding the worst of the storms that were on the way. Or so I thought at the time. Leaving Rally HQ, I rode into THE storm, and for the next 3 hrs sat in rain, thunder and lightning, as I worked my way northwestwards. Once clear of this storm, late morning, the heat and savage cross winds arrived with vengeance. Did I say it was hot, with savage cross winds? It was to stay this way for the rest of Leg 2, unrelenting! In a happy coincidence, Bob Bowman and I arrived together at the same bonus location, of Alien in a window. We were doing the same loop, just in opposite directions.
By the time I arrived back Rally HQ, I had an infected ear from the rubbing of my helmet against my ear plugs, and I felt flat after grinding through 3 days 100-degree heat and savage cross winds. Bec helped me with some bike maintenance, ready to roll for Leg 3, then it was time for some much needed sleep.
Leg 2 Loop Bonus in Iowa. having weathered hours of storm/rain/thunder/lightening this was the precursor to 100 degree days
Leg 2 Loop Bonus, small town Nebraska. I had a major close call near here after nearly missing a stop sign. (my fault)
Alien in a Window, Kansas. Bob Bowman and I arrived here at exactly the same time, from opposite directions
Ogallala, Nebraska at Sunrise. Loop Bonus, Alien Water Tower
Kelly Station, Kentucky. Loop Bonus. Time to head back to Rally HQ, only 9 hrs away in 100 degree, humidity and savage cross winds
Riverside Iowa. My last bonus (non loop) for Leg 2. Soon be at Rally HQ....only just a few miles down the road.
The Leg 3 riders meeting was subdued. You could tell the rally was taking a toll on riders and motorcycles. Once the rally packs were handed out and we retired back to our room, the routing was relatively simple exercise. Pick your loop (pre-defined route) and just ride the ride. Oh, and collect some additional bonuses along the way. I selected the Eric Jewell Loop (Washington DC, Greeneville TN, followed by Bandolier Monument Park in New Mexico) Leaving Rally HQ, I was planning on collecting the Washington DC bonus that night, of course forgetting the time difference. Not to worry, I rolled into Germantown, just outside DC at 10:30pm for a few hours sleep, before collecting the bonus at 6:00am Tuesday morning, along with fellow riders Jake and Lionel. After that it was down to Greenville TN, and scoot across to New Mexico, overnighting in West Memphis. (that was exciting). The ride into the New Mexico bonus was one of those WOW moments, (who knew this place existed? OMG) before heading up to Taos NM to take my final rest bonus for the rally. The last day of the rally was collecting bonuses in Denver CO before trudging my way across I76 and I80 back to Rally HQ, where I rolled in at 1:30am, after a small diversion to Des Moine to collect a gas receipt bonus. (What a beautiful city at night)
Heading out from Rally HQ for the start of Leg 3. Washington DC here i come! Credit to Tobie Stevens
First Loop Bonus of Leg 3 (1 of 3) Washington DC.
The joy of that moment in time when IBR riders converge for a few brief moments of companionship. Taking a moment with Jake and Lionel.
Second Loop Bonus of Leg 3 (2 of 3). Greenville Tennessee. Time to go west young man......to New Mexico
Third & Final Loop Bonus of Leg 3 (3 of 3). Bandolier Monument Visitor Centre, New Mexico. Time to close the loop and head for Rally HQ
Taking a moment in the New Mexico mountains as the sun sets. It doesn't get any better than this.
That joy of arriving at the finish and reuniting with loved ones. Is good.
Bec was waiting to see me in, along with a handful of other supporters, it felt so good to have finished the ride and be home safely. Scoring next morning confirmed I was the finisher and then had the Finishing Banquet to look forward to. After a few hours watching the final riders come in, I took a few hours to nap before heading down to the banquet. Paul Tong did a great job of not just resurrecting the Iron Butt Rally but also hosting the Finishers Banquet. There was a very moving video tribute to previous IBR riders who passed away, this included Peter Greene, a fellow Aussie resident in the USA. This was then followed by an even more moving tribute to rider Mike Lindstrom who died in Leg 1, suffice to say this was an emotional moment for all.
My score card for the rally based off the new rally app, scoring was quick and easy
Before the standings were announced there were some informalities to attend to, including my walk of shame to recollect my rally flag from Paul. I had “lost it” just after scoring, so I didn’t lose any points. (I had left it in the staging area outside the scoring room). So, out of the 99 starters on Day 1, there remained 45 finishers, and I was announced at 19th place, a silver level finisher. The top 10 included not just the usual big dogs but some rookies including two women, with the winner being Nicole Meuse, joining Wendy Crockett in a very exclusive club.
My thanks to Paul Tong and the Rally team for enabling this year’s IBR to go ahead. It almost didn’t happen, as we all know. Kudos to all the riders who gave their all, regardless of whether they finished or not. Legends all!
So, the following is a summary of my rally objectives and strategy I used to achieve these objectives:
IBR 2025 Objectives
- Come home safely
- Have fun
- Visit new places wherever possible
- Improve my previous IBR finishing standings.
- Be an efficient rider, both in time and mileage.
- Keep the route planning simple.
- Don’t overcomplicate the route, but leave time for opportunities along the way.
- Run the rally on one set of tires
- Run the rally with no aux fuel tank
- To support items 1 & 2, No speeding, in fact ride at or just below the posted speed limits where practicable.
- Take every meal bonus (min 45 minutes) (the points were too valuable to pass up)
- Hotel/motel bed every night regardless, with a target of:
- - Of the road by 10:00pm (latest I did was 10:45pm)
- - On the road by 4:00am (earliest I did was 3:30am)
My Kinda Rally
Outstanding !
