Can You Ride 1,000 Miles in 24 Hours? Then Join the Iron Butt Memorial Ride!
Ride Will Take Place at 2:00 AM on October 10

The fall is one of the best times of the year to ride, so why not go big? If you consider yourself among the toughest riders out there, and you’re ready to take on a major ride, the The Iron Butt Association’s annual memorial ride is for you. The ride takes place during the same timeframe in all 50 states, and the Washington ride will take place on October 10th.

The ride will cover the width of the state of Washington twice, and it begins at 2:00 a.m. at the AM/PM Gas Station at 1515 164th Street Southwest, Lynnwood, WA 98037. Check out the route here.

The Iron Butt Memorial Ride began in 2011 to memorialize and pay tribute to the life of Jack Shoalmire, an avid rider and highly active member of the IBA. The ride has grown since then and now takes place in all 50 states. Riders have between October 10 and October 17 to complete the memorial ride (1,000 miles in 24 hours). After you complete the ride, you submit your documentation and receipts to the IBA for auditing. The Washington leg of this ride is being organized by an IBA member named “NASA.” NASA has created an event page with ride and RSVP details here. He also posted about it on the Eagle Leather Ride Guide.

The Iron Butt Association (IBA) is an organization for long-distance riders to share their passion and proclaim their penchant for saddle sores! Entry into the organization simply requires completion of one of the sponsored long-distance rides. There are no membership fees or annual dues. The Saddle Sore 1000 (1,000 miles in 24 hours) and the Bun Burner 1500 (1,500 miles in 36 hours) are two rides that will grant any rider entry into the exclusive group. These are rides you can complete on your own or with your own group any time. Membership is also granted to all finishers of the annual Iron Butt Rally, an 11,000 mile ride that takes place every two years in Australia. There are also a number of sponsored, pre-schedules group rides in each U.S. state; you can check out the IBA calendar of events here.

Rider times are shared online and through club e-newsletters, and riders who reach certain milestones (like the 5,000 mile and 10,000 mile clubs) are given awards, pins, patches, license plates, and certificates to commemorate their achievements. All rides must be documented with gas receipts in order to be eligible for miles with the IBA.

If you choose to participate in the Iron Butt Memorial Ride, we suggest you gear up! Check out the selection of heated gear we have for sale at Eagle Leather, as October can get chilly, especially at night. We also have a great selection of saddle bags and seat pads if you’re looking to pack for a long-distance trip!