The 2009 Iron Butt Rally is rapidly approaching.  Ten years ago at this time Bob was preparing for his first IBR.  This year will be Motorcycle Bob's last one.  However, I have heard that before.  He has completed each of the three rallies he started.  Each rally has it's own focus, routes, and challenges.  For example, this year the riders will not begin and end in the same location.  Motorcycle Bob and a few other riders have banded together to truck their bikes to the other coast to save wear and tear on themselves and their bikes.  (Click here to read Bob's 2005 IBR Journal)

 

Farewell Polaroid Cameras! Another change.  This year the riders are to use digital cameras.  They will turn in a flash card at each check point for documentation purposes.

 

The Rally locations are:

 

Starting point: August 24  10:00 AM
        The Marriott Hotel,  
         Spartanburg, South Carolina

 

Checkpoint One:  August 26  5:00 PM
         Pheasant Run Resort
         St. Charles, Illinois

 

Checkpoint Two:  August 30   5:00PM
          Doubletree Hotel
          Santa Ana,  California

 

Finish:   Sep 4   9:00 AM
         The Red Lion Inn at the Park
         Spokane, Washington

 

It's an amazing site to see these 100 riders on their bikes loaded with "farkles" (high tech gadgets and stuff) arrive and depart.  This motorcycling community has been very supportive of the PolioPlus effort by donating thousands of dollars to the Rotary Foundation.

 

For information about previous rallies, click here