The RBLR1000 is an amazing and very enjoyable event to take part in. It is however a challenge and the better prepared you are the easier it will be! With this in mind we highly recommend that you read the following information.

PRACTICE

If this will be your very first 1,000-miler, we strongly recommend putting in some practice before the big day. Short blasts of 50 miles on familiar roads with a leisurely lunch break won’t prepare you for what’s ahead in June. Instead, plan a few longer days or weekend rides where you can steadily build up your mileage.

Spending several hundred miles in the saddle in one go will teach you a great deal about both yourself and your machine, as well as give you a real taste of what to expect. The secret to endurance riding is finding your natural, relaxed pace and learning to keep stops to a minimum. You don’t need to break the law or ride at crazy speeds—just focus on maintaining a steady average of around 42 mph over 24 hours.

YOU!

One crucial element that many riders overlook is you—the rider. Seasoned Iron Butt veterans often ride until they need to refuel their bikes, using fuel stops as their only breaks. That approach works for some, but it doesn’t mean it has to work for you. A smarter strategy is to know both your own limits and your bike’s range, so you can plan your route with sensible, timely stops before desperation sets in.

Hydration is vital, and it’s equally important to avoid heavy meals during the ride, as digesting them will only sap your energy. Treat fuel stops as more than just a chance to fill the tank—they’re the perfect opportunity to take care of the other essentials of long-distance riding: eating, drinking, stretching, resting, and using the toilet.

YOUR KIT

Your riding gear is every bit as important as your preparation, yet it’s something many riders overlook. There’s an old saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.” Over the course of a thousand miles, you’ll face shifting weather and road conditions, riding through both daylight and long hours of night. The right kit can make all the difference to your comfort, stamina, and morale.

Pack more than one pair of gloves—ideally two spares—so you always have a dry set ready. Bring winter gloves, warm base layers, and seriously consider a waterproof over-suit that can slip on over your regular riding gear. These may seem like small details, but they’ll prove invaluable if you find yourself battling several hours of rain in the dead of night. Speaking from experience: when the skies open up, you’ll be glad you came prepared.

YOUR BIKE

Saddlesore 1000 rides have been completed on every kind of machine imaginable—even mopeds and 125s. In fact, in 2019, one determined rider managed to cross the finish line in under 24 hours on a 110cc twist-and-go scooter.

Whatever you ride, preparation is key. Make sure your bike is well maintained, with tyres and brakes in top condition. (Pro tip: carry a puncture repair kit, and more importantly, know how to use it!) Tackling a few long-distance rides before the RBLR1000 is the best way to spot and sort out any small niggles that could otherwise turn into major problems.

Take the time to think about consumables, too. Are your tyres, chain, bearings, or oil due for replacement? Sorting these out beforehand will save you a lot of grief on the road and give you confidence that your machine is ready for the challenge.

Navigation

Even if you’re relying on a sat nav, it’s always wise to have a simple back-up—basic road numbers and directions written down in case technology lets you down.

Both in practice rides and during the RBLR1000 itself, it’s strongly recommended that you prepare a schedule of arrival times and distances for your route. This way, you’ll know whether you’re sticking to your plan or falling behind.

Some riders find it useful to prepare separate direction sheets for each receipt point and swap them as they go. On the Northern route, navigation is fairly straightforward, so a simple route card on your tank or in your tank bag may be all you need. It’s also a smart move to list your fuel stops, along with the distance and time you expect to reach each one. That way, you can easily track your progress—or spot when it’s slipping.

USEFUL TIPS

All riders are advised to read and digest the Iron Butt Association’s ‘Archive of Wisdom’. This gives some very useful tips and techniques for Long Distance riding:

The link below takes you to the IBA UK forum’s dedicated RBLR1000 topic. You can view the posts and register to ask your own questions and make comments. You can discuss your preparations and get help and advice from experienced Long Distance riders which could help you to work out your own strategy for this event. Click below to take you straight to it:

Motorcycling comes with risk and riding long distances increases that risk. It’s imperative you understand the ride you’re undertaking and minimize the possibility of an accident by practising safe riding habits. No one, not even the most experienced Long Distance rider can safely fight off fatigue. If you’re tired, the only option is to stop and rest. The Saddlesore rides enjoy a fantastic safety record but to continue this record requires you to do your part. If you are tired or ill, are having a bad day, or facing other hurdles that are impacting your riding skills, please stop and rest so that you may enjoy motorcycling another day!

There are many videos on YouTube that may help you. One of these is Poppy Riders 005, The RBLR1000 which is worth watching.

On the day of the RBLR1000

We recommend that all RBLR1000 registrants read the “on the day” page and the “detailed information pdf” so they know what to expect on the day of the RBLR1000

Thank you for all your efforts in undertaking this challenge. We hope you have an enjoyable and safe time. If you are bitten by the Long Distance Riding bug you can find more information about the IBA by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.