IRONBUTT RALLY 2001

Pre Rally Photos

THE BIKES

A couple of twin Ducati's

Some interesting electronics.

Maybe these lights should be called Daytime Running Lights since it looks like the sun is shining when they are on. Notice the plastic boxes where the passenger pegs and seat should be?

I don't think anything else could possibly be installed on this bike. Notice the single large PIIA spot light above the headlight.

Terry Smith had an electrical gremlin with his spotlights. That used to be a BMW.

From this angle it still looks sort of like a bike.

A small selection of the screws removed. hope he knows where they all go.

These are some of the other parts that make up the BMW. I swear that I saw a bunch of parts left over when he was done.

This is an Australian bike. I think those are Australian animals on the front of the bike. Is that a representation of all the critters he has hit over there?

Bright Green and Bright White. What else can be said?

The bike of Eddie James, Rally Bastard for many Team Strange events. He covered the yellow gas tank with black electrical tape. Said it goes faster that way.

THE HOPELESS CLASS

At first glance this bike looks normal. A closer look reveals strange handlebars. Then you realize that this bike is much smaller than your average bike. It is, in fact, a Cagiva 125cc two cycle racing bike. No one would believe that this bike would finish. No one that is except Paul Meredith. Paul was from New Hampshire but escaped to the warm winters of California last year.

Here is that little Cagiva next to a normal sized Cagiva.

No one would seriously believe they could finish the rally with this bike. Would they?

Another entrant in the Hopeless Class. The rider backed out during the first leg. Something about not enjoying 40 MPH on the highway, surrounded by trucks going 90.

The Honda 125 from another angle.

This Indian was voluntarily withdrawn from the rally. A beautifully restored bike.

This marks the fourth rally that this 1946 Indian has entered. It has yet to finish.

Can you believe this guy is an accountant/lawyer?

I ask the question again, can you believe this guy is an accountant/lawyer?

Paul Pelland's Ural was given an even lower chance of survival. This is a 2002 ? bike. The only one currently in this country. That should hamper parts availability some. This and a few other bikes have been dubbed the Hopeless Class.

Another picture of the nice shiny Ural

Paul Pelland in the loud shirt. In front of Paul is the Cagiva 125 and behind that is Paul Meredith, pilot of the Cagiva.

The Ural again, with what's called a High Viz riding suit. After numerous repairs, it was no longer considered High Viz.

THE BANQUET

Mike Kneebone

Mike Kneebone, aka Nice Mike

This is the support staff and rider of the Indian that withdrew from the rally. When they saw the solo efforts of the 1946 Indian and the 193?? BMW they realized that a full support staff and chase vehicle was not in keeping with the spirit of the rally. They will be back with a properly rally prepped bike.

Leonard, the Indian rider with the blue uhhh shirt?

The other Indian Team presents Leonard with a team T-Shirt. Leonard promised to wear the shirt at the end of the rally after he completes it.

Nice mike had to leave. In his place we had the Evil Lord Kneebone. He WILL be watching you.

LEG 1 PHOTOS

El Morro National Park, New Mexico, one of the bonus locations.

The Rock Pile near Barstow California.

The Rock Pile. What's not shown here is flag number 113 belonging to Todd Witte. Losing the flag so early made for some interesting stories as he tried to get someone to take his picture in lieu of a flag. Harlem, NYC was one of those interesting locations.

LEG 2 PHOTOS

The Devil's Post Pile, Yosemite, CA. Sure, everyone looks rested. They didn't climb up the almost vertical path that another rider and I did. So much for having the brightest flashlight of the bunch.

Another Yosemite photo.

The Fish Tree, Reno Nevada.

Friends we have lost, Gerlach, Nevada.

Washington, near Sunnyside. Not a bonus location, but I had to take a photo.

Washington, near Sunnyside

Washington, near Sunnyside. Jim Frens smiling somewhere under that helmet.

LEG 3 PHOTOS

Hyder Alaska. Mile Zero is right.

Hyder Alaska - Bob inside THE bar in town.

Hyder Alaska - The locals SURE are friendly.

Hyder Alaska - Yup, VERY friendly.

The glacier on the way out of Hyder. Not a bonus location, just worth a stop.

The glacier on the way out of Hyder. Not a bonus location, just worth a stop.

The glacier on the way out of Hyder. Not a bonus location, just worth a stop.

The glacier on the way out of Hyder. Not a bonus location, just worth a stop.

Also worth a stop was Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada.

Here I am working on the bike at the Maine Checkpoint

This is what panicked planning looks like. This is at the Maine Checkpoint

THE AFTERMATH

PRUDHOE BAY BIKES

These are the bikes that went to Prudhoe Bay. They are impounded until they have been inspected

This ST1100 made it to Prudhoe, and to Key West.

ST1100

Even Gold Wings made it to Prudhoe Bay. That's some very expensive broken plastic on that bike.

And this wrecked bike made it to Prudhoe and back. But was it worth it. The rider says yes.

Gold Wing

A beat up Dual Sport, one of two Dual Sport bikes that went to Prudhoe.

Another beat up Alaska bike.

A Dual Sport bike that made it to Prudhoe Bay. If you think this looks beat up, you should see the tour bikes that made it..

That Dual Sport from the other side.

And another angle

Notice that the bike has no license plate. This bike crossed the Canada/US border at least four times with no questions asked, makes me feel safe..

FINISHER BIKES

Todd's bike made it, not really sure how.

Todd's bike.

My bike is a lot dirtier than it looks in this picture.

Maybe it will rain and clean off some of these bugs.

Lisa Landry, one of the photographers that followed us around the country. That's her bike she is standing next to. Both her and Dean Tanji rode the base route to the checkpoints, making them IBR finishers. At the checkpoints they were busy taking tons of photos and uploading them while the rest of us rested.

This bike went to upper Alaska. The road to Prudhoe was just a bit too much for this bike (on the third leg).

Another picture.

So much for the saying: "Simplify!"

Eddie made it back, after many difficulties.

Eddies bike.

IBR 2001

A practical joke played on Todd Witte. At least I hope that this was a practical joke.

A practical joke played on Todd Witte.

A practical joke played on Todd Witte.

THE NOT SO HOPELESS CLASS

Then there is Paul Meredith's bike. A Cagiva 125. Yes it made it.

Even the Ural Made it back.

Well, most of it.

Eddie's work.

And he didn't give up.

The handiwork of a Russian Ural mechanic.

Even the Indian made it.

And last of the Hopeless class. Only one of the hopeless class did not finish. The Honda rider chose not to continue due to dangerously slow speeds.

You should see him going down the highway in full riding gear and loaded up. Looks like a bear on a tricycle. He's a former Marine.

OTHER PHOTOS

Says it all.

Look up FE on your periodic table of elements. (It stands for Iron)

Bet you didn't know that John Deer made motorcycles. This was not a competitor's bike this year.

FINISHERS BANQUET

The Nice Mike is back, standing with the winner, Bob Hall. Bob was the only rider that completed the Prudhoe bay run on the third leg, on time.

Paul Pelland receiving an award. Considering he spent about as much time fixing the bike as he did riding it, he deserves the award.