2009 Ironbutt Rally is....

[Semper Gumby]

...on again.  Once more Joel Rappaport is riding his R60/5  (close kin to the R65).

Great reading of this incredible story provided here

http://www.ironbutt.com/about/default.cfm


by writer Tom Austin.  Look on the RH side of the page under "latest Iron Butt News/Articles"

 

[Bengt_Phorqs]

note that the R60/5 has over 500,000 miles on it.  Amazing!

[Bob_Roller]

Motorrad Elektrik has a little article on this adventure, Rick Jones has helped out with parts and technical support .

If you would like to contribute to this cause, you can do so there, also, if you can lend any technical or moral support during the event, there's information about that as well .

[Semper Gumby]

No news is good news.  Joel's R60 (R75) is still in.  Both the Suzuki RE-5's have expired!

TTFN,

[Semper Gumby]

All the 2009 Ironbutt Reports can be had here.

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009.cfm

Long and the short.  Riders are starting to drop.  Joel is still in.  One rider crashed in ND and is hurt but on the mend in hospital.  The first BMW-never-needs-maintenance-final-drive-failure has occured.  

Go Joel and thank AAA for keeping him on the road!

[Semper Gumby]

2009 IBR Tom Austin' day 8 report...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...is taking on an ominous tone.

http://www.sierraresearch.com/mc/2009IBRDay8.pdf

The rally is having its way with men, women and machines.   :-/   Once again our own Bob Wooldridge and BMW of Atlanta continues to provide far flung support. If ever there was any doubt about Bob and Linda and BMW of Atlanta's support of the BMW community at large, their commitment is here for all to see.

Is anybody in Germany listening to what is going on over here? Reputations are being made and lost in the 2009 IBR -- again! Bueller?

Joel Rappoport and his much modified R60/6 continues to chug along.

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/html/3-1.html

Everybody else's progress is here.

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/html/2.html

Wow.

[Semper Gumby]

Day nine and day ten reports here.

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/2009IBRday9.pdf

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/2009IBRday10.pdf

 [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[Semper Gumby]

Day 11 report here.

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/2009IBRday9.pdf

I know it says nine but...

Joel still appears to be in.  I hope he makes it to the finish.

Another forest rat bites the dust.  


Greetings from cool crisp Bennington Vermont.

[DeeG]

Looks like he finished in 60th place.  Not bad.  I cannot even imagine DOING the Rally, much less finishing it !  hahaha

Dang, had I known they were going to end up in Spokane, I would have ridden over there, its only a 3 hour ride on the back roads from here.

[Semper Gumby]

Joel Finished!!!!!  Congrats to Joel Rappoport!!  In 60th place no less!

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/html/3-1.html

Utterly astounding!

All scores and final report here:

http://www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2009/html/3.html

http://sierraresearch.com/mc/2009IBR_Finish.pdf

BMW took 5 of the top ten finish spots including 1,2 and 4th.


On a sad note there was a fatality on the last day.  A rider from Australia hit a Forrest Rat coming down from Canada, was airlifted to hospital but later died of his injuries.

RIP - David "Davo" Jones - final journey completed.

http://www.ironbutt.com/about/getdocument.cfm?DocID=297

If there are any details from our Australian members I'm hoping they will fill us in.

On behalf of the R65.org family - Our deepest condolences to the Jones family.  

Link to Aussi Long Distance Riders Forum:

http://farriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=1523.msg26947#msg26947

Dave Jones personal web site:  http://www.davojones.com/

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Thanks for the updates Gumby.  Interesting to note that the first R1200GS, the so-called wonder bike, to finish was in 19th place.  And more power to Joel Rappaport for finishing on his R60 with over 500k.  I'd like to see a photo of the bike and hear about what kind of set up he does.

[Semper Gumby]

You may contact him here:  http://rappoport.ws/

Picture of Joel in Spartenburg SC (??) IBR 2009

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_dRAIdZnfHvM/SpVvnXbMvLI/AAAAAAAACDA/muqMWR2fuws/s1600-h/ironbutt.jpg

[Semper Gumby]

Thanks for the updates Gumby.  Interesting to note that the first R1200GS, the so-called wonder bike, to finish was in 19th place.  

In the IBR more often than not it's whats between the ears that counts more than what's between the legs (ahem...er...sorry about that.  Apologies to those with dirty minds)  

[Hunsta]

On a sad note there was a fatality on the last day.  A rider from Australia hit a Forrest Rat coming down from Canada, was airlifted to hospital but later died of his injuries.

RIP - David "Davo" Jones - final journey completed.

http://www.ironbutt.com/about/getdocument.cfm?DocID=297

If there are any details from our Australian members I'm hoping they will fill us in.

On behalf of the R65.org family - Our deepest condolences to the Jones family.  

Link to Aussi Long Distance Riders Forum:

http://farriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=1523.msg26947#msg26947

Dave Jones personal web site:  http://www.davojones.com/

Yes it was very unfortunate. I spoke to Dave a week before he flew to the States for the IBR. It was a long time dream of his. His funeral was attended by many people that he touched through motorcycling
he will be long missed by many riders and others.

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Hunsta,

You were fortunate to have met and known such a rider.  I didn't know him but in my search of the web for information, it was quickly obvious what a force in the Aussie long distance riding community he was.  His presence was a positive force.  Even from this distance I can feel the loss.

I feel this site and its members have a similar positive synergy.

Semper Fidelis