Hamilton-area motorcyclists complete ‘Iron Butt’ challenge

4 Hamilton-area buddies found a singular and difficult technique to tour Japanese Canada by finishing a 1600-kilometre “Iron Butt” problem in lower than 24 hours on their Can-Am Spyder bikes.

On June 18, Lembit Raudnask and Paul Jorgensen of Stoney Creek joined Wainfleet resident Joanne Veenhof and Arthur Evans of Burlington on a 1600-kilometre “Saddlesore” problem, as outlined by the Iron Butt Association, a U.S.-based group devoted to protected, long-distance bike using.

In an Iron Butt problem, riders should submit paperwork, together with gasoline station receipts, to have their achievement acknowledged by the affiliation.

The foursome left the Centennial Parkway Esso station at 11 p.m. June 18 and accomplished their Iron Butt journey in 21 hours, stopping just for temporary pit stops and refuelling. Their journey led to Aulac, N.B.

Following the Iron Butt tour, the riders lastly stopped for in a single day lodging in Amherst, N.S.

Jorgensen’s spouse, Janice, and Raudnask’s spouse, Lori, flew into Moncton and joined the 4 riders for a trip within the Maritimes following the journey.

The travellers returned residence on Canada Day after logging a complete of 6,402 kilometres.

Raudnask bought the concept for the Iron Butt problem from a Fb submit by one other Cam-Am Spyder proprietor from Buffalo.

“He did the Iron Butt journey from Buffalo to Texas,” stated Raudnask. “So I began to see what Iron Butt was.”

Raudnask instantly thought of Evans and inquired with different members of an area Can-Am Spyder group, to see if there was an curiosity in conducting a gaggle tour.

“When (Raudnask) first considered it, I stated ‘Yeah, I’m sport,’” stated Evans. “I didn’t actually consider it.”

“We had been at a get-together with our Spyder using buddies and Joanne when the subject got here up,” Raudnask recalled.

Veenhof was in. Jorgensen agreed as properly.

From there, the planning bought underway. Jorgensen, who’s initially from P.E.I., was accustomed to the route and steered pit stops and locations to see.

With little time to cease and eat, the foursome introduced protein bars and meal substitute drinks. Pit stops had been temporary and consisted of refuelling, taking footage of gasoline receipts and washroom breaks.

However after planning the occasion earlier this 12 months, the riders had been greeted with some less-than-ideal climate.

It rained for multiple third of the journey and Jorgensen recollects seeing ice pellets whereas using by means of Quebec. Temperatures dropped as low at six levels Celsius.

“(Raudnask) had promised us it might be a pleasant time to go, sunny and heat. So we bought suckered in on that one,” Evans stated with amusing.

“I don’t suppose quitting ever crossed our thoughts,” stated Jorgensen.

Veenhof recalled a warning from one other traveller throughout one of many group’s pit stops.

“There was a man at Tim Hortons saying, ‘all people, flip again; there’s a number of unhealthy climate and rain.’ However we stated, ‘We will’t flip again. We’re on a mission.’”

“It rained from Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, (Quebec) to Moncton,” Jorgensen recalled.

“It’s tougher than you suppose it’s going to be,” Raudnask acknowledged.

“I simply had no anticipation of that chilly,” Evans added.

Regardless of the obstacles, Evans is contemplating a good longer bike tour by means of the U.S. sooner or later.

“I might do it once more, however I might positively do totally different preparations to prepare,” he stated.

General, the journey was a optimistic expertise, particularly with a tour of the Maritimes tacked on. The riders visited Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton’s Cabot Path. They noticed the world’s longest lined bridge in Hartland, N.B. and the well-known tidal bore within the Bay of Fundy.

“We fashioned a extremely totally different relationship,” stated Evans. “After we’ve accomplished this, it’s actually solidified our friendship.”

As Veenhof famous, the foursome will even earn some bragging rights amongst their Can-Am Spyder social group.

“They had been all laughing at us and saying, ‘You guys are loopy,’ and we did it. And I feel that’s cool.”

SHARE: