John's off on his travels again

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:50 pm

As the title says my old mate (the one that wrote the book round Wales on a motorcycle ) has been talking about doing the Iron butt challenge
He has been in touch with the organiser's in the states they have given him the thumbs up for his ride
Now usually this would be 1000 miles in 24 hours of course being John that's not good enough everyone does 1000 miles in 24 hour's
He has decided to do home to John O'groats then down to Lands end then back to his home in Tredegar a total of 1735 miles in 36 hours

So good luck to him not bad for a 70 year old

His books still for sale look in the trade section

I know it's not boxer related but if you see an old man on a drifter maroon colour with leather luggage give him a wave

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Sat Jul 06, 2013 6:54 pm

+1 on the last book, Really enjoyed it

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Sun Jul 07, 2013 5:09 pm

If anyone is interested he was in the north of Scotland at 2 o'clock this morning apparently it was chucking it down cold and blowing a gale

Bikerhoss · Post by **Bikerhoss** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:00 am

Nae luck

I was at a BBQ until half 8 and got sunburnt

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Mon Jul 08, 2013 12:32 am

It seems to rain every time John gets on a bike unless I'm there.
we did a couple of long days last week and he couldn't believe he stayed dry

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 8:57 am

Well he did it he's being a bit coy about the journey and time he will tell more when he gets confirmation from the IBA that they accept all his details are right and correct

Boxermed69 · Post by **Boxermed69** » Tue Jul 09, 2013 1:49 pm

Good effort John! Surely he must've enjoyed a bit of sunshine during the ride?

Mike.

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 11:19 am

He's just had the confirmation that he's a member of the Iron Butt Association

Grip Fast · Post by **Grip Fast** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 9:08 pm

Much respect to John. That is serious mileage, and a long time to stay awake and safe.

I'd like to do the Bike 8 double loop, but I think I'd like a warm bed each night. My butt is definitely not made of iron.

Again, well done...

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 8:06 am

A little report from John on his journey he's still being cagey about it i think another book may be coming

So here it is in John's own words stolen from another forum

Nothing much to tell but I'll try..

First you need a bike that will run for 24 hours at high speeds without any problems..the bike is the real key..

I thought I can put up with anything for 24 hours, anyone can.

I started off at about 7:30 am filled up with petrol at a local filling station and headed for the nearest motorway, then it was just a matter of opening the bike up and watching for cameras, I didn't worry about police cars behind me because I was flat out, once or twice I slowed down for cameras or police in front of me but other than that it was easy riding for the first few hundred miles, I was beginning to think I would make it.

Glasgow was the first real setback, I had been on the road for quite a few hours and I got lost, I found myself at Port Glasgow having taken a wrong turn somewhere, my choices were turn around or go across the ferry to Loch Lomond, I turned back, Then the speed cameras started..The road was closed at the tight twisties at Navidale on the A9 and when I got to John O'Groats the rain started..Somewhere just before Perth I noticed that I was running on fumes, I found a police station where they kept an emergency can of petrol, I gave them £10 and was on my way again..(there are not enough 24 hour garages in Scotland) I filled up at Perth and it rained until Glasgow where I got lost again and found myself at a big bus station in the middle of town, I was riding on the M6 in the middle lane in front of a grey car in the early hours of the morning when I woke up for the first time, I had swerved across to the edge of the lane, the grey car was still behind me..I started chanting Stay awake! stay awake!..The third time I noticed the grey car had dropped right back..I pulled in at the next service station and stretched out for a cat nap on a picnic bench and fell asleep for a few minutes in the pouring rain..When I woke up I continued to the Charnos service station, arriving at 7 am ish..I went inside and they were just starting to open up for the day, I came back out to my bike which had vanished..I searched the whole car park then went to each van and truck pushing my alarm remote to see if my bike was inside, then I phoned 999 and reported my bike stolen, after asking my name, the number of my bike and where I was The girl at the other end asked if there was any chance I had crossed over to the northbound motorway through the services...Doh..That was exactly what I had done..My bike was where I had left it in the southbound services carpark..

John.
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Grip Fast · Post by **Grip Fast** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:56 pm

John O'Groats to just outside Perth in the space of two dots. That's some going! It's the falling asleep on the go that I'd be most worried about, and I'm not sure I could do 24 hours straight. I'm well impressed.

The bit about being on the wrong side of the motorway and losing his bike is classic. But after that adventure, you're entitled to be a bit confused.

When I were a yoof in the 60s, I ran a mobile disco with a mate, and we'd often do gigs on the west coast of Scotland on a Friday evening (we lived on the east). So we'd fill the tranny up with petrol (just outside Perth, by coincidence) and bat on over to the west coast, with not another filling station on the way. We'd do the gig and head home as far as we could with the ramaining petrol, and park up for the night in a petrol station until it opened at 08:30. Then on to Dundee for a Saturday lunchtime gig. So I know what John means about the need for all night petrol stations in Scotland. Some things never change...