Please read all this information carefully
This is a sponsored long distance motorcycle ride to raise money organised by the Royal British Legions Riders Branch to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal. The event has been running since 2009 and has over 100 riders taking part each year raising on average around £25,000 each year. You choose which pre-verified route you want to ride alone or with friends.
All routes start and finish at Squires Café Bar near Leeds near the longest day so most of the route can be ridden in Daylight. By completing a 1000 miles inside 24 hrs and collecting receipts from the specified stops you will be verified as a lifelong member of the Iron Butt Association who organise the ride for the RBLR. Everyone who returns to the finish will receive a certificate of recognition.
Please read the informaiton in full before entering, to make sure you understand the challenge of this event.
There are three main routes to ride which all start and finish at Squires Cafe Bar, B1222, Newthorpe, near Sherburn in Elmet, West Yorkshire, LS25 5LX.
The Northern and Southern routes are just over 1000 miles and can be ridden in either a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. There's also a shorter 500 mile route which also can be ridden in either direction too. This means you actually have six routes in total to choose from:
Look at the routes in detail and choose carefully. People say the Northern route is easier, but there is an element of personal preference.
Please begin by reading the RBLR1000 - Detailed Information. You will also need a copy of the RBLR sponsorship form.
Once you've decided which route you wish to ride complete the on-line entry form. You'll then be directed to the Registration Payment page which can be made either via a PayPal account or using a debit/credit card. The entry fee is £25 per rider and £10 for a pillion, and we kindly ask that you raise a minimum of £25 in sponsorship (in total), which can be paid with the entry fee or a cheque to be handed over at the start point.
The entry form will ask for your bike make and model as this will be shown on your finishing certificate which we print off just before the event. If you don't have these details, maybe because you're unsure which bike you'll be riding, or if you intend to buy a new bike and don't yet know this information please enter TBC in the appropriate boxes.
Please be very careful when entering email addresses, to make sure they are in the correct upper or lower case, and that emergency NOK (Next Of Kin) phone numbers have the correct amount of numbers.
For those of you who've embraced the modern world and use satellite navigation devices on your bikes there are sat nav files you can download ready to transfer onto your mapping programme or sat nav from the website. If you don't stick to the route this won't matter as the locations we've chosen ensure whichever way you go between them you'll always ride over 1000 actual miles. Even if you don't use a sat nav the receipt points are quite straight forward and if you do your research beforehand you should be able to come up with a navigation method that suits you. Note - Learn how to use your sat nav and follow it too!
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:
You are strongly advised to ride some longer days in all weather conditions, day and night. This will iron out any niggles with your kit, your bike and you that become major issues on long rides. Think about what kit to wear. Do any consumables need replacing on your bike (chain, tyres, bearings, oil)? Think about keeping hydrated and do not eat a big meal on the way around (it will make you tired digesting it).
The key to long rides is to settle into your normal relaxed pace and practice minimising stops. You do not need to ride illegally just average 42mph over 24 hrs.
You are advised to have a schedule of arrival times and distances of your route so you know if you are keeping to your plan.
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:
If this is your first ever 1000 miler we strongly recommend that you get some practice in before the big day. Going for a 50 mile blast around your local roads with a 1 hour lunch break won't do you any favours in June. Plan some days or weekend rides where you can steadily build your mileage. Riding a few hundred miles in one go will teach you a great deal about yourself and your machine and will also give you an idea of what lies in store.
Many IBA veterans ride until they need to refuel their bikes. This is often the only time they will stop, but that doesn't mean you have to. It would therefore be a good idea to know what distance you and your bike can comfortably manage without getting desperate for fuel. You can then look at the route you've chosen and calculate when and where you can stop along the way. Stopping for fuel is also a good time for the other essentials of Long Distance riding; eating, drinking, resting, and going to the toilet.
Think about preparing your bike and your kit too. Saddlesore 1000 rides have been completed on all sorts of bikes including mopeds and 125s. In 2019 a rider finished in under 24 hours (just) on a 110cc twist-and-go scooter. As part of your preparations make sure your bike has been well maintained and the tyres and brakes are in good condition. (tip - consider and know how to use a puncture repair kit!).
The same is also true with your riding gear. One popular saying is "There's no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing". You'll be riding all day and late into the night and weather and road conditions can all take their toll on your spirits and stamina, so make sure you've got appropriate clothing to keep you warm and dry. One if not two spare pairs of gloves is a very good idea. Take winter gloves, warm layers, and even consider a waterproof over-suit to put over your normal bike clothing. These will all pay dividends if you have to ride in the pouring rain for several hours late on Saturday night (been there done that!).
Navigation - even if you're using a sat nav it's still a very good idea to have some simple road numbers and directions written down as a back-up.
You could even prepare a different set of directions between each receipt point and swap them over as required. The Northern route is relatively straightforward and a simple route card on your tank or tank bag might be all you need to get around. It's also a good idea to have your fuel stops listed and at what distance and time you expect to be at each one. You can then use this to help check your progress, or lack of it!
Free camping is available on-site at Squires for those that want to save a bit of money and embrace the camaraderie of the event. Please tick the box when you enter so we can gauge how many to expect.
Their top field has electric hook-up points but they charge £19 for this area. If you want to use this field you need to book this directly through the Squires website here:
There's also an abundance of accommodation of varying types and prices within a very short ride of Squires. It's a good idea to book rooms for both Friday and Saturday night so you can get a good quiet rest before the start, and have a nice warm dry bed to come back to late on Saturday night/early Sunday morning.
Check -in will be from 3pm to 7pm on Friday 6th June. You will be invited to:-
We do prefer riders to register on Friday but If it's impossible for you to check-in on Friday we can check you in on Saturday morning after the riders have left.
At every stop on your route card, obtain a printed receipt with location date and time. Check it before you leave. If there is a problem you can get a receipt from anywhere in the same town as the listed stop. The receipt can be for anything not necessarily fuel. If you're unable to complete the ride for any reason please phone or text the emergency number on your receipt log. If you do not return and we cannot contact you, we will phone your emergency contact.
Even if you don't need fuel still stop and get a receipt, for anything. Always ask for a VAT receipt as they have more detailed information.
If the designated receipt point is closed or unavailable don't panic. Simply obtain a receipt that has the same place name on it with a date and time. i.e. a receipt from Fort William Morrisons will be just fine. You may also elect to use a bank ATM receipt with a time and date stamp.
Note: If your motorcycle is equipped with a large capacity fuel-tank or auxiliary tank you must stop at least once every 350 miles for fuel (this is an IBA rule). Although we know it's possible to ride greater distances non-stop, we will not accept a claim of this type. Your backside will thank you for it too!
At the finish the volunteers will wave you to a stop to record your odo and finish time. They will point you towards a parking place. After putting your receipts in the order you collected them, you should present them and your route card for verification to the IBAUK verifier who will (if you are successful) present your certificate. Every rider will get a certificate of recognition even if they fail verification or arrive back late.
IMPORTANT - Remember this is for fun and riding (for most) is a hobby. There is no pressure to complete the ride should you become tired or otherwise feel unsafe. While group Saddlesore rides bring with them the safety of group travel, they can also increase your risk by encouraging you to press on when you might otherwise stop. So, be sure the riding styles of others in your group match your own.
If you're unable to complete the ride for any reason i.e. mechanical breakdown, fatigue etc, please phone or text to let the organisers know. The number to call will be disclosed when you arrive for registration.
You're asked to raise a minimum of £25 towards the Poppy Appeal as part of the entry conditions.
Payment details are given in the Information PDF (download link at the top of this page).
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 in the UK here:
You can ride an Iron Butt Association ride at any time you like by following the rules on the website. They also organize navigational scatter rallies of 8, 12, and 36 hour duration spread throughout the year and these are always great fun as you can end up riding to all sorts of places around the UK to gain points for places you visit. Almost like a 2 wheeled engine version of Orienteering i.e. the further or harder places you prove you went to the more points you'll get.