Iron Butt Rider..

[Shima 23]

I'm a rider in every sense of the word. For me it's not about the look, although I do love to look good. But I don't rock the leathers or the chaps, may not have the boots or a bandanna. My colors are whatever the hell I put on that day. But I will rock some shades and gloves and ride out.

A couple of years ago I decided to go see my son down in Houston TX, and I figured I always wanted to get my Iron Butt Riders badge, so I would kill two birds with one stone. I did 1100 miles in 20 hours going and 18 hours coming back. I did it, im proud to have done it but one thing I realized when I got back home. That badge, didnt mean as much to me as I thought it would have. Basically all I did was hold on for dear life while flying down the never ending highway for 20 hours by myself. I didn't have time to sight see, no souvenirs, barely had time to talk to the folks. The rules are so strict that you need to have all your receipts, folks to sign off on you leaving and coming back. time stamps and addresses of every place you stopped for gas. Maps with the route drawn out and the 1000 miles had to be done in less than 24 hours.

I baked in the sun and froze when the sun went down, my dumb ass had to ride out in October right? lol. And the crazy thing about it is that I had to do it TWICE!! going and coming. When I finally got home, and fell into bed it was 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning and I said yeah I did it.. now I can send in all this paperwork to prove that I did it.

Then I realized.. did I do that for them or did I do that for me? Nobody can ever take that ride away from me. and If I need that badge just to prove that I'm a true rider.. then hell they can keep it.

I'm still gonna ride.

Shima