Book Reviews
GOING THE EXTRA MILE
Insider Tips for Long-Distance Motorcycling and Endurance Rallies
North Conway, NH, November 2002—When Ron Ayres first competed in the Iron Butt Rally in 1995, a hardy, but loosely organized group of endurance riders took the field to participate in a sport that barely existed at the time. Ayres' riveting account of his sixth-place finish, Against the Wind, would introduce countless motorcyclists to this virtual community for whom mileage means nothing—and everything.
And naturally, many readers became hooked.
Going the Extra Mile is the first book to share the proven advice of high-mileage veterans with all riders who want to extend their range on a motorcycle. First, one must be comfortable riding in a wide range of conditions, and long-distance riders typically choose and modify their motorcycle and gear with these goals in mind, opting for practical accessories, such as electrically heated clothing, custom seats, windshields, throttle locks, driving lights, and communication systems. By eliminating distractions that lead to mental fatigue, you can resist tiring. Good nutrition, hydration, and rest are a vital part of doing your best.
Planning is also key to success, and you'll learn how to make the most of your ride before you even mount up, utilizing the latest techniques for computer-based routing and GPS navigation. Even the purist will be pleasantly surprised at the options today's technology brings to motorcycle touring and travel. See how the Big Dogs manage fuel consumption, speed, and rest breaks to maintain a high average mileage. You will learn why, in the long run, raw speed is no match for consistency.
There are also many opportunities to gradually build your experience. The Iron Butt Association recognizes riders who have documented certain "milestone" achievements, like the SaddleSore 1000, a 1000-mile ride completed in 24 hours or less. Ride-in dinners and lunches, held around the country, are a great way to meet other members of the long-distance community and learn from their experiences. When you are ready, organized endurance events will let you put it all to the test; rally veterans share effective tips for managing resources, evaluating bonus listings, plotting strategies, keeping records, and packing for life on the road. And lastly, an extensive resource directory puts hundreds of valuable contacts at your fingertips.
About the Author: Ron Ayres
Ron Ayres purchased his first motorcycle in 1987 when he was 43 years old. To compensate for his late start, he began taking long trips and was soon riding more than 500 miles a day. In 1995 he participated in his first motorcycle endurance competition, the Iron Butt Rally, and finished in sixth place. Ayres was so fascinated with the rally, in which riders travel 1,000 miles or more per day for eleven consecutive days, that he felt compelled to write a book about it. Against the Wind is an engaging saga about the exhilaration and heartbreak experienced by the participants of this incredible event.
The Iron Butt intensified Ayres' appetite for endurance events, and in 1998 he broke the existing Guinness record for riding a motorcycle through the 48 contiguous states, completing the feat in a little more than six days. He continued on to Alaska to establish a new Iron Butt Association record category by riding to all 49 North American states in just seven days. Ayres' second book, Against the Clock, recounts the story of that historic ride.
Since retiring as a senior business executive with a global technology company, Ayres has launched a new business of his own, Ayres Adventures, a global motorcycle touring company that organizes and leads two-wheeled trips through Africa, North America, and South America.
Against the Wind and Against the Clock Earn Critical Praise
"Ayres' storytelling skills enable him to weave together a tale so engrossing, many people will read it from cover to cover without putting it down." —Motorcyclist
" . . . destined to become one of those 'must read' books on the shelves of Mittys and motorcyclists everywhere." —BMW Owners News
" . . . held my interest through every chapter, and I found myself wondering after each page: 'Good grief, what's going to happen next?'" —Keystone Motorcycle Press
"This book is captivating from cover to cover." —Street Bike
" . . . another serious motorcycle adventure book that belongs in your library, to read when the snow is piled up against the garage door . . . " —Motorcycle Consumer News
"It's one helluva ride and a great read." —Easyriders
" . . . a pulse-tightening chronicle of one man's personal challenge to enter the Guinness Book of Records by riding through all 48 contiguous states in just 6 days. Ouch." —IronWorks
" . . . a book about incredible human achievement and should appeal to almost everybody who has set a goal and taken the lumps to achieve that goal. . . . Easy reading and well worth the time . . . " —RPM
Softbound, 8-1/4 x 10-1/2 inches, 144 pages, b/w illus. Price of the book is $19.95 plus shipping. VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, checks, or money orders accepted. Note to international customers: shipping is by air and actual cost is charged. Please contact Whitehorse Press for a quote.
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P.O. Box 60,
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NH
03860-0060.
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