Iron Butt Association Certification!

We are pleased to announce the Iron Butt Association, "Worlds Toughest Motorcycle Riders", in collaboration with The George A. Wyman Memorial Project, has developed two IBA Challenge Rides to pay tribute to the world's first long-distance motorcyclist, George A. Wyman.  These events are available for certification to IBA members under the strict rules and protocols established by the IBA.  The Iron Butt Association is recognized among the motorcycle community as the world sanctioning body long-distance rides.  The Project is pleased and honored to include the IBA among the "Friends of George"

The two Iron Butt Association challenge rides commemorate George A. Wyman's historic transcontinental journey across America in 1903.  The rides listed below are available for certification only during the Wyman Memorial period of May 16th through July 6th. 

• The George A. Wyman Memorial 50cc Gold - San Francisco, CA to New York City, NY, in less than 50 hours.  Xtreme! 
• The George A. Wyman Memorial Grand Tour - San Francisco, CA to New York City, NY, stopping at many of the 160 "Points Along the Way", during a single Wyman Memorial period (May16 - July 6).  The Grand Tour has 4 levels of certification:  Gold, Silver, Bronze and Finisher.

The certification protocols, rules and forms for the required documentation are available NOW!

 IBA Event Calendar is the porthole to The George A. Wyman Memorial Challenge IBA certification protocols.

Special Thanks!  The George A Wyman Memorial Project is very grateful to Michael Kneebone, President of the Iron Butt Association, for recognizing the significance of Wyman's 1903 accomplishment has to the riding community and to the sport of safe long-distance motorcycling.  And, we wish to thank all members of the IBA who will attempt certification, honoring the "World's Toughest Motorcycle Rider", circa 1903. 

The Grand Tour -- Available Online!

 

The adventure of the first person to use a motorized vehicle to ride across America is one of inspiration, determination and historical significance.  It is important to remember that in 1903, life moved at the pace of the horse and buggy.  The only exception was the Railroad, which by that time had transformed America in ways we continue to benefit from today.  Motorized personal transportation was in it's exciting infancy.  Automobiles were capturing the imagination and fostering change in the way 1900s America viewed personal transportation.  The motor bicycle was seen as a novelty, a toy of young men who wanted to experience the freedom of cruising around the neighborhood and town.

George A. Wyman had a passion for the long ride.  He saw the "motor-cycle" as a means to extend his riding horizons.  Being a competitive bicycle racer and adventurous soul, he would push this new technology beyond its novelty status.  The saga that is his journey lays the foundation for the modern day sport and defines the spirit of the long-distance motorcycle rider. 

The George A. Wyman Memorial Grand Tour - "Points Along the Way" captures the adventure by providing a chronological listing of the 160 waypoints along Wyman's original 1903 route.  The Grand Tour: Rider's Guide, with the companion GPS waypoint file, enables modern motorcycle riders to experience the excitement of following in his tracks and visiting the Wyman points along the way.  The Rider's Guide is available in PDF form, suitable for viewing on laptops, tablets and smartphone devices. 

The self-paced Grand Tour is designed to be ridden by motorcycle enthusiasts during the George A. Wyman Memorial period of May 16 thought July 6.  And, in the true spirit of the Wyman adventure, it is best experienced following the original route starting at Lotta's Fountain, San Francisco and ending at 1904 Broadway, New York City.  The Grand Tour is available for Iron Butt Association Certification

The George A. Wyman Memorial Grand Tour, Points Along the Way, Rider's Guide PDF.  An overview of each leg of the journey is below.

• Leg 1 -- Over the Sierras and Through the Snow Sheds,  San Francisco to Reno
• Leg 2 -- Over the Great Deserts to the Rocky Mountains, Reno to Ogden 
• Leg 3 -- Over the Rockies and the Great Divide Prairies, Ogden to Omaha
• Leg 4 -- Through the Valleys of the Two Great Rivers to Chicago, Omaha to Chicago
• Leg 5 -- Along the Shores of the Great Lakes and Down the Hudson to New York, Chicago to New York City

Grand Tour GPS Exchange Format GPX File

Listed below are the miles and riding times for routes to each of the Wyman waypoints accessible by paved roads.  The routes follow the paved roads and highways available today that closely match Wyman’s 1903 route.  You may choose any route between waypoints.  Navigating point to point using the “Fastest” GPS route setting may reduce the distances and moving time.  But, you will miss out on a lot of great riding between the points along the way.

Table of Distances and Times by State
STATE	WAYPOINTS	MILES	MOVING TIME	DWELL TIME	TOTAL TIME
California	18	217.3	4:21	2:50	7:11
Nevada	16	482.1	7:50	2:40	10:30
Utah	8	233.3	3:35	1:20	4:55
Wyoming	28	547.0	9:47	4:40	14:27
Nebraska/Colorado	19	474.9	8:54	3:10	12:04
Iowa	13	372.5	7:19	2:10	9:29
Illinois	10	184.1	5:29	1:40	7:09
Indiana	7	171.4	3:27	1:10	4:37
Ohio	11	261.7	6:25	1:50	8:15
New York	15	608.8	11:20	2:30	13:50
TOTALS	145	3,553.1	68:27	24:00	92:27

  (Source: Garmin BaseCamp, map set 2015.2)