With more than 60,000 members, the Iron Butt Association is an exclusive group of motorcyclists dedicated to the sport of safe motorcycle long-distance riding. It has been organizing the toughest long-distance rally in the world, the Iron Butt Rally. The German offshoot, the Iron Butt Association Germany, has been organizing regularly long-distance rallies in Germany and throughout Europe for six years and has certified over 1200 long-distance rides. For August 2017 a major project is planned: the six-day Alpenbutt Rally. It represents the most demanding long-distance motorcycle rally ever organised in Europe.
The Alpenbutt Rally is not a race, but a kind of scatter rally with a motorcycle. The rally consists of a secret checkpoint somewhere in the Alps. In order to be a finisher of the event, riders must arrive at this checkpoint and after six days at the finish line within a time window and have completed a minimum task. Riders have the opportunity to improve their standing by visiting optional bonus locations throughout the Alpine region.
Before the start of each of the two legs, each rider receives a rally book with about 150 bonus points. There will not be enough time to visit all of them, so riders usually choose their route to visit as many of them as possible. Where the rider goes is their choice, everyone plans a route themselves, there are no specifications which routes have to be ridden. This means that outside aid is not permitted during the rally. Each participant can choose their departure and arrival time freely, you can go short distances to collect the bonus points, or you can ride up and down through this beautiful region.
Although scored points result in a better ranking, safety is always the top priority. This is not a race, it is about efficient route planning, collecting the required evidence and a healthy return. There are compulsory rest breaks, but the participants can go as far as they can and want. There are four major challenges to master when the rally has begun: to solve the navigation puzzle, to find the best route, to ride the plan, and to arrive at the checkpoint and the finish in time.
The starter field is very international. Participants from twelve countries have already registered for the rally. There are still places available, interested persons can find more information on the website www.alpenbutt.com.
The Alpenbutt Rally is not a race, but a kind of scatter rally with a motorcycle. The rally consists of a secret checkpoint somewhere in the Alps. In order to be a finisher of the event, riders must arrive at this checkpoint and after six days at the finish line within a time window and have completed a minimum task. Riders have the opportunity to improve their standing by visiting optional bonus locations throughout the Alpine region.
Before the start of each of the two legs, each rider receives a rally book with about 150 bonus points. There will not be enough time to visit all of them, so riders usually choose their route to visit as many of them as possible. Where the rider goes is their choice, everyone plans a route themselves, there are no specifications which routes have to be ridden. This means that outside aid is not permitted during the rally. Each participant can choose their departure and arrival time freely, you can go short distances to collect the bonus points, or you can ride up and down through this beautiful region.
Although scored points result in a better ranking, safety is always the top priority. This is not a race, it is about efficient route planning, collecting the required evidence and a healthy return. There are compulsory rest breaks, but the participants can go as far as they can and want. There are four major challenges to master when the rally has begun: to solve the navigation puzzle, to find the best route, to ride the plan, and to arrive at the checkpoint and the finish in time.
The starter field is very international. Participants from twelve countries have already registered for the rally. There are still places available, interested persons can find more information on the website www.alpenbutt.com.