| SS 1000 Pin Badge |
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The next step up from the basic Circuit of Ireland
is a Saddlesore 1000 ( 1000 miles in less than 24hrs) or a SS1600k (1610km in less than 24hrs). Again, completion of this
ride will gain you membership of the IBA if you are not already a member.This is a bit more difficult to achieve within Ireland.You
will be looking at around 20+ hours riding.There really isn't much of a choice within Ireland when it comes to selecting
a possible route for a Saddlesore ride .The Iron butt Association isn't keen on routes that are overly repetitive in nature
so 10 laps of a 100 mile circuit is not acceptable.
The important
thing is to make sure the route you pick is well over the 1000 mile or 1610km mark. Nothing worse than riding a route which
actually measures 987 miles. Mapping software is used to verify mileages so never ever rely on your odometer, which is usually
overly optimistic. Also remember that you need to verify any "corners" in your route. Unless you prove your
route by receipt, the verification team will just calculate the shortest possible route between the points.
We would expect that rides starting in the south
of Ireland will be conducted in KM whilst those originating in the North would be conducted in Miles. But it's up to you
how you want to measure your ride. The only difference will be the certificate.
Download the latest Ireland SS1000 Advice &
forms (revised August 2010)
click here to download file
The route below is only an example of how an
IBA certified saddlesore may be achieved within Ireland. The route is a figure of eight . It begins in Lucan
continues to Wexford,Cork ,Tralee,Galway,Lucan,Belfast City Airport (24hr Tesco nearby), Portrush,Letterkenny,Castlebar,Galway,Lucan.Of
course, you could start anywhere you wanted and run in whatever direction you fancy.
All these points need documented. Alter your proposed route depending on your
starting point but ensure that it is IN EXCESS of 1000miles. Plan carefully before you ride. A ride that cannot be properly
verified will be rejected.
When it comes to verifying
these routes for certification, mapping software is utilised. The software will be set to calculate the SHORTEST possible
distance between your receipt points. The shortest possible mileage using this route example is 1008 miles but your actual
mileage will be more as you will be keeping to the main roads to make good time. You need to be extremely careful when
choosing your route. For example, the reason that Limerick is included in this example is to prove that the rider didn't
take the ferry across the shannon which would result in less than 1000 miles.
The software that is used to calculate mileages is Garmin Mapsource and Microsoft Autoroute.
This example starts in Ballymoney and finishes in
Ballymoney. The route is Ballymoney-Cork-Ballymoney-Wexford-Ballymoney. A distance of 1103 miles.
This type of route has the benefit of fewer receipt points although it does
mean having to retrace your route.
This route is Cork-Letterkenny-Cork-Belfast-Cork.
A distance of 1051 miles
Of course, you will want to choose a route to suit
your own particular circumstances. The examples shown are only to give you an idea for a route of your own. When these rides
are verified, the SHORTEST route between the points will be used UNLESS you provide evidence that you didn't take the
shortest route ie extra receipts. When calculating your route, set your mapping software to the shortest route not Fastest.
Once the shortest route is calculated at over 1000 ( or 1610k) then your actual route ( fastest) will be well in excess of
the required mileage.
As choosing a route for a SS1000 or SS1600k within Ireland is not
simple, I will check your proposed route if you email me at chris@ibaireland.org
