Image courtesy Triumph Motor Company
The 2011 installment of the Minuteman 1000 Rally takes place from May 20 to 22 and is presented by Northeast LD Riders and Yankee Beemers and sponsored by Max BMW. Originating from the Clarion Conference Center in Northampton, Massachusetts, and stretching across five states, the Minuteman 1000 Rally involves completing the 1,000-mile course in 26 hours; however, the fastest rider does not necessarily win the race. Included in this year’s rally will be several photo bonuses riders can receive for traveling off the set route and taking a picture of these bonus locations while still finishing on time. A rest stop bonus is also in the mix, and riders will have to complete the rest stop to be eligible for a podium finish. The rally is also being validated by the Iron Butt Association and follows generally the same route as the IBA’s New England Saddle Sore 1000, a ride I have completed twice and which all riders can do on their own at almost anytime during riding season.
The event kicks off with a registration on Friday and a pre-ride dinner and meeting. The 1,000-mile trek begins at 6 a.m. on Saturday and continues until 8 a.m. Sunday. Those riders choosing to ride the Iron Butt course need to complete the 1,000 miles between 6 a.m. Saturday and 6 a.m. Sunday to receive their Iron Butt certificate, pin and license plate frame. The rally winds down with a finisher’s brunch on Sunday when MM1K awards and Iron Butt certificates will be passed out. The Grand Prize for the winner of this year’s event is an automatic, no lottery, entry into the 2011 or 2013 National Iron Butt Rally. These national events usually cover coast-to-coast or border-to-border riding for 10,000 miles over 10 days, with huge prizes; and there is a waiting list for entrants each time the event is held.
Registration fees for Minuteman 1000 are $95 for riders and $60 for passengers (not including hotel stay), and entries must be received by May 9. Saddle Sore 1000 fees are $140 for riders, and $100 for passengers. Further details are available on the MM1K website www.minuteman1000.com. Iron Butt 1000 information for other dates this year are available at www.saddlesore.com/ne1000/.
