IBA Rally 2023

[Lapchik]

Some current and past GLMC members riding.

11 days 11,000 miles

https://new.spotwalla.com/lp/d1a3-424bf-5da8/view

https://www.ironbuttrally.net/news/

[DownUnder]

Some current 2023 GLMC Grand Tour participants are also riding in the IBR. I wonder if they will stop and grab a few murals along the way ??

[DownUnder]

Steve Rufo and Lisa Rufo are participants in this year's Grand Tour. Unfortunately, their IBR has not gone smoothly. Here is an up-date from the IBR website.

Just after 5:00am, Bambi threw herself in front of Lisa Rufo/Molly Hecker, riding two up. They were traveling westbound on I88, just west of Delkalb, IL. Lisa and the bike took quite a tumble; Molly was more fortunate.

Steve Rufo told The RallyMom that Lisa says she’s fine and wants to continue on. Of course she does, she doesn’t give up easily. However, first she’ll have an ambulance ride to check out the nearest local hospital. As we all know, plastic v. asphalt doesn’t make for a fair fight and her bike (BMW 1200GS) has reportedly seen its last mile. But we’re only worried about the gals and Steve. This may have been hardest on him. More as we know it.

Latest update: Molly is reported to be fine and Lisa has been released from the hospital. Steve is continuing with his rally. Lisa is going to see how she feels tomorrow and will decide at that point whether to find a bike and continue the rally or focus on recovery. We are all thankful that Lisa is out of the hospital and able to consider her options.

[Lapchik]

Update on them from today's news:

Lisa Rufo and Molly are recovering after a deer strike totaled their motorcycle, but they are out of the rally. After making sure Lisa was released from the hospital and all was well, Steve Rufo is continuing the rally solo. He has unfinished business. Steve had entered the 2021 IBR but was unable to ride due to having back surgery before the rally. He will have a penalty assessed for their team not staying together, but still has an opportunity to become a finisher. Continuing without the rest of his team was no doubt a difficult decision, but we wish him well.

[Lapchik]

Mike Heitkamp is in 8th after leg one. Steve Rufo is 104 but still in it to finish.

[DownUnder]

(06-19-2023 05:51 PM)DownUnder Wrote:  Some current 2023 GLMC Grand Tour participants are also riding in the IBR. I wonder if they will stop and grab a few murals along the way ??

After looking over the Leg 1 Bonus list, it seems that 8 of the bonuses are photos of murals.

[Lapchik]

Mike is up to 2nd place at leg 2, and Steve is 103 but can still be a finisher.

[BkerChuck]

I saw this morning on FB a recent post Lisa Rufo made, apparently they didn't realize when she was first checked out after the accident but she has 4 broken ribs.

[Lapchik]

Oh wow. Good thing they didn't continue then. A week is a long time to sit around with broken ribs let alone ride an IBA event.

[GearheadGrrrl]

Looks like the Lou T Fisk, the 20 foot long fish in Madison, MN is a 3rd leg bonus, handful of riders went through there. There's about 20 riders heading east along !90/94 from the PNW, wonder if more will stop?

[Lapchik]

Only 6 minutes left! NYC closed down, a BMW final drive failure, Indian clutch failure, and a closed interstate. Going to be an interesting finish!

[Lapchik]

Mike Heitkamp rode a great rally and finished second on his 2015 BMW R1200GSA with 151,128 points and 13,095 miles. Only 693 points behind James Owen, covering 1,043 fewer miles.