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 John Avelluto with certificate |
Avelluto Makes History
The day was Wednesday March 5, 2008. The time was just before 3:00 am as John rolled his 2005 Ducati 999 Superbike out of his garage in Shawnee Kansas. John was embarking on his first Iron Butt challenge, a saddlesore 1,000. John would attempt to ride his superbike 1,000 miles in less then 24 hours. John’s final destination would be Daytona Beach Florida, where his beautiful 2005 999 would be a contestant in round 1 of Ducati’s very prestigious SuperbikeConcorso.
Because of a winter storm that had dumped several inches of snow on the St. Louis area just hours previous to John’s departure, he had to come up with an alternate route. One that would take him directly south and thus avoid the winter snow storm. The alternate route would be much longer, a total distance of 1,563 miles.
The temperature was 28 degrees as John headed toward Highway 71. He would travel south along Hwy 71 to Fort Smith, Arkansas where he would take Interstate 40 West. As John traveled farther south it was his hope that he would find warmer temperatures. At John’s first gas stop it was very apparent that it was getting colder not warmer. It would be at a gas stop in Anderson Missouri that John saw a Bank sign that flashed the time of 6:00am with a temperature of 17 degrees. The winter storm that had dumped several inches of snow on St Louis had also moved through Southern Missouri and Arkansas and left several inches of snow there. The highway was clear, however the ditches where full of snow and the added moisture was causing Johns visor to ice over, and his throttle to stick open. After a quick road side stop John was able to correct both problems, he would have to ride in the frigid temperature with his visor open one position. The throttle problem would continue to haunt John until mid morning. His next gas stop would include a much needed warm up; John sat inside the gas station asking himself “what have I gotten myself into?”
With the sunrise the temperature finally rose a few degrees as John traveled east along Interstate 40. He passed through Little Rock, Arkansas and on into Memphis, Tennessee. John’s hope for temperatures in the 60’s would never materialize, it would only reach the 40’s as John passed through Memphis heading south on Interstate 55
It was now 2:30 pm and John would make his first long break at Winona, Mississippi. After fueling he headed to the Taco Bell. What does an Italian Chef eat on an Iron Butt ride? A burrito and a soft shell taco. As John sat eating, his body ached and he felt feverish. He thought he had beaten the flu bug earlier in the week. Enduring such a grueling ride was taking its toll on John. He had been riding for almost 12 hours and had gone 583 miles. With over 400 miles yet to go John would eat quickly and be on his way. John was feeling a bit better as he passed through Jackson, Mississippi. As John pulled into Arcola, Louisiana for fuel the time was 6:03 pm. John was now closing in on his goal. Johns next gas stop, Diamondhead, Mississippi, 7:33 pm and John could feel victory close at hand. He was now only 95 miles away from completing his saddlesore 1,000. With the temperatures now much more comfortable in the high 50’s, John was making better time and had quickened his pace.
It was 9:02 pm as John rode into Daphne, Alabama; he had completed his Saddlesore 1,000 in 18 hours. John would now take a much deserved break to phone his family and tell them of his success. Now John turned his hopes to a new goal, could he do it? It had never been done before on a Superbike. Could John be the first to successfully complete an Iron Butt Bunburner 1,500 on a Superbike? John pulled out of Daphne, Alabama and headed East on Interstate 10. It would not be long before his excitement would give way to fatigue, John had ridden 90 miles. His body ached, he was getting very feverish, he pulled into Crestview, Florida and laid over at a Motel for a few hours of much needed sleep.
March 6th 5:00 am the alarm sounded. John had only gotten a few hours of sleep, he was running a fever and he knew the flu bug had taken over his body. His entire body ached. It took everything he had to climb back on his 999. For the entire duration of this trip John would not utter one complaint, he had been faced with many physical and mental challenges, the frigid temperatures, riding with his visor open, icing of his visor and throttle, very short fuel range, and sickness. John approached each of the many challenges not as the beginner he was, but with the poise and commitment of a seasoned veteran. He headed off into the rising sun. His next gas stop, Marianna, Florida, John would drink a meal replacement and snack on trail mix. It was 10:00 o’clock am as John pulled off the Interstate at Monticello, Florida; he would take a short coffee break here. John was now with in 225 miles of Daytona Beach. He could feel it. He was going to make it. The warm Florida sunshine brought new encouragement to John.
At 1:12 pm eastern time John made a fuel stop at Palm Coast, Florida, he had ridden over 1,500 miles. He was with in 30 miles of his goal. John could not contain his joy as he rolled into Daytona Beach, with a quick stop at the Speedway CITGO gas station to collect his end of ride gas receipt John rode into Ducati Island just outside the Speedway where he was met by Vicki Smith and Nick McCabe of Ducati North America. A crowd gathered as the camera’s recorded history. John Avelluto had done it. The first person ever to complete an Iron Butt Bunburner 1,500 on a Superbike. John would be asked to pose for many photographs, and would receive much congratulation. Special thanks to Patti, Laureen, Bill, Dave, Mike and a host of others who kept John in their prayers, Mike also was instrumental in helping to plot the alternate route.
John received his Certificates on April 18th 2008. Iron Butt Association had certified his ride, it was now official. John Avelluto has made history by being the first person to successfully complete an Iron Butt Bunburner 1,500 on a Superbike. I salute you my friend for the completion of such a heroic ride, and taking your rightful place in history.
--Wildeman
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