Are you ready for the BOSS Ironman Motorcycle Challenge?

Tips to prepare you for this year's BOSS IMC

So, you own a big bike and are planning to join this year’s BOSS Ironman Motorcycle Challenge (BOSS IMC) as a first-timer. You tell yourself, “the route is pretty simple and straightforward, I can definitely do it!”

But before you jump and pay that PHP 5,000 registration fee, we list down a couple of things that you should do first in order to join this motorcycle challenge of a lifetime.

What if I don’t have a big bike?

Since only expressways-legal motorcycles are allowed to join the BOSS IMC, you have to first get yourself a motorcycle with at least 400cc in displacement. If you opt for a brand new 400cc motorcycle, the most affordable could be just around PHP 220,000.

But personally, I would prefer a big adventure bike that you can ride both on and off-road and can go the distance with its large fuel tank. I’m talking about the Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special (read our full review here).

The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special has a top speed of over 200 kilometers per hour, thanks to its 150 HP 1,250cc Revolution Max engine; a big fuel tank that has a range of at least 350 kilometers, and a plethora of electronic riding aids to make your riding more enjoyable. The Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 is available at Wheeltek Harley-Davidson of Cavite and the price starts at PHP 1.4-million.

I have a big bike

If you are an owner of a big bike, congratulations! All you have to do is to prepare your motorcycle for the 1,200+ kilometer ride that you must complete within 24 hours. That means you must check/replace the engine oil, brake pads, spark plugs, chain, and sprocket, tires if they’re worn out, lube/grease the bearings, and many more to make your bike worthy of BOSS IMC.

Also, it is important to make sure that your bike’s RFID for both Easytrip (NLEX and SCTEX) and Autosweep (TPLEX) have sufficient load to cover your toll during the event.

Before the event

So, your bike is ready and you’ve decided to join this year’s BOSS IMC and paid the PHP 5,000 registration fee, the next step is to secure a hotel where you can stay upon arrival on March 26. While it is advisable to check in on March 25 (you will need to leave your bike at the starting gate), some folks will be coming directly from their respective locations and will just check in for the night upon arrival the next day.

Trust us, you will be too tired to go home upon finishing the 1,200-kilometers of BOSS IMC, so it will be wise to just rest somewhere near LausGroup Event Center. Additionally, since it is a 3-day spectacle, the awarding of finishers will be done on the 3^rd day.

You must also be both physically and mentally prepared. In about a week leading to the event, make sure that you get at least 8-hours of sleep every day. 

During the event

Come March 25, you may experience your adrenaline pumping before taking off. If I may suggest, just try to relax and enjoy the ride. Make sure to plot the entire route and your fuel stops on your GPS or mobile phone and try to be consistent with your pace.

Remember, the challenge here is to navigate through the entire route while still following the traffic rules, so consistency is the key.

Avoid eating too much because not only it is time-consuming, it will also make you sleepy. Just bring enough water and power bars or boiled eggs for the trip. If you can, maximize your time during a gas stop by eating a snack and going to the toilet.

While the organizers of the BOSS IMC only require the minimum safety gear for riding a motorcycle, it will be wise to ride the BOSS IMC wearing “full battle gear.” That means wearing a full-face helmet, all-weather riding jacket and pants, and wearing riding boots and gloves.

If your riding jacket and pants are not all-weather (waterproof), better bring rain gear as it will definitely rain somewhere along the route.

How much do I need to bring?

There’s a saying that “there is no problem that money can’t fix.” During the ride, bring extra money for contingency. These are useful during a bike breakdown, accident, or if for whatever reason it is you can no longer continue. If you are too tired to continue riding, at least you have enough cash to check in at a hotel somewhere along the route and call it a day. 

As for fuel, fuel prices are relatively high these days, with gasoline prices in some provinces going as much as PHP 70-plus per liter. For the 1,250cc Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250 Special, I spent a total of PHP 4,300 for fuel.

Ironman ready

You're all set. Again, keep in mind that this is not a race. Always follow the traffic rules and put road safety as the top priority. Just be consistent, have minimal breaks, and enjoy.