Tour of Honor - Nevada Saddle-sore 1000 Extreme

The Tour of Honor is a summer long, self-directed ride that runs from April through October every year.  It is a great way to support important causes, and an excellent encouragement to go ride, explore new roads and practice rally skills.

I've been really busy, traveling for work, and haven't been able to rally at all. When my calendar opened up for the weekend of August 9th, I went into full planning mode.  My normal response would be to visit all the monuments in California, but the wide-open spaces of Nevada, plus a chance to visit my daughter in Las Vegas, made the choice to visit all the sites in Nevada the goal.  In addition, the Iron Butt Association has an enhanced Saddle-sore 1000 for the Tour of Honor, so Nevada it is.

I put together a route that started in Fremont, CA, and ended in Las Vegas, NV.  It entered Nevada at Reno, circled around the top and east of the state. I packed the bike, filled the hydration system, and got a few hours of sleep, before a 2AM start.

2AM came quickly. I was out to my local gas station for a first receipt, but the pumps were locked. Found a different station, filled up and was on the way at 2:27.  Zero traffic made quick work of the segment over Donner Pass to Sparks.  Dawn was just starting to crack as I reached the first memorial at 5:55 AM.

NV1 is the Fireman's Prayer Memorial, located in the Sparks Memorial Park.  The grieving firefighter memorial was spearheaded by Sparks Fire Department Capt. Barry Hagen, to establish a permanent tribute to the men and women of the local fire department and its rich 102-year-old history.

Next, it was off to the Playa , north of Gerlach.  I turned off of I-80, stopped for gas, and began heading up past Pyramid Lake.  Unfortunately, they were putting down new oil and gravel. It was one way, wait for the pilot car. After about ten minutes, we got our turn and slowly covered about 5 miles.  Passed through Gerlach, and found the turnoff to Guru Lane.

NV2 is the Iron Butt Memorial.

Arrived at 8:02AM. So many names that mean so much the the long distance riding community. Very well maintained, and a beautiful view out across the Playa.  I wonder how many thousands of Burning Man visitors have any idea this is here?

Next stop, Winnemucca, Nevada.  Just north of I-80 on 95, is the Veterans Memorial Park, NV3 on the Tour of Honor. Arrived at 11:03AM

Some very cool hardware in the park. Two tanks, a jet and a Huey!  A quick picture, gas stop, and I'm off to Carlin, NV

Lots of standing water along the roadside - there must have been rains overnight. My radar was picking up rain activity all over the desert.  Rode through a small shower.  No lightning :)

NV4 - LCDR Richard C Perry Memorial

Arrived about 12:52 PM .  "On August 31, 1967, Carlin native Richard Perry was piloting an A-4E, leading a third day of airstrikes over Haiphong, North Vietnam, when he was struck by a surface-to-air missile. He parachuted into the Tonkin Gulf, but a helo rescue swimmer declared him KIA before evacuating without Perry's body because of shore bombardments. Perry’s remains were found and returned to the U.S. 20 years later."

The site is in the middle of a busy park, with lots of softball games going on.  I wonder if anyone read this?

Next, it was on to Wendover, NV to visit the 509th Composite Group Memorial.  I stopped for fuel, and there were lots of strange and cool hotrods from all eras around the station. Later I found out it was speed week at nearby Bonneville Salt Flats, but rain flooded the flats, cancelling the speed runs.

NV5 - 509th Composite Group Monument

Arrived at 2:34 PM.  Starting to get a little hot out.

I've visited other parts of the 509th's history before, like the hangar where the Enola Gay was prepped for the first atomic missions.

Northern Nevada complete. Now for a fast ride down 93 into Las Vegas.  The desert was beautiful and fragrant with sage. The recent rains had boosted the greenery a little.  Spotty cloud cover and random rain kept things cooler as I rode down into the Mojave basin. I stopped for fuel north of Las Vegas, then headed in to the next memorial.

NV6 - Peace Officers Memorial

I arrived here about dusk,  7:52 PM. Still well over 100 degrees, with some humidity tossed in for fun.

Now it was time for a trip across town to Boulder City

NV7 - Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans Memorial

I arrived at 8:39 PM.  I almost missed the memorial at first, because the picture looked different and I thought it was at ground level. 

I had visited  all of Nevada's Tour of Honor sites. I found a nearby gas station, and got a receipt to finish the Saddle-sore documentation at 9:04 PM. Then I headed for my daughter's apartment.

After all the riding in desert heat, the toughest part was stopping in Las Vegas heat, waiting for lights and traffic.  Once I arrived at the apartment and got the bike stowed, I was exhausted.  Plenty of water, and a shower fixed that up.

Statistics

The ride covered 1240 miles

Started: 2:27 AM

Finished:  9:04 PM

Map:

I highly recommend the Tour of Honor. Its a great reason to ride and a better cause.

The next day, I left at 8:30, on a more relaxed pace back to Fremont.  Altogether 1750+ miles for the weekend., and kept close to my schedule.  Good practice for the upcoming Cal24!

Iron Butt Rally 2013

The Iron Butt Rally, is an 11,000 mile, eleven day event that cris-crosses the USA and Canada every couple years. But its really a twenty month adventure that begins with "Congratulations".

When I received the letter, I was both excited and worried. What have I gotten myself into? So much time to obsess. Plenty of time to assess and update the bike and gear for the biggest riding challenge so far.

I ride a 2005 Yamaha FJR 1300. It has 57,000 trouble free miles. I've tuned and adjusted most of the bike for previous rallies. This time, my biggest concern is tire life. I have to ride 2500 miles to the start in Pittsburgh, PA, ride the 11,000 miles, and then ride home again.  That's 16,000 miles. The front Michelin PR3 will make that easily, but the rear usually only lasts 12-13k. I made the decision to follow other LD riders to the dark side, an appropriate and well tested Michelin Pilot Exalto car tire.  Strange as it seems, this works well, and will go 30k miles!

My goal was to be rally-ready by Memorial day weekend, 30 days before my June 26 departure.  Mission accomplished. I went through the tank bag, clearing out old maps and debris. I added calendar of Giants games and NASCAR races.  Hydration hoses were changed out to new silicone ones. Easy Pass (east coast toll system) mounted behind the windscreen..

Wednesday June 26 - Departure for Pittsburgh, PA.
I left Fremont CA around 4AM. Its great getting out of town before the morning traffic.  The cool air feels good, and it gets me through the central valley and into the mountains before the heat build up. The majority of my route is a fast slab ride across I-80.

The last Utah 1088 Rally gets started Thursday so I decided to stop in at Rally HQ in Salt Lake City for a rest stop and to say hi to friends. After an hour  it was onward across Wyoming, stopping in Rawlins. A good day.

Thursday June 27 - Crossing the plains
Another early start, with miles of rolling grassland, transitioning into corn.  Stopped for the night in Ottowa IL.

Friday June 28 - Arrival in Pittsburgh
Arrived at the Cranberry Township Marriott Friday afternoon.  Lots of bikes and riders fiddling, packing, unpacking and milling around.  Checked in and got comfortable. Saw lots of old and new friends.

In the lobby, a poster indicated the theme of this years IBR - Planes Trains and Automobiles.

Saturday June 29 - Sign in and Tech inspection
Saturday consisted of standing in line for Video statements, SWAG pickup, camera card check, and tech inspection.

I attended the mandatory rookie briefing. The rally is supposed to be fun, but its also serious business with significant risk. This was the meeting where we were all encouraged to ride within our limits, manage fatigue and come back safe and in one piece.

Having met all the requirements and been in all the lines, I was now officially in the rally.

Sunday June 30 - Banquet, Briefing and Bonuses

This was a rather mellow day, until the banquet. We hit the buffet for what would be our last relaxed meal for 11 days. Then the rally packets were passed out. When we were allowed to open them, things got serious. We were excused and everyone went ot their rooms and desks. Plotting their perfect route

Monday July 1 - We're off!

Nature's cruel sense of humor dictated that we should stand in the rain, waiting for the start. Chief tech inspector and starter Dale Wilson gathered us for a final meeting. His main message - Don't F_ up! Do not make Lisa open the red folder (the infamous folder containing the emergency contact information for each rider.)

With that done we went to our bikes, and waited for 10AM. Dale motioned for each rider to pull away in a carefully choreographed exit. We had police escort out to the highway, where we were on on our own.

That's me, second from left

The first bonus  was captured. There is something just wrong about an ATM built into an Amish Buggy.

Next stop the Henry Ford museum. This was a big bonus, but it had a big requirement. Take photos of 25 different vehicles and exhibits.  If any photos were missing or incorrect - no bonus.  The museum was swarmed by wet riders with cameras and rally flags.

All went well, until my camera died with two pictures left to shoot. I retrieved my backup camera and captured the last two.

Onward to Detroit, to the Underground Railroad Memorial. The rain had stopped. Additional bonuses in Michigan created a corkscrew route around the state. The last daylight bonus was the Auburn Cord museum. it was a daylight only bonus, shot as the last light faded. One more bonus captured and a suitable hotel room ended my day.

Tuesday July 2 - North to Canada
Made a bee line north to the Macninac bridge. This is a high, narrow bridge with a transparent steel grate roadbed. Don't look down when you're on a bike.

Then the path led to the Canadian border into Ontario. No problems entering, just on vacation.  Right past the border was the Bush Pilot museum. Then north to S Saint Marie to photo a marker. The marker was missing, but the stone surround  would do.

From there, it was east to two unique structures. Big Chute Marine Railway and Kirkfield Lift Lock.

No more available bonuses, except the rest bonus.  I found a hotel in Peterborough, Ontario for the night,  Seemed like a nice place. Didn't notice this until the next morning.

There were four rooms taped off for a crime scene investigation.  investigators in bunny suits were preparing to enter each for evidence collection.

Wednesday July 3 - Over the falls, Back to the USA

Busy day. visited the Canoe museum, and assorted other monuments.  A high value bonus was the Whirlpool Aerocar.  Its cable car that travels out over the whirlpools below Niagara Falls.  Tourists snapped my picture, and I took a picture for Gregg Lenentine, another rider on board.

Crossing back into New York was hot and slow.

Once over, I headed though the forests to an air museum, a Soaring museum, and the site of a Civil War train wreck. Then on to the eastern end of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  Each Turnpike Plaza from Philly to Pittsburgh was worth 100 points , but you needed a receipt.. My trunk filled with mints, and gum.  Around 11, I packed in at a hotel.

Thursday, July 4 - Last stops before the checkpoint.  I headed further down the PA turnpike for a few more Turnpike Plazas. Then north to the Youngstown Incline. Its a steep railway/elevator for cars that takes you down the mountainside.  Then up to the first oil well in North America.  Finally, up to Lake Erie for a picture of the ship Niagara.

From there it was back to Cranberry Township, Checkpoint 1.

Tired but smiling

 Here I made a significant mistake.  During scoring, I forgot to claim my call in bonus. 1000 points lost. Still, I was at 14.495 points. 2804 miles. Time to check in, rest and be ready for 6AM

July 5 Friday - Leg 2

This was the shortest  leg, time wise, 65 hours. The minimum mileage would be 2500+ back to Sacramento. At 6AM, we received the next bonus list.  It included up to 34 Pony express stop markers, Pikes Peak, a few museums, graveyards and a ride on a trolley.  I started with the Pittsburgh Trolley museum. Riders packed in on the trolley for a ride, during which we needed to take a photo at a particular point along the way. Next was a marker where the Spirit of St Louis once landed, and Eddy Rickenbacker's grave. Then it was westward to Colorado Springs. After a picture of the Airplane Restaurant, It was time to ascend Pikes Peak.

I have a new respect for Pikes Peak racers. There is no room for mistakes, or guard rails!  At the top, I ran to get pictures of the Cog Railway train, and my bike.

I nearly passed out.  Not much oxygen at 14,000 feet.  Rested, breathed deeply. Time to descend.

Bike will not start. Altitude was a little beyond the computer's map.  A couple travelers gave me a push to get things going downhill, and all was well.

After a quick museum sign picture, I headed west again. Facing a major storm cell, I stopped in Rifle CO for the night and rest bonus. The storm hit hard just after I checked in.

July 6 Saturday
I headed out across I-70 for  the west. Not much to do or see for the day.

Somewhere long the road, the heat, rain and abuse delaminated the sole from my right boot.  Duct tape to the rescue.

Checking in to a hotel, another guest told the clerk  to take good care of me "This guy's an Iron butt on a big rally. He needs a room fast and a good nights sleep." then he helped carry my gear to the room!

July 7 Sunday - The Loneliest Road 

I-70 met up with US 50, the Loneliest road in America.  The sunrise over the desert was beautiful.   US 50 has a few Pony Express markers, and the "Loneliest Road" sign.

  My last two stops were the Donner Pass Memorial, and A&S BMW in Roseville. I arrived at the checkpoint to a cheering CA crowd, and many friends.

Leg 2 finished

 Scoring went without a hitch. Every bonus approved.  19,065 points for Leg 2. 2,775 miles. Check in, shower, rest repeat.

July 8 Monday -Leg three starts. and almost ends

At 6AM, we got our new bonus list. Started off normal enough. A few more Pony Express markers, the CA Rail Museum, and the Golden Gate Bridge - both ends.  Then the fun starts.  We needed a photo of the submarine docked at Pier 39, and the last Pony express marker on the Embarcadero. I was on the same path as another rider, who got a crash course in lane-splitting  as I parted the cars for an exit down  US 101.

I noticed a my rear brake was not feeling right. I lived nearby, so I called the rally master to let her know I was stopping to change the rear brake pads.  What I found was much worse.  The rear caliper had overheated and warped into a useless hunk of metal.  I'm screwed.

I called the rally master again. She encouraged me to post on the lists and call dealers, etc.  Tom M. called me and said he knew a guy nearby, Allan P. who might be able to help.  Allan called and came to the house on his 04 FJR.  He graciously removed his caliper and put it on my bike.  We bled it out and he went off while I test rode it.  Unfortunately, there were bigger problems. The ABS was locking the rear brake.  A call to Andrew, a friend from Sport-Touring.net, and he was over with tools and great knowledge. He bypassed the ABS, converting my rear brake to normal operation. Amazing. It was now 10:30PM. 9 hours lost.

I sat down and planned a new final leg to get me to the finish with enough points. Then slept.

July 9 Tuesday - Heading south. 

At dawn, I collected the first daylight bonus in San Martin, then another farther down 101.  I stopped at the Motorcycle Museum in Solvang as well. Then it was down to Burbank for the Folded Wings Memorial.  Next stop - Planes of Fame - Chino.

After a long hot desert ride, I stopped in Kingman and Seligman, AZ for bonuses. Next stop Grand Canyon. I got the Rail Station photo just before sunset, after riding through a herd of elk in the park.

On the way back out, I snapped a photo of the Blue Angels Skyhawk.

Finally stopped late in Winslow AZ.  What a fine sight to see.

July 10 Wednesday  - Spaced out
Headed to Alamogordo NM, to pay respects to Ham the Space Chimp.  Then to Roswell and the UFO research center,  Then the long flat ride across Texas.  Went to Lubbock and the Silent Wings Museum. then on towards Galveston.  I needed to stop the clock before midnight for the next rest bonus. The choice was Comanche, TX.  Another rider was already checked in. The bike was easy to spot.  I stayed from 10:27 to 5:23, 7 hours.

July 11 Thursday - the final push.
Despite all my progress, I had one big bonus and lots of miles ahead if I was to finish.  The computer said I could ride all night and arrive at 7:23AM, before the checkpoint opened.  Knowing this would be very hard, I did all my rally score sheets and arranged everything the night before.  I had two goals; ride the Port Bolivar Ferry, and get to Cranberry.

All went well across Texas and I bagged the ferry bonus on time.

 Onward to Cranberry.  The route took me through Louisiana and Baton Rouge.  At the junction of 10 and 12, another powerful storm pounded down on me. Water was standing 2 inches deep on the highway. Slowed but not stopped, I carried on.

Mississippi and Alabama were warm, but very pretty. It was just a nice ride north. As darkness fell, I was  in the hill country of Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.  Storms raged to my left and right, lighting the sky in wild colors while I stayed dry.

July 12 - Last 8 hours
Then the fog arrived.  Thick, white, see-50 ft fog. Again, I'm screwed.  Somehow, it didn't slow down the trucks.  I  followed various trucks at full speed through the fog, counting on their experience and knowledge of the route. Still I was getting very tired. The concentration was exhausting.

Dawn broke and my biological clock was happy to have me awake again. Unfortunately, now my GPS showed me bad news. I was now arriving closer to 9AM,  an hour into penalty points.  The road got better and was actually great fun to ride in the daylight.   I made up about 20 minutes.

The scene at the finish was amazing. I first rode to where we started, and then realized I need to be at the lobby entrance. As I rolled up. cameras flashed, workers reminded me to turn off the bike, put the kickstand down, and then we ran to the finish check in.  8:46 AM. Finished, or did I?

I took my carefully prepared score sheet, flag, rider card, camera, and memory stick to the scoring table.  One bonus was denied for inadequate proof of daylight hours, but my total was 61,166, more than enough to be an official finisher.  9,564 rally miles.  Check in, Shower, 3 hour nap.

Awards Banquet
I met my goals:  Be safe, have fun,finish. I finished 51st of 67 finishers. There were 29 DNFs..  I am in awe of the scores of top finishers Many who scored 50% more points and rode almost 50% farther.

I'm also eternally grateful to the help and support from so many that saved my rally from total disaster with mechanical aid and expertise.

The big picture:

SPoT Satellite track of my trip

The Ride Home.

The long ride home was anti-climactic, No bonuses to gather - just 2680 miles.  My only bonuses were home and family. Both were worth the ride.

Mark Starrett
IBA 492

Ten'n'Ten 2012

The 2012 Ten'n'Ten Rally launched again from Salt Lake City, Utah August 23, and I was happy to be back for the challenge. Two years ago, MERA hosted the inaugural Ten'n'Ten Rally. I finished, but fell short of my goals for the event and was eager to improve at this year's rally.

The rally has a unique format. The rally "starts" thirty days earlier, when the rally pack and bonus listings are delivered via email at midnight mountain time. I poured over the list and entered them into mapping software, until the wee hours. After a week, a plan developed.  There was a 48 state bonus that provided an interesting route across the US, and there were lots of high value bonus locations that could be reached by stretching the route into some key locations around the country. I committed to a plan, and loaded up the locations into the main and backup GPS units. Next Stop. SLC.

After a 750 mile warm-up ride from Fremont, CA. I arrived at the Holiday Inn near the SLC airport. I checked in with the rally team, and rode the odometer check course. My rally plan was turned in. No additions could be made to my quest from now on. Later that evening, we all had a good pre-rally dinner and meeting.  The rally would start at precisely 10:10 AM Thursday.

Day 1:
10:10 came quickly, and we were all off. Normally, everyone would head off in multiple directions. But there was a special bonus opportunity in Murray UT. We converged on a local indoor range, where arrangements had been made for us to shoot the machine guns of our choice. I chose a HK MP5. Fun!  Others chose the mighty SAW.  As I was leaving, I could hear it firing, through the range walls. Next stop, a local Five Guys, for a burger and a receipt.  As I waited for my burger, Wendy C. popped in, bought a water, and left. Next, it was on to Wendover, UT, for a picture of the hangar where the Enola Gay was prepped for her nuclear mission.

Later I was to visit the Enola Gay in Virginia as part of a large combo bonus. Off to CA to see some bridges.  I stopped at the Auburn Gorge bridge,  for a quick photo. Another rider's bike decided to lie down there, so I helped him wake it up, then left for the Golden Gate. It wasn't too golden, as it was now dark, and completely enveloped in fog. Picture taking proved a challenge, as the police don't like you stopping around the bridge. Still, I found away, and then headed through the city for my first nights rest, at home! It was a short stop - 5 hours.

Day 2:
4AM  came too quickly an it was off to Kernville airport for anothe unique experience, lawnmower racing.  After some quick instructions, I turned couple "fast laps". Those things do not handle!

Time to head for San Diego.

I made good time and arrived at the USS Midway for a quick picture- one of three needed for a big combo bonus. I also took the opportunity to collect water from the bay, qualifying as the Pacific ocean.

Then it was off to New Mexico. Traffic did not cooperate, and by 10:30, I stopped in Tucson for the night, since there was no place to stop for the night in the next 200 miles.

Day 3:
Headed out to Roswell, NM for a couple bonuses. Riding through White Sands was beautiful, as I slipped over the southern end of the continental divide.  The desert heat was in full effect.

Next stop, Fort Worth. Along the way, I stopped at Kermit, TX, part of a progressive bonus honoring Ken Morton, winner of the first Ten n Ten.

On the way to Ft. Worth, the radar shows a strong storm cell over the highway ahead. I ducked into a mini mart, and watched for it to pass. The cell overturned a truck and caused havoc on the highway. Once it cleared, I moved on through a lighter rain. Along the way, I stopped at the WASP museum, and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.  A night at Holiday Inn Express closed out the day.

Day 4:
Part of my plan was visiting 48 states, so from Ft Worth it was up to Oklahoma, then across to Arkansas, on the way to Louisiana. It was now steaming hot. Hurricane Isaac was passing over Florida on it's way into the gulf.  It was fun riding the highway as it passed over the bayous and swamps on the way into New Orleans.

 I needed to visit a voodoo princess' grave, but the cemetery was locked, so a gate photo met the requirement.

Next it was Biloxi, MS. I visited the Tomb of the Unknown Confederate Soldier.  The grounds were closed, but a helpful security guard showed me a good spot to take the photo through the fence. I also stopped to gather water from the gulf on Biloxi beach. It was sunny and beautiful, but no one was there. Evacuation was already starting, so the beach was empty.

I needed a photo of the USS Alabama. I arrived in Mobile at dusk, and just got the picture before the ship disappeared.

 Swung through the Florida Panhandle, then back into AL, stopping in Evergreen for the night.

Day 5:
Georgia was a next stop, visiting Stone Mountain, and a gun-shaped BBQ smoker.

I cut through the corner of South Carolina and into North Carolina.  I stopped at Biltmore Estate for  a photo of the sign - You can't even see the estate without paying for a ticket.

Into Tennessee. I headed for the holiest of NASCAR shrines- Bristol Motor Speedway.  It was Monday, and the race was on Saturday night. I needed a picture of the raceway, and a program.   Iwas a little late, as the last vendor was packing up, and there were only a few t-shirts available. No bonus, still, it was impressive.

The next stop was another Kermit. This time in WV. The roads through Kentucky explain why so many road racers come from here. They also benefit from massive pork-barrel spending. Beautiful winding high speed roads with no traffic!  Wound my way into Kermit in mountain pitch blackness.  Getting out was another thing.  The GPS refused to route me out.  Friendly locals gave better instructions - down to the double crossing, turn left, follow to the old bank with the white columns, turn left to the big highway ,and turn left towards Virginia.  Worked like a charm, and I spent the night in Charlotte WV.

Day 6:
First stop, Shenandoah National Park, Then on across Virginia to the National Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport. This is an amazing location, and I could have easily spent the day, or week there.  As it was, a picture of the Enola Gay, and the Discovery shuttle would do.

Now I headed into DC. I was trying to get to the Pentagon Memorial, but there was no parking and absolutely no photography. Arggghh!  Headed to Ford's Theater, but determined that I would be late for John Wilkes Booth's grave. It was worth more, and I headed there in gridlock traffic.  Arrived 15 minuts before closing.

Then it was on to Dover Delaware. Visited the Monster Mile (another NASCAR location) and snapped "Miles".

A short dinner at Chipotle, and off to New Jersey via Pennsylvania.  I found my way to the Rosicrucian Pyramid.  A couple large barking and snarling dogs barred my path to the bonus. A quick call to the RM and a Spot "OK" secured my bonus.  I then crossed into New Jersey and found a hotel for the night.

 I was now 6 hours behind schedule.

Day 7:

New York City!  Rode over the Verrazano Narrows bridge, and down around to the base for a good photo. Bridge bonus secured! Back over the bridge to Staten island for a view of Lady Liberty. I stumbled across Liberty Park and had an excellent vantage point.

Then it was through the Holland Tunnel into the city.  Although it was only 7AM, the place was hopping. Traffic was terrible.  I found my way to  Ground Zero, but the construction and police presence made a photo or visit impossible.  Time to move on.  Next it was up to Terrrytown, for a  picture of Rough Point.  Once again GPS refused to route bme into Rhode Island.  In the process I missed the Rhode Island Statehouse bonus.  I did go down into Newport. What a beautiful spot. Visited America's oldest pub, The Breakers Estate, the Egypt Air Memorial, and gathered water from the Atlantic.

Passed through Connecticut, and visited another battleship in Fall River Massachusetts, then headed north into New Hampshire, and then to Maine. I had a freshly baked calzone in Kittery, ME for dinner.  No Lobster anywhere! Now every mile would bring me closer to the finish.

I traveled to the covered bridge, then into Springfield, VT for the night.

Day 8:
Visited the Washington Memorial in Bennington, VT, and then dripped into upstate New York.  Stopped at the Jello Museum where some nice little old ladies took my picture and asked if I'd had my breakfast Jello!

Niagra Falls was a special treat. Much more impressive than I expected.

 The rest of upstate New York, not so much.  I took a quick side trip to Lake Erie, gathering Great Lake water. Another combo bonus done!

Headed into Cleveland, now about 12 hours behind.  There were two bonuses located in the shadow of the Cleveland Browns' stadium.  Unfortunately, a game was about to start, and there was incredible traffic.  Managed one photo. Picked up Michigan and Illinois, then stopped for the night.

Day 9: Headed up to Chicago.  I really messed up and couldn't find either brewery. The museum wouldn't open for another hour. Oh well, off towards Nebraska. I had originally planned to go to Wisconsin and Minnesota, but the loss of time meant routes needed shortening.  Also, Hurricane Isaac had trashed New Orleans, and its waves of rain and wind were centered over Kansas and Missouri. So straight across Iowa into Nebraska it was, stopping just short of Sydney for the night.

At this point, I was pretty fried. I decided to sleep later, have a good breakfast and then head straight to SLC.

Day 10:
Morning came, and I was off. I decided to drop into Colorado, as far as Ft. Collins, and get a bonus. I also stopped at a Wyoming fireworks establishment.  There was a bonus to bring back a non-firecracker firework for a bonus. Back on 80, I headed up over the continental divide again.  Near Rawhide, a major storm cell sent me for shelter.  it pelted the area wit hail, and lots of lightning. It passed in about 30 minutes, and I continued on toward Salt Lake.

I encountered another storm at the Utah line, but it was more rain than anything, and I pushed through. I arrived at the hotel around 6PM. Tired, and a little bit disappointed, wondering if I really wanted to do  this any more, or if I should cancel my IBR entry.

Seeing Steve's smiling face and the welcomes of Cletha, Eric and others at the finish made it all worthwhile.  I  checked in, cleaned up, and joined the gang in the bar for my first beer in 10 days, along with the best steak I ever ate :)  Then I went to my room, and sorted the collection of receipts and checked the photos against the list of bonuses I had submitted. Satisfied, I slept.

Finish:

After a nice breakfast, It was down for scoring.  The number of bonuses captured was encouraging.  Its easy to get discouraged by the missed bonuses and route changes during the rally, but seeing how many I did get cheered me up.  Over 90 locations visited and documented.  Other riders rolled in, with Ken M the last in. Every one made it back safe and sound.

The awards banquet was as fun as ever - good food and company.   I was astounded and pleased to place tenth, with just under 400,000 points, 38 states and 8500 miles.  To contrast, Ken M won with almost 800k points and 11,000 plus miles. WOW!











After the awards, we retired to the bar for BS and stories. A few of the fireworks found their way out to the patio, which were fun until the front desk reached their fun limit.

Home:
Monday was another travel day - the 768 miles back to Fremont. It was strange  just riding home, without a schedule or a bonus to get. I got home safely. No mechanical problems, and the only failure was my radar detector, which drowned west of Ft Worth and never recovered.  I still hope it will dry out and work again.

Thanks to MERA and Steve for putting on another great adventure.