2007 Ohio Dawn to Dusk 500

 

Story by:

Jonathan "Bear" Murren

People often ask what drives me to jump on the ol' scoot and take off for parts unknown, just to stop for gas and keep going. They wonder what loose screw in my noggin tells me to suck down highway miles like soda pop, stop in a sleepy town in the middle of the night, sleep for three hours, wake up and do it again. They can't fathom why I'd just ride straight through all those big cities and past tourist traps for the sake of racing the clock.

Truth is, sometimes I'm not sure either.

My back trail in long-distance rides is meager at best, compared to those I ride them with. And the ride I participated in last summer was even a baby one by my standards, just 500 miles from dawn to dusk. Yet, just like the previous two summers, I jumped on the bike, gave 'er a twist and headed west to our starting point.

I don't recall all the minute details of the day, but I will say that our 500 mile tour of South East Ohio was one of the best days I've spent on this here globe. The scenery was amazing, and Momma Nature gave us a perfect day to see it all. The ten people in our group were about as good riding' partners this ol' country boy could ask for. The wind whipped refreshingly through my hair as I flogged the ol' twin down the long, straight highways. When we rolled into the finishing point, I hopped off the bike as refreshed as I'd felt in weeks. It was only my third official Hoagy's Heroes ride, but it was far and away the best of the bunch.

So yeah, back to that reason. First off, it's for charity, and that's the reason I started doing these in the first place. But there are underlying reasons too, like the things I see and the camaraderie I share with those I ride with. Perhaps it's the way I can just leave my worries on the pavement as the miles tick off the odometer. Hell, maybe it's just because I love motorcycles and I love riding them. No matter what the reason, this ol' boy is hooked for life.

2008 Back to Back SaddleSore

 

Story by:

Keith Taylor

It all started with a review of the IBA website (www.ironbutt.com) in 2007 under the events tab where I discovered a coast to coast ride from Jacksonville to San Diego.  As fate would have it, mainly due to work availability, I was unable to attend.  But I was able to review the Hoagy’s Heroes website (www.hoagysheroes.org) and find out about the group that does only charity events to sponsor several charities:  A Special Wish Foundation (www.spwish.org), Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund (www.cfsrf.org), and NHS Human Service Autism Schools (www.nhsonline.org).  While I really appreciate long distance riding, I think that it’s also important to remember those who can’t or may never be able to complete one.  So, the hook was set, and somehow I would do a ride with the group.  I also reviewed the history of the group and saw how much money that they had previously raised in past years.

Fast forward to the IBA Bike Week Party in Jacksonville, FL in March 2008.  During one of the get-together's, I spied a fellow wearing a bright iridescent lime green t-shirt with Hoagy’s Heroes Charity Rides who was talking to some folks outside the hotel.  So this appeared to be my opportunity, quite serendipitously, to find out more about the organization.  I walked up and basically described my interest as mentioned above and, as it turned out, shook the hand of Hoagy himself.  Some good conversation, interesting introductions, and a lunch the following day only enhanced my desire to participate.
Two weeks’ vacation per year and the inability to rollover any of it from previous years was going to make any ride participation a challenge.  There were two good opportunities for me:  the Keystone 1000 Saddle Sore in June and the 2000 Back to Back Saddle Sore in September.  The June ride at the time appears more probable due to the date, but, honestly, my preference was for the September run, having never attempted the 2000.

Preparation began for how I was going to collect some monies for these causes.  Being more theoretical than practical, I thought to create a collection box that I could put in a dealership or two where people could put some pocket change if they felt a calling to contribute.  My wife completed construction out of a shoe-box appropriately decorated that is seen below.

First shop and first stop was at my local and preferred Honda dealership.  After discussion with the manager, he suggested that they would prefer to advertise more local area charities and runs and that a run in Pennsylvania was a little far for Orlando, FL residents.  This seemed perfectly plausible explanation to me even though I didn't buy it.  So I reasoned that I’d better hit the local Harley dealership due to its monstrous size, foot traffic, and potential donor base.  Some days later with box in hand, I rode my Goldwing to the Harley dealership in my colors (hi-viz Darien Jacket with excessive road grime).  Arriving at the information booth, I asked to speak to the marketing manager and was told that appointments were necessary.  After obtaining email address and phone number, I vowed to continue the quest.  Emails returned as undelivered as well as phone calls unreturned sealed the response:  I wouldn't get to speak with anyone about this.
One can imagine, perhaps, my overall disappointment of my fund raising attempts, as I had thought the idea was terrific.  Helas, turning to non-biker friends and family I raised some money but was still disappointed in the outcome.

The next important task was to secure the time off from work.  Without providing too much personal detail, it is sometimes a challenge to take vacation during certain times of the month.  There were some discussions, and it still appeared that the June time-frame would work.  At this writing, I don’t remember what exactly happened, but June would not work out.  Meanwhile, I was speaking to Hoagy on the phone, and he had put me in contact with some local FL folks who might be riding up to WV.  One week it seemed that I was going in June, and the next week not.  In the end, my contact ‘yes’, and I, ‘no’.
The ‘no’ outcome turned out to be fortuitous.  With some additional discussion, success in cross-training, and the willingness of a particular colleague to do my work during that particular part of the month made my participation in the run possible.  To her goes a big thank you.  Now, I'm headed to WV after Labor Day to participate in my preferential ride.  Originally, I didn't think that the possibility existed in March, and now, in July, it was possible.

I enjoyed the Labor Day week-end while preparing to leave early Tuesday morning for a ride directly to WV.   Using Google maps, I found several routes to WV and return that would also quality as SS 1000.  As usual my concern turned to the weather.  Fortunately for my family, some normal Florida severe summer weather had given us a preview of a small roof leak that was repaired in August.  We had repairs done just before Hurricane Fay rolled in during that month.  A week of heavy rain is not preferable anywhere.  Orlando was on the ‘good’ side – we didn't get the 2 feet of rain that Melbourne did 30 miles away.  Then there was the uncertainty of possible tracks for hurricanes Gustav and Hanna which begged the question:   if I got to WV, could I get back to FL in time for work?

Departure from FL was about 5:00.  I had scheduled the route to arrive in the WV hotel before the night person left at 23:30 to avoid making arrangements to leave a key somewhere on property.  Rain was in the forecast and didn't disappoint – I scheduled my departure to arrive after the Jacksonville rush hour, and while missing the rush hour, I arrived with the rain.  Eventually the rain stopped at an unremembered ‘northern’ location, and what an enjoyable ride that followed.  The VA/WV mountain views, the climbs, descents, and curves were especially exciting after longer flat interstates.  These views are unseen in FL and reminded me of trips gone by (contrary to popular opinion, there are no ski slopes in Mt. Dora, FL).  As it turned out, it seemed that the most difficult part of the ride was Ohio 7 late on Tuesday – feeling the pressure to get there and typical anxiety of being lost.  Great deer country, many towns, slow going – not my preference for a late night and tired rider – no CB chatter either.  My ‘local information’ question about which route was preferable – OH 7 or WV 2 to Moundsville went unanswered as the radio squawked after the bike hit another pothole.

Room secured, witness obtained – the night clerk, gas obtained, and now I had a new home base.  I especially appreciate having a home base – always a place to call ‘home’.  As I unpacked my gear, a nod went to a construction group having a beer at a room at the end of the hotel.  Mental note during the unpacking process– the probability of always bringing too much stuff is at its highest with the length of time away before leaving on a ride – ends up as a burden upon arrival, unless the gear was needed. Our SS 2000 run didn't start until Thursday night.  Arriving on Tuesday night, Wednesday morning allowed me one day of tourism.  As a bike commuter, I like riding, getting there, having a base, and then being a tourist.  Got married that way, taken vacations that way, it’s just a preference.  My wife, who hasn't gotten on a bike since my lone wreck in 2006, had determined some points of interest that I should take in.  Hoagy was busy working, and I reasoned that I was arriving before anyone else.  She had determined that I should at least visit the State Penitentiary.

As it turned out, the hotel was family owned, and they also owned the restaurant across the parking lot.  Hours were 8:00 to 20:00 including a lounge that was open late.  As a rule, I try to take advantage of trying every omelet possible across the USA, and this excursion would be no exception.  When I ordered the potatoes with the omelets, the waitress asked me if I wanted some ketchup.  After tasting the fair, this was a ‘no ketchup necessary’ restaurant and perhaps should make Frommer's list.
The folks at the hotel also helped me be well prepared for all the runs – the 2000 and the ride back.  Small things like putting my blue ice in the freezer to keep it cold, preparing some great to-go sandwiches for something better than beef jerky and fast food on the run, allowing a later checkout due to my slow packing ability, was, in my opinion,  a gold mine.  The Moundsville hospitality is not one to be underestimated.  I mentioned the prison to the waitresses and asked about areas to visit – the penitentiary was right next to the Moundsville museum, an Indian mound dating from 1000 C.E.  After breakfast, I had two places to visit within a couple of miles.

After the prison tour, I headed back to the museum for additional information on the Mound.

These are views of the Mound and from the Mound to the museum.  Anyone who enjoys learning about early US history and Native American history would appreciate this destination.
I mentioned the PT cruiser because I had a chance to talk with ‘Boss Boo’, his WV license plate.  What I didn't know was that the prison does a haunted house for Halloween every year as a fund raiser.  After speaking with the guides and picking up a couple of brochures, the haunted house appeared to me as a must do.  As an ex-Universal Studios employee, and one who has participated in many Halloween Horror Nights, the description provided would be one that I’d want to see.  Boss was checking out the view of the 13’ hydraulic monster that he was putting up on the prison roof – this is something that I would want to see.
Wednesday afternoon, I made contact with Hoagy who invited me over to view the famous Irish Pub, a stop on the IBR Rally from 2007.  I can only say one picture does not do it justice and to best appreciate it, one must be a guest.  A superb evening…

Sandwiches secured, bags packed, and time underestimated made me the last arrival for the departure at 20:00.  Everyone departs at 20:00 but I decide to depart at 20:05 to follow the ‘ride at our own pace’ IBA advisory rule.  Blessing given by Bill that everyone would be safe and would arrive back as they started.  We were off from exit 208 on I-70 in OH to Russell, KS and back through OH, IL, IN, MO, KS.  It was a pre-approved route with 3 gas stops required at the 1000 mile mark, at the 1500 mile mark, and the finish.

Ride, ride, and ride, and even through remnants of Fay.  I think it was the stop at in Martinsville, IL where I encountered ‘the’ trucker pep talk in the wee morning hours.  One knows those early morning stops where no one else is on the road – had to wait in line to get a rest room break.  Advice like: ‘it’s raining up ahead’, ‘big gusts all the way to KS’, ‘roads are flooded’, ‘better stop and get a motel’ conversations.  I ate one of my home made sandwiches at the truck stop table, had a nice chat with the two clerks of the store.  When I asked one of them exactly where I was, one replied “you’re nowhere”.  To this I responded, “I can’t be nowhere because you live here”.  Their coffee was good as I donned my ‘cold weather’ gear and additional rain protection.
As suspected, the trucker weather reports were either exaggerated or old news.  However, I did get confused with the directions in those wee hours as I was seeing two signs pointing in the same direction to the same place.  To avoid making an additional navigation error (the one made earlier by choosing a ‘loop’ where I took the long way round), I stopped in the median to review a map.  As I'm trying to figure out the correct direction, up rides a fellow Hoagy rider, Aaron from OH.  We have a middle of the night discussion about where we were, are, going, etc., and decide to stick together.  Please understand that I was so sure at the last ‘loop’ that I was going the correct way, that I didn't follow two other riders that actually took the prescribed route.  So this time I was going to check it out and save myself a detour.

Thankfully, dawn finally arrived as we cruised into Kansas City only to encounter dense morning fog and the rush hour traffic.  Riding in to Kansas City, we could hear the CB chatter of fog, traffic reports, and other incidents along the route.  The fog disappeared only to be replaced by lines of cars that might have affected my riding partners air-cooled engine.  Nothing lost and traffic negotiated, we ventured into the long KS stretch, giving us views of distant horizons, windmills, and rainstorms of things to come.

Sporadic rain followed us all the way to Russell.  I hadn't seen so many windmills since the Sweetwater, TX area.  Long horizons allowed what seemed to be a view of the curvature of the Earth – entirely cloud filled which had at least one of us wishing for the sun.  We noticed that the availability of road side gas stations lengthened, so we made more frequent stops before reserves were hit. Finally arriving in Russell for the turnaround point was a great relief.  Signature required by the station manager because our receipts weren't printing out time stamps.  We weren't the first to arrive as we had passed Hoagy’s group an hour before on their return trip.  In the flat terrain he wasn't too hard to spot – the multicolored wig attached to the half helmet of the HH president.

Another encouraging comment from a woman at the gas station to Aaron – ‘we don’t ride in the rain from where I'm from due to the slickness of the tarmac’ or some such thing.  We also met some riders continuing West and some continuing North and going a ‘fer piece’.  I had my stock sandwich and jerky, Aaron his energy bars.  I thought too to purchase a shot glass for my daughter who is too young to drink but not too young to collect them. (Please note all the 2’s in the previous sentence).
Sometimes on a trip it seems like the getting back part goes faster than the arriving part.  It did feel good to reach the 1000+ mark and to know that there was only one-half to go.  We got on the road coming back already with an idea of where we would be making some gas stops.  However, despite what I had hoped, the ride back to St. Louis seemed as least as long as the arrival.  Usually there are certain times of day when the fatigue sets in.  I found that singing really loudly into my full-face helmet does not help too much, so, despite this fact, I regaled myself with a performance that certainly would have lasted at most 15 seconds on the Gong Show.

With our perfect timing we arrived back in Kansas City to evening rush hour traffic after encountering the morning rush.  Things were in balance in the universe.  The weather had improved which was a welcomed relief from the day.  We encountered something in the air which actually made me pull over.  My tear ducts were putting out especially salty tears to try to counter act whatever it was, but my eyes were burning enough that I needed keep them closed for a bit.  Of course, pulling over on any interstate is dangerous, and, as expected, we had all of two feet of shoulder to accommodate an emergency stop.  I reckon one can never drink too much water.

It was St. Louis by night, and I was personally dis-cussing amongst myself the engineers who had designed the highway lighting.  The Friday night partiers were already on the road making their infamous multi-lane maneuvers at high speeds followed by excessive braking.  The highway lighting design seemed to be “we'll light the highway from the access road by pointing the overhead lights into the drivers’ eyes” methodology – and I mean that will all due respect.  My unsuccessful Google search later was unable to find this theory in any text, but I believe that it has been successfully accomplished there – and I mean that with all due respect.  I finally had to do the unthinkable, most unfriendly driving maneuver on the trip:  get in the fast lane and hit the PIAA HID 100 advertised watt high beams that are actually 50.  I'm sure to not have made any friends that night, ones that were ahead of me anyway, but at least one person and everyone behind me could see on the road.

Thankfully out of that metro area, our 1500 mile stopping point would be where we would get some much needed rest.  That destination would be Maryville, IL.  The gas receipt was at the Shell station, and the informal rendezvous point was at the Hampton Inn.  We never found either: our Maryville gas stop was the One Stop Shop.  A cell phone check had Hoagy’s group some miles up the road at a different hotel with a rendezvous time at 8:00am.  However, we weren't sure which time zone that would be – we’re in Central but left in Eastern.  As we pulled into an insurance agent company parking lot to make a plan, we accosted a passing jogger for some local information.  He gave us the local hotel scoop, and so it was off to the Econolodge.
Checked in, unloaded some gear, had a shower, a view of the weather channel (had to check on where any hurricanes were), and the next moment was the wake-up call.

Our incorrect guess as to the time of the rendezvous, CST, was of course incorrect because the obvious answer was EST, so we arrived as everyone was gearing up to leave.  We had missed the breakfast appointment.  But, I did have time to get the most wonderful to-go egg/ham/thing on a bagel at the ‘sorry I didn't write it down restaurant and hotel’.  It was a marvel.  So please contact Hoagy for further information.

Yes, we had decided to meet and ride the last 500 miles together.  Other than the initial morning fog, the weather was clear and beautiful.  The CB chatter was worth the entire trip – as the truckers saw Hoagy in the lead with his aforementioned multi-colored hair/helmet.  I'll leave the commentary that they made to the readers’ imagination – and yes, any idea that comes into your mind was probably spoken over the airwaves – some questionable to FCC regulations.  Hoagy had the opportunity to explain the purpose of the ride to his callers and only received additional encouragement from them.  A few pictures taken on the ride back included some ‘riding’ shots – which are all available on the HH website.

Additional shot glasses purchased at a couple of stops, we rolled in to OH to the police headquarters to get the final receipt and witness statements.  Papers signed and motorcycle fatalities discussed with the nicest dispatchers in WV, we arrived safely at the Irish Pub (aka Hoagy’s garage).  I did make a stop at the hotel to unload the bike, grab a quick shower, and talk to my ‘better half’ who still thinks that I'm quite eccentric.

The welcome at the Irish Pub was extraordinary.  One last rider pulled up about 30 minutes before the deadline.  Hoagy had a passel of volunteers to help him on the return.  A special thanks to Hoagy’s mother who worked tirelessly to prepare a multitude of tasks, Jeff who cooked some mean steaks with the infamous Butt Rub spices, these were 5-star quality steaks, Kay, a great bartender, Carol for checking in my ride, and many others whose names I will forget due to my age.
Appropriately, this would be where I would like to end my essay – the extraordinary hospitality and camaraderie at the Irish Pub and the volunteers and riders of the Hoagy’s Heroes runs of 2008.

Of course and thankfully, I made it back to FL on the same route – nature and providence had allowed a clear run back – no hurricanes in FL yet. The entire trip has only increased my desire to participate next year.  2009 promises a SS 1000 in June and a Coast-to-Coast (San Diego to Jacksonville) in September.  If you have made it this far in the 3,500 word essay, I truly hope that you'll contact Hoagy and participate next year in the runs.

Long Distance riding is fun – riding in Hoagy’s run is ‘funner’.  Thanks again to all

2008 Back to Back SaddleSore

 

Story by:

Aaron and Staci Dearth

I have been with Hoagy and crew religiously as possible for the last two years, and I am at a dilemma on where to begin. I have been searching my mind on which ride over the last two years would be the ultimate one to tell the greatest story. I cannot choose they all have been perfect.

From the first ride my wife and I rode in 2007 Ohio Dusk to Dawn, where neither of us had done anything like this before and cruised Ohio to figure out we loved it.
To the 2007 Saddle-sore 1000 where we put ourselves to the test, messed with our credit card companies mind because they could not figure out how our card  was used in five states in 14 hours, blew both of our families mind on why anyone would want to do this, and from that day foreword we are both permanently hooked.  

The 2008 Ohio Dusk to Dawn 500 where the rain poured but smiles were still on faces.
The 2008 Pennsylvania 1000, my god what an awesome ride, where the last 500 hundred smiles graced by Greg from Florida was outstanding and made another great friend, and a great lead man.

2008 Back to Back Saddle-sore, longest one for me yet, and one of the greatest days of my entire life. Unfortunately my wife could not make this journey. I took a nap in the afternoon, woke packed my things and headed for the start point in Morristown Ohio. Met with Hoagy and crew, filled out the necessary paperwork, and the adrenaline started to pump. Ready to go. How will the weather be? Don’t care! Is my bike in perfect condition? Checked it ten times quit worrying. Got enough food? Yep, could stand to miss a meal anyway. Got enough water? Enough to last a week let alone 48 hours. Lets go, met Harve a newcomer to our family and decided to start the ride together, said the group prayer, and puttem in the wind. Second gas stop into the adventure Harve not having the luxury of sleeping half the day as I, decided it was time for a nap and we parted ways. I hadn't rode far until I seen a motorcycle parked in the median strip. I pulled up to see if the fellow biker was broke down, lost, etc. As soon  as I had stopped I heard the muffled words from under a helmet say, are you on Hoagy's run? Starting another new friendship, I had just met Keith from Florida. (Don’t know what it is with me and runnin with bikers from Florida, but both of them have etched history in my mind that I will never forget). Keith and myself spent the next 1000 + miles getting to know each other, and keeping one another company. I pride myself on being an easy going biker, you want to ride fast we'll go fast, slower we'll go slower, need a minute when we stop take it, just not two. I must say that Keith and myself strategically rode the first 1500 into one of the best rides of my life. When we hit Marysville we decided it was time for a break found a hotel, and was greeted by the voice of Carolyn on the voice mail of our cell phones letting us know the location of Hoagy, and were to meet the next morning so we could all bring it in as a group. After a quick look at the weather channel, and much needed rest we were off to meet up with the rest of the gang in the morning.  We met, talked about our adventures, and into the wind we went. As the ride come to an end I look down the highway at all of us thinking what a family, what a great time, I've made it again, I hate that it is over.

As we arrive back at the Irish Pub, I begin to wonder what 2009 will bring. God willing I will ride all of Hoagy's events again. As Harve pulls up the last rider checking in from our group, Hoagy talks with him of his adventure, and explains we are not just a motorcycle group we are a motorcycle family. Motorcycle family! Yes! One of the greatest ones I look forward to spending many, many, smiles with in years to come. No matter where we ride, or what groups we join Hoagy's family will be the greatest we have ever had the pleasure to be a part of

For those of you that think we are nuts. Don’t knock it until you have tried it, and I invite you come put some miles on your bike with our family, I guarantee you will love every mile, have the time of your life, and create memories you will never forget.
Keep it on two wheels.

 

Hoagy’s Heroes 2009 50CC/100CCC

Story by:

Bob "Bigduck" Tobitt

Charles Dickens wrote “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times ...” in “A tale of Two Cities” and it so perfectly sums up my CCC100 with Hoagy’s Heroes.

The “best of times” came with new friends and old friends and the “best of times” came when we hit the road and I got to ride with some of the best riders in the world.

The “worst of times” came when we hit rain in Ozona; When we struggled to see 50 yards ahead of us as we left San Antonio because of the rain and “It was the worst of times” when we sat on I10 for two hours while a major wreck which had blocked I10 was cleared away, and we thanked our respective higher powers that it wasn’t one of us being put into the helicopter and being taken away from the scene of the accident.

But I am getting ahead of myself …

Everything was in place and set to go when my riding buddy had to drop out due to finances. Being a little tight on finances myself I decided to save a few bucks and run the CC50 with Hoagy instead of the CCC100. This would save not only on gas but also on two nights in motels.

My revised plan was to set out on Tuesday morning and run a BBG1500 to SD where I would hook up with Hoagy and the rest of the CC50 riders and two CCC100 riders (Anthony and Kirsten) for the ride back to Jacksonville.

With a BBG in mind I left my house in Houston at 9:30 on Tuesday morning and, despite heavy rains, made great time and was on pace for a 22 hour BBG when I arrived in Deming, New Mexico. By this time I had been very fortunate to skirt 5 or 6 major storms. It seemed that just as I was to run straight into a storm the road would take a turn to the left or right and I would miss the major rains by a mile or two. AT Deming my luck looked to be running out. I was surrounded by major lightning and called my wife and then Hoagy and told them I was pushing on but if the storms got any worse, or the lightning (which was my real fear) got any more violent and closer, that I would call it for the night, find somewhere to bed down for the night and then head into SD early the next day. “Better safe than sorry” is my LDR Motto. The decision to cancel the BBG attempt and settle for a BB1500 was made for me just outside Wilcox when lightning struck the ground directly in front of me and within a mile.

An Aside … There are two types of long distance rider. There are the true “long distance riders” and then there are fakers like me! I love to ride for mile-upon-mile and will gladly and happily run 1,000 miles a day … BUT I like to do so only when I fell comfortable and safe. You could refer to me as a “Fair Weather Long Distance Rider”. I do NOT like lightning and do NOT like rain. I consider my riding to be a hobby and I have to feel that I am having fun and am as safe as riding a motorcycle can be. If either condition is not met then I am going to quit the ride. It is a promise I made to my wife the first time I ran a long distance ride and it is a promise I will always keep. Other long distance riders like Hoagy will ride for mile-upon-mile in ANY conditions and truly enjoy every mile they ride. They are accomplished riders who feel just as safe riding in adverse conditions as they do in perfect conditions. My hat is off to these riders but it is just not me and I feel no shame in calling a ride short if the conditions exceed my riding proficiency.

So at about midnight I decided to call it quits and found a cheap motel in Wilcox. As I pulled into the parking lot of the motel I discovered I could not down shift. I was stuck in high gear. After checking in I limped the bike over to the room and unpacked. After getting everything off the bike I checked the gear shifter and discovered the retaining bolt which holds the rocking shifter onto the shaft had very nearly fallen out. It was still connected to the bike but by only a couple of threads! Had I ridden just a few more miles I am convinced it would have fallen off and I could have been miles from the nearest town with no way to change gear and no easy way to fix it. In the motel parking lot a quick tighten with an Allen wrench and everything was back to normal working condition within 30 seconds! Do you think that lightning strike was a sign?

Now at the end of a long ride I can normally sleep very well but this motel (Motel 8 in Wilcox) had “plastic” pillows with cotton slips. In this case ‘Slips” is the appropriate word because as soon as my head hit the pillow it flew out of the slip and I ended up waking up to a pillow suctioned into my ear! I should say that I did not notice a ‘By-The-Hour’ sign when I rode up but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t one there.

Up early with very little sleep I was very happy to leave Wilcox behind me and get back on the road. The only ‘event’ on the ride to SD occurred as I entered Gila Bend. Approaching an over-pass over I10 I noticed a dust storm. You know the kind … they look like small tornadoes of dust swirling. Since it was directly in front of me and covered the road I had no option but to ride through it but how bad could it be after all it was only 15 to 20 feet wide? Well the darn thing knocked me sideways and I swerved literally 4 or 5 feet. It was just like hitting that sudden cross wind when you pass a big rig only worse. I will be sure to avoid any of these I see in the future!

I arrived at the Vagabond Motel in San Diego around two in the afternoon and was met by Hoagy and three or four other riders who were jaw slacking out front. What a welcome. It was like a home coming. After a big hug from Hoagy he introduced me to the rest of the guys. There was Doug on his Harley and Wade, Keith, Ray, Bill and Mike all on various years of Honda Goldwings with Rays being the oldest - 1996. The guys had just finished ‘flushing’ Bill’s Goldwing after he had accidentally filled up with Diesel. (As the gas companies move to more and more pumps dispensing BOTH diesel and gas they need to do something to make this less likely than just making the diesel dispenser green!). Of course I promptly forgot everyone’s name but it didn’t matter. They were all such nice guys. Anthony and Kirsten were coming in from Florida and would be arriving at the hotel sometime Thursday morning and Greg would meet us at the Gas station on Thursday evening so there would be 11 of us setting off for Jacksonville. I had Hoagy sign my ending witness form for the BB1500 and then checked-in and unpacked the bike. Hoagy and some of the guys left to go Kayaking and I stayed behind. I just could not see my butt sitting on a plastic seat in the middle of the sea for an hour and a half after sitting on my bike for 10 hours and 700 miles earlier in the day. Wednesday evening we rode a couple of miles to a wonderful Mexican restaurant and upon returning to the motel we spent an hour or so chatting in the hot tub before I retired for the evening; exhausted but very happy.

Fortunately the Vagabond is a wonderful motel with regular pillows and I slept like a log. At 7:00AM I was up and out and met Hoagy outside the hotel reception area where we waited for the CCC100 riders.

First to arrive at the end of the first leg of the CCC100 was Anthony on his “new-to-him” FJR. He arrived safe but very, very tired. This was only the second long distance ride that Anthony had attempted. He had completed the required SS1000 just the week before and was now attempting over 4,600 miles in 100 hours on his FJR! I am amazed that anyone would choose the CCC100 for just their SECOND LDR ride but he is a very strong rider and had completed the first leg in just over 37 hours proving that he certainly has the skill and fortitude for some serious long distance riding. He had only one mishap on the way to San Diego when he had pulled over onto the shoulder while in the mountains for a brief break. California road work had decided that day to “oil” and “re-chip” the shoulders and as Anthony came to a stop he lost his footing on the recently oiled shoulder and laid the bike over on a camber. Too exhausted to right the bike himself he managed to flag down a passing motorist who gave him a hand. For a while the rear brake would not function but after some pedal pumps it came back so an air bubble must have been introduced into the system when the bike went over.

About an hour after Anthony had arrived, Kirsten rolled in on her beautiful 1200RT. If I had not known she had just ridden from Florida I would swear that she must live just around the block. I have no idea how anyone who has sat on a bike for nearly 40 hours can look so fresh. After a ride of just 24 hours my wife is insisting I take TWO baths and leave my clothes and boots outside! I would love to see Kirsten enter the IBR. She certainly has the riding skills to compete on a high level and I would love to be able to say that I rode once, albeit very briefly, with the first female winner of an IBR! Go Kirsten.

Anthony and Kirsten checked in and pretty soon everyone had retired to try to catch some sleep before departure time.

At 6:00PM we were all packed and rearing to go. All that is except Hoagy who I swear could sleep on a razor blade side ways and still insist he slept like a log. 6:30PM and Hoagy is up and 15 minutes later we are on the road and heading towards the starting point at the Exxon gas station where we are met by Mikes Daughter who is witnessing for everyone. A big “thank you” to Mike’s daughter from all of us … Thanks!

Greg arrives at the station on his Harley and several riders leave and get a quick snack before the start. Kirsten visits the beach for her vial of the ‘Pacific’ and Mike visits with his daughter while Hoagy and Ray are admonished by two SD police officers for smoking in a gas station! After a group photo, taken on at least 6 different cameras (Thanks Greg’s friend) and at precisely 8:00PM it is kickstands up and Hoagy is leading us back to I8 and out of San Diego. We are finally on our way.

Now Hoagy is a true rider’s rider and we do not take much time at all to exit San Diego and head into the mountains. It is here that the first rider ‘split’ takes place as those more adventurous amongst us go for the gusto and enjoy the sweeping curves. As Hoagy leads the way several riders keep up with him and some fall further back preferring to sit back and relax rather than a stint of semi-canyon carving. I am behind Kirsten who decides to pass two slower riders ahead to keep up with Hoagy. I am immediately on her tail as she sweeps around the curves on her RT and I try to keep station on my Yamaha Royal Star! Boy that girl can ride! It is not easy to keep up but I don’t lose too much ground and we are still together (now just six of us) as we hit the desert floor and head for our first stop in Yuma. The ride through the mountains is the highlight of my riding career so far and here is why: I have ridden a bunch of times on “group” rides and really do NOT like to ride this way because of the various levels of experience and skill inherent in a bunch of dissimilar riders associated with this type of ride. There is always a constant nagging thought that someone in the group is going to do something stupid or beyond their skill level and it is not going to turn out well, but this was different. This was a “group ride of one”. This was 10 riders with years and years of experience and super high skill levels who knew what they were doing and better yet, knew what each other was doing and what each other was going to do because of those same skill levels. Watching the tail lights of those 5 bikes in front of me snake lazily through the curves on perfect lines and in perfect harmony with the road and the dark night sky was poetic. No loud pipes disrupted the soft humming of the motors and everyone and everything was “one” with the ride. Perhaps some California rubbed off on me but words really cannot do justice to the feeling I had of ‘the perfect ride’ taking place. I hope one day to be able to experience this same feeling at least one more time but if I never do then I at least was fortunate enough to experience it once and that is one more time that most riders. Thank you to all my fellow riders on this trip. You truly gave me the most memorably experience of my riding career so far. Thank you!

By our second gas stop we were down to five riders in our group; Hoagy, Myself, Doug, Mike and Bill. Anthony was just too tired and stopped for a couple of hours nap to recoup and several other riders had decided to go it solo. I think we left Kirsten at the second gas stop still getting gas. As we rode through the next 24 hours or so we would meet up with, and then leave behind (or be left behind by), most of the riders but this group stayed pretty much together for the entire 24 hours.

I always carry my GPS on long distance rides as do a lot of riders. Not only are then a convenient ‘map’ of your route but they have the added benefit of letting you know when you go the wrong way. Hoagy needs a GPS! Leaving a gas station just east of Tucson Hoagy decided we needed to be traveling west … back to San Diego. Of course there were 4 other riders screaming at him to turn around and we did so before we hit the freeway but it is this sort of human error that can take a ride south in a hurry and even  though the ‘Re-calculating … Re-calculating … Re-calculating’ can get a bit obnoxious it certainly can save the day!
Another farkle I do not have is a CB radio. Most of the other riders, and all of the ones in our group except me, did have CB radios and were constantly chatting back and forth and with big rig drivers down the road. I am sure this made the time pass much more quickly and also gave a sense of really being a member of the group. I think my next bike MUST have a CB capability built in. (Goldwing?).

Anyone who registered and paid for the ride early received a gas can from Hoagy’s Heroes as a thank you. I took mine along for spare gas despite having an auxiliary tank in case someone else did have gas problems and I know one rider … Hoagy … who is very glad that that several people brought theirs as he ran out of gas not once, but TWICE! I think he was just trying to make a point of important it is to have spare gas with you on a long distance ride.

We had all watched the weather station back at the hotel and knew that the weather in Texas was iffy to say the least. For once the weather service was, unfortunately, right on target. At Ozona, TX some 200 miles west of San Antonio the sky turned dark and it was obvious that rain was in our future. Now Hoagy LOVES the rain. I am not sure if he likes to be wet or whether it cools him down or whether he thinks it will make him grow but he just loves it! I, however, as I said earlier, HATE the rain so I put on my rain jacket despite Hoagy’s protestations. As a small acquiescence to Hoagy I did decide to not put on the rain pants. This was a huge mistake as 30 minutes outside Ozona there was nothing but black sky ahead. I pulled up along side Hoagy and motioned that I was going to stop on put on the pants. Hoagy shook his head ‘No’ but I had made my decision and pulled off on the next exit, once again my safety first approach to all things riding as I refuse to stop on the side of the road or under an over-pass. Unfortunately this is another mistake as this is one of a very few freeway exits in Texas which does not have corresponding ‘on-ramp’. Instead I was routed about 10 miles through back roads before I could get back onto the freeway. Had I known this I would probably have entered the freeway from the ‘off ramp’. By the time I got back onto I10 the rain was falling so hard that I could barely see. It seems that the Royal star leg guards are designed in such a way as to deflect the wind into a perfect upward direction so as to force rain drops up into your helmet from below and onto the inside of the visor AND glasses. I am in effect looking through 5 layers or rain drops! Now do you understand why I hate riding in the rain? We had rain off and on all the way through Kerrville and on into San Antonio which we hit just in time for rush hour. At times the rain was little more than a drizzle and I was able to dry out the inside of the visor enough to restore some semblance of vision but at other times the rain came down so hard that visibility could only be improved by traveling fast enough to use the wind to blow the rain off the visor at least off the outside. This is not my preferred way to ride … To INCREASE speed in adverse conditions seems counter-intuitive to safety but the only alternative was to stop on the side of the freeway and this would have been, in my opinion, much more dangerous.

By the time we reached San Antonio we were all soaked through and through. We could not have gotten any wetter if we rode naked through a swimming pool. The rush hour in San Antonio proved to be not as bad as we expected and the weather cooperated by being a light drizzle while we rode through town. That all changed when we left San Antonio to the East as the weather gods made up for our respite from the rain by throwing it down. Now I have heard of “Toad/Frog Strangler” but this was a “Duck Sinker”! (My wife gave me the nickname Big Duck, as in like Baby Huey, because of my klutziness at home which is why Duck Sinker is such a good fit). It truly sank my spirits.

By the time we reached Flatonia we were only 110 miles from Houston and 150 miles from our BBG end in Wallisville and, despite the weather, we were still on pace to complete the BBG in 22 hours but I had had enough. I did not want to ride a mile further than I had to. I did not feel safe anymore and my attitude towards riding was not conducive to a safe and fun ride. I told Hoagy that I was going to pull out of the BBG and that completing the CC50 would depend on the weather forecast. I had accomplished the most important goal and that was to meet Hoagy and the rest of the guys in San Diego and then get to ride with them. Adding a BBG would have been a bonus and I was really disappointed to potentially be missing the CC50 but the iron butt certificate(s) were not now, and never would be, a goal in itself. I live just 15 miles south of I10 and I was going to turn off at Katy and head for home where I could dry out and sleep in my own bed. There was a certain amount of Déjà vu as the first time I had tried to hook up for a ride with Hoagy I had also had to pull out half way through as I ran into Gustav trying to get to Hoagy’s house and ran 400 miles in torrential rain before throwing in the towel.

 I told Hoagy that I would check the weather in the morning to see if I would continue on to Jacksonville but that if the weather was more of the same (which I would have to contend with both going to, and then returning home from Jacksonville) then I would call off my CC50 attempt. It was a very sad moment for me but also very freeing. It is a testament to Hoagy and to his understanding nature that he never once tried to convince me to continue with the ride.

We left Flatonia and for the first time in 300 miles I saw and end to my misery. I would soon be home, have a nice hot bath and some good food and then be sleeping in my own bed with my own non-plastic pillows and my beautiful wife warming my cold, cold bones. Tomorrow would come and I would check the weather forecast and it would dictate where I laid my head the next night but for tonight I would be safe and warm and DRY!

All these thoughts were running through my head as I saw the brake lights up ahead. Everything came to a complete stand still. Somewhere ahead of us there must be a wreck. If we could not get passed this mess fairly quickly the chances for a BBG for the other riders would be in jeopardy so I suggested riding the hard shoulder. Hoagy said he would if I would lead so that’s what we did. We did not get more than 400 yards before the road was totally blocked and there was no going any farther. We turned off the bikes, put down the side stands and prepared to wait for who knows how long. As we stood on the side of the road the weather gods smiled on us and stopped the rain. We found out through a trucker and some CB communications that a tanker had jack-knifed and taken out a car and was completely blocking the entire eastbound side of the freeway. We also saw the life-flight helicopter come in for a landing about a mile in front of us. Seeing the helicopter brought home the current situation and although I am not particularly religious I did say a little prayer in thanks that it was not one of us being taken out of there on a gurney. With the weather and conditions as bad as they were earlier it so easily could have been any one of us. The wreck must have been very bad as we sat/stood on the side of the ride for over an hour before we got moving again. By this time the BBG was a mere memory of the past. There was no way that anyone could ride the remaining 90 miles in 75 minutes before the deadline passed. I felt very sorry for the other riders but we all agreed that it is the ride and company that counts and not the certificate.

I arrived home just before 10:00PM CST (24 hours after leaving San Diego) and confirmed with heavy heart that the other guys could not make the BBG as they had 90 miles more to travel to get the 1,500 miles than I had to get home. After un-packing and having the required two bath minimum after a long ride I called Hoagy to let him know I was home safe and to make sure that they were safe also. They had stopped for a final receipt at the 1,500 mile mark but did not make the 24 hour deadline. They were going to continue on to Beaumont where they would find a motel and rest for the night before continuing on to Jacksonville on Saturday morning.

On Saturday morning I awoke and checked the weather forecast. It showed a single storm running all the way from Houston to Jacksonville. I would have to deal with this storm both going to Jacksonville and then coming back home to Stafford if I were to continue my attempt at the CC50. I did not want to ride in the rain anymore and called Hoagy with my decision. I then sat down to write this report and track Hoagy and the others through the rest of their journey to Florida. Go Hoagy! Go!

Epilogue:

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2008 Back to Back SaddleSore
That Never Was!

 

Story by:

Bob "Bigduck" Tobitt

 

So Where to begin. I suppose I should start with how I met Hoagy in the first place. It all starts in January 2008. I had done a couple of IBA rides, an SS1000 and a BBG1500 in 2007 and was surfing the web looking for information regarding long distance riding. I had already decided that I would ride Stafford, TX to Jacksonville, AFL in March for the IBA ride-in Pizza party when I found the Hoagy's Heroes website and contacted Hoagy through email. Hoagy doesn't like email so we started conversing by phone and when I told Hoagy I was riding in for the IBA Pizza party he immediately said that if he could get the time off work he would be there also just to meet me and a couple of buddies! After all it was only 900 miles from Hoagy’s home to Jacksonville. A mere jaunt for someone of Hoagy’s LD prowess.

So March 3rd arrived and I setoff with a couple of buddies for Jacksonville (with a small detour south at Lake City to Gainesville to make it a full 1000 miles). I wasn't sure what to expect of Hoagy except that I knew I would be meeting someone with a common interest and a seemingly boundless energy for the kids and veterans his organization supports. It is funny how you mind applies pictures to people you have never met. I was sure that Hoagy would be a big man and I was totally correct except ... he is a big man, with a big heart in a surprisingly small package. It wasn't very difficult to pick him out from the crowd, even if he hadn't been wearing his Hoagy's Heroes tee shirt. Hoagy is just Hoagy and no-one is quite like him.

Anyway. That is how I met Hoagy originally and it was at the IBA party that Hoagy talked about his SS2000 mile he was running in September and was I, and my two buddies, interested. Sure Hoagy! I was looking for an excuse to add an SS2000 to my list of rides and other than a RAT I had organized for May 2008 I had no other LD rides planned.

When I got home I checked with the better half and she had no problem since I would be going with a couple of buddies up to Hoagy's and then joining Hoagy for the SS2000 and then I would ride back with the same buddies. In fact I planned a route from Stafford (home) via Jacksonville,  Florida and up to Hoagy's and then a pretty straight shot back so that I could get in an SS5000 (5,000 miles in 5 days) while at the same time doing the SS2000 with Hoagy. Well the best laid plans of men and mice as they say...

The first thing that went awry. Some 6 weeks prior to the ride both of my buddies bowed out. The price of gas had increased so much that the ride I had planned was just too expensive. My wife was not very excited about me riding 5,000 miles on my own to say the least but some gentle persuasion (from both me and Hoagy) and the purchase of a SPOT tracker so she could track me on the entire ride, and she finally acquiesced to let me go. I also decided that since this would be my first solo LD ride I would also invest in a very in-expensive GPS unit. No bells and whistles, no way points, but it would let me know if I took a wrong turn. This is quite important to me as I have been known on more than one occasion to miss a turn and ride for 5, 10 or 50 miles before I realize my mistake!

As the weeks started to slip by I got more and more excited, and nervous. This would be my longest ride by far and it would also be the first LD ride I would do solo (at least 3,000 miles of it would be solo). Then at the end of August the weather gods sought to conspire against me with Hurricane Gustav which at times was predicted to hit South East Texas and at other times was predicted to miss the area by hundreds of miles. At this time I was talking almost daily with Hoagy and trying to apologize in case I could not make it. Hoagy, gentleman and friend that he is, argued that I could not leave my family with a potential disaster on the Horizon. I felt terrible and started to plan alternate routes just in case the Hurricane missed us in Texas and instead went east to Louisiana but I wasn't too hopeful. This alternate route would take me from home in Stafford, TX to Waco, TX then Oklahoma City and on to Saint Louis and then over to Hoagy’s via Louisville and Charleston (so that I did not have to run I70 multiple times.

Hurricane Gustav was nice to me and veered off and hit close to the Louisiana/Texas border but far enough away that we did not get any real storm. It then headed off north in-land and was predicted to take a right hand turn to the east just south of Dallas. My 'New' route would clear Gustav easily and I was back on for the ride. I called Hoagy and told him I was setting off at 2:00 Wednesday morning. I then spent the next day after the storm packing, un-packing and then re-packing for the trip. According to the weather forecasters I would avoid Gustav completely but I would have the potential for some showers! SHOWERS they say!

Tuesday evening I am in bed by 7:00PM and trying to sleep. I have everything packed on the bike, I have checked and double checked the SPOT, my cell phone and, of course, my Ipod (I cannot ride anywhere without some music).The alarm is set for 1:30AM and despite my excitement I fall into a deep sleep. My fantastic wide stays up and has a cup of tea (very important to an X-Pat like myself) ready for me when I wake up. At 1:55 I am on the road and down to the local Shell station for my first fill-up and first receipt (Remember I am going for an SS5000 as well as the SS2000 with Hoagy).

Everything is going fantastic and I am making great time. I see no deer and I am convinced this has more to do with my accompaniment of the music on the Ipod than to the Deer Scarer (attractor?) I have on the bike. By the way I ride a 2006 Yamaha Royal Star which I have modified with extra tail lights, Driving Lights, PIAA Spot Lights (I like to be seen) and a TourTank 2.5 gallon auxiliary gas tank. My Ipod, Spot and GPS are in the map pocket of the tank bag. At Waco I stop to fill up and grab a quick smoke. The wind has picked up quite a bit since I left but the night is clear and cool.

As I head north on 35 from Waco the night is beautiful and with the exception of the wind the riding is just about perfect BUT ... by the time I get to Cleburne, just south of Fort Worth, I have to ride at a fairly steep angle just to keep the bike in a straight line. The wind has really started to pick up and I really have to muscle the 750lb Yamaha. I continue on and cross the Oklahoma Border and on to Ardmore where the first few rain drops hit the windshield. It's probably just a passing shower (remember the weather forecasters?) and it will pass, or I will be through it, very shortly.

In the perfect world, good thoughts should lead to good conditions but it is not to be. Less than 5 miles north of Ardmore I have to pull over to put on wet gear. Well it can't last long can it? YES! The rain just got harder and harder and by the time I got to Oklahoma City I could barely see more than 50 yards ahead. I missed my turn onto the OK Turn Pike (44) but my GPS comes to the rescue and a couple of right hand turns followed by a left and 5 miles and I am back on track. I stop for gas and reluctantly put the tank bag cover on. This means that I have no GPS but I still have music. The rain is still falling in sheets. I am cruising at about 70-75 MPH and I am being passed continually by 18 wheelers. Every time one passes I am blinded for a few seconds by the spray. Then The IPOD quits working but I cannot fix it because it is under the tank bag cover and since this is a toll road there is no where convenient to pull off/over. Now long distance riding is supposed to be both fun and safe. This ride is not the fun I was expecting and now it is becoming down right dangerous. The am not convinced that the 18 wheelers could even see me. The only thing for it is to speed up to make sure they do not pass me. This works surprisingly well and avoids the danger I have been feeling but I am not exactly a daredevil and riding at high speed in the rain is not something I would recommend to anyone. Still, I have given my word to Hoagy and I am determined to make it to Hoagy's home. Just south of Sapulpa I have to pull off and change gloves. Although the temperature is not too bad the constant wet on my hands is making my hands go numb. I get back on the road but after just 50 more miles I have to pull off again to put the rain mittens on that I had forgotten to use back at Sapulpa. 50 Cents to get off and save the receipt so that they give you 50 cents back when you get back on. Easier said than done when wearing full MC gear, Rain gear, Wool gloves covered by leather gloves with rain proof mittens over these (Why didn't I put the mittens on earlier ... I have no idea).

Back on the road and the rain just seems to get thicker and thicker but I finally make Joplin MO. I try to find a 'covered' gas station with no luck but I eventually find some cover under the eaves next to the station. At least here the rain is not driving straight at me.

While I am trying to decide what to do a trucker engages me in conversation and asks where I am heading. When I say to Moundsville, WV via St. Louis he lets me know what I am in for. From here to Saint Louis there is nothing but rain. Its a shame, he says, that I am not going the other way as I would be out of the rain in just a few miles! I am tired. I am cold. I am wet to the core and I am not having any fun at all dodging the 18 wheelers who seem intent on driving me off the road. I have over 780 miles to go to get to Hoagy's. I am only half way there. I decide to call it quits. I have ridden 765 miles since I left home this morning and over 500 miles of that have been in torrential driving rains and wind. I am just not meant to make it to Hoagy's for the SS2000 today. I feel totally defeated and, even worse; I feel I have let down Hoagy. I call the wife to let her know I am turning around and will probably stop at here brothers just south of Fort Worth for the night if he will have me. I then call Hoagy and with a lump in my throat let him know I cannot make it. I do not mind admitting that I was pretty choked up about my decision. The gentleman that Hoagy is he completely understands. He is sad that I won’t be there but understands immediately that to carry-on with the weather and my current mind set would just not be safe.

SO I turn around and head back towards Oklahoma City. As I near Tulsa the rain has stopped and the sub is almost trying to peak through the wispy clouds that remain. Riding on and into sunshine some hour later and riding is fun again. I am still wet but I am drying out slowly. At Ardmore I call my wife's brother, plug his address into the GPS and set off. I make it back to his house just after 11:00PM. When I get to his house I have ridden nearly 1,300 miles in just over 21 hours. Very nearly a BBG pace despite (or because of) the weather.

The next day I get up to a cooked breakfast and then head off home (the long way) on a bright, sunny, warm Thursday morning.

When I get home I got on the Internet immediately to find out what happened and why I had such nasty weather. Hurricane Gustav had come on land and headed north just like expected BUT instead of turning right at Dallas the tropical storm headed further north and had, in fact, mirrored by entire route. I had ridden into and then in the middle of, a tropical storm for 500 miles!

Epilogue: They always say that the wise rider knows when to call it quits and I like to think that I made the 'wise' decision even though I felt like a quitter at the time. Hindsight is 20/20 and I can honestly say now that I did make the right decision. To continue on when it is not fun is not the right thing to do and I am more convinced each day that passes and each day that I get to enjoy riding, that to continue would have only ended in disaster somewhere. Like they say, the wise guys live to ride another day. Hoagy will continue to setup rides and continue to raise money for worthy causes and, when the planets align, I will be right there with him. Hopefully on the CC50 in 2009. See you then Hoagy!

Thanks for reading this.

Bob (Bigduck)

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CCBB Trip report:

(Includes an SS2K and an SS5K in completely separate legs)

This trip has taken months and months to organize and plan. From a seed of an idea back in July/August of 2008 and after some correspondence with Mike Kneebone the idea to run a new IBA ride which encompassed both a Border-to-Border AND a Coast-to-Coast in the same run gradually blossomed into a real ride! According to MS S&T the trip would be 3,750 miles long (Shortest distance). When I first suggested the ride as a new ride to Mike Kneebone his response was; “Yeah, That’s TWISTED”, so the new ride would be called the TWISTED CCBB Insanity and would have two levels; a standard level over 4 days (96 hours) and a Gold level over 3 days (72 hours). The ride would leave Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, proceed through the US and end in Rosarito, Mexico thus ensuring that all three countries and both oceans were visited in the same ride!

 

 

The overall planning took a very long time and encompassed a lot of issues with which I had to deal and which I had never had to worry about on any other rides. I had never dealt with a multi-day trip which would cover three countries and over 8,500 miles but then again how man y of us have?

The first order of the day was to determine when I would attempt the ride so that I could check make sure that passports and insurances would be valid and that witnesses would be available at the start end.

Memorial Weekend seemed like a great time. The plan would be to leave from Stafford, TX on the Thursday before Memorial Day and arrive in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the Sunday evening so that I could have the bike serviced by a local dealer on Monday morning (No Memorial Day in Canada!), obtain the required witnesses in Halifax Monday afternoon, and then start the CCBB ride late on the same evening. The CCBB ride would basically be done on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with final witnesses obtain late Thursday evening. This would then give me Friday and Saturday to make it home so I could rest on Sunday (Even God rested on the 7th day) and be ready for work on Monday!

Just getting to Canada required some extra planning as the ride from Stafford to Halifax would require an overnight stay on Friday evening (We would ride through Thursday evening) and then a second stay for Saturday evening. Hoagy Carmichael insisted that we stay with him both on the way up to Canada AND at the end of the first leg of the CCBB. As an incentive he threw in a famous Hoagy Steak for our stop-over going up and then pizza and an offer to do our laundry (so that we could minimize our luggage) at the end of the first leg of the CCBB. How could we refuse such generosity? Those of you fortunate enough to be able to call Hoagy a friend (which is anyone who has ever met Hoagy) know what I mean when I say he is one in a million. Those of you who have not met Hoagy yet should make a point of getting to meet him either through one of his sponsored long distance rides for charity or through his web site (www.hoagysheroes.org). Hoagy I owe you a huge steak dinner the next time you get to Texas.

The plan would be to leave Hoagy’s on Saturday morning (4:00AM) and ride to Moncton where we would stay over night (Saturday evening) before hitting the Cabot Trail and then Halifax on Sunday prior to starting the Twisted CCBB on Monday evening.

 

To obtain witnesses I contacted some IBA members through the MTF Tourer’s Assistance Database via email. Alan Archibald (Halifax) and Leslie and Jamie Edmonds (San Diego - photo on Right) very kindly offered their assistance in witnessing for this ‘new’ ride which I was keeping secret as I wanted to be the first rider to obtain IBA certified completion. I cannot thank Alan and Leslie and Jamie enough. Alan agreed to witness despite having to make a three hour journey EACH WAY just to witness and Leslie and Jamie threw in an offer to bunk with them at the end of the ride. To all of these people I owe a huge debt of gratitude. They are exceptional people and wonderful friends to the LDR community. Alan, Leslie and Jamie I cannot thank you enough for your assistance and support for this ride. Thank You!

So the plan was solidifying:

Friday:              Stafford to West Virginia
Saturday:          West Virginia to Moncton, Canada
Sunday:            Cabot Trail (Postponed) then Halifax
Monday:           Service Bikes, Obtain Witness for CCBB
Tuesday :          1st Leg of CCBB
Wednesday:     2nd Leg of CCBB
Thursday:         3rd and final leg of CCBB
Friday:              Head back to Texas (leg 1)
Saturday:          Arrive back in Texas

Additionally I planned on an SS2K on the ride up to Canada and an SS5K incorporating the CCBB and the return ride home. Then things fell apart just a little. A good friend, Lonnie Dickens, was making the ride with me. 4 weeks prior to the ride Lonnie was admitted into hospital with gastro-intestinal problems and was not released until a week later. Then one week before the ride was supposed to start, Lonnie’s wife was admitted to hospital and was kept in for 4 days. The ride would have to be postponed OR I could do the ride on my own. There was no decision to be made. This ride was planned for the two of us and I would not leave on the ride until we could both make it!

A quick look at the calendar showed that the July 4th weekend would be a great alternative. I checked with Hoagy, Alan, Leslie and Jamie and they could still make the new dates. I checked my passport and insurance and they were still valid and the Mexican insurance I had already obtained could be transferred to the later date. It was set. The ride would now take place in the first week of July instead of the last week of May. Then, just three weeks before the July setoff date, I was admitted into intensive care for a week with a nose bleed that would not stop and which flowed like a faucet! That’s right ... Intensive care for four days for a NOSEBLEED! How stupid do I feel? Fortunately the diagnosis was a burst artery behind my nose and NOT blood cancer and after some minor surgery and some discussions with the ENT doctor it was agreed that making the trip would not be a problem. It was back on!

The documentation

Entering and exiting Canada and Mexico now requires a full passport or one of the new passport cards. I already had a passport b ut the card is much easier to use at the border crossings so I applied for one of these also.

My riding buddy had neither so he applied for both. Now we needed valid insurance. I use progressive and my riding buddy uses AAA but both supplied us with Canadian proof of insurance cards at no cost. For Mexican insurance I knew we would purchase the insurance just prior to the border crossing but this would take valuable time which I did not think we would have so I ordered my insurance on-line (as did my buddy) from www.mexpro.com. Fortunately I have no way of reporting on the value of either the Canadian or the Mexican insurance as I did not have to use them.
Final documentation consisted of the witness forms and so I had everything in order.

I am a very conservative rider so before I left on such a long trip I also wanted to make sure that I would have medical coverage to return to Houston/Stafford in case of emergency and also to know that my bike would also be taken care of in case of accident. To this end I also signed up with Medjet Assist. Their website is www.medjetassistance.com. I have heard both positive and negative reports on their services but again I was fortunate to NOT have to use them so cannot give personal recommendations.

The last thing I checked was to make sure that my Spot Tracker subscription was valid through the trip and also set the trip up on the MTF spot tracker service offered by Jason Jonas at www.jasonjonas.org/spot so that the en tire trip would be saved and could be used as supporting documentation if I was able to complete the ride and submit it to the IBA for verification.

The final thing I wanted to get before we left on the ride was an EZ-PASS for the northeastern states. I had been warned by Hoagy about the number of turnpikes in this part of the US and he was 100% correct. By searching around the Web I was able to determine that for me the best fit was an EZ PASS from New York state as it has no annual membership, no minimum usage charges AND offers a 50% discount on NY tolls for motorcycles. I ordered my EZ Pass through the web at www.e-zpassny.com. I am only guessing but I would estimate that having an EZ PASS saved us at least 2 hours on the trip.

 

The Bikes

I would be riding my 2005 Yamaha Royal Star and Lonnie would be riding his ‘no IBA ride prior’ 2008 Victory Vision.

 

The two of us, while not expert Long Distance Riders by any means do have a couple of SS1000s, A BBG and a RAT Insanity Gold each so we had some idea what we were letting ourselves in for.

The Riders

Lonnie Dickens (In the distance is the weather over the Cabot Trail which is one reason we did not get to ride it).

 

 

 

 

 

Me – Bob (Bigduck) Tobitt at the welcome center in Nova Scotia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 1

July the 2nd arrived. I had had the bike completely serviced and had the fluids replaced and new tires mounted. The 2005 Royal Star was positively bucking in the garage to get on the road. Months of planning and organizing were coming down to the next 10 days but I was confident. Now anybody that knows me will tell you that I am anal about the details. I had mapped and remapped the entire ride and more specifically the SS2K, CCBB and SS5K, over and over and created spreadsheets detailing all stops and leg mileages, average speeds, required arrival and departure times … etc. I doubt more planning went into putting men on the moon. I mean I had it ALL. I had pretty pictures and spreadsheets and checklists and maps and diagrams out the wazoo! I had planned, checked, re-planned and double-checked the entire trip. I had tried to foresee possible issues and document solutions and alternate routes. I had northerly and southerly routes worked out in case of bad weather. I had alternate border crossings into Mexico in case of issues at individual crossing points. I had emails with telephone numbers and photo-copies of insurance forms, passports, IDS … etc. Did I mention that I also had checklists and documented procedures for all kinds of events along with maps and spreadsheets for the entire trip?

The first leg of the overall trip was from my home in Stafford to Hoagy’s place in Moundsville, WV. This day would cover just over 1,350 miles. I left at 9:00 on Thursday evening after getting my wife and brother-in-law to sign the witness form fir the starting SS2K and expected to arrive at Hoagy’s house between 5 and 7 on Friday evening depending on my average speed. At this point I should mention that my highly detailed plans would have told me exactly what time I had expected to be in Moundsville. Oh, I still have them. In fact they are still exactly where I left them on my desk when I left to head to Hoagy’s! That’s right. Months and months of planning and literally days spent on MS S&T, routing and re-routing and developing alternative routes, and equal hours pouring over Excel spreadsheets detailing arrival, leg and departure times for each section of the overall ride had produced mounds of invaluable trip data and NONE of it would make the trip with me!!! The ONLY documentation I had packed was the starting and ending witness forms for the rides.

 

The one saving grace was that I had at least thought to download the routes (To Canada and then the entire CCBB route) onto my Garmin Nuvi 750 GPS and I had the important phone numbers (for Hoagy, Alan, Leslie and Jamie and the bike shop in Halifax) plugged in as favorites into my phone but these would not replace my carefully planned and documented trip analysis. Of course I did not discover that my carefully detailed plans were missing until I went to retrieve them after I reached Hoagy’s place in West Virginia some 1,350 miles after I left home and just a little too far away to be turning around to recover papers. After my initial panic I realized that it was not the end of the world. I still had the basic routes entered into my GPS and as long as that did not go south then I would be OK.

 

 

DAY 2

The second day covered Moundsville to Moncton, Nova Scotia.  We left Hoagy’s just before 4:00AM:

 

This was a relatively short day of 1,160 miles and, leaving at 4:00AM from WV and with an expected uneventful ride  I fully expected be safely tucked up in a hotel bed in Moncton by midnight the same day. This leg was NOT un-eventful. After some fantastic riding down long sweeping curves on the PA Turnpike (my kind of riding) it was due east through New Jersey and into New York for a nice view of Manhattan.

Had it not been for terrible roads (potholes, grooves …etc) this would have been a nice ride but as it was this part of the ride was terrible. There cannot possible be worse ‘paved’ roads anywhere … (Famous last words – See 1A in Canada below!). From Manhattan it was due north on the Hutchinson River Parkway (another great ride) and then up the Eastern seaboard (495/95) through Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and into Maine. At Wells, ME we obtained ending witness signatures for an SS2K (Humble, TX to Wells, ME) and then proceeded on to Bangor. We had completed the SS2k in 43 hours with a 12 hour stop-over at Hoagy’s so we had managed BBG pace throughout.

At Bangor we had a decision to make. It had been suggested by serval MTF forum members and some other LD riders that a great ride was to turn right at Bangor onto 9 and take it to the border at St. Stephen and then 1A through Saint John and on to Moncton so at Bangor we turned East on  9 to the border rather than head further north to Houlton on 95. As it turned out this was the major mistake of the entire trip. By the time we got to the border we had been through heavy, heavy rain and when the precipitation cleared up it was replaced by fog which was very thick and getting thicker by the minute. The ride from St. Stephen to Saint John was atrocious. Visibility was down to just yards and there was major (MAJOR!) road works on 1A. At times the road would literally drop 8 inches straight down and you just knew that somewhere up front it would do the exact opposite! Ion fact the road conditions were so bad that they resulted in a cracked fender on my mates Victory Vision which required repair at Hoagy’s when we finally got back into the US. Now the Royal Star is a great touring cruiser but it was never designed for “Rough Roading” and muscling my way across 1A was no fun at all. The trip from Bangor to Moncton should have been a little of three hours. Because of rain, fog and road works this one leg took 7 hours! Needless to say this is not the route we took on our way back!

The ride to Moncton had taken so much out of us and caused such delays that we no longer had time to ride the Cabot trail on Sunday. As it turned out this was a blessing in disguise as the following photograph showing the weather to the East toward the trail can attest:

 

Day 3

Sunday afternoon found us in Dartmouth at the Day’s Inn after a short ride of just 160 miles. The rooms in this hotel have both an inside and outside door which is great for bikers as you can get your gear in and out easily and maintain a close eye on your bikes parked outside. By coincidence this was the hotel used by the MTF for the Trans-Continental Canadian ride some years back and the gas station next door was the starting receipt station for the same ride. If it is good enough for the MTF then it is certainly good enough for me!

 

Parked next to our bikes was a Goldwing with lots of farkles including a tail dragger extra fuel tank. Obviously this belonged to a compatriot in the LDR community and it was not long before we found out that the gentleman and lady in the room next to us was Roy Collins and his wife. Roy was an entrant and middle level finisher in the 1999, 2001 and 2003 Iron Butt Rallies.  Roy was merely “flower sniffing” with his wife and although we had different schedules we did get to chat for a few minutes before we had to part ways.

 

Late Sunday afternoon we setoff to Queensland Beach some 30 miles west of Halifax and the closest place to Halifax that I had been able to research which had access to a beach to obtain a tube of Atlantic Ocean water and Sand!

 

 

 

 

Day 4-5 The start of the CCBB

Early on Monday morning we rode over to Freedom Cycle Ltd in Halifax where I had pre-arranged to have the oil changed in both my Yamaha and Lonnie’s Victory Vision. These guys are a class act and had us in and out in no time flat. On the same note it ought to be mentioned that I have never met a group of people as welcoming and pleasant as the Canadians. Where ever we went they were a delight to meet. Thank you to all of you. Later in the morning we met up with Alan and his wife at the hotel and they signed our starting witness forms for both the CCBB and the SS5K.

Monday afternoon found us at a pub next to the hotel wolfing down “Fish and Chips” and talking about the ride to come. At 5:00PM we retired to the hotel where we tried to get some sleep before our scheduled midnight departure. (I had decided on Midnight as it gave us the best chance to avoid the dreaded 3:00AM to 5:00AM drowsies) while at the same time preserving as normal as possible sleep patterns for the remainder of the ride.

Sleep did not come easily or fruitfully and at 8:00PM we both decided that there was no point in laying awake trying to sleep and that leaving earlier than planned was not such a bad idea (especially given that I had forgotten all of my time dependant documentation anyway!). By nine thirty the bikes were packed and we were checking out of the hotel. At 9:52PM we got our first receipt from same gas station used on the Trans-Continental-Canada run by the MTF! Surely this is a good omen for the ride.

Riding back through Moncton we took 2 to Woodstock and the border crossing to Houlton where we picked up 95 down to Bangor, instead of the 1A and then 9 route to Bangor we had disastrously used just a couple of nights before. Moments after crossing the border however the rain started. Before leaving Texas, I had elected to put on my taller screen in case of bad winds (which I expected in West Texas, New Mexico and on into Arizona and California) BUT this screen also makes me virtually blind in rain and in driving rain I have no option but to proceed with extreme caution. Extreme caution was used for the next 460 miles!!!!!!! My riding partner had to lead most of the way during this leg as I was incapable of seeing enough distance to lead safely. This was the most exhausting riding, both mentally and physically, that I have ever encountered. These 450 miles took more out of me than 1,000 miles in Texas heat. This early into the ride and I was already questioning the wisdom of the attempt. If I was this tired after just 790 miles how would I fair over 3,000 miles more? Turning left at Hartford we headed west to Scranton and then on to Moundsville, WV. Because of the torrential rain we were now running 4 hours behind based on some very tricky mental arithmetic. It is amazing how accomplished the mind can get with math problems when one has hour-upon-hour of time to dwell on possible solutions.

By the time we got to Hoagy’s we had traveled 1,350 miles and were already 4 hours behind schedule, the day had taken it’s toll, we were both physically exhausted and mentally drained due to the rain we had encountered through a full 1/3 of the journey so far AND if we wanted to stay on schedule we only had 2 hours to rest up before we had to leave! Obviously this would NOT work and would be dangerous given our physical and mental condition so I decided to “Rob Peter to pay Paul” and took 4 hours of planned sleep time from Wednesday night and added them to Tuesday night giving us 6 hours of rest. I was hoping that I could make up at least some of the time on the next day’s ride. I set my alarm for 1:30AM and immediately fell into a deep and restful sleep. While we slept, Hoagy and his crew fixed Lonnie’s fender and washed, dried and folded our dirty laundry. What can I say about these guys? Hoagy and his crew looked after us and went way beyond the call of duty for the two of us. Thank you to everyone at Hoagy’s for everything you did including allowing me to be rude and go straight to bed without even any introductions! I promise I will make it up one day when I come up there just for a visit!

 

Day 6 – 2nd Day of CCBB

When the alarm went off I felt like a new man and was ready for the challenge of the next leg. Downstairs in the Irish Pub (Hoagy’s Man Cave of a Garage) Hoagy had already packed up our newly laundered cloths, given each bike the once over and cleaned our windshields. At 2:00AM we left Hoagy’s house and headed out onto the second leg. Our initial goal was to reach Vega, Texas (1,350 miles) with a secondary and more elusive goal of Albuquerque, NM (1,600 miles) figuring that the more miles we did on the second day the less we would have to do on the last day! What a day we had. Miles just shot past. No traffic. Minimal road works and next-to-no congestion! LEOs were everywhere but we never ventured more than 5 miles or so over the speed limit and tnhey left us alone. We took I70 through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri. Out of Missouri we took 44 down to Joplin and then it was onto the Oklahoma Toll Way (44) all the way to Oklahoma City. Out of the city on 40 and we were headed towards Amarillo almost before we knew it. We encountered very strong winds from the Texas state line all the way through Texas and into New Mexico. We had easily surpassed our first goal and ran straight through Vega and on to Albuquerque, NM. It was a great day of riding and very fast despite keeping the speeds within reason and at a limit designed to NOT attract LEO attention. In fact we rode the first 1,000 miles on this day in just over 14 hours and 30 minutes and the entire 1,600 miles in 24 hours flat. Easily BBG pace and had I known we would travel 1,600 miles in this leg I would have got witnesses for a BBG for this part of the ride. It was by far the greatest fun I had had since leaving my house just 5 days earlier. At Albuquerque my mental aerobics told me we had gained 2 hours back and could afford to rest for 5 hours but I convinced my riding buddy to accept just three hours as I had a sneaking suspicion that we would need this extra hour somewhere for some reason. (I think I may have a future as a seer based on this suspicion alone!).

Day 7 – 3rd and final day of CCBB

I awoke when my alarm went off after two and a half hours of very deep sleep. I immediately awoke Lonnie and we set about packing up the bikes. The look on the receptionists face was priceless when I strode in and handed in the room keys to check out after just three hours! At 3:48 we gassed up in Albuquerque and were on our way for the final leg west on I40 to Flagstaff were we turned south onto I17. I was feeling really good and I17 has to be one of the prettiest and nicest Interstate rides in the country with beautiful countryside and long sweeping curves. Phoenix (and the heat!) arrived in no time. We took 101 loop around Phoenix to US85/I10 and then US85 south to Gila Bend and I8. As the miles went past so the temperature climbed. 95, 96, 98, 100, 102, 105 …. By the time we were halfway to Yuma the temperature had peaked at 117 degrees and it stayed in the high teens all the way to the mountains and on into California. We were stopping every 120 miles or so … not for gas BUT for fluids. In the three or four hours we rode from Buckeye, AZ through to El Centro, CA I consumed at least 6 large bottles of Gatorade AND a 100 oz Camel Back.

NOTE ABOUT THE HEAT: I have been trying to convince my buddy that wearing a jacket in the heat is cooler than going without but have had no luck. This changed on the way back when he wore a fully leather jacket and a full helmet and agreed that the difference is remarkable! If you are still holding out that you cannot possible be cooler wearing a heavy jacket then please, please just try it once. You will NEVER go back to tee shirt riding again!

By the time we hit the mountains we were ready for some cooler temperatures and while not exactly cool, the low 100’s were a darn site better then the high teens. Yet again I was thrilled to be riding long sweeping curves. The ride across the range into California was just superb and I must admit to some exuberant speeds on occasion in this section. I had planned for a number of different border crossing points from as far east as Mexicali through Tecate and on to San Diego/Tijuana based on available time and potential border crossing issues and long lines at San Diego but after some more quick metal arithmetic I decided that we had enough reserve time to chance the crossing at Tijuana.

Although my GPS (Garmin 750) would not route me to Mexico I had her (Emily with a British Accent) route us to San Ysidro and then on to Mexico. Crossing the border into Mexico and then riding in Mexico were two things I had really worried about during the planning of the ride. I did not need to worry. As we were happily waved through the border into Tijuana I immediately saw a sign for the ‘Scenic 1D route to Rosarito’ which is the road I planned to take. I had absolutely no problems either crossing the border or navigating around this part of Mexico and we very soon found ourselves on the toll way (2 dollars per bike) on the “Scenic” route. This was very, very disappointing. The views of the ocean are spoilt by construction and the road itself is very dirty. This is NOT a road I would recommend to anyone other than as a way to get from point A to point B!

We took the ‘Norte’ exit into Rosarito and were rewarded with a Pemax Gas station right on the exit and for which we had to do a ‘U’ turn but which gave us our final gas receipt. We had completed the new CCBB in 71 hours and 10 minutes! 50 minutes to spare on a 3,750 mile journey! Back out of the gas station and down the road into Rosarito I found a turning on the right which took us between two hotels and on to the beach where I promptly dropped the bike while at a stand still! My buddy, otherwise preoccupied, was totally unaware of my plight so I discovered that a 180lb weakling can pick up an 850lb bike even on soft sand! A walk of about 100 yards bought us to the waters edge with lots of very strange glances from the sun-bathers on the beach when they saw the two of us in riding gear and boots walking down to the water! A couple of quick photographs to preserve the moment in history and we had our vials of Pacific Ocean and Sand. I had corresponded with Leslie and Jamie Edmonds regarding being our final witnesses and they had volunteered to allow us to stay with them for the night. I had sent them our spot track page and I knew they were tracking us but I tried to call from Mexico to let them know we were close but I could not get a call to go out.

This was the first time my friend had been out of the country … EVER! And he did not want to stay in Mexico any longer than he had to so with our precious cargo of water and sand we were back on the bikes and heading north on 1D back to the US. Following the signs we made it back to the border crossing at Tijuana only to discover a tail back of about ½ mile of vehicles trying to cross. Now I had read that lane splitting is legal in California but I was not sure about Mexico but there was no way I was going to sit in line if I had the chance not to! Not even worrying about pulling in the highway pegs I tentatively started to split the lanes. It was like Moses and the red sea … Vehicles seemed to dive out of our way and within a couple of minutes we were the third vehicles in line to go through customs. I am not sure if this was excellent manners or just very scared drivers who, upon seeing two huge motorbikes in their mirrors, decided that discretion was the better part of valor but either way I strongly urge all of you who attempt this ride to lane split if you feel comfortable doing so!

It was just a short hop and skip to Leslie and Jamie’s house in San Diego. Leslie and Jamie have a great garage for LDR bike maintenance and both ride BMW RTs. Jamie and Leslie are accomplished Long Distance Riders and are exceptionally nice people who have witnessed for more than 40 riders on CC rides. My thanks to both of them for their outstanding hospitality.

 

Day 8 – The final legs

Early the next morning (well at about 8:30AM actually) we were up and ready to get back on the road for our final leg back to Texas.

This is a picture of Lonnie packing his bike for the return trip.

We made a short detour to Wally-World to get a gel seat for Lonnie (Monkey Butt was starting to take it’s toll), A new GPS audio cable, for me, and to stock up on Gatorades and Ice for the desert crossing we were not looking forward to. We both completely filled our camel backs with Gatorade and ice and packed the rest into a flexible cooler on my bike and then it was back onto I8 for the ride through hell.

The temperature going back on I8 to I10 through the desert was no better than our trip the previous day. The temperature hovered around 116 degrees for HOURS and occasionally hit 119 degrees. It was BLOODY hot!!!

 

 

 

At least while we were traveling we were able to generate a wind-draft which maintained some coolness. This time through the desert Lonnie was wearing a full leather jacket and a ¾ helmet with a full visor and agreed that the difference in comfort was amazing compared to the previous day when he wore a ½ helmet, no visor and a short sleeve tee-shirt!!!! (I was dressed as always in my mess jacket and modular HJC Symax-II helmet).

After three or four hours of riding in the desert the sky ahead darkened. Could it be rain? Bring it ON!!!! We did not even stop to put on rain gear. The rain was manna from heaven! Immediately the temperature dropped, not a lot but, enough to make us feel almost chilled. It was so pleasant we even pulled to the side of the road and stopped just to feel the cooling breeze on our face and arms. Suitable refreshed we continued on I8 to I10 and into Anthony, TX. We now had decision to make. We could stop here for a few hours and then continue on to home OR we could continue on to Van Horn and then stop and have shorter distance to travel the next day. Despite the rain earlier the desert and the heat had taken their toll on us and although we had only ridden a little over 700 miles we decided to stop in Anthony for the night. This also meant we would have daylight for the ride from El Paso to Fort Stockton and could take advantage of the higher speed limit (80 MPH) AND we would not have to deal with road rats during a nighttime drive to Van Horn. All-in-all I think we made a very wise decision.

Day 9 – The final leg home!

We left Anthony, TX at 3:30AM the next day. The ride along I10 is pretty boring and I have ridden it a number of times. The last time on an in-state BBG.

The only excitement came after we filled up in Fort Stockton and headed out. We had planned to gas up in Sonora but went straight through. After missing the final gas station exit I decided that we should be able to make the next gas station at Junction but it would be close. What I did not take into account was the increased speed. By the time we got to Roosevelt we were running on fumes and were very, very lucky to find a gas station just a mile off the road. In the oppressive heat it would have been no fun what-so-ever pushing an 850lb bike to a gas station!!!!!!

We completely filled the bikes at Junction and headed out with a next stop in Flatonia which marked the end of the SS5K. A quick fill-up, validate the information on the receipt and it was back onto the bikes for the final leg to home.

It never ceases to amaze mw how the body and mind react to the nearness of home. As the final miles melted away so did the previous 8,000 that we had ridden. All aches and pains disappeared and the ‘Why am I doing this?” thoughts were banished to the very darkest corners of my mind. I would soon be home where my eldest daughter had already gone to Starbucks to get my favorite Chai Tea, my two other kids and my wife were waiting with open arms and, dare I say, my entire family held an admiration for the task I had just accomplished. Even they knew the difficulty of this ride.

I had been successful. Not only had a developed a brand new ride but I had also completed an SS2K and an SS5K in addition. With the new ride I was now one of only two riders in the entire world who had ridden from the Atlantic Coast of Canada to the Pacific Coast of Mexico on a single documented ride of less than 72 hours. I am very, very proud of this accomplishment. I truly believe I can now say, for the first time, that I have joined the ranks of successful ‘long-distance-riders’.

Now I challenge all you long distance riders out there. Who will take up the gauntlet and run the ride from the Pacific/Mexican Coast to the Atlantic/Canadian Coast and who is brave (foolish?) enough to try the CCBB-BBCC (back-to-back CCBBs)? Anyone?

 

 

 

2008 Back to Back SaddleSore

 

Story by:

Bob "Ironwing" Wilson

I first started riding with Hoagy on a 500 mile Dawn to Duck run. While I was riding to sign up, I was thinking I can't go 500 miles without stopping, as I caught up to the last three riders leaving the sign in site for the run. But, from that point on it was ride, stop, get gas and go. Bill Yurisko filled us in on what we could expect on longer runs with Hoagy and what it took to get the IBA patch and pin at the end of the run. Well, I made it and after the run we had dinner, sat around and shot the bull, and had a great time and the best of all, I was hooked. Not to say that regular poker runs are not fun, but if you want to test yourself, your bike, and have an experience you'll never forget, ride with Hoagy and the awesome people who make up Hoagy's Heroes, Inc., and I guarantee you, just an ordinary poker run will no longer be enough.

I started looking forward to the 1000 mile run. I signed up and the run started at 2:00 am, I had just got off a 10 hour shift but was eager to get going. The first couple of hours were tough, it was dark, I was tired and almost ran out of gas (not good). But as we rode steady through the night and four different states I knew I would make it and once again it was awesome. This time, I was among the first four riders back and it felt great, not only finishing the ride but knowing that I was helping raise money for a great cause and I was a little part of the group of Hoagy's Heroes. Once again, great dinner and great conversation with some of the most "top shelf" people you will ever meet.

After that run, I got a call from Hoagy saying a few guys were going to ride to lunch, did I want to meet them at The Pub and go with them. Sure, but little did I know, we would end up in Monroe, Michigan for lunch. That's just the kind of guy Hoagy is, he loves to ride and when you go with him, you never know where you will end up, but its always a good time.

Next came the 2000 Miles in 48 hours run. We started in St. Clairsville at 8:00 pm, an hour and a half later, we hit the rain coming up from the hurricanes in the South for the next 8 hours, after that 3 hours of fog. After the fog lifted I couldn't believe that I was still upright, flat out ride, stop and get gas and lets get to gettin! All of us in a row, steady, heading for the edge of Kansas where we turned around and headed back to Illinois, all of wanting to get the IBA BunBurner Gold Pin, that was if we did 1500 miles in under 24 hours. Hoagy knew we wanted it so we "put them in the wind" and made the deadline by 6 minutes!

I guess to sum it all up, I started with the 500 mile run finished with the 2000, made a lot of great friends, raised some money for great causes and I am looking forward to the 2009 schedule, especially the Coast to Coast.

There are absolutely no limits when you ride with Hoagy and all the Heroes who do so much for charity. Thanks Hoagy for memories of a lifetime, I'm sure these won't be the last.

Bob "Ironwing" Wilson

Working out in Vegas right now, if anyone wants to ride, call me. (304) 559-6314

Why I chose to ride for Hoagy's Heroes, Inc.

 

Story by:

Gwen "Shoganai" Jorden

 

It started out as a vague feeling that gnawed at my comfort zone.

There was something missing. Something hard to define yet yearned to be expressed.

Motorcycling is a beautifully balanced dichotomy. It harmonizes the selfishly protected private helmet-time and the deep bonds of shared fellowship, unique among sports.

I was looking for something positive in motorcycling. Beyond some new road, or horizon, or toy for the bike. My heart was seeking something perhaps less selfish.

I needed to give something back and I wanted to use riding to do it if I could.

There were so many facets to this ride; I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the force that called me.

As a nurse, my life and profession has made me witness so much joy and heartache that I have found myself believing that life is the classroom and compassion is the lesson.

And what is compassion? Compassion is a sympathetic awareness of another's distress combined with a desire to alleviate it.

And if I could do what I said I would do and if doing that in some small way brought a smile to a suffering parent or dying child, then I thought I might find what I was looking for. Even though, if you asked me, I'm not sure I could name it.

The ride was about doing something that would help others. However, I do not believe there is any such thing as pure altruism. So for me, I sought some happiness, some joy, some, dare I say it, some self-satisfaction. I never realized it would be the genesis of so much giving and how much I would be on the receiving end. What I found was unexpected and beyond price.

I think Billy Joel said it best and the song haunts me more than I can express.
 
"I know I'm searching for something
Something so undefined
That it can only be seen
By the eyes of the blind
In the middle of the night"

Riding for Hoagy's Heroes helped me find many things. And I also lost some things as well. My ride also found its way into the hearts of riders and their compassion lifted me from the ashes and gave deeply of their time and money.

We are all heroes to someone, as some are our heroes.

Become a hero for one of Hoagy's kids.

You may find something out there you never knew you were looking for.

 

Ride with joy,

Gwen

 

2009 Hillbilly 1000 SaddleSore

 

Story by:

James D. Musgrave

Hello everyone, I just completed my second IBA sponsored Iron Butt 1000 miles in 24 hours ride on June 27th, 2009. I completed this ride in 17 hours and 1 minute flat. The ride was organized by Hoagy's Heroes Organization and took place entirely in the State of West Virginia. I would like to share some of my favorite experiences with other riders who may be thinking about doing a IBA ride and say thanks to the outstanding organizers, Hoagy's Heroes.

I first met up with Hoagy at the Holiday Inn Express in Morgantown located almost across the street from Triple S Harley Davidson, where the ride started. Let me say from the first hello, it was all hugs, handshakes and smiles. I was quite impressed with Hoagy's concern to meet and know all the participants by name. His appreciation for the riders was obvious because of his ability to address the riders by name throughout the ride. It was apparent all of Hoagy's staff, mostly family volunteers, had a true dedication to the cause they were helping out with. The entire staff was so very friendly and went out of their way to answer all questions. Everyone associated with Hoagy's staff including Hoagy himself, definitely has earned the Hero in Hoagy's Heroes.

This Iron Butt ride group was smaller than the last ride I participated in (April 2009). I think that is why I enjoyed it so much more. I met a great bunch of riders from the experienced IBA riders to the first timers. Everyone I met tried to welcome each other and shared interesting stories. West Virginia is where I was born and raised and it will always be home in my heart. Besides contributions and profits from this ride being donated to Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, I wanted to complete an IBA ride in my home state.

Other than some road spray due to an earlier rain shower close to Summersville, WV on US RT19, the weather was exceptional. It was nothing but sunshine and clear sky's throughout the entire ride. One thing about riding your motorcycle in West Virginia, the scenery is breathtaking and the curves in the roads were made for riding.

My favorite time on this ride was a 30 mile stretch out of Charleston, WV towards Beckley, known as the West Virginia Turnpike, on a section of Interstate shared by both I 64 and I 77. I'm happy to say I crossed this section of highway three times because Charleston, WV was an intersecting point to all the Interstates and the intersecting point to the different legs traveled on the course. This section of highway had the hills and curves that definitely challenged the rider at Interstate speeds without being too difficult. Being centrally located, this stretch of road put the excitement back into the run just at the time you needed it. The only thing that would have made it better would be if the ride was scheduled for the Fall color change in the leaves.

I was not the only rider that was a first timer to ride in an event organized by Hoagy's Heroes. I met a fellow rider named Marvin from Ohio. Not only was it his first time riding with Hoagy, it was his first IBA ride. We both hit it off right away and teamed up for the ride. Though Marvin and I spent the first leg of the ride trailing along with Hoagy's group, it was nice to break away from the pack and still know you had another rider with you, should something go wrong. In fact, a bunch of the riders became stuck up in Bluefield, WV because the gas stations that advertised to be open 24 hours were in fact not open 24 hours. I only bring this up because in my travels to find a gas station that was open, I thought it was ironic I passed a store front called the Hillbilly Trading Post while participating in the Hillbilly 1000.

Hoagy gave the riders a tip in advance of the ride. He knew the West Virginia Turnpike was a toll road. He suggested the riders use plastic sandwich bags to hold the proper amount of change in a bag for each toll booth. The bags made it easier to control the change and quickly pass it along to the toll booth operator. Most of the riders took Hoagy up on his suggestion. There were three toll booths along one pass of the West Virginia Turnpike. Each of the riders made four passes past each toll booth. If you can imagine, twelve times each rider gave a toll booth attendant a $1.25 bag of change. At first the operators seemed a little annoyed and confused as to why they were receiving so many bags of pre-counted change. As the day went on and all the bikers kept handing out bags of change, the toll operators started asking questions. By the last pass, the word had spread between the toll operators of our ride. It actually seemed as if they were enjoying the little bags of change and were passing along well wishes to all the riders.

I hope to participate in future rides with this great organization. What more can you ask for, you get to ride your motorcycle with a great group of people and contribute to a worthy Hoagy's Heroes cause to benefit children.

Hooked for Life: Appalachian Outreach 1000 mile Long Distance Ride

 

Story by:

Vincent Cirota

For most experienced long distance motorcycle riders and Iron Butt Veterans, much of what I am about to say will not be a surprise, but may be helpful for other newcomers to long distance riding.

No matter if you’re a newcomer or a seasoned pro, you will not forget the experience of riding 1000 miles within 24 hours. This is the story of my experience while riding my first (non-official) long distance ride with Hoagy Carmichael.

In the spring of 2008, I purchase a Kawasaki Ninja 250.  I soon found myself riding places that I have never been before.  The longest ride to date was 600 miles of mostly rural roads with some interstate miles.  I began searching the internet for some local riding clubs and other people who enjoyed long distance riding.  I became a member of the local CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) and rode some rides with them.  The CMA and other riding groups are great for people who want to stay nearby and support local riding, however, the thrill of long distance riding was missing.  I searched the internet for long distance riding groups located in my vicinity. My search brought me to the web site www.hoagysheroes.org, a long distance charity riding group which supports afflicted and less fortunate individuals who are in need.  After looking at the website, I composed an email stating that I was interested in participating with the Hoagy’s Heroes riding group.  The following day, I received a response from Hoagy Carmichael himself.  Hoagy warmly greeted me and invited me to meet and talk about long distance riding and the activities of Hoagy’s Heroes.  Within a week we made phone contact and began talking about future rides which are posted on the website.  I became aware that most long distance riders rode larger motorcycles like Harley's, Gold Wings, and BMW's.  Hoagy laughed and said “I would not ride that bike, but you can if you have enough stamina and endurance”.  I quickly began to modify my little 250 ninja to make it into a sport/touring motorcycle by ordering a touring windshield, cruise control, and mounting a GPS unit.  I also needed a new set of tires and a rack system to hold my luggage.  I became so preoccupied with transforming my motorcycle and learning everything I could about long distance riding, that I totally confused the dates of the upcoming ride.  The Hillbilly 1000 Saddle Sore was scheduled for June 27, 2009 which is an in-state West Virginia IBA world record ride.  The June 7, 2009 ride is a non-official charity ride contributing to Appalachian Outreach, Inc.  While talking to Hoagy on the phone, I confused the two upcoming rides and said “I’m so excited to ride the Hillbilly ride this weekend”.  Hoagy responded, “The ride is not this weekend but scheduled for June 27th”.

 
Being so excited and wanting to ride, Hoagy invited me to ride with him on the Appalachian Outreach, but first he thoroughly asked me questions and wanted to know my level of riding ability.  He said it is 90% attitude and the rest is ability to complete a ride like this.  After the onslaught of questions and promising him not to do anything stupid, Hoagy wanted to meet me in person and show me where he lived.  The little Ninja needed a new set of tires, so I was able to get new tires inflated with nitrogen gas and met Hoagy all in the same day.

Everything was planned and scheduled to leave from Moundsville, WV at 2am on June 7th 2009. 

See Appalachian Outreach 1000 route below.
 

Hoagy invited me to stay at his house to make sure I was well rested and ready for the ride. So, the bikes and riders were packed and ready for the upcoming 1000 miles.  We met Bobby, riding a Gold Wing, at the local gas station.  After filling up with gas and getting our receipts which showed the time (2am), location and amount of fuel, we started our march towards 1000 miles. FYI -Hoagy’s stops are quick so be ready when he saddles up.  This is a good time to try to describe Hoagy Carmichael.  Hoagy is a unique individual.  After meeting him once, you will not forget him.  It doesn't matter if he is dressed up as Hoagy the Hobo or without the costume.

This is the face of an extremely friendly and warm individual.  In short, he is a people person.  It doesn’t matter who you are, he will always leave you feeling better than when you arrived.  Even on a motorcycle traveling at speed, his personality shines through to passing cars and onlookers.  No matter where he goes, Hoagy will always leave you better than you were.  And when he leaves, you will know it.  The sound of the Harley and the colors of his garb quickly advance to next traveling vehicle and curious onlooker.

Back to the ride: We were traveling on I-70 west.  The little Ninja 250 is tucked in between a Harley and a Gold Wing.  The pace is set by Hoagy, while Bobby is prompting me to keep close. The moon was full and I quickly found myself struggling to keep my helmet in place.  The force of the air was causing my helmet to ride high on my head.  We traveled approximately 170 miles before stopping to refuel.  I found out that my helmet was too large, so Bobby gave me an insert to make the helmet fit snugly.  By this time, Hoagy was riding around the gas pumps blowing his air horn and saying “Lock and Load em…. Let’s go!”  Back on Interstate I-70 westbound, next stop in another 170 miles.  This stop was a little longer due to the restroom situation.  There was a bunch of women outside the women’s bathroom door.  I didn’t think why, so I proceeded to go into men’s restroom.  I opened the door and to our eyes’ surprise, we saw Hoagy standing in front of the urinal. I froze with the door open wide, while the women looked and laughed.  I quickly closed the door while the women were laughing and asking questions about Hoagy and the ride.  The gas stop took much longer than planned, so we knew we needed to pick up the pace.

Back on the interstate, it was now almost dawn.  The low lying fog and dew was a sight to see.  The cool night was behind us as we pushed forward around Indianapolis, Indiana.  We stopped another time or two and quickly refueled.  The lost time was quickly recovered by the pace of our leader.  The GPS unit was keeping track of our average traveling speed.  All I can say is we were at a pace of a Bun Burner Gold, which is 1500 miles in 24 hrs.  After the fuel stop we proceeded and followed our leader.  I noticed that the direction had change from the previous planned route.  I didn’t question it, but just kept pace with our leader.  Traveling approximately 5 miles, Bobby communicated with Hoagy via the C.B. and told Hoagy we were going the wrong way.  We stopped at the next exit and quickly got back to the planned route.  Even seasoned veterans can make a rare error in direction.

The miles and the views kept coming and going.  The sights were amazing, and the weather was perfect.  We were slicing and dicing the highways of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia.  One more stop in Gassaway, West Virginia and we will be back home in Moundsville.  Hoagy was meeting and greeting everyone he saw, he even called one of his nearby friends.  Hoagy knows people from everywhere.  Now we had enough gas to make it back to Moundsville, WV without stopping again.  Pressing forward and having fun at it, at each passing exit Hoagy would encourage us with a tomahawk motion of his arm and hand.  Moundsville was almost within sight and Hoagy pulls over to take a picture of the GPS display.  I told Hoagy that the GPS information got reset by an in advert mishap while using the unit.  I was so upset that we did not have the total mileage, average miles per hour, and other trip information.  I apologized and we proceeded to the Appalachian Outreach festival where were warmly greeted by the event host. It was now around 5pm Sunday June 7th.  We all got a plate full of food and some water to help nourish our tired bodies.

After a few conversations and listening to the planned entertainment, Hoagy took center stage.  Hoagy addressed the crowd in his costume and explained all about Hoagy’s Heroes, the benefits of contributions, and gave an inspiring short talk about the times we are now living in.  He encouraged the crowd to keep a positive attitude in everything we do, no matter what it is.  This is the heart of a man who purposefully gets up at 2am, dresses like a hobo, and rides 1000 miles all for the benefit of others and charity.

At the close of the event, we oiled up our chains and headed towards home.  My little 250 Ninja was up to the job, ready for the next long distance ride.  After 8+ hours of rest and a little bit of stretching of the arms and legs, I am looking forward to the next ride.

So, if you’re a newbie like me, or a seasoned veteran, you can contribute to a great cause while enjoying the ride along the way.

As Hoagy Carmichael would say “Keep them Locked and Loaded”….Go Ride……..

Ride Report by Vincent Cirota……..Hooked for Life!!!!!!

2009 Hillbilly 1000 SaddleSore

 

Story by:

Bill an Dorthy Hanna

 

We completed the West Virginia "Hill Billy 1000" World Record Iron Butt yesterday, which was quite an interesting ride. We rode with the Organizer, Robert "Hoagy" Carmichael. Hoagy is a great person, and devotes his time to organizing Iron Butt events to raise money for less fortunate kids.

We started out from Morgantown, WV. The first stop was in Bluefield, which is where the first issue occurred -- the two gas stations that were supposed to be open 24 hours were not. After half an hour we found gas across the state line in Virginia, and were on our way again -- unfortunately the leader, who shall remain nameless, took us on an unplanned tour of Bluefield and the surrounding area trying to find I-77. Hoagy (oops, I wasn't going to mention a name) finally consulted one of the riders that had a GPS and was then able to lead us out to the highway.

The second stop was in Williamstown, North on I-77. One the way there, One of the oldest bikes, a Shovel-head ridden by Bill suddenly stopped. The engine had seized. After spending time there to make sure he had help coming, we rode on. After checking in at Williamstown, it was down to White Sulphur Springs, at the far Eastern point of I-64. There are long steep mountains there which -- supposedly due to the new emissions standards, -- my fuel-starved 2009 Ultra Classic could not top normal speeds up these hills with the throttle wide open and the transmission in a lower gear. (Do you know how embarrassing it is to get passed by a soccer mom in a minivan when the Harley is wide open, giving all it has?) By the time I got to the top, the group was gone. The only way I could catch them was at the toll booths -- I had a secret weapon: E-Z Pass. While they were waiting in line, I zipped through the E-Z Pass lane, and gained a mile or so on them, which, of course, only lasted until the next mountain.

From White Sulphur Springs, we went to Kenova, to the far Western part West Virginia. At one point, we got off an exit ramp to get gas. I was second in the group. As we slowed down for the ramp, all three bikes were behind us. By the time we got half way down the ramp, there wasn't a bike back there. It's amazing how fast they can disappear! After waiting a minute, Hoagy went back up and said only two words on the radio "they wrecked!"

What? Say again! Only silence.

We flagged down the next car coming down the exit. "There is a bike down and the guys are picking it up." he said. A few agonizing minutes later, we flagged down another "there is an ambulance and police there." This doesn’t sound good. Another driver said "It looks like there just standing around talking." This is too much. Finally Hoagy and two of the bikes came down the ramp along with two others that had stopped. "Bear" blew a tire and wrecked, but he'll be okay. Bear is a big tall kid and tough as nails. In fact, with the help of the EMS driver, they got his bike to a shop, put two new tires on it, and he actually rejoined the ride in the next swing through the area!

The next stop was from Kenova back to Morgantown. At this point there were about a dozen bikes in our group – we tend to pick up and drop off some at each gas stop. Not far out from Kenova, we were passing a pick-up truck, when a plastic gas can flew up from the truck bed, right beside me, hit a bike behind me, and bounced down the middle of the seven bikes in behind. One bike quickly pulled over and the rest behind him stopped as well. Luckily little damage had been done, and they were quickly back on the road.

Hoagy could smell the end of the run and was focused on the finish. I thought taking sharp mountain turns on the WV Turnpike was thrilling, well, going around the curves on I-79 fast enough to scrape the floor-boards was something else again!

Safe back at the motel in Morgantown, we checked in -- in spite of the many unplanned stops, we still did the run in a respectable 19 hours -- then enjoyed the camaraderie of the others that made the trip, telling stories of this ride, past Iron Butts, and other interesting and often hilarious tales.

By the time I got to my room, exhausted from the long ride, I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

 

Check out their own website at www.pa-hanna.com.

2009 Dawn to Dusk 500

 

Story by:

Marvin Knapke

Hello everyone on August 29, 09 I went on the dawn to dusk 500 with Hoagy’s Heroes. This was the 2nd annual 500 mile Autism Dawn till Dusk charity ride to support the NHS Autism Schools in Westmoreland County. This is one of the places where Hoagy’s Heroes helps children; this is one of the reasons that I found their organization so interesting. This is why I enjoy long distance rides with them so much, knowing that as I am enjoying a long distance ride I am also helping children. The comradeship for the ride was just awesome. The Holiday in where we started and ended the ride was very good to us. The staff could not have been friendlier, they were great. I met some new riders that were just plain good people and also people from the school that helped with the ride were great.  The positive energy one feels when on a ride like this is very hard to put into words. I just know it is something I would like to continue doing in the future and also that I strongly recommend that other people get involved so they can experience the awesome feelings that I have had the privilege of experiencing.  

The ride was a very enjoyable one with the day turning out to be beautiful. They were calling for 60% chance of rain but we ran into only a couple of sprinkles along the way. I never know the scenery in Pennsylvania was so awesome.  The countryside was beautiful to see as we were riding through it. The ride was a total success in that everyone returned back safe.  I am looking forward to more rides coming up and hope to meet more new friends along the way and to also reunite with the ones I was lucky enough to already meet.  I want to thank you Hoagy’s Heroes for making many children’s lives better and because you have given me the opportunity to be a part of this you have also helped make mine better.

 

---

2009 Hillbilly 1000 SaddleSore

 

Story by:

Marvin Knapke

 

Hi everybody I wanted to write and let everyone know how much I enjoyed the Hillbilly 1000 world record in state West Virginia ride. The longest I rode before this was probably less than 500 miles in a 24 hour period. I have read about long distance riding a lot over the years and thought I would like to try but always put it off because something would always get in the way. I decided that this time I would follow through on the ride because I read about Hoagy’s Heroes on their website and I was impressed by the way they helped children with the charity rides.
            Being new to a 1000 mile ride I did not know what to expect so I talked with Hoagy on the phone a few times before the ride. I had questions on how hard it would be and he said I would be OK as long as I had a positive attitude and I found this to be very true. I stopped by his place on the way to the starting location where he and others made me feel very much a part of things and welcome. We got to the Holiday Inn where I met the other riders before leaving and the excitement was awesome. You could feel the energy and it was such a good and positive energy that I will always remember it although I cannot put it into words very well. Hoagy asked me before and during the ride how everything was going, how I was doing which helped me to feel a part of the group.
            Riding through West Virginia was great. The riding through the hills and curves with the awesome views was impressive. We started at Triple S Motorcycle Company where they stayed open for us to start the ride at midnight. The staff there was very nice to be with they had coffee and a wheel that we spun to win prizes. I was fortunate enough to win a $25 gift card which I used to purchase a shirt for my wife. We ended the ride back at the Holiday Inn where we met earlier. The staff at the Triple S Motorcycle Company and the Holiday Inn could not have made the experience any better that they did they were the best and I want to thank them for going out of their way to make this an exciting adventure.

With 30 motorcycles and traffic on a long ride we were not able to stay together in a group but we would run into each other at the different stops along the way. I was lucky to ride with a new friend that I met his name was Jim and we seemed to ride with similar styles which worked well. I will be riding with Hoagy’s Heroes in the future and would recommend this for every rider who would like to help children and also have a very enjoyable and rewarding ride. I would explain ride in more detail but I do not think I can put into words how I felt. I sit down at home in the evening and find it hard to stay awake till bedtime falling asleep in my recliner. With this in mind how was I to ride for this long? I can say that it was not hard. When I completed the ride I felt as if I were 21 years old again and could keep going. I am more than twice that age.

 

 

2009 50CC Coast to Coast

 

Story by:

Wade Moorefield

 

I arrived in San Diego after a long ride from Jacksonville, Florida with many stops and detours.  I left Jacksonville on the 2nd of September with 8 days to kill and visit friends having until the 9th to arrive.  I found myself 2,400 miles from home arriving at a hotel knowing no one.  How did I ever get in to this?  It all started with the click of the mouse.  On the IBA site I noticed a ride that said Hoagy's Heros 50CC ride from San Diego to Jacksonville.  Being the curious person that I am, I clicked the button and the next day I get an e-mail from some guy named Hoagy that acted as though he had known me all his life.  This guy e-mailed, called and continually followed up to ensure I had all the info I needed to try my first 50CC.  It was also going to be his last.  Hoagy has done a 50CC ride among other IBA rides and gets people and businesses to sponsor him and his fellow riders in an effort to raise money for children's charities.

As I arrived in San Diego on the 9th of September at the hotel and I'm approached by this fellow who introduces himself as Hoagy. Within 10 minutes I'm introduced to 9 new friends and riding companions. The next morning 2 more riders joined us.  These 2 riders were in the middle of a 100CCC that in started in Jacksonville. A BMW1200RT and FJR1300 rider had just completed the first leg of the 100CCC with plenty of time to spare.  They also had stories to tell, like stopping on the side of the road with a slight slope on the right shoulder. You guessed it, the bike fell over to the right and the rider was too tired to pick it up. Fortunately a car came along and the driver helped him get it up on the side stand.  After a rest the rider was able to continue.

At 8pm PST all 11 of us departed the San Diego beach area after completing lots of paperwork.  That time was chosen to help lessen the heat issue once over the mountain range and into the CA, AZ, and NM desert areas.  Recently, daytime highs had been reaching about 115 degrees.  At midnight it was 99 degrees, enough said. Everyone quickly settled in to a good "conservative" cruising speed while watching carefully for animals. At sunrise near EL Paso I decided to pick up the pace a bit as I was also doing a BBG 1500 on the way back to Jacksonville. I let those with CB's know of my intention so they would not feel they had to push harder also. I was also using an aux tank that gave me a 300 mile range on the Wing.  Once I reached San Antonio just before rush hour the rain started. It would rain for the next 1000 miles off and on, often with severe downpours.  I got to Orange, TX and got my gas receipt for completion of the BBG 1500 with a few hours to spare. I felt good and thought of continuing on a while longer, but the weather had other ideas.  I phoned Greg Partridge on his blue tooth cell who was in the group somewhere behind me.  I found out the group had split up.  Greg was only about 2 hours behind me and actually completed a BBG 1500 also.  The main group had gotten stopped by a bad traffic accident that closed the interstate.  They were stuck for 2 plus hours sitting in the rain on the highway.  That must have really sucked!  Those in that group trying for a BBG were not going to make it due to the accident. Greg and I got a room and later the other riders started showing up.  It seems most everyone had lanned on Orange, TX as the stop over. The next morning saw, uh more rain. We waited until daylight to depart for better visibility.  With only 800 miles to go and plenty of time there was no reason to push the safety margins. The entire group arrived in Jacksonville within a couple of hours of each other having safely completed the ride.  The rides completed were two 100CCC's, eight 50CC's four BBG 1500's and possibly a couple of BB 1500's.  After gas receipts it was off to the hotel for the completion paperwork and a few refreshments.

Hoagy put on a terrific event.  The ride was safe and well organized. Raising money for children's charities makes it even better.  Thanks to all my new riding partners for helping me accomplish this ride.

Wade Moorefield
IBA 30258

Redefining the Weekend Warrior!!! – by Greg Partridge

 

First off, I would like to apologize to the membership that I have not been more active this year.  I hope to rectify this in the remaining quarter of the year.  This lack of participation is not due to a lack of riding though, as I have logged 30,000 plus miles as of mid September.  This is my best riding year yet, as I close in on my 150,000 mile rocker from the HOG Mileage program.  Never when I bought my first Harley in March 2002 would I have imagined becoming such an avid distance rider, or thought I would accomplish what I have.  I have a lot of the elder (in tenure) members of OHOG to thank for this. 

Many of you, that know me, realize that unless I have a day off from work, riding during the week is not an option.  Yes … I’m in banking - and I’m still trying to figure out what working “Banker’s Hours” means.  I have to laugh when someone accuses me of being a “Weekend Warrior” and just tell them to go take a look at the Odometer on my 2007 Electra Glide Ultra Classic which just recently turned over 75,000 miles in just over two and a half years.  I have found that one look at the odometer usually quiets my critics.

As I have mentioned above, 2009 has been an incredible riding year for me.  Some highlights from the year were; doing the FL1000 in March, a three day weekend to Key West in May where I met up with Steve Coble and the OHOG club, a four day trip to the Smokies in June, and my fifth annual pilgrimage to Sturgis, SD for the 69th rally.  The real motivation for writing this article though, is to share with you a ride I am most proud of; my recent completion of an IBA 50CC.

For those of you not familiar with the IBA, Iron Butt Association, they are an organization dedicated to safe, long distance motorcycle riding.  Ever since I did my first, SaddleSore 1000 (1000 miles in under 24 hours) and Bunburner 1500 (1500 miles in under 36 hours) on my 2002 Fatboy in July 2006, I have been hooked.  I will say that this did lead to me purchasing an Ultra about 10 – 15 years earlier than I thought I would.  With countless IBA rides under my belt, most uncertified, as I usually only certify rides that I have not done before, I had always had my eye on the 50 CC Quest. 

The 50 CC Quest involves going from coast to coast in under 50 hours.  For this ride, I decided to go out to San Diego, CA leisurely over three days of 1000, 900, and 600 miles.  Something I learned early in distance riding is to always step down in distance and get the most out of yourself on the first days.  Thank-you John and Donna Peters for this wisdom. 

I gave myself three days in San Diego, CA, with a good friend from college, to recoup, sight-see, and get my mind prepared for the ride ahead.  The three days flew by and before I knew it, the morning of Thursday, September 10th, was upon me.  With only 12 hours until official start, 8:00pm Pacific time, the anticipation was building.  Tick- tock , tick-tock … finally time to get the bike out and head to the beach and collect my ocean water from the Pacific as part of a right of passage for my first 50CC.  I met the group I was riding to raise money for, Hoagy’s Heroes, at the gas station after, got my wristband, and filled out my official paper work.  It was time to light the proverbial rocket!

As I expected the first night got a little difficult around 3:00am.  I kept thinking … I just need to make it until daylight and my natural bio-rhythms will kick in.  We rode through the night at a blistering pace and made it to El Paso, TX by sunrise.  Texas on I-10 is over 880 miles long and I had made it my goal to get to the Louisiana state line on day one.  The rain started in San Antonio, TX and did not let up the last 1100 miles.  I stopped in Orange, TX, after being awake for 36 hours and being on bike for over 24hrs of that. I was approximately 1600 miles in and had two thirds of the ride under my belt.  I was sitting good on time so grabbed a hotel, and five and half hours of much needed sleep. 

I awoke, grabbed a quick breakfast, and it was time to gitty-up and go for 800 of the hardest, wettest miles I have even ridden.  I had always heard rumors about the Gulf weather … now I was experiencing it first hand.  I pulled into the Shell station two blocks from the beach, forty-four hours and six minutes from when I had started.  I was tied for third bike in and grateful to be done. 

So what is next … for 2010 I am contemplating a four corners run where I do a 5 / 5’s, 5 consecutive 1000 plus mile days.    For any of you considering an IBA ride, I am always willing to give guidance, be an official witness, or just let you pick my brain.  Thank you again to those in the club who have inspired me and molded me into the rider I am.  

Greg

 

2009 100CCC by: Anthony Osborne (101stPathfinder)

Where to start? A little history:

I fell in love with the concept of a sport tour cycle. Shopped the sites diligently for over 6 months, before I narrowed models down to the ST or FJR. A Tuesday night search on the "List" revealed an 05 FJR with only 8,000 miles for $4875. WHAT??  I called the phone # to find out that, across  the state (Naples) at a Toyota dealership, an FJR was traded in on a new car. My first question: What's wrong with the bike?- I am still trying to figure that one out. Came with a top case and throttle lock too.

Joined the FJR Forum, added risers, tender, reflectors for side bags, cramp buster, powerlet outlet and a Garmin Zumo 550 (Hard wired mounted on clutch side)  My first reaction to an "Iron Butt" discussion was "That's not enjoying the rides".  I later came across the IBA site and read descriptions of different IBA rides. I checked the event schedule and learned of a 100CCC ride.  HMMMM.... a challenge! I will do it! One click put me in contact with "Hoagy".  What a guy...  Truly a "Why wouldn't we be friends" type of person.

I contacted Ira from the IBA and he was great about answering all my stupid questions. I even PM'd FJR FORUM admin. with questions. (Thank  you Matt for your answers and positive response to my plans.) I needed to do a SS1000 first to qualify for the 100CCC. I threw one together and got that done. I found the stock seat had to go. I picked up a Russell from another forum member. I read as many ride reports I could to try to prepare
myself mentally and prepare my FJR.

I chose to drive the 280 miles to Jacksonville the day before so I could rest before the 100CCC. Pulling into the hotel parking lot, I see a lone BMW half-covered with its "Iron Butt" license plate frame begging to be noticed. What an organized bike!  Doubts began to set into my head. I met the rider at breakfast the next morning. She said we were the only 2 riders making the 100CCC.  Now I have only owned my FJR for 5 months. I didn't bring the side bags for the purpose of lightening the load on my back tire. I did run the top case, because I felt I could work my log and receipts quickly from it on fuel stops. I had to throw some reflective tape on the day before I left. (Lime Green) I felt under qualified to make this run... It would not be the last time I felt this way.

THE RIDE:

At 9 pm Est. (I ate subway on the way to the start) I told the other rider I was a speed limit +9 driver. I do not like to exceed the limit by 10 or more because of ticket risk. We took off with an agreement that neither of us should wait for the other. We got off track in Jacksonville! (What is it with GPS and Jacksonville?) Finally I hit I -10W alone. Miles down the road I see a cycle closing fast, then follow me to the first fuel stop. We fueled together and headed off into the night together. Oddly enough, she followed me.  (she was more experienced with LD riding than I)

Somewhere in Alabama her lights behind me disappeared as I went around a curve. I slowed down and awaited her return- nothing. I made a quick decision to continue on, as I had to complete a BBG ride on the way out to qualify for the 100CCC. I would not see her MW until San Diego.
   

I was now on my own and settled in. Beaumont TX would see my first problem. An accident shut down all westbound lanes for 35 to 40 minutes. I had concrete barriers on both sides- nothing to do but wait. Rolling again with daylight in Texas, I developed a nice rhythm. Soon I was in Van Horn, TX. (My BBG checkpoint) My BBG was completed with over an hour and a half to spare. I called my wife and told her I felt great and was going to continue on. I hit New Mexico as the 24 hour mark hit. Over 1600 miles! My plan was going well. Now I would "Crawl" through the desert throughout the night and pick away at the miles in the "Coolness of the night".

I first rested at the 30 hour mark, somewhere in Arizona. Dehydration- WOW! I had a Camelback but had to stop to reach it in my top case: A big mistake as I would soon learn. I pulled over at a rest stop in Arizona (once I had made the split to I-8) and took a hour and 20 minute power nap. I was struggling with fatigue, but drove on into California.  Somewhere after El Centro I needed to hydrate. I pulled over and put the side stand down. I was careless not to notice the bike was almost fully upright with the slope of the shoulder of the road. The bike started to fall, off balance, I grabbed the clutch grip. I could not stop it with the slippery oily road, down we both went. With the slope the bike was well passed the 180 Degree mark.  I tried to lift her and the tires would slide on the gravel. I tried again only to watch my Blue Beauty slide SCRATCHINGLY up but the tires would not set. I could not believe this. How could I have been so stupid? Finally a truck came by and I flagged him down- We righted the bike by blocking the tires from sliding with my feet and me pulling and him pushing from the other side. (Thank you stranger #1) I re-secured the tank bag, collected my thoughts and finished the ride into San Diego. I believe my time was 37 hours and change. Now I could get great sleep and be ready for the return trip.

After a hot bath, I slept for 3 hours and was awake. I could not get back to sleep, so I went outside and met up with Wade. (RoadGlide) He showed me to a fantastic deli where I ate fantastic food! (I had made the trip over on beef jerky and Jolly Ranchers)  Before I knew it we (There were 11 or 12 of us now) were fueling up, ready for the return. We took off at 8pm Pst. Going through the twisties east of San Diego, I realized two things. These guys were ready to RIDE! and I was getting tired. I followed the group (Which split into two groups) but released my throttle lock to see how I was doing. I soon realized I was having trouble maintaining speed. This is my sign to rest. I felt comfortable riding alone, so I hit the first rest stop and did a hour and a half power nap.

I awoke and did some of the best slab work in my life. I hit an unbelievable rhythm, quick gas stops. With the custom seat I purchased from another forum member the trip was moderately comfortable seat wise. However, the previous owner must have had a more forward sitting position than I am used to; I am used to cruisers, so I felt "Up snug" behind the gas tank. Sometimes(after many hours in need of entertainment) I felt I was pushing a shopping cart through the desert collecting mental pictures to store in my memory banks...Songs would come to mind... One song that stands out was "Peaceful, Easy Feeling" by the Eagles. All the sudden I understood “I want to sleep with you in the desert tonight, with a million stars all around". And as much as I watched the falling stars drop, the sky still had warehouses full on that night- all for MY enjoyment!

I was almost sorry to see the night give way to daybreak. But with daybreak, I continued to pick up an unbelievable rhythm of smooth gas stops. I noticed not the green mile markers, but the endless miles of beauty in west Texas. The bazaar sight for miles of the right lanes bloodstains from deer strikes seem to mesh one to another, creating an orangish/red tint and a constant reminder to keep up the pace before nightfall.

I pressed on till I saw a trail of cyclist west of San Antonio. I had caught up with the trail group. We fueled up and I left ahead of the group, which stayed to eat. The clouds were looking more threatening now. I reached San Antonio as the rush hour traffic thickened and the sky opened up in a downpour. I pressed on to east Texas. I really hadn't planned on doing a BBG on the return trip, but I had used it to motivate myself through Texas. The town that was given to me for the BBG fuel stop was Wallisville.(I later found out it should have been Winnie) I turned off on an access road and spent 15 minutes driving through secondary roads, I even had a skunk encounter before I finally continued down the access road for 3 more miles and reached an actual fuel stop. Got my receipt, well over an hour to spare, and headed east to the Louisiana border. I stopped at a rest stop near Orange, TX and power napped for over an hour.

The rain continued on all night long. Throughout the night I crawled rest stop to rest stop. I found myself in Mississippi soaking wet and not wanting to ride anymore. I stared at my FJR from under the rest stop bathroom overhang, the only roof at the stop. I stripped down to my soaked jeans and under amour shirt and curled up on the ground and slept for 2 hours.

I awoke with a new attitude. I went into the restroom and found (To my delight) they had electric hand dryers. I warmed and dried a bit, then mounted up for another push into Florida. I pushed on through Florida stretching out fuel stops. The rain continued most of the way, till finally Jacksonville arrived.

I was getting low on fuel, so I pulled over and added my quart fuel container I had carried the whole trip. (Without use) I rode into Jacksonville wanting to fuel only once, at the END station. Then it happened, 9 miles from the finish point, I ran out of gas! Not a
station within sight. What a stupid, sloppy mistake! It took over 20 minutes for anyone to pull over to help. Finally a Good Samaritan (#2) in a white van pulled over. I explained my predicament to him. He drove off with my gas can and told me it would take awhile. I watched him drive away, and then it hit me! I just gave my gas can away to a stranger to take and fill it with gas- and no mention of money occurred. Things were compounding badly now, when to my surprise this SAINT arrived back after 15 minutes or so, with a full quart container of gas! He gave me the container and would not take any money. He wanted to stay until my cycle was running. I fueled, then popped on the bike and rode away.

I set my GPS for the closest gas station. This time I would not risk riding the 9 miles left on a quart of gas. I fueled again, and then rode on to finish out the ride with another refueling and receipt - I had to laugh as the pump said "See cashier for receipt" What a sorry finish!

I stayed around the station with a weird type of inertia. A witness showed up and signed my papers. Riders began showing up, still I had no ambition to leave. I stayed the night in Jacksonville and had fantastic pizza with the other riders. We talked and I found out what a fantastic bunch of riders made this ride. It is funny how what started off as a challenge had become such a memorable adventure. I will take that desert sky memory with me forever. What a Trip!!!

Anthony Osborne