| Original Message |
JohnF (no login)
Posted Jun 26, 2009 11:44 AM
It seems hard to believe a week has already passed from the last Friday start of activities for the MN 1000. First, thank you Bart and all the great people you had help you put on this top shelf rally...it lived up to (and more) all the hype and notoriety.
This was my first MN 1000, and although Bart made jest of my coming to the midwest as the East Coast representative and showing you all how to do it...I in no way had that attitude, and my finish position exceeded any expectations that I had. There are a lot of great riders (and people) in Stanger-Land, and that will be proven this August.
Now my ride. I was one of the one's who opted to get the coffee mug on Friday night, although doing this on Sunday would have moved me way up in standings...it was just not a viable option. They were 500 points off the clock, so I looked at this as 500 free points. I did not bring my GPS to the Liar's Banquet, so luckily was able to follow Curt Gran to the location, get the receipt/cup, and get back to the motel to start planning.
Had the general locations of all bonuses plotted pretty fast, to the ND area--NO POINTS, Didn't like Gunflint Road (that was a lot of riding on a back road), to the Duluth-MI UP loop looked best. I chose to go clockwise.
I always like the start, when a string of rally bikes snaked out of Leo's and headed N on I-35. At the split 2 bikes broke off to 35E, then at the I-94 Exit everyone but me and another rider (red RT with Red Darian Lite) went East. That's when that horrible feeling of, "Uh-Oh, I've screwed up" comes over you. I am in their territory, and they know something I don't! Why am I in a real minority with this route plan?
The first bonus was Bruno, and I think I was the first rider there...but the old TeamStrange trick of laying a rally towel on the ground next to the bonus didn't fool me...I knew to leave it lay. (I didn't look around to see if someone was hiding in the bushes to see if I bit). My next planned bonus was the Duluth bonus...but luckily I was discussing this with some veteran Strangers at the start and they gave me the heads up (thank you!!) about the Marathon and the road to the bonus...scratch that one. My patience level is real low normally, and in rally mode is even less...I would not have needed that stress early in the rally.
Picked up the Oliver and Ashland bonus locations with no problems, then off to the Porcupine Mtn SP in MI. Passed Derek D as he was coming out...it is always a great feeling to see you are near and at a same bonus location as a top rider (of course I don't know how many more places he has been to already, than I have). With a bonus description of "find the large binoculars" I had in my mind I would find some Paul Bunyan related item, and my mind was not set to find the "put a quarter in" type binoculars, or the miniscule sign that had the answer on it. It is a good thing I wear my reading glasses around my neck; there seemed to be a recurring theme of small signs with small print thru out the rally. A beautiful location, and many stares as I walked the boardwalk in full gear, while everyone else is in shorts and t-shirts. It does help my walk to the bonus, when the mothers are grabbing their wayward children and getting them out of the path of this weirdo creature (and in my case, large creature).
Next was that one bonus location that I have in each rally, that nothing goes right. My GPS sent me back South on SR 64, then wanted to route me on a one lane dirt road the 20 miles thru Ottawa NF!!! No Way. So I back tracked NE on paved two lanes until I finally got back up onto US 45, but the GPS still wanted to send me all the way back to the dirt road way in. I just have to remember the GPS is an advisory tool. I stopped for fuel (and it was a good thing no fuel log was required, it seems that pay at the pump with good computer generated receipts has not arrived in the Northwoods) Reading the directions to the bonus would have really helped here, because once I finally got to Rockland (with the help of the locals at the gas station) the written instructions and the GPS were spot on. As I arrived someone was taking their boat out and had the road into the parking lot blocked with their car door open, he seemed upset when I asked him to close the car door so that I could get by, he seemed to think it was OK to take the LT thru the soft gravel at the sloped edges of the narrow road. Finally bagged the bonus, and off for more.
Next was Marquette and the fuel receipt requirement, I was lucky, I stopped at the Citgo on the W side of town that I had plugged into the GPS as a stop. There was no good receipt at the pump (nor no pay at the pump), but the receipt inside was A-OK. Bought my pre-made sandwich and ate this on the go. On the E side of Marquette I begin to pass the riders riding counter clockwise, including Curt Gran. I thought I had his cell #, to call him and give him a heads up on fuel and my experience with a good receipt, but I didn't have the #. As it turned out this info would have been very helpful to Curt! (He can tell that tale)
The ride to the Stonington Lighthouse and the dirt road for the final way in was fun. I think it was Kevin Powers who was there, and two more rider's came in as I was leavig. The dirt road didn't bother me, but the sight distances of about 5 feet on the turns was great concern. What I feared, some other riders had happen, that a less attentive rider coming in too hot, comes around a blind corner...someone is going into the trees!! I did not want to be a someone...made it out of there with no problem. The local town was having a steak cookout at the town pavillion, and the steaks grilling out really smelled good as I rode by, at that time of the rally a more welcome and pleasing smell than any expensive perfume, too bad I could not stop to partake.
Next was the easy pickings at Gladstone, then on to the small (real small) marker on the stone in Menominee. While finishing up there two riders came in on GS's and their stitches, and down on their knees at the marker to read the small print. At that time, I did not know or recognize the bikes or the suits.
Now is when I really begin to have fun in the rally...that is doing what-ifs with the Zumo. Many friends have stated it is a piece of junk for rallying, but I really liked it for doing what-ifs on the fly. I did not have the Lombardi statue in Green Bay planned in my route, thinking in the planning stage it would be past the daylight time restriction when I got there. I passed a "to Green Bay" sign, and thought, what the heck, let's see if this works...and sure enough, there was a 20 minute cushion before the bonus was time barred. Shortly after that decision and the turn towards Green Bay, the two GS's come zooming by at a brisk, but safe and respectable rally pace. I drop in behind them and follow them into the very easy to find required statue. It is at the bonus I realize it is the mighty tandem of Marty and Tim...again I feel great; I am right here with the big dogs, so I must be doing something right (of course, they had been to about 5 more bonus locations than I have at the time). But it is nice to dream, and it was a good pick me up right as it got dark.
It was a long segment back up to Lily, where again I assited Peter (and Paula this time) B collect a night bonus. For those who didn't go there, the necessary sign board was semi-hidden between some large pines and back off the pull off road ( a rallymaster would not be evil enough to choose a bonus for that reason, would they?). I saw the sign just out of the corner of my eye as I passed it, so it required backing the beast of a bike I ride back up and positioning it so the lights shine on the sign. As soon as I do this and get off the bike in comes Peter on his beast, and is able to pull right up to the bonus without any problems. (In a previous rally, it required a night photo of a court house in VA...this is where the digital is the rider's friend. I had had no problem getting the required photo, but Peter needed the added assistance of all my running lights to get his Poloroid shot).
This stop was a little longer than normal as I took advantage of the darkness for bathroom requirements and putting on long sleeve t-neck for the night chill. Nice to see another rider in this DARK and desolate bonus. Did you ever turn all your lights off at one of these dark woodsy stops just to see how dark it is? It is scary dark.
This ride on WI 55 back up to Lily and then onto Rhinelander was a great road, at least it would have been super great in the daytime. At night the nice twists, curves, and elevation changes are still fun...but require a little more concentration. It was also at that time of the rally for me when mental and physical functions aren't as sharp as they were at the start. Add that the forest comes right to the edge of the road, and I am sure every large four legged animal in the animal kingdom is just waiting to step out from behind a tree into my path. One of my advoidance strategies in this situation is every once in awhile to yell at the top of my lungs, " OK, all you MFing deer, stay back in the f-ing woods where you belong." Don't know if it works, but makes me feel a lot better.
Now was the downfall of my rally. I had made a motel reservation in Wausau, and on hind site I should have done IB motel. But, with a 3 hour rest bonus, I usually opt for clean sheets and a bed. The difference (and it is a lesson I hoped I learned) the East Coast rallies are usually 27 to 34 hours long, so a good rest for me is more important. The MN1K is a 24 hour rally, period. No late penalties and then a time barment...it is 24 hours long and it is over. I can ride 21 hours and "rest" not necessarily sleep, or ride 17 hours, rest, and then ride 4 more hours. In the East Coast rallies there is usually 7 to 10 more hours of riding AFTER the rest bonus. For the way my body requires sleep, important in the planning and the ride for me to get good rest/sleep. The whole point is, going to Wausau...and I debated and what if'd for a long time on the bike, even pulling into a lighted parking lot in Rhinelander and getting out my laptop...took me out of line to grab the Jump River and Connersville bonus locations. I thought long about just forfeiting the guaranteed motel reservation and finding somewhere along the direct route of Rhinelander-Jump River-Connersville for an IB Motel. The luxury of clean sheets and the mantra of plan your ride/ride your plan won out.
It was an easy morning...and, man do those Wisconsin dairy farmers get up early, of getting the World's Largest Talking Cow in Neilsville and getting back to the barn.
Summary...I had a great time, visited with people I knew, met some new people, and more than got my money's worth. The comradery of the Strangers is something very precious...don't ever lose that. At the awards ceremony, even after most were tired from their journies, the fun of being together with people you liked was more than very obvious in the jokes and telling of stories.
Strangers Rule...I hope my 2010 schedule and $ allow my a return.
John F
Cincinnati, OH
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