I am a latecomer to motorcycle riding and only began at the age of 40. Always wanted a bike, but always had someone around to advise it wasnt a good idea. (Un)Fortunately, just before I turned 40, the last naysayer decided to move on and there was now no one to tell me NO. Took the MSF course and headed to the dealer. I figured a 900 lb touring machine (Yamaha Royal Star Venture) would be great as a starter bike, and it hasnt proven me wrong yet.
After spending a couple of years riding around WI and putting an embarrassingly low number of miles on per year, the opportunity to start riding to business meetings in far flung places began my enjoyment of long distance travel. Vegas, NC coast, New Orleans, etc. were places that were more fun to ride to rather than fly (I dont like flying anyway). I began to modify the bike for the longer travel (upgraded lights, Zumo, better seat, raising links, etc.) and my miles per day increased. Soon, 1000 miles days werent unattainable anymore. As a matter of fact, they were enjoyable.
Got the SS1K and the BB1.5k and figured there needed to be more. Got a couple of Ron Ayers books on LD Rally riding and thoughts began to stir. A link from the IBA website took me to the TS MN1K. Reading the previous years ride reports made it obvious this was what I needed to do. There is a pattern in here somewhere of starting big and seeing how it works out.
OK, background out of the way, on with the report:
Weekend of June 13th: Extended family leaves after son #2 graduation party. I disappear into the Mancave and begin the long overdue maintenance on the Rolling Couch. Oil change, diff oil change, air filters, plugs, Colortune mixture setting, CarbTune synchronization, Dynabeads in the new rear tire, lube the pins, lube the splines, install the new Corbin seat, install extra outlet for air pump, wash, wax, Plexus all glass, and Pledge the front end to make bug removal easier.
Spent the rest of the week making lists of things to take not really knowing what I would need.
Friday, June 19th: Pack the Rolling Couch and hit the road. Had one stop on the way for business that took way too long. Those darn customers keep getting in the way of work. Arrive at the luxurious dive hotel at about 3:30. Just time to set up the computer, get my maps out, take a shower, and lay down for a short nap.
Off to Leos to find out what I am getting myself in for.
Great dinner and even greater folks. Everyone is friendly and supportive of this new guy that doesnt know anyone here. I get checked in and go visit Mr. E.B. Smith to get my digital camera verified. What? I cant get the pictures small enough to meet the format requirement. I thought I had this all checked out, but apparently not. Bart to the rescue by loaning me one of his personal antique Polaroids and some film. Having never used one of these ancient picture recorders required some instruction. It reminded me of having to show my kids how to use a bottle opener they had only ever had twist-off tops. I still owe Bart a pack of film if and when I can actually find this obsolete product.
We get the rally packet and I refrain from ripping it open immediately and casually pack it away for the trip back to the hotel. I loath showing how anxious I really am nor did I want to loose anything out of it.
Back at the hotel, Lord we had such a mess. I carefully read through all the bonus locations and requirements. I then faithfully recorded each location, with time requirements and notes, into Streets and Trips while researching each one on the internet to gather additional information. Calculate points based on each possible route, double check mileage, weather forecasts, distance between gas stops, .. Paralysis by analysis.
Screw it Im just a rookie. I need to do a conservative route that I know can be done without being time barred. Make sure to leave a couple of bonus locations that can be lopped off if I need to make up time. The UP is the route chosen.
Figure I must go CCW to meet the time requirement at Victoria Dam and Silver City. Looks like a good plan that I can complete on time. The route sheet is marked up with sticky tabs and highlighters. Notes are placed in the margin. Polaroid picture of the room is taken just to make sure I could load the film and operate this stone-age device. Off to bed by about 1:30.
Saturday, June 20th: Wake up, get a cup of coffee, review my route, shower, review my route, pack up, review my route, and head to Leos. My insides are all jumpy due to anticipation of the rally or it is the extra helping of BBQ pork the night before. Either way, I was ready to go.
First stop, Bobs Java Hut. The Zumo took me right to it. The young ladies were ready for us and efficient in getting us out the door. Record time and mileage, punch in Lambeau Field and head off. The Zumo sends me right up the street to get on I-94 but wait what is that pickup truck with all the orange cones doing on the exit? No go that way. I am now lost in Minneapolis with my GPS bitch trying to send me back to the same closed exit. Grabbed the paper map and looked for an alternate route. Lost about ½ hour touring the surface streets of Minneapolis before I got headed east. Behind already.
While cruising the mind numbing straight roads between MN and Green Bay, I punched in the next several bonus locations on my list. I arrived at Lambeau just as a couple of other riders were suiting up to take off. They were parked on the sidewalk therefore, it must be OK. Ran over to Coach Lombardi, humbly bowed my head in respect, and got the picture. By the time I get back, the security guard was standing by my bike talking into his walkie-talkie. I told him what was going on and pointed to the newly installed MN1K sticker on my windshield. This didnt appear to make him any happier about my procurement of a personal parking location. However, when I told him there would be many more riders coming, and that ALL the others were ViQueens fans, this seemed to lighten his mood. I advised he was welcome to abuse the non-Packer fans that were on their way. Both he and the security team on the other end of the walkie-talkie got a kick out of that and he wished me well - as long as I left immediately. Forgot to write down the time and mileage, until I got off the sidewalk. Another several minutes lost as I ungloved and dug out the necessary writing instruments and recorded the required info.
North to the Menominee Welcome Center. I know where this is since I travel this way frequently. Gladstone was an easy find. Once CR513 was found, it was a great ride to the lighthouse. The last few miles of tight gravel was a different ride for me. Slow, slow, slow. The Couch doesnt like being off the tarmac. Unfortunately, I was in such a panic about being behind time; that I didnt really take any time to look around while I was there. It was really cool, Ive been told. Got the picture, recorded the required info, and back to the SLOW gravel on my way to Marquette.
Got passed by another bike (may not have been a MN1K rider) that was going at a pretty good clip. Tried to keep up but was a little uncomfortable riding that fast on a 2 lane road. Back to the conservative ride speed.
Stopped at the first gas station and they didnt have pay-at-the-pump. Went inside and had them check to see if Marquette, MI was printed on the receipt. Yup. Filled up and went in to pay. Got back to the bike and realized the receipt for just for a generic sale. Back inside to talk with the befuddled clerk. I then noticed there was a second printout that mimicked the gas sale. It was more for the register than the customer. I asked if I could have that receipt as well and he agreed. He even stapled it to the credit card slip. Good enough. On my way.
Stopped at the Bishop and was surprised to see people just hanging around staring at this garish statue. I saw a group of folks walking back holding empty beer cans and figured they might not think it too sacrilegious to hold my towel for a picture. On a good note, a 20ish, beautiful blonde in the group stepped up to do the duty. Made for a pretty good picture. I answered a few questions about all the Power Rangers that had been stopping by, recorded time and mileage, and was off for the dam.
The deeper gravel going down to Victoria Dam was unsettling, but nothing like the loose gravel in the parking lot. Almost dropped it when I went to put the kickstand down. Fought it back upright and moved to a more level spot with better footing. Laid the towel on the ground and got the picture. A couple of other riders showed up about as I was leaving. They were Experts as displayed by their auxiliary tanks. I must be doing OK if I am roughly on the same path as them. Cool.
Took off for Silver City and was quickly joined up by the said Experts. I saw a gas station up ahead and thought about stopping, but I was in good company and figured Id hit the next one after the bonus. We get to the Porcupine SP and start looking for a place to purchase a vehicle pass since the Visitor Center was not open. About this time, my low fuel light goes on and I switch to reserve. Not good. The Experts point me to the self-serve vehicle pass station and one is procured. Travel down to the Lake of the Clouds area and run up to the binoculars. Write down the info, take a quick look off the edge yeah, pretty cool and back to the bike. Punch in a request for the nearest gas station and it shows it 17 miles away. Uh Oh. I keep my speed well under the limit in an attempt to keep from walking. Pulled in and filled up putting 5.4 gallons in a 5.7 gallon tank. Im such a Piker could have easily got another 10 miles out of that tank.
Ashland was the next stop and I know there is a 24 hr. Wal-Mart. Pulled in at about 10:30 and decide to take my rest stop. Buy a sandwich and go sit in the customer service area and chat with the store manager while I eat. I tried to imply the desire to rest in their closed restaurant area, but the hint wasnt taken. Back out to the bike and I drive around the side to the loading dock area. It was surprising to me how comfortable a concrete bed is when it is really needed.
I wake up 1 minute before my alarm goes off, back in to buy a candy bar, and back on the road rested and ready. Grabbed the Ashland bonus and headed to Duluth. I was scanning the sides of the road for forest rats and saw several but none right next to the road. This is good.
Get to Duluth in the quiet of very early morning. No traffic at all. The GPS takes me directly to the targeted airport, but not without passing the left over carnage from the night before. I was really glad my schedule did not take me thru their earlier as I knew nothing about the goings-on the day before. Apparently, the drunks sleeping at the airport were sufficiently passed out or just tired of whining to uncaring TS riders as I saw no one while searching for the sign with my headlights. Got the bonus, time, and mileage recorded and headed south.
While traveling I-35, still in Duluth, a deer and her fawn jump the retaining wall and runs across the highway. I saw them far enough ahead that I could have stopped if needed, but this is not where I expected to see this threat.
There was no listing for the Oliver Village Hall in my Zumo, so just headed to town and found State St. The random address on State I used happened to be about 1 block away, so I was good to go. Off to Bruno.
Found the sign, got the picture, and was headed for Leos. I thought I even had time to snag another bonus. I was peaking at my route sheet while riding along. Suddenly, a deer jumps up from the left side ditch and runs straight across the road. I grabbed a handful of brake and missed the rat. There was no more looking at the route sheet while riding.
I had plenty of time but was getting tired. The vision was starting to swim and I needed to pull over. Found a gas station, had a cup of coffee, and walked around a bit. Felt much better and made it to Leos by 7:30.
To my absolute amazement, I took home wood in the Open Class. The original route I laid in was followed to a T, and the timing came out as planned. There were several places and ways I can improve, both in planning and riding, but overall, I was pleased.
By far, the most difficult part was the 5 hour ride home. I believe an extra evening in the hotel will be called for next year.
Things I learned this year:
1) A 1000 miles rally is NOT the place to break in a new Corbin seat.
2) Decide on your route before spending all the time to research each bonus location.
3) Trust your instincts about getting gas.
4) Quite spending so much time chatting at the various stops.
5) Fill up before you check in.
6) Triple check your digital camera ahead of time.
7) While having a couple of bail-out bonuses is good, have a couple of additional ones near the end of the ride, just in case youre early.
8) Keep your eyes on the road.
9) Dont eat that 3rd BBQ sandwich at the Liars Banquet lay off the baked beans too (Man! Those were good).
10) If you see Polaroid 600 film hanging on the peg at Wal-mart; buy it even if you dont own a Polaroid camera.
11) Update your trip planning software and Mapquest. Check for the latest construction info the night before.
12) Spend a little time actually SEEING the bonus locations and views to be had from them. Missed this opportunity at both the Stonington Lighthouse and the Lake of the Clouds.
13) Never have a 13th thing to learn in one year.
This rally was a ton of fun and I look forward to participating next year. A huge Thank You to Bart and all the volunteers. You put on a first class operation. The TS members and guests are a great group to be around. Thank you for welcoming me into your midst.
Also, thank you for indulging me by reading this ridiculously long ride report.
Jeff Johnson
TS MN1K #700
There are 10 types of folks in this world, those that understand binary, and those that don't
Jeff,
Nice ride report.
Welcome to the Expert Class...
Be careful what you wish for, your it! you've been bitten!
I have a picture of your camera tutor session with Bart you would like. Send me your email through my log in and I will send it to you.
Critter
Nice ride report, Jeff. Makes the time spent scouting bonuses even better. Now that you know where some really cool places are, take the time to go back to them. And take someone you care about with you to share the experience. You'll not regret it. Welcome to the MN1K and insanity.