June 3, 2009
T-Minus 1 Day.
The morning started out as usual, getting up at 0530 hrs to get ready for work, only this time I was hopping on the Voyager for a 50 Km trip to Kentville for an EHS Inservice. It'd been less than a week since I gotten the bike back from its Driveshaft replacement and I was still a little nervouse about heading out on such a long trip. I completed the 10 hr day and rode home, arriving to pack after 2000 hrs. After some last minute additions, the beast was loaded and ready to go.
June 4, 2009
Larry and I left at 0600 hrs on Thursday morning to the Digby - Saint John Ferry which is about an hour away from where we live. When we arrived at the Ferry Terminal, Larry mentioned he had noticed a fair sized shimmy to my front end, which I had noticed started shortly after I changed the tires, so I had attributed it to either a wheel out of balance, tire pressures or a bad tire! Turns out, it was a loose head nut. We got off the boat and I grabbed my tools and tore the front end down right there in the parking lot. I could move the head nut with my fingers! Now, I don`t carry a torque wrench with me, so we found the nearest bike shop and begged to borrow a wrench and a 27 mm socket. We were back on the road within an hour.
View from the Stern of the "Princess of Acadia" as we leave for Saint John, NB
By the Grace of God, a Torque Wrench and a 27mm Socket, Barney was back on the road with a properly torqued Head Nut. (Not the one holding the Handlebars)
We made it to Gorham, NH the first night and pulled in shortly after 8 local time. Took a campsite at the White Birches Campground outside of town and pitched our tents. The Mosquitos and No-see-ums were pretty bad that evening and we called it a night. Apparently, I snore and Larry was awoken by a South-bound freight around 3 am. I don`t believe him, because I heard neither. We broke camp early the next morning and headed to Jefferson, NH for breakfast at the Water Wheel Restaurant. After a hearty breakfast of French Toast, Sausage, Juice and half a pot of coffee, we were back enroute for Northampton, MA.
Gorham, NH
We had decided to head down US116 to US302 and rode some of the prettiest mountain roads I`ve ever had the pleasure of riding on. It was a lot of new Blacktop and the scenery was beautiful. It probably hasn`t changed much since I was there in 1993, but my perspective sure has. We arrived in Northampton around 1400 hours and did our mileage check and check in. We probably would have been a little earlier, but Simon, my GPS decided that we needed to see some prime Agricultural Land in the Heart of Northampton before we got to our destination. Apparently, there is not a map in existence that give a proper location of Atwood Drive. Thank God the local Postal Worker was having a good day.
"Barney" against the backdrop of the White Mountains, and one of the reasons we took the US116 and US302 to Northampton, MA. Some of the nicest biking roads I've seen through the Mountains of NH. The Rally Reception and Dinner started at 1800 hrs and after an Ice Cold Corona, a buffett supper and chocolate cake for dessert, we all received our Rally Books and started scrambling to read the bonus information. There were lots of questions from the other participants, and it was easy to tell, the competition was starting already. The Rally Crew broke up early and I think that the lights were out in our room before 2230 hrs.
This is Brian and Mike. Larry and I met them while we were checking into the Hotel, and as they were Minuteman First Timers as well, we ended up travelling with them from Bangor to Wyoming, RI. Larry DID stay with them till the end...they all just left my ass on the side of the I-95.
The Wake Up call came at 0430 hrs on Saturday morning and while I finished packing my tank bag, Larry went in search of breakfast. The only thing he could find was passable coffee and our riders meeting began at 0530 hrs. After some last minute questions, the line up started and the first three riders were on the road at 0600..with Larry and I in th e staging box at 0608. Àt 0609 hrs, we were off and running North to Swanton, VT. We rode for a couple of hours and decided to find some breakfast in Northfield, VT. Northfield is a relatively small College town and we could find a Dunkin` Donuts and McDonalds or anything as we rode through. We settle on some Convenience Store fare from a Cumberland Farms on the Main Drag. Tanks were topped off and we continued on to Swanton.
Rob Nye, Rallymaster, gives out final instructions at the Saturday morning Rider's Meeting. Rob is an Iron Butt veteran, having competed in the 2007 Iron Butt Rally an 11,000 mile, 11 day Odessey.
Final Preparations on ole Barney before we leave for the next 21 hours.
We arrived in Swanton shortly before 1100 hrs and with our existing distrust of Simon the GPS, followed the Google Maps directions to the Carman Brook Dairy and Maple Farm. We should of listened to Simon. His way was shorter. We purchased the requisite 2 pints of Syrup, took a pit stop and were back on the road for Bangor, ME. We returned whence we had came and followed the I-89 back to Montpelier, VT. We got off the I-89 and followed every slow driver, every pot-hole and every construction site to Bangor, ME. We collected the Bangor bonus and headed out with two other riders to Wyoming, RI.
The Wyoming run wasn`t too bad, we stopped in Cumberland,. ME for fuel and to change dark visors for clear. We then pushed from Cumberland to Wyoming non-stop 217 miles, around Boston without stopping. Arrival at the Wyoming Mobil Station was uneventful until I realized that Mastercard had suspended my Credit Card for suspected Credit Card Fraud. Clearing that up, we ate a quick, non-nutritious gas station meal washed down with a Red Bull and took off to Milford, CT.
This is where it gets interesting. About 14 miles in, I could smell rubber burning. Thinking it was industrial sites nearby, I continued on. Wrong. Something hit me in the leg and I needed to pull over. I crossed the 3 lanes of traffic to claim my own little piece of Real Estate on the I-95. I realized that I`d lost two of the four bolts holding my fork brace and fender on, and that the rubber burning was my tire. I found an appropriate size Allen Wrench in my tools and quickly got back on the road. I continued to Milford, CT looking for the Riding Group who had, in my eyes, left me behind. I met up with a bunch of Harley and cruiser riders who were at the Mobil in Wyoming at the same time. My first words when the other group asked if I was OK, was ``I don`t know...did you see the f***kers I was riding with?" When they replied that they hadn't, I thought the guys had collected the last mandatory and were headed back to Northampton to go to bed. I checked the Blackberry in my Tank Bag and saw 7 missed calls. Five were from my wife and the other three were from the guys I was riding with. They'd called my wife looking for my number which Larry thought he had but didn't, and in doing so left her worried beyond belief. I reassured her I was alright, got my fuel receipt and left with the Cruiser guys who said they'd make sure I'd get back to Northampton regardless of what happened. If you've never been to the Pilot Truck Stop in Milford, CT at 0130 hrs in the morning, you should. Go in your car. Don't get out...just watch. Its something like I'd never seen before.
I arrived back at the Hotel at 0321 hrs, 21 hours and 12 minutes after leaving. I did check in, scoring and found out I'd be getting my IBA certificate and promptly had a shower and went to bed. Larry and crew arrived over an hour later and we all had a bit of a laugh at the whole episode and found out he was wonder how to apply for refugee status should he not know my whereabouts.
We left Northampton and headed North to Montreal, QC for supper at the Bar B Barn Chicken and Rib spot. The 500 some odd Km was nothing and we had a great meal and spent the night with a friend in the suburbs.
Departure Monday morning occured shortly after 7, again, we grabbed breakfast on the road and headed for home. We had almost 1600 km to make and since we were now Iron Butt veterns, we didn't think it would be an issue. It wasn't. We pushed every tank of fuel to the reserve light and I pulled into my driveway shortly after 0100 hrs. If we had had the forethought, we would have registered it as our second Saddle Sore Ride and put another LD feather in our caps.
It was nice to see my wife and sleep in my own bed again. The dog was ecstatic I was home and I've been unable to move 3' today without her or my son strapped to my ankles. Its nice to go away, but is it ever nice to come home! I'm still tired, but planning on the run for next year!
The Wyoming run wasn`t too bad, we stopped in Cumberland,. ME for fuel and to change dark visors for clear. We then pushed from Cumberland to Wyoming non-stop 217 miles, around Boston without stopping. Arrival at the Wyoming Mobil Station was uneventful until I realized that Mastercard had suspended my Credit Card for suspected Credit Card Fraud. Clearing that up, we ate a quick, non-nutritious gas station meal washed down with a Red Bull and took off to Milford, CT.
This is where it gets interesting. About 14 miles in, I could smell rubber burning. Thinking it was industrial sites nearby, I continued on. Wrong. Something hit me in the leg and I needed to pull over. I crossed the 3 lanes of traffic to claim my own little piece of Real Estate on the I-95. I realized that I`d lost two of the four bolts holding my fork brace and fender on, and that the rubber burning was my tire. I found an appropriate size Allen Wrench in my tools and quickly got back on the road. I continued to Milford, CT looking for the Riding Group who had, in my eyes, left me behind. I met up with a bunch of Harley and cruiser riders who were at the Mobil in Wyoming at the same time. My first words when the other group asked if I was OK, was ``I don`t know...did you see the f***kers I was riding with?" When they replied that they hadn't, I thought the guys had collected the last mandatory and were headed back to Northampton to go to bed. I checked the Blackberry in my Tank Bag and saw 7 missed calls. Five were from my wife and the other three were from the guys I was riding with. They'd called my wife looking for my number which Larry thought he had but didn't, and in doing so left her worried beyond belief. I reassured her I was alright, got my fuel receipt and left with the Cruiser guys who said they'd make sure I'd get back to Northampton regardless of what happened. If you've never been to the Pilot Truck Stop in Milford, CT at 0130 hrs in the morning, you should. Go in your car. Don't get out...just watch. Its something like I'd never seen before.
I arrived back at the Hotel at 0321 hrs, 21 hours and 12 minutes after leaving. I did check in, scoring and found out I'd be getting my IBA certificate and promptly had a shower and went to bed. Larry and crew arrived over an hour later and we all had a bit of a laugh at the whole episode and found out he was wonder how to apply for refugee status should he not know my whereabouts.
We left Northampton and headed North to Montreal, QC for supper at the Bar B Barn Chicken and Rib spot. The 500 some odd Km was nothing and we had a great meal and spent the night with a friend in the suburbs.
Departure Monday morning occured shortly after 7, again, we grabbed breakfast on the road and headed for home. We had almost 1600 km to make and since we were now Iron Butt veterns, we didn't think it would be an issue. It wasn't. We pushed every tank of fuel to the reserve light and I pulled into my driveway shortly after 0100 hrs. If we had had the forethought, we would have registered it as our second Saddle Sore Ride and put another LD feather in our caps.
It was nice to see my wife and sleep in my own bed again. The dog was ecstatic I was home and I've been unable to move 3' today without her or my son strapped to my ankles. Its nice to go away, but is it ever nice to come home! I'm still tired, but planning on the run for next year!
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