Mike Senty, Rider 29, Buckeye 1000
I’m still a rookie at LD rallying, although I have been riding for more
years than I want to admit. At the time I signed up for the Buckeye 1000, I had
participated in two Minnesota Team Strange events. Being this was to be my
third LD rally, I decided new country was in order (been there, done that). Of
course, in Team Strange fashion, Eddie and Adam announced a group Saddlesore
attempt for July, 2001 from Minnesota. I couldn’t miss that! Consequently the
Buckeye become my 4th rally. I’m no big dog, I’m still a rookie pup.
I wanted to get into the southeast, namely TN, SC, and other
opportunities east and south of Ohio. Unfortunately, the Weather Channel was
forecasting flood warnings for TN on Saturday. Being an experienced
motorcyclist, I go for fair weather whenever possible. Heck, why not, I live on
the North Shore of Lake Superior, where the temperature is always 40 degrees,
(either 40 above or 40 below). Besides, this is Ohio. Eddie was trying to
schedule 95 degrees and 95 percent humidity. He screwed up his order on that
one, and it came one week early, before the rally.
My trip south, from north of Duluth (east of Duluth as we locals say)
was uneventful. I went through the UP of Michigan, saw lots of deer, and crossed
the Mackinaw Bridge in total calm with no wind. Wow, do those drivers in the
Michigan UP and on I-75 travel fast! Good to know.
When I need to move along, I travel with the faster drivers, and I use
the rabbit method of following someone at a prudent but not ridiculous speed,
following about 1/4 mile behind...
It got a bit nippy on I-75 at 1 AM, so on with the electrics. After a
few hours, I noticed a flicker in my 170 watts of headlights/driving lights as
my 120 watt jacket cycled on and off. Wonder what my total amperage draw is on
the 400 watt alternator on my ‘91 K100LT?? No voltmeter on this bike, bummer...
Need to find a 700 watt alternator if I want to run all this stuff. Time to
reduce current draw. What is most critical? Electric jacket on, driving lights
off. It was a full moon, and the 4 lane is free of Bambi’s.
Lots of CB chatter in Ohio about smokies. Looks like the LEO is serious
about the speed limit. Glad those truckers are on the lookout, as I am naked
with no Valentine.
Arrived in Columbus about noon, checked into the motel, and took an
afternoon nap. I carefully parked my bike on the center stand, on the hot
afternoon tar, hoping it would stay standing until I woke up again. I figured
this sleep plan to be a good one, since I have in the past stayed up close to
midnight planning routes. Along with my two stops at the Iron Butt Motel on my
trip south to Ohio, I would get in my 8 hours.
Set the digital motel clock for 4 hours, the Meanie to go off 15 minutes
after the clock, just in case. Exactly 3 hours and 45 minutes later, I woke
with a start. What a nightmare! Eddie was walking past the bikes at the motel.
Mine was still standing on the center stand on the hot tar. He looked at the
bike, and asked his trusty right hand man, “Bubba, whose bike is this?” Bubba,
having met me for the first time that morning at the AMA Museum, “Mike Senty,
from Minnesota.” Eddie, “Mike who?!? Look at that center stand on the soft tar!
It’s too well designed! It’s not even sinking into the tar. That bike will
NEVER tip over. There’s not enough adversity on that bike. He’s out of the
rally!” I woke up in a sweat!
Later, ran the mileage check, starting at Eddie’s mansion, and ending at
the AMA Museum. I ended up leading three other riders on the last leg of the
mileage check. What a bunch of fools, I was as close to lost as they were.
The AMA museum is a must see! Indian motorcycles all over! That era
represents the time when motorcycles were the affordable motorized
transportation, prior to the Model T and the assembly line, and well before the
current recreational era of motorcycling. I also enjoyed the collection of
bikes representing the transition from bicycle, to motorized bicycle, to
motorcycle.
Adam presented his rules talk on video tape. I was surprised how all the
riders were so quiet and respectful, since he could not hear or see us. Maybe
Adam emits an aura of respect that Eddie or Bubba need to develop. Maybe it has
something to do with the “bon*” word. Maybe someone knew the room was bugged.
Does the Valentine beep when the room is bugged? Maybe that is why everyone
listened so intently. Maybe his talk is important. I listened too.
During the actual bike inspection, Eddie put me in the Expert class, or
that is what I thought I heard. I wasn’t really concerned and didn’t question
him. One nightmare is enough, and besides, this is Eddie, you know, a big
dog... He doesn’t even know who I am, and besides, by riding Expert class I did
not need to worry about placing. It was not until the end of the event, just
prior to tallying bonuses that I was able to inquire and find that I actually
was in the Touring class. There is a requirement that all entrants posses a
working knowledge of the English language, and that reading comprehension is
rewarded. What about speaking/hearing comprehension? No need to chance getting
kicked out of the rally before it starts.
Finally food, rather the feast, the talk by Eddie and Bubba, and the
rally packets. What a joke the packets were. All the low point bonuses, not
many big point bonuses. I can see the Saturday packet is going to be something
significant. How significant? Or could it be this IS the whole rally, knowing
Eddie... (what’s the phrase Bubba? I hate you??). I highlighted all the
locations on a regional map, and noted the point values on the map. Look at
those Ohio points, 101 at one place, 102 at another corner of Ohio, 103 points
at another corner, and so on. Would Eddie have us obtain those in chronological
order? What a routing nightmare. Who’s the sick one here? Time to go to bed.
Saturday, up, breakfasted, packed, and listen to Eddie talk. Eddie
announces there will be no gas log. Gee Eddie, I hate you... I finally have a
system set up for sleep deprived idiots so every single gas log entry receipt is
correct. Three LD rallies completed, and the third rally is the first time I
get my gas log bonus. This one could be my fourth.
Finally, the Saturday rally packet. Flooding was still forecast for TN,
so I had a preference to go in the other direction. I highlighted the rest of
the bonuses on my map, and routes started to take shape. By then I was at least
30 minutes past the rally start time, and a lot of riders had already left.
Planning is important, so I turned down the volume on the panic button. I was
considering a route through Niagara, but I decided to head for the Mackinaw
Bridge, since it was big points, the highway speeds in MI were good, and I had
some better options along the way. I planned to go through Hell, MI for the
first time, and back to Windsor after the bridge. At Windsor, I’d reevaluate my
position, and pick up some Ohio locations, and hopefully finish reasonably well
and on time. It was the highest point option for the mileage I thought I could
do.
I planned to pick up a gas slip in Toledo for my first bonus, only 100
or so points, but by the time I realized my route bypassed Toledo, it was too
late. No big deal, Hell, here I come.
Where the h*** is Hell? I had to get directions, since the route sheet
directions were less than perfect. It’s interesting how nice looking local
young women say “Hell”. The route sheet said to pick up a souvenir to show I
was there. First thing I see, a postcard. Went to the counter, and at the last
minute, I purchased a patch with “Hell, MI” on it, just in case the postcard
doesn’t pass as a souvenir. Postcard, $.50, patch, $4.00. The judges accepted
the postcard, so Eddie got the postcard, I got the patch! Boy, Eddie, I hope
you don’t hate me! You probably already have a patch anyway. If not, get your own!
Off again. Fill up with gas north of Ann Arbor on I-75, pay inside, and
get going again in less time then it takes a caravan of two cars and one van to
load up all the teenagers into the vehicles. I’m pretty efficient!
Continued on, past Flint, and along I-75 at a good pace with the faster
traffic. I have both a CB and an FM/cassette radio. I listen to radio a lot,
country music especially, plus the truckers. Eventually, I was hearing
announcements that the southbound lane was closed near Flint, and northbound
down to one lane because of a 5 mile traffic backup due to an accident. Glad to
have missed that pileup. I wonder if there are many other riders tangled up in
that backup.
Eventually, I hooked up with Drady Hendley, who was headed for the Bridge.
We rode together, and I asked him if he missed the accident in Flint. He told
me he got through just after it happened. He said there was a lot of help there
already, but the accident consisted of a van full of kids that had hit and
bounced through the center lane. There were youngsters thrown out of the van.
Some appeared seriously hurt. He was thinking about that accident a lot, and I
started wondering if those were the same kids I had seen at the gas station
north of Ann Arbor. We both thought about them a lot.
On to the Bridge. Darkness arrives. Drady on the radio, “How is the
bridge for crossing, is it windy?” Me, “It was perfectly calm when I crossed
Friday night, but I’ve been over in a pickup in lots of wind.” Me, “Looks
pretty calm right now.” Southbound trucker on the CB. “It’s windy on the
bridge.”
It was, both the cables and the road surface were moving. We were both
leaning west and heading north. Hopefully the wind did not suddenly gust,
throwing the bike into the guardrail on the east, and me into the drink...
I was toying with the idea of continuing to Parry Sound... I’d been
thinking about it for the last three hours. It was probably do-able for me. Big
points. Still undecided... I’m no big dog, I’m still a rookie pup, so I better
continue with my original plan. Why chance a DNF? Or should I? Big points! I
could place high!
Back south I went, toll receipt and gas receipt in my folder, and on to
Windsor. A good decision? I’ll never know.
We both continued south on I-75 to Windsor. Chatted on the CB about
motorcycling, radar detectors (he had one), and I listened to country music and
later public radio from Ann Arbor. By the time we crossed into Windsor, I was
getting beat. It was late. I also needed to plan the rest of my rally. We
picked up a gas receipt across the street from a strip bar in Windsor, and I
got out my maps. Both of us needed to plan the rest of our route. I chose to
also take my “stay in one place” bonus in Windsor. I spent an hour planning the
rest of my rally, and found a park (thanks to the friendly station attendant)
and an Iron Butt Motel (Not the strip bar. It was past bar time and closed). I
bring an insulite pad (big enough for only one person), and I was out in no
time. Drady was not so sure about sleeping in the middle of a big city, he’s
from Atlanta. Me, a country idiot with no city common sense... besides, I was
sleepy and this is Canada. The Meanie woke me sooner than I thought it should.
Off I went, back to the same all night station. I bought the attendant his
favorite treat, and I kept the receipt. My “stay in one place” bonus was
documented.
South I went, and picked up the Toledo gas slip I missed going north. I
then rode to southwest Ohio, and picked up a bonus in Greenville and learned
where Annie Oaklie was raised. It was raining from the time I entered Ohio, but
not hard. With a full fairing bike, the Stitch, and full helmet, I had no
problems. I tried out the new Rider Wearhouse three finger rain gloves,
although this weather was not a real test. They worked fine.
Time was running down, and I wanted to make sure I was not late for the
finish. Back to Columbus and pick up some points at the fish hatchery. We had
to read a sign there, something about when the first fish were hatched or
something like that. I copied the information, in the rain, and off I went.
Back to the finish and the rally was done.
I finally have enough experience to compare with my past experience, and
evaluate what I am doing. I plan my route using paper maps, no computer or GPS.
I think paper maps are an excellent way to go, as a rookie pup. I mark all the
bonuses on a regional map with a highlight marker, which is the major time
consuming part of planning. While doing that, routes start to take shape.
Having bonuses on one map is a good visual for planning, or for re-evaluating
your plans later on. I calculate out various options, and the points they give
me.
I think I’m going to play around with a GPS and mapping program in the
future, but I am not positive it will make a tremendous difference. It may help
with initial route planning, but I do like the visual paper map with the
bonuses highlighted on it. I’m not sure how a mapping program will fit into
that scheme.
I use a Rand McNally trucker map, which has a huge mileage chart. It
also has the main truck routes highlighted, which tend to be better roads. In
addition, I use a dividers to determine mileage on side roads to bonuses off
the main highway. I know I can comfortably ride 1200 miles in a 26 hour rally,
and also take the “stay in one place” bonus for a rest. Planning your route
before you depart is very important.
From the rider perspective, the most important item for me is to
recognize I am not a big dog. I am not trying to get first place or even place,
although I did place in the Minnesota 1000, which was a bonus to me. It is very
important to learn how to ride 24 hour and multi-day rallies and keep alert and
safe. Safety is very important to me, along with the challenges and the ride.
When do you need to stop, to eat? How do you manage hydraton? Does the heat or
does the cold tire you out more? What about rain? How is your mental attitude?
How well do you deal with the low mental points? Are you having fun? How good
are your planning, mapping, and navigation skills?
I also have a personal comittment to not ride at speeds that my wife
would not approve, the general public would not approve, and that are unsafe.
Have I ridden over 75? Yes, well above, but in the right state, time, and
location. I believe you can do well on these rallies without speeding beyond
that of the faster traffic by using efficiency and good planning, and just
keeping the wheels moving steady.
My first LD rallies I rode a BMW R80-RT. Good comfortable bike, but the
charging system is anemic, as is true with all boxers. I upgraded to a low
mileage ‘91 BMW K-100LT last fall. This bike has saddle bags and a large trunk.
I added Motolights to the bike, with 50 watt bulbs. I’m happy with the lights.
I may try some higher wattage bulbs, and experiment more with them.
I have always used an electric jacket, not a vest. The Corbin that came
with the K-bike was horsesh**, so I redid it with a Rick Mayer seat. I have a
few comfort issues with the saddle, and I still need to get them worked out. I
did add a custom built set of highway pegs to the bike, which worked great. A
full fairing K-LT does not offer much for changing rider foot positions, but
that’s true more or less with all full fairing bikes. I also ran my music into
my helmet with a Cycle-Com CB unit. The CB is still more important in my mind
than a Valentine. I worry that being stopped with a radar detector in place
will guarantee a performance award, while not having one gives you a chance for
receiving only the lecture. It’s not off my list by any means though. I also
have the Fuel Plus installed, which is a great fuel management tool available
for the K-bikes. It monitors fuel consumption, time, and mileage, and among
many things, tells me how many miles are left in my tank at my current gas
mileage.
Thanks a lot to Eddie, Adam, and even Bubba (the chicken man). You guys
got me hooked on LD motorcycling. I guess I really don’t hate you guys. I know
I am as sick as any other LD rider. I will pay you guys the entry fee to have
me do all those things again. Thanks especially to all the volunteers at the
start and the end, and behind the scenes. I’ve been in the volunteer position
in other events, not motorcycles, and your efforts do NOT go unappreciated.