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August 29, 2002: Options At the close of the Post Falls checkpoint, we had a Yamaha R1 in first place, Canadians in second and third, and Paul Pelland in fourth. It's either the end of the world as we know it, or day four of ButtLite III. Close your eyes. Clear your mind. Now think of the perfect rally bike. OK, open your eyes. What did you come up with? BMW K1200LT? Honda ST1100? Both fine, capable machines. Guess again. Big cruiser? Iconoclastic, sometimes workable, but not what we had in mind. How about Yamaha's land based ballistic missile, the R1? Scoff if you want to, but that's what Grady Dunham rides, and he's in first place after the Post Falls checkpoint. What can we tell you about Grady? Well, we know he's smart, because he can read a routesheet well enough to put himself into the top ten on Leg One and into Bob's Java Hut to get a mug on Leg Two. We also know he's young. You'd have to be young to roll up over 3600 miles in three and a half days on an R1. Given this knowledge, it certainly follows that he's focused. Capt. Grady Dunham, USAF has already achieved in his first multi day endurance rally what other, more experienced riders have only dreamed about: riding away from the second checkpoint at the head of the pack. It has come to the attention of the crack TeamStrange editorial staff that previous intelligence reports erroneously claimed no multi day rally prior to this one offered a bonus in Mexico. In fact, Joe Zulaski and Jan Cutler's '02 Rendezvous started and offered a bonus in that country. We should have reported that no previous multi-day rally has offered a bonus in Mexico worth more than one point. TeamStrange regrets the error. Speaking of Mexico, riders were again offered the opportunity to travel south of the border on Leg Three. If someone can get themselves to Tijuana and take a photo of their rally flag with the plaque showing the US-Mexico border, they will earn exactly 2,539 points more than had they visited the Mexican bonus offered on the '02 Rendezvous. Combine Tijuana with some other bonuses directly on the way there (a photo of Stonehenge in Maryville, Oregon, a receipt for a food item from Mike Corbin's Wizards' Cafe in Hollister, California, and a photo of Morro rock in Morro Bay, California to name a few) plus points for the fuel log and rest bonuses, and our hypothetical rider will be standing in Bakersfield with at least 7700 points in hand. Too complicated for you? Then point your bike north to Smithers, British Columbia, about 200 miles south of Hyder, Alaska and 1830 miles north of Bakersfield. All told the trip would run just over 2700 miles and 8500 points including your fuel log, rest and the Bob's mug bonuses (you DID secure that bonus on the last leg, right?). You free thinkers out there would probably prefer to plan your own route. Be our guests. Take your pick between 61 bonuses spread out between nine US states, one Canadian province, 6 double sided pages of routesheets...and Mexico. Welcome to the traditional ButtLite Leg Three Minnesota 1000-style Mega-Routesheet, featuring bonuses ranging from the Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver, BC (1831 points), the Avenue of the Giants in northwest California (381 points), or the plaque honoring IBR winners in famous Gerlach, Nevada (777 points). You are now free to ride about the country, just make sure you've presented yourself at the scoring table in Bakersfield by 0859 Saturday. But what about Todd Witte and his quest for eight state capitals? Did Mike Etlicher ever get back on track? Whats up with all those time barred riders? And why on earth did all those riders forgo the cobalt blue mug of mirth? Answers to these questions, plus questions without answers--all tomorrow. Printable Version |
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