"2 WHeeL 12 Rally", Nov 1st 2008

[GunMD]

Last night was the riders meeting for the first ever 2 WHeeL 12 Rally. Several months ago I wished that there was a 12 hour rally in my area that I could participate in. After a bit more thought I decided that I would create one. The idea was pretty simple. I wanted to create a 12 hour rally that would target the beginning rally participant. I wanted to show a newbie how a rally flows and give them an opportunity to get a taste of what it's all about. So I started asking people around here that either ride frequently or have expressed some interest in endurance events. I got some pretty enthusiastic responses from people so I decided to go for it. With plenty of guidance from another local motorcyclist and rallymaster, beeroux (of SPANK fame), I began to put it all together. Planning and scouting. Scouting and planning. All part of the fun. What I came up with seems solid to me, but then again what do I know? beeroux was at last night's riders meeting to offer assistance and words of wisdom (and drink my beer and eat my chicken wings). After all of the participants got their bonus packs and instructions they hit the road to begin route planning. The rally begins at 6am Saturday, so they have ample time to plan, create, second guess, recreate, and change their minds.

The participants are all rookies. There are nine participants on eight bikes. The list of bikes isn't typical of the average LD rally.

1 Suzuki V-Strom 650

1 Kawasaki Vulcan

1 HD with $9500 worth of aftermarket chrome

1 HD with giant ape-hangers

1 HD Sportster 1200

1 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6

1 2006 FJR (2 up)

1 2005 FJR

The participants got their t-shirts, bonus lists, checkpoint info, and other required documents last night. It was actually quite entertaining to see the reactions.

DB3 (2005 FJR) had been very soft spoken about the upcoming rally until the bonus pack was handed to him. One he saw the bonus list he hit the map like a man possessed. He seemed to step into a bubble of planning and plotting, shutting off all input from the outside world.

PJ (ZX-6) didn't say much, other than to comment about how sore he was going to be after spending 12 hours on a sport bike.

John (Ape Hangers) was the most vocally enthusiastic in the weeks leading up to the rally. Once he opened the 23 page bonus list he fell silent, appearing to be overwhelmed by the choices before him.

DB2 and Dee (2006 FJR) seemed to be all business...Focused...Detail oriented...Correcting my spelling errors (thanks Dee).

Rob (Sportster) was off like a flash once the meeting was done. Having just had a new battery installed in his HD earlier in the day, he found himself calling for a ride home after the negative battery terminal decided that it no longer wished to be attached to the new battery. His only comment was that he was quite happy that it happened on the shake-down cruise rather than mid-rally. Rob seemed rather disappointed that there were no Hooters locations on the bonus list. Sorry Rob, maybe next time.

Joe (Vulcan) seemed excited, yet apprehensive. He borrowed a tank bag from me and went about figuring out how best to secure it to his cruiser.

Before everyone departed, GZ took a few hot laps around my neighborhood on John's ape-hanger HD. Don't worry, I got plenty of photos. I'll post 'em up after the rally is over this weekend. Good times.

After the participants departed, beeroux and I busted out the maps. Having not previously seen the bonus list, GZ was keen to plot a route (or three) that he would consider successful if he were riding in the rally. We had fun looking over the possibilities while sipping a couple of quality Stone Brewing selections (Smoked Porter and 12th Anniv Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout (that one is SOOOO good)).

For those of you that would like to take a peek at the bonus list, I've created a map in Google Maps that shows the locations and their requirements. This isn't the official bonus list, so I didn't spend a ton of time proofreading it, but you'll get the overall picture. In addition to the bonii listed on the map, each rider will be required to complete one of two available checkpoints (they get to decide which one).

I'll post up more info after the event. Wish me luck.

2 WHeeL 12 Bonus Map

 

[beeroux]

Gun,

you've created a very good rally. The points weighting, the suckers, everything is nicely done, and most of the riders were already drooling about some of the bonuses they would visit.

I'll see you at the start and look forward to seeing this unfold.

GZ

 

[GunMD]

He he he. This is fun.

:lol: Rider #3 works just down the hall from me. He has been in my office no less than six times today. Five of those six times were to declare that he had scrapped his previously planned route (which, at the time of creation was "perfect") in lieu of another, more perfect route.

Good times.

:read: :read: :read:

 

[kaitsdad]

Just for grins, I used Cameron, AZ; Big Pine, CA; and Pine Valley, UT.

A mere 1560 miles or so - I could do this.

Then I realized there was only 12 hours.

Maybe it's a good thing I'm helping out with my daughter's HS marching band tomorrow. :blink:

Gun, it looks like a really fun rally. Hope you've got a chiropractor available for some of those riders at the end.

And Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout? Mmmmm...... give me a spoon.

 

[GunMD]

I'm posting from the parking lot of Desert Cycle Works. Most of the riders have left the start. The last two (nicknames "Ape Hanger" and "Chrome") are revving up their noise makers right now. I can barely type due to the fumes and noise.

One rider has chosen Utah, a few are opting for a route that includes points in Arizona, and yet another is heading for both Arizona and Carlsbad, CA. Joe has built a cool route that includes the Rim Of The World Highway which includes points in Big Bear, Skyforest, and Silverwood.

Everyone was here on time, everyone showed up and they're all fired up.

Funny note. As the staff and I sit here (Me, Tasha, GZ, and Tony), we can still hear the last two riders to depart motoring around town. We think they just left the gas station and now they're heading north past the start/finish. This should be fun.

Minimum finishing points are 32,088.

More later.

 

[GunMD]

Turns out that I was wrong about Ape Hanger and Chrome traveling north on Adobe Rd. shortly after the start of the rally. How do I know this? Shortly after my previous post we wrapped up everything at the start and the four of us traveled caravan style over to a local greasy spoon cafe for some gravy covered omelettes. Well, on the way to the cafe I noticed two Milwaukee types at a local gas station. Guess who? Yep, it was Ape Hanger and Chrome. At just after 6:30 they were prepping to leave their first gas stop...nearly 1/4 mile from the start of the rally. Good luck fellas.

The next interaction that I am likely to have is during the one hour call in checkpoint between 11am and Noon (PDT). Of the two available checkpoints most riders have chosen the call-in option. Then, at noon Tasha, GZ, and I will be heading to the physical checkpoint near Amboy, CA.

The weather is perfect (a bit of a chill in the air now that the sun is up) and it should be a great day to rally.

 

[GunMD]

New updates are available on my blog.

https://justridethebike.blogspot.com/

 

[madmike2]

Great, Scott! [SIZE=8pt](A very little "punny" humor.)[/SIZE]

Nice planning (that is probably all the fun, anyhow) and options. It will be a great read once it is over and everyone shares their stories.

 

[beeroux]

We are here at Rally HQ getting texts from riders. As a testament to the RM's skill in bonus choices, riders left the start headed in all directions towards So-Cal and every surrounding state. That means that the bonus matrix has no obvious "winning route". This means a rider has to really look. To really think.

Ape Hanger and Chrome are probably still at the 7-11 getting gas, and by now are probably famished from all the standing around. We will swing by the Denny's catacorner to the 7-11 around lunch and see if they are getting a Grand Slam or Eggs over Myhammy.

I used to think that the Ninja 250 was probably the most challenging modern bike to ride in a rally. Now, not so much. Ape Hangers grips were about 3 inches above the top of my head, and I'm taller than him, even with my poor posture. I can't imagine how he's going to feel after this rally, but indigestion from Denny's may prevent him from any on-the-road fatigue.

We're 13 minutes from the Call-In Check-Point, so I'll wrap this up. Everybody is safe and having fun, and the weather is Whipped Cream on ****.

GZ

 

[wheatonFJR]

This is some pretty funny stuff...Grand Slam or pancakes?? That's what I wanna know. :lol:

 

[beeroux]

Here is a of pic of Ape Hanger's Ape Hangers.

And this is me after five minutes of riding, suffering from the Ape Hanger's version of priapism.

GZ

 

[GunMD]

Even more updates are now posted over on my blog. I'm off to get organized and then to the finish. The finish opens at 4:30pm and all riders must check in no later than 6pm. More later.

https://justridethebike.blogspot.com/

 

[madmike2]

It sounds like they are all having fun. I wondered if this storm was getting down into that area. It has been raining here, in Sacramento, all day

 

[GunMD]

It sounds like they are all having fun. I wondered if this storm was getting down into that area. It has been raining here, in Sacramento, all day

It sounds like Joe is getting it now. I can see storm clouds to the west of 29 Palms up on the mountains...right where Joe is.

Also, rider # 3 (PJ) is likely getting some weather as well. He should be in the Fontana area about now.

 

[sandiegoland]

Wish me luck.

2 WHeeL 12 Bonus Map

Nice work on the map. Makes it a lot a fun to follow along! :clapping:

I think the Ape Hangers should get a special "people's choice" bonus award of some kind.

Maybe some Icy Hot® Products to apply after the ride? :huh:

 

[GunMD]

There is a blog entry about the finish of the 2 WHeeL 12 rally posted HERE.

The final scores and finishing positions can be found HERE.

:clapping:

 

[turbodave_98]

scott, staff & riders congrats on the rally.

Sorry I could not do it. Look forward to the next one. Sounds like all enjoyed the ride, bonii and experience.

after all, southern CA does offer a lot of diverse scenery, weather and altitude opportunities that makes for an interesting ride..

 

[Wolfhound]

Great first Rally it looks like ! Nice to see some new mini rallies popping up . . . .