Feejer/Weejer man
Well-known member
No Longer a Virgin
Where to begin? First was to get certified for an IBA ride. George Zelenz made
it happen at WFO5. Thank you George. He did everything to help us out but ride the ride for us.
We also got our IBA #'s immediately after the ride instead of three to four
months out. The course laid out at the meeting the night prior to the ride.
Hints on Nevada's roadways proved to be a great help. We had a 1028 mile loop
and 7 pictures to document our ride.
Started off at 5 am so the first stop to take a picture of our bike, rally
towel and place so there would be enough light to take a clear picture with our
polaroid. Left out of Reno south to Virginia City through a nice little mountain
pass and some easy twisties to get you going early morning. Found my landmark
and took my picture and off to the east on 50 to Silver Springs. Just out of
Virginia City was the first perfomance award to another rider. Got to Silver
Springs took the polaroid and moved on. So far this is too easy.
Then south on alt 95 to Hawthorne. Found my landmark, took the picture and
off I went. Next off to Tonopah. Had a one way traffic stop for about 10
minutes, first of two delays.Gased up in Tonopah, took a little break, drank
some gtorade and ate a nutient bar. Found my landmark, took the picture and
again off in what I think is a flash. By IBA standards it was probably a nap.
Tonopah to Ely was about 170 miles. This portion of road now hwy 6 was able
to be navigated in a spirited way. Flat, straight and quick. Next land mark was
out of Baker in the Great Basin National Park.
So out of Ely through some sprinkles in the Ely pass. Slowed for an accident
by a cager going the other direction. Out of the pass and now the fun begins.
The thunder clouds started to form in the early afternoon. Mt. Wheeler is out
of Baker at 13,000 feet to which our next reference picture was at 10,500. 12
miles up a crooked little road, 5 laps around the parking lot, took my picture
then down the 12 miles which was a little faster than going up. But now the rain
has started. Lightning and wind and some heavy downpours. Got to the bottom and
had to gear up for the rain. Soaking wet with estimated 30 mph winds to go with
rain. You could barely see the road ahead. Gassed up as I was stopped to put my
rain gear on. This way I could now eliminate a gas stop down the road.
Now the time is passing and the conditions are not good. No way now to make
it to Reno for Friday night WFO dinner. So back through the Ely pass which is
now slick from the rain and full of the hillside silt and gravel that has washed
over the road. So now this ain't so easy. Wet and slowed down it was off to
Eureka, on the loneliest highway, 50. Still in the showers on and off but this
cooled the afternoon to very tolerable temps. With cloud cover and a breeze made
it great for riding conditions. Took my picture of the Eureka Opera house and
next gas stop was Fallon.
Hit Fallon about 7 pm and gassed up and planned to make Gerlach in daylight
to get a picture of the Famous Bruno Bar. But road construction turned twenty
minutes into almost 50 minutes. Sh**!!! Now it will be taking my picture at
Gerlach in the dark. Now the question is, am I done yet? The ride to Gerlach was
straight but now the fatigue is setting in and it is minimum 1 1/2 hour round trip
plus down time for the picture. So figure 2 hours. Took my last bit of
gatorade and ate the rest of a nutrient bar. Now about 9:30 and 77 miles out to
hwy 80. I felt like a beer at Bruno's but knew I couldn't. It is now really
dark and the aux. lights are on. Started dodgeing critters, rabbits, an owl
almost took me out and a coyote. I did not get sleepy but the strain of the
long day and hard riding was being felt. Got to hwy 80 and finally realized this
ain't easy at all. In fact it was downright grueling. 29 more miles, all on open
hwy. Short of 18 hours got to the hotel and realized I had mad it. A certified SS1K.
The bike performed as expected. What a great LD platform. My Russell seat was
beyond comfy for the 1045 miles I rode. In my mind to do this 10 more days in a
row would be almost impossible for me. The Iron Butt riders are true gods. The
mpg were low 40's unless the throttle was opened more on some of the straight
roads. Then low 30's.
Here's the scary part. I got off the bike, was met by George and some of the
other guys who helped with check in. Started documenting the miles and
pictures, talking about some of the ride. George asks if I took a nap. I know
they were like wondering what took you so long. It was about ten minutes of glee
when I looked at George and ask him to hold me up. Light headed, down I went to
my knees. About 15 seconds later I was up but not feeling too good. I had
totally dehydrated badly. Good thing I was grounded. I had a hydration bladder
and used it but it was still not enough. I also don't think I ate enough through
out the day. It took me all the next day to rehydrate and replenish my drained
body.
Now I have an IBA number and an experience that will never be forgotten. And
best of all I finished upright and with no performance awards. This dissertation
is why I am not a writer, but I tried to keep it short. Mike
Probably should ahve posted this in the ride reports. Sorry.
Where to begin? First was to get certified for an IBA ride. George Zelenz made
it happen at WFO5. Thank you George. He did everything to help us out but ride the ride for us.
We also got our IBA #'s immediately after the ride instead of three to four
months out. The course laid out at the meeting the night prior to the ride.
Hints on Nevada's roadways proved to be a great help. We had a 1028 mile loop
and 7 pictures to document our ride.
Started off at 5 am so the first stop to take a picture of our bike, rally
towel and place so there would be enough light to take a clear picture with our
polaroid. Left out of Reno south to Virginia City through a nice little mountain
pass and some easy twisties to get you going early morning. Found my landmark
and took my picture and off to the east on 50 to Silver Springs. Just out of
Virginia City was the first perfomance award to another rider. Got to Silver
Springs took the polaroid and moved on. So far this is too easy.
Then south on alt 95 to Hawthorne. Found my landmark, took the picture and
off I went. Next off to Tonopah. Had a one way traffic stop for about 10
minutes, first of two delays.Gased up in Tonopah, took a little break, drank
some gtorade and ate a nutient bar. Found my landmark, took the picture and
again off in what I think is a flash. By IBA standards it was probably a nap.
Tonopah to Ely was about 170 miles. This portion of road now hwy 6 was able
to be navigated in a spirited way. Flat, straight and quick. Next land mark was
out of Baker in the Great Basin National Park.
So out of Ely through some sprinkles in the Ely pass. Slowed for an accident
by a cager going the other direction. Out of the pass and now the fun begins.
The thunder clouds started to form in the early afternoon. Mt. Wheeler is out
of Baker at 13,000 feet to which our next reference picture was at 10,500. 12
miles up a crooked little road, 5 laps around the parking lot, took my picture
then down the 12 miles which was a little faster than going up. But now the rain
has started. Lightning and wind and some heavy downpours. Got to the bottom and
had to gear up for the rain. Soaking wet with estimated 30 mph winds to go with
rain. You could barely see the road ahead. Gassed up as I was stopped to put my
rain gear on. This way I could now eliminate a gas stop down the road.
Now the time is passing and the conditions are not good. No way now to make
it to Reno for Friday night WFO dinner. So back through the Ely pass which is
now slick from the rain and full of the hillside silt and gravel that has washed
over the road. So now this ain't so easy. Wet and slowed down it was off to
Eureka, on the loneliest highway, 50. Still in the showers on and off but this
cooled the afternoon to very tolerable temps. With cloud cover and a breeze made
it great for riding conditions. Took my picture of the Eureka Opera house and
next gas stop was Fallon.
Hit Fallon about 7 pm and gassed up and planned to make Gerlach in daylight
to get a picture of the Famous Bruno Bar. But road construction turned twenty
minutes into almost 50 minutes. Sh**!!! Now it will be taking my picture at
Gerlach in the dark. Now the question is, am I done yet? The ride to Gerlach was
straight but now the fatigue is setting in and it is minimum 1 1/2 hour round trip
plus down time for the picture. So figure 2 hours. Took my last bit of
gatorade and ate the rest of a nutrient bar. Now about 9:30 and 77 miles out to
hwy 80. I felt like a beer at Bruno's but knew I couldn't. It is now really
dark and the aux. lights are on. Started dodgeing critters, rabbits, an owl
almost took me out and a coyote. I did not get sleepy but the strain of the
long day and hard riding was being felt. Got to hwy 80 and finally realized this
ain't easy at all. In fact it was downright grueling. 29 more miles, all on open
hwy. Short of 18 hours got to the hotel and realized I had mad it. A certified SS1K.
The bike performed as expected. What a great LD platform. My Russell seat was
beyond comfy for the 1045 miles I rode. In my mind to do this 10 more days in a
row would be almost impossible for me. The Iron Butt riders are true gods. The
mpg were low 40's unless the throttle was opened more on some of the straight
roads. Then low 30's.
Here's the scary part. I got off the bike, was met by George and some of the
other guys who helped with check in. Started documenting the miles and
pictures, talking about some of the ride. George asks if I took a nap. I know
they were like wondering what took you so long. It was about ten minutes of glee
when I looked at George and ask him to hold me up. Light headed, down I went to
my knees. About 15 seconds later I was up but not feeling too good. I had
totally dehydrated badly. Good thing I was grounded. I had a hydration bladder
and used it but it was still not enough. I also don't think I ate enough through
out the day. It took me all the next day to rehydrate and replenish my drained
body.
Now I have an IBA number and an experience that will never be forgotten. And
best of all I finished upright and with no performance awards. This dissertation
is why I am not a writer, but I tried to keep it short. Mike
Probably should ahve posted this in the ride reports. Sorry.
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