FJRForum Official 2017 Iron Butt Rally Tracking/Analysis Thread

[eddiememphis]

250 Ninja was in Libby, Montana this morning at 5:45 local time to take a picture of a boid.

 

[GrayDog37]

Newfoundland....there's also a ferry that sails from Argentia, way to the east, near Placentia on Placentia Bay. Sails Sun, Wed, and Fri (or Mon, Thu, Sat on another published schedule) at 5pm. Newfoundland is large...571 miles from St. Johns to Port-Aux-Basques. Several riders are headed that way. So, it is yet another interesting option. What a great puzzle!

 

[Ignacio]

I would concur. My guess is the RM baked in the missing official RB into the 7 hour ferry ride x2 plus points on the island. And maybe some riders on the way to NL did get some of the RB. Memory serves past IBRs were scored by the minute and 4-6 hours.

 

[exskibum]

Couple of riders possibly heading to Happy Camp on 96. One of them rode across 299 from Redding. Glad to see a couple of them finally enjoying the motorcycling in Northern California this rally.

Big Foot at 299 & 96 in Willow Creek?

No, the Bigfoot statue is in Happy Camp.

So, what happened to the ~12' Bigfoot statue in front of the museum at the back of the parking lot for the restaurant (that is just east of the museum) on the northwest corner where 96 tees into 299? Was it moved in the last few years to Happy Camp, or is it simply not on the list of rally bonuses? There are so many dang Bigfoot in that area (and I guess I vaguely remember something in Happy Camp), but it's the 10 or 12 footer in Willow Creek that most impressed me every time I have been through that area.

 

[RenoJohn]

I do see some variation on routing. While Channel-Port aux Basques to St. John is mostly out-and-back (unless they are going on to Labrador....which I really doubt given less than 3 days), I think I see somebody headed to Robert's Arm while others continue. And I saw a small diversion to Corner Brook. Seems like 3 or more bonuses out here so far and probably different ways to scoop them up. I'm betting rally rider CPUs are over-clocked and their GPS running myriad "what-if" scenarios of the island AND after getting back to the mainland.
If they're coming back to the same ferry, it looks like 11:45 pm or 11:45 am again for departure with expectation of 9:45 check-in. That's 10-12 hours of riding time....or 22-24. I'm having trouble making those work efficiently....too short or too long unless they have tons of off the main route stuff to do or bonus(es) up towards the northern tip. The later ferry makes it hard to get back to the finish in time though...

Wait! Special extra sailing once a week. 6:45 am on Wednesday! Another little nugget the RM is throwing in there to separate the top runners? Could we see riders go back to their launch point around 5 am ADT?

Math is not getting a holiday this July 4th.

These riders are going to be making some very difficult decisions, and they're going to be speculating on what others might do. 5 riders (seemingly 1 more on the way) ..they're out on their own island. Math is their primary sustenance and they're living in each others' heads.

Wonder how many have made multiple departing ferry reservations, or if their chosen route has already committed them to a particular ferry.

Great post Iggster, thanks for the legwork

RJ

 

[danalipps]

From what I can tell the ferry leaving from Placentia only sails 3 times a week. The 5 in Newfoundland only have Port Aux Basques as an option. It depends now on which ferry time they make.

 

[puppychow]

Couple of riders possibly heading to Happy Camp on 96. One of them rode across 299 from Redding. Glad to see a couple of them finally enjoying the motorcycling in Northern California this rally. <

Big Foot at 299 & 96 in Willow Creek?

No, the Bigfoot statue is in Happy Camp.

So, what happened to the ~12' Bigfoot statue in front of the museum at the back of the parking lot for the restaurant (that is just east of the museum) on the northwest corner where 96 tees into 299? Was it moved in the last few years to Happy Camp, or is it simply not on the list of rally bonuses? There are so many dang Bigfoot in that area (and I guess I vaguely remember something in Happy Camp), but it's the 10 or 12 footer in Willow Creek that most impressed me every time I have been through that area.

You are partly correct, and I was partly wrong.
I suppose there is one there as well, I had forgotten about it, as it's the one in happy camp with its metal work which I was impressed by and stop to see when I ride through happy camp.If you haven't seen it, let's ride up to happy camp!

I wonder if they also picked up the giant fly in obrien, but I didn't see the spots heading that way.

 

[Biquer]

Mishell the mermaid?

Edit

Nope, I don't think so.

 

[Tyler]

Wonder how many have made multiple departing ferry reservations, or if their chosen route has already committed them to a particular ferry.

Do you think that any of those riders would go all the way out there without making ferry reservations in advance??

 

[DaJuice]

IBR Rider in Maine needs help:

Mike Heitkamp is on I-95 50 miles west of Houlton Maine with a large hole in his rear tire. He is plugging it but has several plugs in already and it is not holding air, even long enough to move down the road. There is a truck stop in Houlton that might be able to patch it that is open today if he could get his wheel there. Otherwise he is also looking at an option to get it into Canada where there are open MC shops today.


He has a 2015 GSA. Can anyone in the area offer assistance? Please call or text me, 952-412-6235.

Mike has a tow truck coming to get him. He will tow it to Bangor and wait for the dealerships to open in the morning. Hopefully one of them has a tire for him. If we come up with a better option once he is in Bangor he'd still love to get back on the road earlier!

 

[RJAMT]

It looks like the Newfoundland crew is making a quick detour south to hit something in Witless Bay before heading up to St. John's but I can't figure out what. Any clues?

 

[RayW]

It looks like the Newfoundland crew is making a quick detour south to hit something in Witless Bay before heading up to St. John's but I can't figure out what. Any clues?

ST Johns looks like a dog statue in Harbourside Park. Gotta love Google street view!

 

[marcusorelius]

Sportster forum Brad, just reported repairs done & Chris is on the road!

 

[RJAMT]

Yeah, the park has statues of a Newfoundland and a Labrador; two great breeds from Canada.

 

[rickcorwn]

IBR Rider in Maine needs help:

Mike Heitkamp is on I-95 50 miles west of Houlton Maine with a large hole in his rear tire. He is plugging it but has several plugs in already and it is not holding air, even long enough to move down the road. There is a truck stop in Houlton that might be able to patch it that is open today if he could get his wheel there. Otherwise he is also looking at an option to get it into Canada where there are open MC shops today.


He has a 2015 GSA. Can anyone in the area offer assistance? Please call or text me, 952-412-6235.

Mike has a tow truck coming to get him. He will tow it to Bangor and wait for the dealerships to open in the morning. Hopefully one of them has a tire for him. If we come up with a better option once he is in Bangor he'd still love to get back on the road earlier!

Is patching the tire at the truckstop not an option?

 

[ChrisW]

IBR Rider in Maine needs help:

Mike Heitkamp is on I-95 50 miles west of Houlton Maine with a large hole in his rear tire. He is plugging it but has several plugs in already and it is not holding air, even long enough to move down the road. There is a truck stop in Houlton that might be able to patch it that is open today if he could get his wheel there. Otherwise he is also looking at an option to get it into Canada where there are open MC shops today.


He has a 2015 GSA. Can anyone in the area offer assistance? Please call or text me, 952-412-6235.

Mike has a tow truck coming to get him. He will tow it to Bangor and wait for the dealerships to open in the morning. Hopefully one of them has a tire for him. If we come up with a better option once he is in Bangor he'd still love to get back on the road earlier!

Posted on adv as well.

What tire does a GSA use?

Try posting here: https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/maine-riders.396920/page-2759

 

[rickcorwn]

IBR Rider in Maine needs help:

Mike Heitkamp is on I-95 50 miles west of Houlton Maine with a large hole in his rear tire. He is plugging it but has several plugs in already and it is not holding air, even long enough to move down the road. There is a truck stop in Houlton that might be able to patch it that is open today if he could get his wheel there. Otherwise he is also looking at an option to get it into Canada where there are open MC shops today.


He has a 2015 GSA. Can anyone in the area offer assistance? Please call or text me, 952-412-6235.

Mike has a tow truck coming to get him. He will tow it to Bangor and wait for the dealerships to open in the morning. Hopefully one of them has a tire for him. If we come up with a better option once he is in Bangor he'd still love to get back on the road earlier!

Posted on adv as well.

What tire does a GSA use?

Try posting here: https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/maine-riders.396920/page-2759

170-60-17

 

[Bounce]

Who would have thought a little 250cc could carry a set of balls that big.

2003 13th place Finisher, Leon Bergeman?

 

[Ignacio]

Riders are reaching apogee. The rubber band is taught. Riders are feeling the tug of Minneapolis and gazing at the horizon...and horizon beyond. There are a precious few mountain ranges, valleys, and prairies between them and the barn.

We're in Day 9 and "the fog" is starting to set in riders minds. Nobody can understand this time between now and the finish...except maybe riders who have done it before...and even we only vaguely remember it.

Majestic sunrises have been seen, wispy sunsets witnessed, and emotions are just below the surface of every rider. Triumph and bittersweet tears are in play...and hopefully no tragedy to come.

Give a virtual hug to your favorite rider tonight. They can feel you...they're reading this and social media even though they can't say anything....they're turning their two wheels to get back to you.

And we're at the Finish Line, virtual or literal, waiting with open arms....and even Warchild is smiling. Minnesota wants you to come back!

Ride smooth tonight IBR Class of 2017.

Matt Watkins
IBA #332

 

[DaJuice]

IBR Rider in Maine needs help:

Mike Heitkamp is on I-95 50 miles west of Houlton Maine with a large hole in his rear tire. He is plugging it but has several plugs in already and it is not holding air, even long enough to move down the road. There is a truck stop in Houlton that might be able to patch it that is open today if he could get his wheel there. Otherwise he is also looking at an option to get it into Canada where there are open MC shops today.


He has a 2015 GSA. Can anyone in the area offer assistance? Please call or text me, 952-412-6235.

Mike has a tow truck coming to get him. He will tow it to Bangor and wait for the dealerships to open in the morning. Hopefully one of them has a tire for him. If we come up with a better option once he is in Bangor he'd still love to get back on the road earlier!

Posted on adv as well.

What tire does a GSA use?

Try posting here: https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/maine-riders.396920/page-2759

170-60-17

Mike is in Bangor. Chris W is 2 hours out with a 180/55-17 they are going to try and squeeze on. If they can't get that to work, Chris is also bringing a trailer so they can get the bike to somewhere that does have one.