Once I was able to get out and snag my first Bonus in the Big Money Rally, it took but 17 days until I achieved Finisher Status. Some of the bright spots, beside the Big Money Rally itself were as follows:
6 National Park visits
8 Summit visits
34 Post Office visits
1 International Border crossing.
1,895.5 total miles
431/2 hours total riding time
3 Washington State Ferry crossing.
1 Half mile long line to get back into the US from British Columbia
1 600+ mile day riding in a Oregon Gully-washer.
1 Tire replacement due to a 2 1/2inch long screw firmly planted into a newer PR2 with only 3K miles on it. :angry:
And, for those who've had the experience you will know what I mean, many hours of riding Oregon's
Great Roads.
One can't say enough good things about them. :clapping:
And the realization that even with a cheesy free phone one can take some fairly good pix and email proof of your bonus snag right from the bonus location. Within 2 mins you receive a text message from the BMR site confirming that your message was successfully received and you're on your way to the next location. And it's nice to see ones pix already posted when you get home.
RenoJohn and his assistants have come up with a very simple process to transfer data and stay up to date on results from a rider's perspective as well as a spectators.
Its been great fun and impressive to how well this whole effort has been planned out and put into play. Congrats to John and his entire team for the Big Money Rally's success to date.
I'm now looking at starting the 2012 Dam Tour at the end of the month. Given that DT 2012 and the BMR have teamed up on certain bonus locations, and the 2012 DT list of dams are filtered in nicely with many on the BMR locations, my snag count should continue to go up as the weeks pass.
Thanks to RenoJohn for this great rally .
Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, WA
Taholah, WA Post Office
Olympic National Park, WA
British Columbia, Canada
Clatsop Crest Summit, OR
Lewis & Clark National Historical Park, OR
Alsea Mountain Summit
Deadwood, OR Post Office
Cascadia, OR Post Office - Distroyed by fire the day before Thanksgiving 2011
Mill City, OR where I achieved official Finisher Status.
There is still plenty of time to get signed up and join in on the fun. You won't be disappointed!
Keep Going!