You might want to pass this truck to avoid the “Fowl Smell”

Now LD Riders have their own Genre in the cinema world in the form of the movie “HARD MILES” 11 Days 11,000 Miles.  “HARD MILES” chronicles the 2007 Iron Butt Rally the ultimate test of motorcycle endurance riding and physical and mental toughness. I was fortunate to get a special preview at the 2008 Iron Butt Associations National Meet in Tulsa last July.  I have an interest in this movie as some of my friends are featured in it.

“HARD MILES” BY Abracadabra Press

This is the exciting documentary of the August 2007 Iron Butt Rally.   15 months in the making, this video shows what it takes to win and lose the legendary long distance endurance motorcycle rally.  97 riders faced incredible challenges, never-ending rain, relentless heat, and endless hard miles.  This is the amazing saga of 11 long days as they ride throughout North America.  Hear the riders tell the story and witness the joy and the heartbreak that is the Iron Butt Rally.

At one time, The Iron Butt Rally had a “sit here, twist that!” ideology which resulted in heroic miles to win.  Now winning or losing the rally just might be determined before a leg is tossed over the saddle.  In the 2007 Iron Butt Rally, route planning, a reliable ride, a proven top rider, and the key uses of communications and outside support team was the winning combination.  Run time is: 66 minutes

When:  December 6, 2008 6:00 PM ­ 9:00 PM
Where:  Abracadabra, , 1331 E. Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana, CA  92705, 714-667-1010

GPS Coordinates
N 33° 43.630’
W 117° 51.193’

The Premiere coincides with 28th Annual Cycleworld International Motorcycle Show, Long Beach CA.  Get motorcycle show info and tickets to the show at:
https://buytickets.motorcycleshows.com/tickets.aspx?sh=529

The Long Beach Motorcycle show opens Saturday at 9:30 AM.  Walk the motorcycle show, buy your farkles, and then leave early enough to ride 35 minutes down the I-405 to Santa Ana.

Arrive at the Premiere between 6:00 - 7:00 PM.  Light hors d’oeuvre and soft drinks available. The Hard Miles will be displayed on a 12- foot wide screen with awesome audio.

All pre-orders of “Hard Miles” will be in the mail the first week of December!!!!!

RSVP:  Please respond directly to:
Dean Tanji
dtanji@gmail.com
Include name and guest(s)

If you can’t attend the Premiere, more information about the movis is available at:

http://www.apgvideo.com/ironbutt07/

Corned beef hash and eggs, accompanied with the “Home Fries”.

Once I hit Lordsburg NM, the temperatures dropped into the low 40’s with my throttle hand cramping near Las Cruces, I almost called it a night.  My goal was to hit Texas which I did, after pushing on and a full hard day in the saddle.  It was a pretty satisfying day knowing that the previous morning I had been in the SF Bay Area and was now in Texas.

Day #3, was to try and make it the 601 miles from El Paso to home.  Once out of El Paso, I-10 opens up to a speed limit of 80 MPH, which allows a steady cruise at 85 MPH without getting in trouble.  A few cars cruised by me at 95 plus, so I followed them at a safe distance.  Both cars, a Black Audi and a Black Dodge Charger  got pulled over a short time later just east of Van Horn.  I took the opportunity since they were tying up the LEO’s to open it up for a while, making up for the short winter days.  The first few hours of the ride was very cold, in the upper 40’s and low 50’s but after two hard days of riding, it seemed much colder.  I hit a psychological wall at about 350 miles into the ride, causing me to think about stopping in Junction Texas and finishing the last 150 miles home the next morning.

One of the many rest stops of E/B I-10 with Free Wi-Fi and Snakes.  You gotta Luv Texas

Red Bull break and fuel stop

Cockpit view of E/B I-10 in S/W Texas…not a very exciting ride but it has a few scene vistas.
After a quick break and a red bull near Fort Stockton, I got rejuvenated and pressed on home.  The short day light hours plagued me, as I reached Junction Texas.  This is the beginning of Hill Country to the north and is chock full of deer.  I quickly made my way from I-10 north towards Fredericksburg, as I lost last light.  I could see deer all along the shoulders and the constant scanning was getting me tired fast.

I finally reached Fredericksburg, only 92 miles from home, when I had a revelation.  Why not just stop here for the night.  I could finished the last few miles home in the light and still be home before lunch, free from worrying about the deer.  The store fronts along the main street were all lit with their Christmas decorations and a nice cold beer from one of the many German Biergartens seemed an appropriate reward for three days of hard riding.

Oktoberfest Draft with the German Sausage Sampler.  I gave the waitress a $7 dollar tip for having to serve me in the cold outdoors.

As I made my way down main street, it started to rain but just very lightly.  I reached Atdorf’s Biergarten, with the outdoor dining area well light but empty.  The waitress started to escort me into the inside dining area and seemed surprised when I requested to sit outside.  With my riding gear on I was plenty warm and it was well protected from any threatening rain.  After washing the the Sausage Sampler down with a German Draft Beer, I checked into a motel for the night to reflect on the last 4,000 miles.  I am looking forward to a few weeks at home to just vegetate and get some things done at the ranch and think of where the next ride will take me.

Almost home Day #3

The day before I had gotten new tires and during the tire removal, it was noted my brake pads were almost done.  I had neglected to check my brake pads before leaving but there are always lessons to be learned from every trip.  The rear pads were completely gone and the fronts have about 1mm left before they hit metal.  I was able to get the rear pads changed but couldn’t get new front ones before I left.  I will try to use only my rear brake on the ride home when needed, in order to save the fronts in case of FUBAR’S.  Besides, I will be mostly on the Interstates so other than emergency braking I can gear down and use the rear brake only.

I spent the night at Tony Zega’s house in Tracy, Ca which allowed me to start the 1,800 mile ride, away from the congestion of the Bay Area Traffic.  At 0600 hrs in the early morning darkness of Daylight Savings Time, I topped off my tank with fuel and began my trek home.  From Tony’s it is just a few minutes to Interstate 5 and I was making good time in the pre-dawn light, with very little traffic.  As usual on long trips, I rode about 100 miles before stopping to have breakfast, just as the sun began to rise directly in front of me.  It was good timing to eat, allowing the sun to crest above the horizon and aleviating having to ride directly into the sun. I normally like to ride from 30 minutes to an hour after waking, to get a good head start on any long journey, which gets me down the road and away from the urban sprawl and also helps to build up a good morning appetite.

After a light breakfast, a few text messages and half a cup of coffee, I resumed my ride.  Now I thought I had gotten a good nights rest but as I continued south, I was fighting the nods.  After another 50 miles, I pulled over to have a Red Bull but it wasn’t working.  I continued to ride, singing to myself inside my helmet but even my off key attempt to keep myself awake was failing.  Now I don’t know if I actually fell asleep but I startled myself a few times, so I let reason win over the need to get back home and pulled over.  I stopped at the Motel 6 at Hwy 46 and I-5, breaking my rule of abstaining from lodges which contain a number in their name.  The alternative of trying to catch a nap on top of my bike or on the ground, made the stay the lesser of two evils.  I reasoned that the $44 nap was much cheaper than and ambulance ride or buying a new machine, so be it.

I grabbed my tank bag, opened the door to my room, pulled of my helmet leaving my ear plugs in and plopped down on the bed.  I immediately went to sleep and awoke an hour and a half later, groggy but refreshed.  It was just what the Doctor ordered and it would allow me to reach my goal for the day, get out of California.  I always opt to take the long way round Los Angeles when heading to or from the S.F. Bay Area, so I continued East on Hwy 46 to Hwy 99, then Hwy 58 over Tehacaphi pass.  This time I decided to head to Barstow and take a route past Joshua Tree National Park and rejoin 10, for the remainder home.  I hadn’t taken this route yet and I am always willing to ride and extra hour or two, just to avoid Dante’s tenth level of Hell, Southern California.

Temperatures varied from the low 40’s to the low 80’s, through out the ride and as I made my way through Palm Springs, the sun began to set.  During Daylight Savings time I always feel robbed of ride time, as the days grow short during the winter months.  With 100 miles to Bltyhe, Ca on the Az border I was reading a half a tank of fuel.  This should be perfect, allowing me to arrive in Blythe with a near empty tank.

Empty Tank.  Note:  The trip meter is off as I forgot to reset it when I left Tracy.  Actual mileage was obtained from my GPS and Streets and Trips.  Average MPG was 42, the clock is set on Central time.

With 578 miles on the odometer, I made my way to the Best Western Sahara in Blythe, 12 hours from my start time, with a cramp in my right hand.  With 1/3 of my trip complete, I thought it was a good time to call it a day and get some rest.  If all goes well, I will make it to the ranch by Dinner Sat night.  I think the next time I head out, I will take a double dose of Vitamin “C” to help get me through the day.

Streets and Trips Map of my route 598 Miles

Metzler Road Tec tire with 12k miles

The Guru Palace

Lunch Buffet Menu Board

Troy, fellow member of Sharkhunters International stuffed full of curry

You can see by the menu pic, there is a wide selection of Indian foods to choose from.  If you are unifamiliar with Indian Cuisine, it is a great way to go to find out what you like.  I concentrated on the Tandoori Chicken, Curry Chicken and pureed eggplant, accompanied by some rice and Nann, a variation of flat bread.  I must say, Troy was right on, the food there was fantastic!  I highly recommend a visit if you are in the Phoeniz area, you won’t be dissapointed.

After lunching with Troy I began making my way to I-10.  As I reached the junction of Hwy 60 and I-75, I decided to go north.  It would be longer in distance to California but more scene, taking me through more hilly terrain past Prescott and into Flagstaff.  From there I would work my way to Seligman and then onto Kingman Az for the night.  It was 57 degrees when I left Phoeniz and it quickly cooled as I passed Prescott.  This portion of I-75 is also known as the Arizona Veterans Highway, which I thought befitting since tomorrow would be Veterans Day.  As I reached 7,000 feet in elevation, the presence of snow littered the hills and edges of the road.  I looke at my thermometer and it show 39 degrees and dropping.

Mini Zeke enjoys the view while I put on my cold weather gear

As I reached Flagstaff, there was heavy dark overcast, threatening rain or snow.  The temperature now read 34 degrees and Ice warnings were posted on overpasses and bridges.  I stopped briefly to put on my winter gloves, balacava and jacket liner and water the trees.  There is something about cold air that makes me have to empty my tanks in regular fashion.  I had my electric vest but of course I left the connector back at the ranch.  Although I could use the electric, it had pretty good insulating qualities and it did a good job keeping me warm.  I figured with the wind chill, it was equivelant to 25 degrees.  In Flagstaff, there was even more snow on the ground and I made my transition to I-40, which would take me to Seligman.

Seligman is an old town, having its heyday during the Route 66 years, prior to the building of the interstate.  Like many other towns and stops along Route 66, they withered on the vine as travelers no longer stopped for business.  Over the last five year, Seligman has taken advatange of the nostalgia boom and has revitatlized the town, making it a must see and roadside novelty.  There are good places to eat and the A&W there serves their root beer the old fashion way and has a distinct carmel flavor.

Looking south into town and getting dark

The A&W is located at the Chevron Station

Mustang Fuel stop and good burgers too!

As I got 10 miles from Seligman, it started to rain but I was dropping in elevation so the temperature warmed into the high 40’s.  A heavy downpour ensued and it was working its way east.  As I reached Seligman, the front passed over the town and the skies cleared up.  I grabbed a quick bite and root beer at the A&W, took a few pictures and hit the old portion of Route 66, which leads to Kingman.  It is about 55 miles to Kingman on Route 66 and since it is still a two laned highway, the speed limit is 65.  As you leave Seligman westbound, you see the first of several “Burma Shave” signs.

If you are not familiar with the Burma Shave sign phenomenon, Wikipedia it.

Leaving Seligman Az on Route 66

Mini Zeke relaxes after a hard day

As the sun set, the skies grew dark quickly the temperatures dropped back down to the high 30’s.  The ride was literally traffic free and the hills and sweeping curves made it a much more enjoyable ride that sticking with the interstate.  I arrived in Kingman around 1930 hrs local time and checked into the Best Western Kings Inn and Suites after a 331 mile day.  With my AAA discount, I got a King bed with mini-suite for $74 dollars.  Mini Zeke thought the bed looked comfortable and immediately homesteaded a spot for himself and thought he would rest after four straight days of riding.

The days route 331 Miles

Well, tomorrow I enter my old home state to see friends and goof around.  My goal is to hit Tracy, Calif around 1700 hrs, for a stay at my friends, Tony “Zega” Delgado.  I have about 600 miles to cover on my selected route, so it will be a full day of riding of ten hours in the saddle.  It will be Veterans day and my birthday and I can’t think of a better present to myself than a good long ride to see friends.

Todays route

I reached Tucson around 1300 hrs and had a delightful lunch with Dionne at a local pub called Famous Sam’s Bar and Grill.  It is located only three blocks east of N/B I-10 at exit 252.  I sampled their 1/2 lbs Sam Burger which was tender a juicy but they only offered Pepsi so I opted for the iced tea and cole slaw in lieu of french fries.  It was a good place to grab a bite and you can watch sports on the many flat screen televisions located within.  Click on the photo to go to their website.

Famous Sam’s a good place for a burger or sandwich in Arizona

After catching up on family gossip, I made my way to Phoenix, 109 miles north of Tucson via I-10.  Continuing construction zones hamper your progress with reduced speed zones.  I noticed a storm front moving in from the west but the usual haze that signals a downpour looked different.  With Easterly winds gusts increasing coupled with the tumbleweeds flying across the highway signalled a dust storm.  I pulled over briefly 58 miles south of Phoeniz to assess the situation.  Many RV’s and Harley Riders decided to take a break.  According to the GPS I-10 veers N/E away from the storm front, so I decided to try and beat the heart of the storm.

A Storm’s a brewing!

Into the Abyss!

I caught the leading edge of the rain portion and 44 miles south of Phoenix, I hit the dust portion.  I figured a few minutes more and the rain would combine with the dust into mud showers.  I was caught in a brief stretch of 10 miles were visibility was greatly reduce, causing the traffic to slow to 25 MPH.  I felt like a Hurricane Buster aircraft entering the eye of the storm when I broke through the dust into the sunlight.  I could tell the winds were increasing but I was able to make it to the Best Western on Priest Dr before it got any worse.

Left to right; Zeke and Ken Usher.  Ken is from England but now lives in the States

I called Troy who was called into work but was pleasantly surprised to find that Ken, who normally lives in Costa Mesa, Ca was visiting Troy.  Ken made his way to the Hotel while I washed my riding shorts and socks in the sink and hung them to dry.  Ken picked me up in his cage and took me to “The Streets of New York Pizza” restaurant.  Troy had told me it was the best pizza he ever had and I think he was right.  We ordered their signature pizza and washed it down with some Lager, combined with a full belly, made for sleepy time.  I highly recommend you visit one soon, if you are in Arizona.

Hecka good pizza folks!

Tomorrow I make my way into California but I will try to hook up with Troy for lunch before leaving.  I dread riding west towards Needles in the afternoon, as you are looking directly into the sun.  Only 798 more miles before I hit Tracy, Ca and the home of my friend Tony “Zega” Delgado.  I also notified my friend Pete Ullman of Fremont Kawasaki/Honda to get some Metzler tires ready for my bike, which will need new meat and oil for the rest of my trip.