Sunrise to Sunset Insanity; Watt was I thinking

[Shoganai]

I had to wait until my story was publish in the Iron Butt Magazine before I could post openly about this ride. It came out in the 2013 Winter Edition.
Please consider supporting the Iron Butt Association and all the while reading wonderful stories, product reviews and tech articles.
Without the community support I received from them I would have never discovered my passion for Long Distance riding.

http://www.ironbutt.com/ibmagazine/



Sunrise to Sunset Insanity; Watt was I thinking


In 2007, while riding with Hoagy’s Heroes on a 50CC, I fell asleep at over 70 mph. The short version is I totaled a 2005 BMW R1200ST, got a chopper ride I don’t recall, lost nine days memory, fractured my left clavicle, sternoclavicular dislocation, cardiac contusion, burst fractures of T6 and T7, broke all the spinus processes left of T5 through T10, and a fractured few ribs. It wasn’t like I was a noob either. At the time of the event I had over 300,000 miles and a solo 2.5 month Alaska trip under my belt. As it turned out, I had undiagnosed sleep apnea and in 2008 I started on a CPAP. I can't tell you what a difference it’s made.








I love me some Hoagy.





Although I was riding a K12R before I was out of the turtle shell, it took me over a year to be mostly pain free. I went through a deep depression punctuated with ill-defined flashbacks, sudden panic attacks while riding and waking up crying at night for no reason. The depression associated with narcotic withdrawal didn't help either.







In 2011 I planned a ride to visit my friend Drake Smith on Marrowstone Island for a tiny Classic K gathering and chose to re-attempt my failed 50CC. I believed it was within me to succeed and I wanted to shake off the ghost of failure. My friend Larry Meeker signed as my Jacksonville Beach witness and gave me an escort out of town. I finished the ride in 45 hours including a BBG. My friend Garry Springgay rode to San Diego from Arizona to sign my paperwork and deliver a great hug. The ride went very smoothly and I had such an awesome time at Drake's, I told him would return in two years.


It was at this time that I 'met' Bill Watt on the LDRiders List. If he had not strongly and insistently pushed me to send in the 50cc/BBG paperwork, I never would have. I only did the ride so that crash didn't beat me and to satisfy myself. It was never about or for recognition or acceptance because I have never felt the need to prove anything to anyone but myself.


At some point in 2012, I mentioned to Bill Watt that I would like to meet him in 2013 because I was heading west to see my friend Drake again. Bill said, ‘why don’t you do a Sunrise to Sunset Insanity?’ I’ll say this about that; Bill knows how to set a hook so softly you’ll never feel it. Having never heard of it, I wanted to know more about the IBA ride I was about to attempt but it  has been very difficult to get details. The IBA records show Bob St. George was the first to do this ride in 08/02, followed by Bill Watt 06/04. Bob and Bill shared a special connection in that they both were honored to have Ron Smith sign their La Push paperwork. The next riders were from the Motorcycle Tourer's Forum on 07/08. Then it lay dormant for 5 years, until Bill Watt and I crossed internet paths. Beyond that, I could find very little about this ride.


I loved how Watt described it, "The idea behind the ride was to ride from when the sun's rays first kiss the shores of the United States to where it whispers to the west shore goodnight'"

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Long before I have ever hear of the Iron Butt association and many years before I ever rode with another rider or even went to a gathering of riders, I was already living the life. And not unlike the cowboys who slept by their horses on their long journeys across the prairie, I too would slept by my steed.




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If you are inclined, please listen to the songs because they are as much of this story as the words themselves.

[Shoganai]

Let there be no mistake, I just piloted the bike, it was ALL the people that helped and supported me that really made this ride happen. First, let me recognize my husband Steve for all his support helping me to get the bike ready, especially with herding electrons. Secondly, I want to thank my parents Charles and Earlene Gardner for keeping my Autistic son Johnathan.


Originally I had planned to just ride the Sunrise to Sunset and then take the long way home. However, we had a change in management at thehospital and I lost the extra days I needed for a casual ride back home. The Sunrise to Sunset WEST to east was the result of me HAVING to return to work seven days earlier than I had first planned.


Using the data from my 50CC, I forged four riding goals: Sunrise to Sunset east to west including a Saddle Sore Gold 2000 and Sunrise to Sunset west to east including a Bun Burner Gold 3000.


I did recieve some admonishment for planning TOO much and planning to DO too much from some riders but failing to plan is planning to fail IMHO. That said, the ultimate goal of this ride or any for that matter is to return home safely.


I used Google Earth to build the route, starting by placing waypoints every 50 miles. Then, using Street View I zoomed in closely looking for fuel stations close to the route. This also let me "see" if the fuel pumps were credit card ready or not.


In most cases, Google Earth had the location data, but if not I used Google search. If I thought I could use it, I called the station to verify that they were open 24/7 or at least have pay at the pump after hours. Then, I made a list of the stations including name, address, phone number, exit or mile marker, Lat., Log., distance off route, direction at end of ramp and which side of the road.


After I found 120 stations, I measured the distance between them. I now knew the distance to any fuel location from any other location. I would only use 12 to 15 of them but this allowed for extreme flexibility so that any route or time changes could be easily absorbed and I could be 100% confident of what my resources were. I made route cards with this data that also included time zones and state lines then laminated and bound those into 5x7 booklets. Because I planned to ride the West to East route differently, I had to create a separate route book for it.














Using conversion software I loaded the routes into Mapsource, only keeping the 100 mile mark waypoints, fuel, time zones and state lines. I did this so that any time I looked at how far I needed to go; it was always less than 100 miles to the next waypoint. I would think, “That’s all? I can make it that far,” and just kept saying that every 100 miles.

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[Shoganai]

Because of the known receipt issues in Eastport, I called the only fuel station there, Bay City Garage. After I explained to the owner Colleen Dana-Cummings what I was planning to do, she told me she would open the store any time I arrived and gave me her personal number. As it turns out, she and her husband Walt also ride.


In the west, Bill Watt and Brian Diver were amazingly helpful with regarding to routes, traffic and the Edmonds Ferry. David Morgan had volunteered early in the planning of this ride and when Bill Watt couldn't make it to La Push, WA, he and his wife were there for me. Many members of the LDRider List were eminently helpful with advice and suggestions.


Balancing the Ferry times and the I-90 Snoqualmie pass closures, I determined I needed to be in Ellensburg, WA by no later than 20:00. That set my Eastport departure at 05:00. La Push also has receipt issues so I called Lonesome Creek Store to confirm hours of operation and I determined I could make it with the 05:00 departure time.


As for personal prep, my good friend Jim Gibbs cautioned to me, “Dear, you’re not in riding shape”. He was dead right. Due to work, life in general, managing my adult Autistic son and wrenching on my bike I had ridden less than 2000 in two years. I had my 1994 BMW K1100RS, street ready by May 1st, 2013 and rode two shake down rides that month; one for 1000 miles and one for 700 miles.


In January 2013 I was diagnosed with Pre-Diabetes so I worked to lose 25 lbs. and re-learned how to eat on the road and discovered I'm allergic to artificial sweeteners. Food prep included frying up four pounds of bacon and packaging each in vacuum bags. If I was going eat fat, I was going eat tasty fat and I don’t like store bought jerky or Slim Jims.


I bought Fresh Squeezed (tm) bags which are ready to fill 4oz. baby food bags and filled them with different blends of nut butters. I used peanut, almond, sunflower and cashew and added things like cinnamon, nutmeg, coco powder, vanilla, coconut oil and extracts along with Stevia. These were fantastic hunger stoppers that also satisfied my need for something sweet. I also bought Glucerna on each coast and drank three or four a day while riding.





I believe being a night nurse for years helped me in that once or twice a week I stay awake 25 to 38 hours when I switch from nights to days. Since going on CPAP, I require less sleep in general than before and recover fairly well with six or seven hours sleep.


Skip the next paragraph if you’re squeamish, just sayin’.


I have a 250cc bladder and I know for a fact I’ll not drink anywhere near enough if I’m riding and don’t want to stop. For those that didn’t heed my warning, keep in mind I’m a nurse. I bought two 12F silicone Foley catheters, two 1000cc leg bags and sterile gloves. The leg bag was attached to tubing that extended a little beyond my pants leg. I cut a hole inside the left pocket of my jeans where I could access a roller clamp.


I would pull over anywhere along the interstate, walk around to the right side of the bike, release the clamp, pretend to fiddle with the bike, re-clamp and get rolling again. Side stand down to rolling was less than 4 minutes and that's damn fast for a girl to take a piss. I didn't have to find a bathroom which saved an astonishing amount of time as anyone who's ever travel with a female companion knows.


No, it was not remarkably uncomfortable which even surprised me. Early on I discovered the silicone would get a little twisted in the short and curlies but with a little application of baby oil that was solved.

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[Shoganai]

Before starting with the lighting and electrical, I removed all non-OEM wiring.





I converted main head light to HID and changed the turn signals to LED and from 1156 to 1157 & brake light to LED. I installed the following: PIAA 910’s using a mount I designed and had fabricated and converted to 55 watt HID, Quad CREE XML T6 LED 3000Lm on forks, a LED to illuminate the oil site glass, LED voltmeter, digital ambient temp gauge, new headlight gasket, a manual fan switch, cruise control (with much help from my husband), a flexible LED strip inside the tank bag, a dash LED light strip under the GPS bracket, a LED under the tank bag to illuminate the fuel tank when fueling in dark places, a Summit Racing fuel cell ( a gift from my friend Jeff) that is gravity fed, two fuel quick disconnects so that I can remove either the main tank or fuel cell independently, an manual AUX fuel tank vent shut off valve and a tank protector. My husband placed the bulkhead fitting in main fuel tank. I placed thin, hardwood side inserts in tank bag to maintain shape and to attach LED strips. The icing on the cake was a 17 year old, European edition, never used OEM exhaust and ran the bike without an O2 sensor because the EU edition of the time didn't have a sensor installed. (Yes, the bike ran just fine)




















Every ride should have a Motto, this was mine.








All the pictures and wrenching are told here.

http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5777&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=195



I designed and built the following; a switch panel in the left side fairing that contained switched power on PIAAs, CREEs, Power-Let and J&M headset; non-switched power to the inside/underside tank bag LEDs and oil site glass LED. I also built a time zone clock in the right side fairing, a handmade a new lens for engine temp gauge, modified side stand so the bike would not lean so much, a relay block for accessories, a mounting bracket for the J&M, cruise control and fan switch combo, keyless access knob for fuel tank out of Twisted Throttle tragkorb knurled knobs donated by my husband.


I built a heavy duty support frame for the Summit Racing 5 gal. fuel cell that attaches to the bikes frame under the tail cowl and using a Touratech Universal Top Case mounting bracket.


I replaced the following:  fuel filter, spark plugs, brake pads and flushed system, thermostat, fan motor TWICE (don't ask), radiator grill with expanded stainless (a gift from Drake) and exchanged the standard Summit filler cap with the large mouth, D-ring type. I honesty believe it would require less moving of crap to do brain surgery on a python starting at it's butt than what it took to replace the fan motor!


Other things included modifying battery terminals to make access easier and manage the extra wires, preformed a throttle body sync, polished oil site glass, repaired cracked tragkorbs, applied hand cut 3M Solas reflective tape to tragkorbs and had forks rebuilt by Morton’s BMW.


Tank bag modifications; I designed a better way to attach the tank bag to speed filling, added extra side pockets, attached (2) one liter bottle holders, modified the largemouth caps with silicone sip tubes and attached zip-lanyards to retract tubes when released and added zip-lanyard to keep face shield rag from blowing way if I lost my grip.


To satisfy the IBA's documentation requirements I needed to have two witness on each end of the Sunrise to Sunset and ideally a fuel receipt every 350 miles. In addition any receipts for lodging and ferry while on the clock.


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[Shoganai]

The ride to Eastport, ME.



“Sitting on my own not by myself, everybody's here with me

I don't need to touch your face to know, I don't need to use my eyes to see

I keep on wondering if I sleep too long, will I always wake up the same or so?

And keep on wondering if I sleep too long, will I even wake up again or something

Oh I am on my way, I know I am, but times there were when I thought not”.

Cat Stevens – Sitting


We all walk in the shadows of greatness but are not over-shadowed, because greatness of spirit whispers, "Follow me and I will show you the way".


Augie. (sorry so small, it was a cell phone pic)




On the first night after leaving home, I stayed with my longtime friend Jeff "Augie" Augustine in Waltham, MA. and following morning we rode together to the Ardys Kellerman Memorial Service in East Greenwich, RI.  I was so grateful my friend was with me because I don't do well in crowds.











Voni Glaves had implored me to "wear something red". Not knowing what to do, I had a tee shirt made with 'Ride on Queenie" over the heart and 'When I grow up I want to be like ARDYS KELLERMAN 1932 - 2013'. I didn't have the honor to knowing Ardys personally and only was peripherally aware of her through others. Why is it we are so often only made aware of greatest when it's left this world?














As I moved among her friends and family, I saw love on their faces and sadness in their eyes. But what struck me the most was the joy in people’s voices as the shared "Ardys Stories" and memories. I sensed how proud her family was of her and their gratitude towards her friends was without bounds.









They even made me, a nobody from nowhere, feel welcome. Upon leaving I picked up two film containers of her ashes; one for myself and one to send to Voni and Paul.





My friend Karen




My friend Augie




Anthony Mills (back, left), Bruce (left) and Kate Johnson (right)




I owe Ardys a debt of gratitude for just being herself and doing what she loved with humility and grace without pretense or apology.








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[Shoganai]

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I spent the next three days wandering north towards Eastport. My first stop was with Shawn and Helen Bryan in Montpelier, VT.





Shawn knowing my love of spicy food made habanero cheese stuffed jalapeno peppers using this cool tray.




With the peppers, I was served some of the finest steak kabobs I believe I've ever had. (sorry no pics as I was stuffing my face with them and mumbling something about pass me a cup of milk these peppers are hot!)

The next morning I chopped up the left over and Shawn whipped them up in some scrambled eggs.



Helen told me about taking care of her mother during her last days and how she inherited her mothers pet pony. She said, "most people inherit dogs or cats, no not me, I got a pony" and she smiled broadly. So every morning she walks her mothers baby to the riverside pasture and every evening walks her back to the barn. A barn they had to build JUST for this little pony.














I really liked Shawn's new truck!




And it goes with sayin' one should something to pull with a truck that nice.




They told me how old this home is but I forgot. Very cool though because I LOVE old houses!





They took me on a tour of the place and I have to say they are indeed blessed to live in such a beautiful place. Note the crab apples.
















There is beauty all around us and a tough woman driving a tractor and lifting heavy rocks to make her flower garden has a beauty all it's own.

You RAWK Helen!







Some beauty comes for remembering our lost little ones, our furry soul-mates that wait for us to catch up with them.











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[Shoganai]

I spent the entire next day with Shawn and Helen.  They were such gracious hosts.
I have ALWAYS, always loved this part of the country and if I could live anywhere in the U.S. it would be in New Hampshire or Vermont.

They took me on a tour of the local fair and culture starting with Cabot Creamery. Cabot is one of my favorite cheese makers and the make the worlds finest Habanera Cheddar!








This is a cream separator.








Of course there was maple syrup!






SQUEAKY CHEESE CURD!!!




With my head still spinning from cheesy nirvana, we head over to the The Apple Barn.



When suddenly I discovered after that picture that I forgot to buy an SD card for my camera!!!!  The following pictures were collected with my cell phone.

Fresh Cider donuts.






Helen had some things to take care of so we dropped her off back home and Shawn and I headed into Montpelier to find me an SD Card.   

Shawn gave me a walking tour of the town and shared with me much of it history. I was kicking myself for not having a working camera! We stopped for coffee at a local shop, visited his church, walked past the State Capital building and all the while Shawn is telling me all about what I'm looking at.

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[Shoganai]

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Having found what I needed, Shawn took me to a Co-op. This is a common thing here and I hope Shawn will be along shortly to tell you more of how this works. All I know is the concept and application are beautiful!  I was just stunned at the variety and raw diversity. I would call this "close to the Earth" food.




 


 









Locally made breads.




Local honey.




Spices. Note the little jars on the top right shelf that you would put your selections in.




More different kinds of grains than I've ever seen in one place.




I bought the smoked mussels and scallops and Shawn bought some bread.


 

That's the capital right there.




We picked up Helen and drove up to the breath taking Stowe Mountain Lodge via Smuggler's Notch. Sadly I spaced out my cemera so once again the following pics from my phone.

 









Back home it was supper time and Helen whipped up an awesome salad and I broke out smoked goodies.




And Shawn sliced up some of the rosemary olive bread.



 
After dinner they opened up some spirits and we just talked and relaxed.
 


 
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[Shoganai]

Movin ' forward.

[mystic red]

Nice write up Gwen..JimK is a tool...

[Shoganai]

Thanks sweetheart.  :riding:



The next morning it was time for me to north. Since my next layover was only a few miles away in Sugar Hill, NH, Shawn agreed to ride with me to John's house.



 








 


 



At last, two of my favorite people meet.




And then it was over too soon.













Thank you Shawn and Helen for sharing your life and home me. You made me feel like family.


John suggested we go for a little ride since it was still early. So off we go through the awesome New Hampshire countryside.



 


All of the sudden we stumble onto this. WHOOT!




 





 
It simply does NOT get any better than this!





With lobsters loaded we head back. John needed to stop for fuel so I went in the little unassuming country store to find an amazing butcher shop! I mean grass feed prime beef! So I bought two steaks.





John took me to Cannon Ski area on the way home.






In my humble opinion, there are very few better combinations than this.



The rest of the evening was spent sipping bourbon on the porch, catching up and talking bike stuff.

In the morning John made me fresh picked blue berry pancakes



John escorted me north, and after hugs and pictures, we parted ways at a fuel station.




 
We saw this while we were there.




John thank you so much for the company, food and time spent talking. I'm looking forward to seeing you again in May at Hungry Mother.

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[Grim]

Great read! I should be out doing chores but had to finish reading what you have up so far. Look forward to reading more later. 

[Shoganai]

Thank you Grim.
I'll try to work on it more today, but I too should be cleaning house.

[Shoganai]

While on my first solo motorcycle vacation to Nova Scotia in 2004 I discovered "The Lobster Roll" and have been addicted ever since. I simply cannot get enough of them and eat them as often as I can.


I rode from Sugar Hill, VT to Boston, ME to met my friend Dave. If I haven't mentioned it earlier, with the exception of Drake on the west coast and John, Augie and Karen east coast I'm meeting everyone else for the first time. However, the people like Shawn and Dave are my friends none the less. We have been exchanging posts and PM's since 2005. This ride allowed to deliver hugs in person to so many people I've longed to meet IRL.


Ok...back to the riding and eating!

I was almost to Boston when I was stopped dead in my progress by a Lobster Roll in Blue Hill!



This is the first one I've had since 2004. O.M.G! It was fantastic!




A note about my friend Dave; he is a very private person so this segment will be a little different.

I called him after I finished eating to given him a heads up only to learn he was tracking me on my Spot page.

Dave lives in a natural paradise. I could spend hours wandering the surrounding woods investigating, photographing and touching all the beautiful mosses. I LOVE moss and I've never seen so many varieties in one place. 





Dave gave me a tour of the woodlands surrounding his home and told me all about the plants. I learned that much of what I saw and touched was in fact edible and saw my first low bush blue berries.

These are a variant of dogwood that never get bigger than this and the berries are also edible.




I learned about swamp cabbage and in spite of it's name it is NOT edible!







We retired back to the house and talked about our bike projects. The human condition is raw, love, hate, fear, joy, grief, laughter, tears and most of all no one cares what you do or what you have or what you're worth. The only thing that matters is ........ do you ride........yes........then that's good enough.


In the morning Dave prepared for me a marvelous  breakfast from blue berries he picked.



Flash back warning!!!

On the ride to Augie's I lost the lid to the little red cooler. Dave and I talked about it and he gave me a tiny bungee net which in the end was the most perfect solution for the LD ride. It allowed me to toss stuff in from drinks and food to gloves and it was ease for me to retrieve the drinks and such while riding. It has become part of my standard LD equipment.

Dave lead me all the way to Eastport!



After checking in at the B&B we rode down to Quaddy Bay Lobster where they bring those succulent sea bugs right to the kitchen.







Yeah, you guessed it...and that was absolutely the most fantastic seafood chowder on God's green Earth.






This little jewel was hidden in there.




The hardest part of traveling for me are the partings. Thank you Dave for the buying me that roll, hosting my sorry wayward ass and for riding with me. Ride it like you stole my friend!





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[sprockethead]

Wow that's an amazing story!  Thank you for sharing, congrats and I must say you are HARD CORE!  :clap:

[Shoganai]

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When I booked a room at The Milliken House B&B in Eastport, ME, I landed into the remarkable care of Mary Williams and her son Greg.  Mary is as passionate about her B&B as she is about supporting motorcyclists. She had arranged for the local newspaper writer to interview me and afterwards I rode out to meet with Colleen to arrange the 05:00 start time. Colleen also offered to contact the local P.D. to meet us in the morning for my second witness. I then rode back to the shore near Quaddy Bay Lobster for my pebbles and water.


I then stocked up on Glucerna, Sobe zero calorie Life Water's and one gallon of water.











Back at the Milliken House, Mary was so excited about my up coming ride that she and her life long friend Vonda asked questions and listen actively to my stories for my past and what I was planning to attempt in the morning. It's a rare and very special treat to find non-riders so avidly fascinated and supportive of riders. They even pulled in others guests of the B&B and treated me with visiting royalty.


Mary asked me about why I ride like I do and it even caught me a little off guard. I said, "Passion, I truly don't believe I could ever stop having motorcycles in my life". In 2001 I crashed after hitting a dog at night in a curve. I remember sliding on my back and over the sound of my bike grinding away from me in the low-side was the deafening, terrifying screech of the brakes locking up from the car that was following me. I kept wondering if it was going to run over me or stop in time.


It stopping and I was able to ride away and later I learned the dog survived. That was my 3rd get off in two years. A dear friend and fellow rider said to me later, 'Maybe motorcycling is not for you'. I took his words to heart and thought long and hard about what that would mean for me.


I came away with this; if God himself told me that I would live to 100 in perfect health or die in a motorcycle crash, I would buy the fastest bike I could and ride it like I stole it.  That is shoganai, I can't help it.


Mary said it was that same passion she had for her B&B. She deeply loved caring for others and loved to share in their travels and listen to their stories from all over the world.


Before going to bed, Mary asked me to wake her up so that she could see me off. I woke up at 03:30, showered, placed the Foley, knocked softly on Mary's door and Dudley took over from there to wake her up.


I went to pack my bike and do the through pre-trip. This was no ordinary pre-trip. Besides the regulars I rehearsed what I needed to do for the cert. I physically put my hands on my log book and pens and made sure they were secure. I checked to make sure my daily meds for the next 3 days were in the right hand side pocket. I verified my face shield rag was tucked in and attached with the zip-lanyard. I topped off my drink bottles with Sobe and put two pouches of flavored nut butters in the main part of the bag. I made sure my camera, cell phone and iPod were in their places and everything powered up as it should. I turned on my GPS and loaded my route and ensured my Spot tracker was transmitting.


I kneeled down next to my beloved K1100RS and with my arm over her saddle as though it were her shoulder I prayed. I was just about to get the last of my gear on when out comes Mary, Greg, Vonda and Dudley the dog!

I had thought 'see me off' was going to be waving from the porch. Oh heck NO!

They all followed me in the car to Bay City Garage where we met Colleen and Officer Thomas Fredette. They held a prayer for my safety and signed my paperwork then fueled up then I logged my start numbers and reset my GPS timer.  As I headed out with my friends slipping away in my mirror, I was both excited and calm. Officer Fredette  even gave me an escort out of town.


If you are ever in Eastport, I HIGHLY recommend Milliken House. You will not regret it.

(L to R) Officer Fredette, Colleen, me, Vonda, Dudley and Mary. Greg took the photo.





Oh I'm on my way I know I am, but times there were when I thought not
Bleeding half my soul in bad company, I thank the moon I had the strength to stop

I'm not making love to anyone's wishes, only for that light I see
'Cause when I'm dead and lowered low in my grave, that's gonna be the only thing that's left of me
Cat Stevens - Sitting



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[Shoganai]

The first 1000 miles were spent settling into the pace. Remember my statement about greatness of spirit and how it whispers follow me, well 7/29 was Mike Butt's birthday. I didn't plan to start out on my second LD ride on this date because of that, but there is no doubt in my mind that this was not coincidence. Mike was one of the greatest influences and constant supporter of my desire to become an LD rider. The PM's we shared on ADV help shape the kind of rider I am today. When I visited his mother in 2011, she gave me one of his Rally flags as a keep sake and I carried it with me on this ride.


When I got to Bangor, ME I turned on my iPod and started listening to Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I took pictures of my GPS screen about ever hundred mile for data mining later and used my stop watch to monitor my fueling time. I mastered reaching into the cooler for a Glucerna and drinking it without wearing it as well as opening the fuel cell vent once rolling.








This is a good example of how I waypointed my potential fueling locations. This is approaching my first fuel stop. It was selected because it's under the 350 mile guideline. The name "5 EAST WE" means it's location number 5 on the route starting in the east and the "WE" denotes it can be used for east to west OR west to east. Fuel along toll roads where access was limited by direction of travel would only show "E" or "W".











Up until my third fuel stop at 711 miles out, I was living on nutrition drinking, Sobe's and the pouches of flavored nut butters. But I was beginning to want something that I could chew. I opened one of my three vacuumed seal bacon packs and all at once I felt so much better to have something solid on my stomach. I also was checking my blood sugar every third stop and it was doing really well.











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[Shoganai]

By the time I was past Cleveland I was still feeling relaxed and happy. Another good thing about my chosen start time was that it put me passing through Chicago at night. (Amhurst, OH at 21:15 local time - Hinsdale, IL @ 01:32 local time) It went as smooth as possible even though there were long construction zones from Gary to the I-90/I-290 split. I thought; "note to self, be sure to calculate being just west of Chicago at or past dark on the return trip."


At 13:00 Central Time I arrived at my first goal in Casselton, ND and nailed down 2016 miles with a total time of 33:23. I was a little ahead of schedule so I went into Gordy's Travel Plaza to buy a bite to eat and re-stock my Sobe supply. It's amazing how refreshing it is both physically and emotionally to just get off the bike for a brief walk.
The sun was shining and I was wide awake so I continued westward. I promised myself to ride until I felt sleepy then stop for the day.



Over and over again I was so VERY grateful to have installed the cruise control. 

Like the traction pie we all understand, I came to realize there must be an attention pie.
While riding a motorcycle there are hundreds of things to keep track of. How fast am I going has to be right at the very top followed by how fast am I going relative to my surroundings. The cruise control managed the first part leaving only the second part for me to manage. If I were to give it a percentage, 'how fast am I going' would get 30% of my attention pie under these riding conditions not to mention the physical fatigue of staying on the throttle.

Having a good plan and trusting it to achieve my goals also saved some of my attention pie. I didn't have to think too hard unless things went pear-shaped. (and they most assuredly did)

No doubt comfort has to be part to this equation, but it wouldn't be until me return trip I would fully appreciate this. Because I'm short at 5'3", I often hook my boots over the rear pegs (peg on left, oil caddy on right) and partially plank on the bike with my chin bar on my forearm on the tank bag. It was like resting on a great big limb of a tree. Other times I would stand straight up, legs fully extended stretch.

Strangely the book I was listening to allowed me to relax mentally as I gently mulled over the concepts that were being discussed and the miles slipped past easily.


2100, 2200, 2300...



In Beach, ND I stopped for fuel and shortly thereafter passed Wibuax, MT. As I crested a slight rise, I was brought to a stop by what looked like an overheated car. Officers were already on the scene. However, within minutes, it became clear it was in fact a car fire as it set the side of the road on fire. I thought "this is going take a while" and started looking for a work-around. I found what I thought was a good choice, turned around and rode the wrong way back to a crossover and then to the exit I wanted.






"FORTY FIVE MILES!", I practically yelled in my helmet as the GPS indicated that was
how far I would need to go south on 7 before turning west again. Holy sheep dip batman!

**head drops onto tank bag**

Note to self: in Montana, if you have to zoom out far enough to find a paved road, it will be MUCH longer than your east coast mind can imagine.


When I arrived in Baker, MT.....

“Seriously!"

"For the love of Pete!

"SEVENTY SIX MILES back to the interstate!” ***heavy loud sigh***

Bilbo Baggins came to mind, "I should think so — in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!" He was right of course and I arrived at the Texas Roadhouse in Billings, MT at 21:00 Mountain time. (Note I left the GPS set to the time zone on which all numbers will be held to by comparison) The time zone clocks were another part of the attention pie that freed my mind from having to make mental time zone adjustments.


I had ridden 2647 miles in 42 hours. I was disappointed with my 62.5 total average speed. That would be the barest minimum to achieve the BBG 3000. I would have to do better. I figured I would need to attempt 63.0 to 63.2 for the ride east. I rode straight to the Texas Roadhouse and I ordered the largest steak they had; ate half and cut the rest up for breakfast in the morning. Then, went to the Super 8 and was in bed by 22:00

[Shoganai]

.

I was back on the road by 05:30 and nibbling cold steak out of tank bag as the sun was rising. Life was most defiantly good! I have always loved being on the road as dawn breaks. Everything feels like it’s moving; me, the Earth, moon and stars all rollin' somewhere.

Even with my disappointing numbers from the first leg, overall I was ahead of schedule for the Sunrise to Sunset attempt. I wanted to finally meet a fellow K11 rider that I have enjoyed talking with over the years on several Classic K forums and I just could not pass this close and fail to deliver a heartfelt hug.

Scott aka Mystic Red and I had been trading texts and phone messages since I woke up that morning. It was a comedy of near misses but some how despite ourselves we were able to meet a fuel station. This was thanks in LARGE part to all the riding Scott had to do to catch up to me. Later, I asked him to tell me how it went down on his end.

Scott, "I was watching you on Spot and you were about to Superior MT and I figured I leave my house when you got to Kellogg ID, hit the 90 and run out East of Couer D' Alene and meet you. I was working around the shop and checked the Spot and you were already closing in on Cataldo Mission which is just East of 4th of July Pass. So I threw on riding gear and headed South to the 90. Ran into a little road construction in Rathdrum ID so when I got to the 90 I made the decision to head West and I pulled over in Post Falls ID to check Spot. Shit, you were already in Spokane and then I got your text that you were at the 272 exit and I thought you must be screwed up and meant the 292 which is just a couple of miles over the WA/ID state line so I pulled in there. Then I got you on the phone and you were really at the 272! That's all the way thru Spokane up the Sunset Hill. @72 is the Medical Lake exit."

After an hour of talking, looking over each other’s' bikes, taking pictures and of course hugs I was back on the road. Thank you Scott for making the time and riding the miles so we could finally met in real life!





Things were moving along well and I kept crunching the numbers and coming up with "I'm going make it". Then I rolled up on a bad crash just west of Ritzville, WA. at about 14:00 local time. The Highway Patrol and the fire department were on scene and EMS was just starting to extract trapped passengers.  I parked behind the fire truck, removed my helmet and gloves, raised my hands and yelled down to where they were, "I'm a cardiac nurse, can I be of any help"! The woman near the head of a backboard yelled back, "Yeah! Come hold c-spine while we move him!"

I was handed gloves and I was glad of it as I looked at the man’s face. It looked like he tried to eat a steering wheel through his nose. I stayed long enough to help carry him up embankment to the ambulance and help extract another man who could walk with support to another ambulance. It appeared a family of five including children left the road at speed, rolled several times down the steep embankment and stopped short of the frontage road. I asked if there was anything else I could do and someone said: "No and thank you for all your help". The chopper landed as I was donning my gear and as the flight crew walked past, I asked if I could proceed west before they took off. He said it was ok and then instant Karma happened! The interstate westward was empty save one lone blue bike for miles and miles.











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July 31, 2013 in City
Five injured in rollover crash west of Ritzville
Tags:AccidentRitzvillerolloverWashington State Patrol

Five passengers in a 2007 Ford Focus were injured in a rollover accident Wednesday afternoon west of Ritzville on Interstate 90, the Washington State Patrol said.

Ornaldo Zalpa, 56, was driving the vehicle occupied by four others, all of Federal Way, Wash., when it rolled over shortly before 2 p.m. near mile marker 200, according to a news release. The westbound car drifted into the median, then left the roadway to the right before flipping.

The state patrol reported two of the passengers, who range from 6 to 56, were trapped in the vehicle. Ornaldo Zalpa-Barajas, 18, was airlifted from the scene and taken to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. He was listed in satisfactory condition Wednesday night.

Other injured passengers were taken to East Adams Rural Hospital in Ritzville via ambulance. All five occupants were wearing seatbelts. The rollover partially blocked traffic on I-90 for more than 2 hours, according to the release.

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[Shoganai]

.

Now for the first time since starting out, I was concerned I had jeopardized my time window. However, I was fairly sure I could still make it with between two or three hours to spare. Shortly after that last stop, my right side fairing panel lost power causing me to lose my time zone clocks, ambient temp gage and voltmeter. I wasn't overly concerned and just changed my bike clock to local and leaving my GPS on eastern. The bike was lovin' the miles and seemed to enjoy the different flavors of cheap oil I was feeding her at a rate of a quart per 1000 to 1500 miles. She burns a little anyway, but this was a bit more than usual. Just weeks before I left home, I found I had a slight rear main seal leak. There was no time to dig that deeply into the bike and from experience, I knew I could just keep it topped off and keep an eye on rear wheel for this ride.

Personally I was not doing too badly, relatively speaking. The cruise control was awesome for speed management and keeping the chronic back pain manageable. I was drinking 2-4 liters between fuel stops. I had been nibbling on crispy bacon, cheese sticks, boiled eggs and the squeeze packs of flavored nut butters. I packed my meds and vitamins in tiny zip lock bags in my tank bag so I would be sure I didn't miss a dose.

Brian Diver and I had been keeping in touch and he believed I could make the 18:15 Edmonds Ferry, but it was going very close. Then, I missed a turn or two and the traffic was stop and go for miles. Being unable to use the cruise control, my back began to protest. Then I made the mistake of getting in the car line at the ferry and a lady in a truck told me that I didn't need to. As I pulled up to what I thought was the ticket box, I saw Brian with a big camera and a cooler waving at me. He was saying there was notime to even get off my bike and for me to get down to the ferry. He was snapping pictures and handing me a bag of home-made goodies as I started down the ramp. I supposed then I was to get a ticket down there only to learn "no" I was supposed to buy one inside the big building where the walk-on's go in. The ferry worker said, "Hurry" and I rode back up the ramp. By this time, Brian surmised what was happening and bought me a ticket. He told me what he had done and for me to just go get on the boat. I rode back down the ramp and the boat was pulling away from the dock before I could dismount. I was so disappointed I didn't have more time with Brian and promised myself I would try to find a way to recover that. The ride was short and when I got off the ferry I took a moment to call my family and return some messages before continuing.








The sun was setting and by the time I passed through Beaver, WA it was full dark.  As I rounded a slight turn, I caught a glimpse of a red cruiser on the right that looked as though they were about to turn onto 101. I throttled back, swerved left slightly in case they were already in motion and as I passed I gave a thumbs up looking to assess if they were OK. The rider was looking over their left shoulder and seemed fineso I continued towards La Push.

I was riding at speed, in the dark on the Olympic Peninsula, something I was warned again and again by Bill and Drake NOT to do because of the deer and elk, but I wanted to make it to the store in La Push before they closed. I wasn't speeding but I was pussy-footing around either.

I was riding with dharmacakra (DAR-muh SHA-krah) turning in my head in rhythm with the wheels on my beloved K1100RS. I sensed the hub of discipline seated deep in my chest as I ticked off the last few miles and reflected on some of the 24 spokes I had touched on my journey. I knew without a doubt that even if I didn't make it in time, it still had been a great adventure. To me, a motorcycle is just a beautiful conveyance that allows me to share in the lives of others, carries me to my friends and back home to my loved ones.

The Chakra signifies that there is a life in 'Movement' and 'Death' in stagnation. The process of the wheel stands for cycle or the self repeating process with the changing of time in our life. The horse on the Right hand symbolizing accuracy and speed. The Bull on the Left hand stands for hard work .

 Twenty Four Spokes:
 1. Love
 2. Courage
 3. Patience
 4. Peacefulness
 5. Magnanimity
 6. Goodness
 7. Faithfulness
 8. Gentleness
 9. Selflessness
 10. Self-control
 11. Self sacrifice
 12. Truthfulness
 13. Righteousness
 14. Justice
 15. Mercy
 16. Gracefulness
 17. Humility
 18. Empathy
 19. Sympathy
 20. Spiritual knowledge
 21. Moral Values
 22. Spiritual Wisdom
 23. The fear of God
 24. Faith or Believe or Hope


I pulled into the Lonesome Creek Store parking lot and started removing my gear just as two cruisers pulled up next to me. It was David Morgan and his wife Jan who had ridden from Bremerton, WA.  As it turns out, it was her red cruiser I passed and they followed me into La Push. In the dark, I had not seen David or his bike. My husband Steve called to congratulate me which was a pleasant surprise giving that it was one am in Virginia. We all went in and bought snacks then filled out the paperwork. It was then we realized that the receipt was one hour off. This was noted on the witness form.

I had made it and with hours to spare.

As the store was just about to close, David bought me a coffee and we stepped outside on the porch to talk for a little while. I enjoyed their company tremendously, but they had to head home and I needed a shower in the WORST possible way so a few blurry pics and heartfelt hugs and we were both on our ways. I went to the bathroom on the back of the store and removed the Foley, bagged it in trash bag and disposed of it in the large dumpster  before leaving.








On the road leaving La Push I started seeing things. The reflectors indicating a turn was head started blinking in a weird pattern so I flipped on the CREE’s. “Holy shit! ELK!” There were eight or nine of them crossing the road. The odd blinking was the result of them walking between the reflectors and my headlights.



At the Dew Drop Inn in Forks I  learn I had booked the night of 7/31/13 and they didn't have a room. In fact, no one had a room in Forks so I headed back towards Port Angles. The road along Crescent Lake was stunning on the way in, but now it was a scary, miserable slog back to Port Angles. The currency exchange rate of adrenalin to fatigue in the Bank of Not in Riding Shape was 1:4. I spent most of the ride back standing straight up in part to see further down the road and all the time moving 5 - 10 under the speed limit. I pulled up to the Quality Inn, went inside to check in and came back out only to find my 478 had been stolen!

I went into shear panic fed on extreme exhaustion. Of course there was no one around and after telling the night clerk what had just happened I rode to my room. It was as I was removing everything off the bike it really hit me and I began to sob like a child punished for something they didn't do. My ride was over. All my routes and waypoints for a west to east ride were lost, over a year in the making just gone, and for what? It was utterly useless without a power cord as battery was long since dead. It was priceless to me and would just in up in trash can here in God-forsaken Port Angles!

Despair robbed me of all rage and I collapsed to my knees hugging the saddle of my bike for support. Vacillating between out right sobbing and dieseling, I moved like a marionette operated by a drunken puppeteer as I finished de-gearing the bike. I felt bereft of all hope and alone so far from home. I crawled into the cold, lonely bed like a beaten dog hiding from more harm, made quick, disjointed post on Facebook about the stole GPS, then slipped into oblivion on a tear soaked pillow.


.

[Shoganai]

The Weight of the World - Antiatter

Save me, I'm in a sea of beings
 And there's no deny - the waves are holding me under

 I'm drowning in a thousand faces
 Alien expressions over and over again

 I'm trying to scream but I can't exhale
 The world seems to spin as I'm left on this square
 With no will to hold on
 Am I the only one crushed by the weight of the world?

 Save me...
 I think I've swallowed more than I can comprehend
 A soul laid low

 A soul has lost its faith again, wide awake in this hole
 A maggot on a plate again, wide awake in this hole
 A soul has lost its faith again
 I've lost myself too long
 Am I the only one crushed by the weight of the world?





.

[Grim]

Done ;)

[Shoganai]

Sorry about the delay. I've worked all but 3 nights since the last entry. I'm off today then work 6 nights. I'll write as much as I can today and post it later.

[Shoganai]

What would you think if I sang out of tune
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
And I'll try not to sing out of key

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mmm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mmm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

What do I do when my love is away
Does it worry you to be alone?
How do I feel by the end of the day
Are you sad because you're on your own?

No, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mmm, get by with a little help from my friends
Mmm, gonna try with a little help from my friends

I woke up with a clearer head and a new found distrust for manunkind. I still felt the violation crawling on my skin like leeches as I glanced nerviously around while packing my bike. Upon checking my messages I learned that Augie was shipping me his 478 and my husband would be sending my waypoints via email. I needed to regain the illusion of control so I used the hotel computer to print 'lost puppy/GPS' flyers with a picture of a 478 and my contact info. Then I called the police and filed a report knowing full well that it was pointless.


As I finished packing to ride to Marrowstone Island, I took stock of my resources. Even without the GPS the route books I had made would work. But without a doubt it would be MUCH easier with it. I had a working bike, funds, a cell phone, a place to stay and a few days to recover and regroup. I began to hope that I could pull off the west to east ride as planned.

I completed my pre-trip and I don't care what people say, these old K1100's are the f'ing mules of the bike world with the hearts of a thoroughbreds. Ride 'em hard and put 'em up wet, they just don't care.

I used my cell phone like a GPS and located 3 pawn shops in the area. I told my story at each location and left a flyer them. Then I used my cell phone to route to Drakes place.


I needed to treat myself to something special, so upon Drakes recommendation, I stopped at The Oak Table Cafe in Sequim for breakfast. I ordered Egg Oscar with a heaping helping of Dungee crab, fresh breakfast potatoes with caramelized onions and coffee served with heavy cream.





I saviored the delishish food, drank 4 cups of stunningly smooth PNW coffee and caught up with friends via text and facebook. I called my parents as well to let them know what happened and what was in the works.

I left there looking for a car wash so I could clean up the bike and found one just past the circle intersection in Port Townsend.

All cleaned up and ready to roll.



Drake called to say it would be late before he could make it out to the cabin and to make myself at home. I found a liquer store on the way and picked up some Jim Beam and Stoli.


At the cabin with shed in background.













Looking up from cabin to outhouse.



I degeared the bike, put my things in my room, set up my CPAP, changed clothes then poured myself a drink and went out to sit on the deck overlooking Kilisut Harbor.


I emailed Watt, "I'm working on drinking my back pain and depression away". Later he called to congratulate me on the completion of my Sunrise to Sunset ride and I thanked him for encouraging and supporting me.

Stick a fork in me I...am...DONE!




By the time Drake arrived I was fairly mellow. He lit a fire in the wood stove, poured himself a Crown and we talked, laughed and bull-shitted til well past midnight.

The next moring we got a late start but was just able to make the last breakfast served at The Chimacum Cafe in Port Hadlock.







As we were leaving I stalled the bike by forgetting it was in gear and releasing the clutch causing it to lurch forward and I dropped it on the left side. Drake and another fellow help pick it up. *shrug* I've long since stopped caring about any wounded pride over dropping bikes as I seems to be really good at it.

We rode over to the QFC grocery store for some supplies and I made note there was a laundry mat right next door.

Watching Drake be-bop around the store in his helmet made me laugh. Being a small community they must know all the locals, even the odd rider in the totally awesome helmet because no one even raised an eyebrow.




As we were leaving this jewel was in the parking lot. I swear I'll NEVER look at a station wagon the same again. It was absolutly beautiful!













Back at the cabin, we cleared out the table and chairs and then muscled Drake's bike in for a little wrenching. That's water not oil if you are wandering.



The driveway was slick with wet leaves so Drake being the roguish gentleman that he is offered to princess park my bike.








I was about to get schooled by the Master K man himself. Now for the life of me I still don't fully understand what for all intent and purposes was just magic to me. All I had to do was hold a hot soldering iron tip near the rear speed sensor and Drake was able to calabrate the bike speedometer to prefection. It was something about the 60 cycle stimulation on the sensor and using known data about the RPM's at a known speed and the turning of a screw in the instrument cluster.

I still say it was magic!






Drake prepared the salmon he bought and I fixed the shrooms and asparagus.
Out on the deck we ate like kings on paper plates with the sound of the bay lapping the shore.







Things were winding down for the day and neither of us wanted to ride and as luck would have it I recieved a call from David Morgan, the LD rider who signed my paperwork in La Push. I had invited him out to the cabin if he should have time and he in fact did.

SWEET!

It was so very nice to have some daylight and some time when things were not as rushed as they were. David has one of the all time greatest laughs I've ever heard and gives great hugs to boot! I was also glad he could see me stand upright. At La Push, after being on the bike so long it felt like I had become frozen into the shape of a rider even when I wasn't on the bike. I was having a great deal of pain in my back whenever I tried to straighten up and walk.

Thank you so VERY much David for making the time to ride out to see me at the cabin!



After David left, Drake brought out the Jägermeister. Now I've never had that before but I liked it, maybe a bit more than I should in retrospect...20/20 and that.

[Shoganai]

.


As riders we've all heard, 'motorcycles are dangerous, aren't you afraid?'

Life is a fatal disease. We are born to die. What we do while we live will not change that. And there are worse way to die than in a motorcycle crash. I could live 'safe' so that I can live long enough to end up in a nursing home with bed sores, a feeding tube and a diaper. No, riding motorcycle doesn't frighten me, but living too long does.

So that night we celebrated the people that we love and miss. Drake lost his father this past year to complications after a fall and they were very close. We recalled stories of our friend Phil Marvin who may have been the greatest k-bike knowledge bank that ever lived. But if you ever heard him tell a story about his trips to Mexico, you would also have to very patient, because Phil never said anything fast or directly to the point. We must have looked like a pair of maudlin drunks but what the hell.



Phil never met a stranger. In 2009 while waiting for the truck to pick up a busted bike, Phil sought out some local workers to past the time with.




In 2010 he was the Spaghetti King.



And his Irish Coffee was not to be missed!






In 2011 I commented on his weight loss. He said he had lost his appetite and that no matter what he ate, it felt like it got stuck and he had to throw it up. I knew what that might mean and I too felt ill. I made him promise me he would see a doctor as soon as he got back to Texas.









Three months later he called to tell me to say they had found stomach cancer.

He passed away less than a year after these pictures were taken.

Cheers Phil! Ride buddy, We'll catch up later!



Drake told me he had a IMDb page and of course I thought he was pulling my leg.

Not.

He even had the movies and so we watched "Shredder" which was classic B-type slasher film.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0808032/

After a night spent drinking Jägermeister I was still drunkish, not hung over, the next day. It was agreed riding was not going to be in the plans that day and the morning was spent drinking coffee and tweaking with Drakes bike again.

By noon I was feeling much better but I really needed a shower and to wash some clothes. I rode down to Fort Flagler State Park to buy a shower. It was then I realized I didn't pack wash cloth, well not one intended to bathe with. So I unclipped my bug crusted face shield rag out of my tank bag, and used it. By the time I was done, we were both clean. Twofer!

Then back to Port Hadlock to wash clothes. I absolutely loath the boredom of Laundromats!

I don't generally hold still very well.

I stopped by the post office Nordland on the way back to the cabin to pick up the GPS that Augie sent me.

.