MTF 50/100CC Iron Butt Association Ride
Michael Glass & Viktoria Juodenaite
100CCC Ride Report March 2003
Part 3
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MTF 50/100CC Iron Butt Association Ride
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THE ROAD TO JUNCTION.
We leave the Jacksonville Beach Shell Station at 5:50AM. Our Jacksonville exit
strategy was simple: follow another rider so we wouldn’t get lost leaving
town. This strategy was carefully developed the day before when Viktoria and I
got lost three times driving around town doing some last minute shopping.
We spot a rider ahead in the morning fog and follow his lights. Our route takes
us along the beach traveling south on 3rd Street for a couple of miles, then
west onto J. Turner Butlner Boulevard (I-202) and a short time later to I-95
North. At this point we leave our guide knowing there is only one more road to
look for -- Interstate I-10 West, our runway to San Diego.
The morning air was cool so we set the thermostat on our Gerbing tops on low. Visibility
limited as My HJC Symax visor was wet from the fog. .
We ride with the fast traffic, but not too fast as I don’t want to start the
day with a "performance award." In fact, that would be our speed
strategy for most of the ride – stay with the fast traffic, then look for
rabbits to chase.
No speeding bunnies yet, so we just plug along in the fog and about a half hour
later we see what appears to be one of our riders pulled over to the side by one
of the local Leo’s. Later we would learn that a number of our more spirited
riders would receive performance awards along the way. Having my own collection
at home, I was not eager to join that group.
Rising sun breaking through morning fog
(Photograph by Viktoria)
It’s now about 7:30AM so we figure it’s
time to call BMWRT.com’s Jim Nichols(JungleJim) on the BusaPhone. The
BusaPhone is an old Motorola Startec flip hooked up to the Autocom system and
connected to a car charger.
Armed with maps, weather reports, and stock market tips (Jim’s a trader)
JungleJim was acting as Ride Command Central at an undisclosed location
somewhere in Connecticut.
Unfortunately, the BusaPhone was not working as advertised. The reception was
bad, the battery already low, and the charger not charging. We therefore kept
the conversation short but Jim did have a chance to tell us we were already
getting a lot of support on BMWRT.com and that "Go Busa Go" was being
adopted as a ride cheer. That really made us feel great and we told Jim we would
check in later.
Sometimes our rabbits had wings. In this
case it was a Goldwing. (Photo by Viktoria)
By 1PM we were in Mississippi and a few hour later in Louisiana where we took the I-12 cut off around New Orleans.
Pointing a finger at Louisiana (Photo by
Viktoria)
Louisiana bridge (Photo by Viktoria)
Along the way we periodically enjoyed the company of other riders as our paths crossed and then uncrossed both on the road and at gas stops. It was not unusual to see the same riders appear and then disappear as we or they left the road at diffent times for gas or rest. The group 100ccc had very much of a Gum Ball Rally feel to it – more of an event than simply a ride.
Two riders appear in the distance. (Photo
by Viktoria)
We cover about 650 miles – our half-way
mark for the day -- and we again check in with JungleJim on the BusaPhone which
was now only had one bar left on the battery. I remember telling Jim how fast
the day has gone, and how easy the ride feels compared to some of the raw
weather days I had on my recent 8,000 mile cross country trip.
I said half-kidding to Vik on the Autocomm that I was almost disappointed that
the 100ccc was proving so easy -- that with all our preparation, I wished it
were just a little more challenging.
What’s that old saying about being careful what you wish for?
