The Pacific Coast

Ginger took Steve to the Pacific Coast and then just couldn’t go anymore.  She held together long enough for him to finish Day 14 and start Day 15 for a total of 61 miles

“Just putting down miles”

That was what I was told when I asked how everyone was getting along today…..”Just putting down miles!”

Steve, Josh, Jeff and Doug – the Tribal Council, along with Brett continued down Oregon’s coast today and into California.  WhooHoo!  Way to go guys – 2 more days to go!

Today’s ride took them through Redwood Drive in California

Oregon, Oregon, Oregon…..Will We Ever See California

Sorry for the down time yesterday, but with time difference now being 3 hours and the Wednesday night class I’m taking, Steve & I didn’t connect in time for a blog report yesterday. So, here goes for two days, starting with Wednesday…

The guys started out the day with Jeff and Josh running strong, Steve thinking that he may have to change out to the original motor tonight, Doug still running and doing his own thing, Marcin’s bike up and running again and Ian back to riding the Indian Drifter.

Now to explain,  Steve’s bike started cracking and popping

Patience Josh, Slow and Steady

While I haven’t heard from Steve yet this evening, I can only assume that they are still busy servicing and repairing the 101’s this evening.  While all 6 101’s started out this morning, luck was not on Marcin’s side.  About 4 miles into the ride at a stoplight, Marcin was seen pulling over to the side of the road and they haven’t seen him as of lunch today when I last spoke with Steve.  He reported that they were 170 miles into today’s run at that point and only had 129 more miles to go.

The Super Six Are All Up and Running

Today was the first day since Day 1 that ALL 6 of the 101’s ran all day.  While they all have their share of issues, all are working to stay in it for the long haul.  All the bikes are now serviced this evening, put to bed and ready for tomorrow’s 299 mile run from Jackson, Wyoming to Mountain Home, Idaho.

And This Is Why They Call It “The Cannonball Endurance Race”

Just happened to catch Steve at the one spot along Lake Yellowstone where there IS cell phone service this morning.  He had just pulled over to de-ice, yes I said ICE.  It is 28 degrees with a heavy dew this morning

Conquering the Rockies

Ginger is ready to go!  Steve called and talked me through this morning’s start of Day 9 headed over the Big Horn Mountains and ending up at Lake Yellowstone.  Steve and Josh talked about taking the Rockies at a nice slow, steady pace while waiting on the signal for their class to start.   Steve said it’s mass confusion as each group starts and it takes about 45 minutes to an hour each day for everyone to get sorted out and paired up with the crew they plan on riding with for the day.  So, it’s kinda like a shuffle or better yet, musical chairs first thing every morning.

Repair, Tear Down, Repair, Tear Down…..

Well, the scheduled day of rest in Sturgis did not go at all as planned.  All the 101 bikes underwent major repairs and only three (Josh, Jeff, and Ian) of the six made it out of the starting block today headed to Sheridan, Wyoming.

All Smiles

Here’s a picture that I found on Facebook today that someone took in the parking lot in Murdo, South Dakota last night of Steve and his dad, Buck during the evening service ritual.

The Tribal Council

…..that’s what the 3 remaining 101’s are calling themselves…. The Tribal Council.

The race started with 70 overall cannonball racers and 6 of them were the Indian 101 riders – Steve Rinker #7 of WV, Josh Wilson #89 of VA, Jeff Alperin #101 of FL, Ian Patton #22 from England, Marcin Grela #98 from Poland, and Doug Wothe #88 of Alabama.  Now, as of their arrival in Sturgis, they are down to just three. 

Keeping The Tribe Together

Rain, rain, rain, hot chocolate and more RAIN.  For about the first 6 hours of today’s run, the riders took on water, lots of water!  The temperature at lunch was 57 degrees and with all the rain, they were chilled to the bone when the sun finally came out for the last leg of the trip into Murdo, South Dakota.  They ran 326 miles today, the longest of the event and about 200 of it was in the pouring down rain.

Conquering the Wind

Today’s ride was lesson in control…controlling the bikes in the wind gusts which ranged anywhere from 20-40 mph.  Steve said it was a challenge in this flat country with no wind breaks to ride the wind and hang on, keeping it in the road.

The bike is running well between 45-50 mph, but it is pushing them to make times