Friday, January 6, 2012
Day 2
We got up early and rode thru the rest of Death Valley - it was amazingly beautiful to me and I am very anxious to go back there again. Felt spiritual and magical for some reason, just beautiful.Kinda creepy looking too, but I loved it there. We met up with Laura and Amy and some others at a store/gas stop. We had breakfast and quickly rode on towards Mammoth and Yosemite National Park I think..... I need to get my route directions to aid in memory. That's all for now.
Day One
And there we went. It was pretty crazy - we took all the lanes, no single or staggered formation here, it was a free for all. The energy was incredible. We followed everyone for a while, a big pack of bikes, until at one point - some bikes went straight and others turned right. Uh-oh. We better stop... we needed gas anyway.
We went right, and to be honest we were very unsure if we were on the right path. We saw lots of bikes going back the other way, as if they learned it was wrong and were correcting themselves. But no, we were right. It was beautiful too - gorgeous roads in Arizona. I don't have my directions with me - so I can't say where we were but all of a sudden, up in the mountains - cruising beautifully around the curves with lots of other challengers, a bike went down. We didn't see it happen, but saw it right after it happened. Damn it I thought. In the middle of the first day, a wreck already. No excuse for it whatsoever. Many bikes were pulling over including Jim Red Cloud so we just kept going, as hard as it was. It was in a curve, and stopping would have added to the danger. Too many already stopped. So now I had this on my mind non stop. Who was it? were they OK? what happened? It was an ontermediate curve at best. Were they speeding? But mostly, I hope he's ok... This stayed with us for days, until we finally heard he was OK, and in the hospital in Phoenix. By this point, we hearing about other wrecks and wildlife accidents. We were heading to Las Vegas baby - to the HD shop. We got there at around 9 or 10pm I think. Still hot. They had water, drinks, and healthy snacks for us. They also had a widescreen showing the US Fleet tracking website and where everyone was. Already - we were behind many. We rested, we rode from 5am until 10pm and still had to go on, we had to go to Death Valley. But we had to ga the Hoka Hey way, which meant 8.5 miles of Friday Night Las Vegas Strip. Packed, thighs burning from the hotter than hell engines, crazies crossing the street - stop and go stop and go - and damn taxicabs! Within miles of the strip, I was freezing. Yes, out in the middle of the desert it got very cold and very very dark. We seemed to be alone. I stopped and put on a kacket, Louann toughed it out. Not long later, we were entering Death Valley National Park - I think it was midnght or 1AM. We were up at 3:30AM - so we are looking at 20+ hours on the bikes at this point. WOw, I was in heaven being there and wished it wasn't so dark. I worried about wildlife running in front of us but LuLu said "what could live here?" and I rested assured probably nothing could.. It was a good 115 degrees again. I had ling lost the jacket. We had to sleep. But where? We came upon a gas station, it was lit up really bright with florescent lights - in the middle of nowhere. We rode in but it was closed. Any insect that could move, was there basking in the lights. We rode on. Saw a couple more guys stop or go by...
We came to another station all lit up but closed. Louann said "what do you think?" I said what do you mean?
She said, sleep here? I said you're kidding! Do you see the hundreds of bats flying 10 feet above us??? Of course they were eating the moths and insects like crazy. There was no grass, just hard white dusty rock and gray sand. And probably scorpions! I said no, we can't sleep here! Jus then, as LuLu was squatting to pee, I saw a headlight up in the hill above the gas station, it looked like it was heading down a hill towards us, out of the black sky. I told LuLu to hurry up becuase someone was coming. As she struggles to hurry, a motorbike pulls in, a little dirtbike like thing. A young guy is on it (it's like 1:30AM now) the guys has long hair in a ponytail, sandals, and a cat on his lap. Yes, the cat rode on the motorcycle with him. The cat jumped down and ran over to LuLu's puddle (funny) The guy asked if we needed gas - we said no. But I was enthralled with the cat. I asked his name. "oh, that's Bob" Bob I said, he had no tail. he was a bobber. I loved Bob and touched him a but and took a picture. We told the guy we need a place to sleep. He said there was a campground right smack across the street from us - I mean like 25 yards away. Crazy - it was just crazy. Long story short, we roleed ourselves up in mosquito nets and laid down on a tarp. It was still very hot.
We heard bikes going by us, and actually did sleep a bit. We even got chilly. Next morning we had showers and flush toilets and hot water if we wanted it. How cool was that. AND we got to see Bob again as he walked around checking out the campers!
It's 2012 and I am still trying to write about 2011...
The next day was a free day for us to hang out at the starting point, Chester's. We slept pretty well and then went over there. It was HOT. People were milling about - and even more were lining up. We met Bubba and Blackie - the two guys from Texas I had friended online. Bubba was great, he was so helpful having done the 2010 Hoka Hey, he even sent us his packing list. We got to hug them and chum around a bit. They were both being interviewed by the camera crew. We were going to be interviewed but got side-tracked to the tracking device repair area because friends told us only I was showing up, not LuLu. We spent hours over there. The guy got hers working, we rode off - then noticed her CB radio quit working. We went back, and that's where all the time spent came in. It was hot and there was nothing but water there. I mean, they had a snack machine and a coke machine - but no food really. All day, in the heat. Full of excitement though. We were leaving at 5AM the next morning and HAD to have stuff in working order! We met several people on this day, including Joan Krenning Clarkson from Riderswraps and Laura and Amy from Washington DC, and Carla from North Carolina. This is the night they had the dinner and the cermony inside the metal building with no AC - it was an oven in there and we were all sweating. I loved the Native American rituals, drumming and dancing they did. They also had birds of prey, including an American Bald Eagle that flew across the crowd, right over our heads. Several big wigs from Harley Davidson were there, all sweatry and dirty like the rest of us. I mean, the President of HD and the CEO of HD were there. This is when we saw all the challengers together for the first time. I was amazed at how few of us there were, and how old some of us were. It was a special breed, no doubt about it. We ate and drank water - had to sleep fast and long. Big morning ahead! I mean THE DAY was finally almost here.
Monday, October 17, 2011
We have arrived.
Tim led us to our hotel in Mesa. After checking in, unloading our bikes and cooling off, the three of us walked to a little mexican place for dinner, it was good, then Tim had to go meet the friends he was staying with. We went to Chester's Harley Davidson to check in. It was almost time to finally learn about and go on - the 2011 Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge. Some of these memories are not real clear, so keep that in mind. We rode to Chester's - saw a few people in the parking lot that looked like they were lined up. I figured they were parked there for check in and inspection. So I rode up and parked there. LuLu missed the turn into that part of the lot - so I pulled in alone right behind them. I turned off my bike, got off - all excited and happy and looked at the guys. They just stared at me. I smiled, nothing. So I said Hi! they barekly acknowledged me. My heart sank. This wasn't part of my vision. I saw LuLu coming over, she parked beside me and I told her about my "greeting". We saw the building where we thought we supposed to go and headed that way. At this time I saw a dude with a "Staff" shirt on so I signaled him and called him over. I asked him where we were supposed to park and go for check in. He said we could stay where we parked and I told him about the ass wipes and how they treated us. He said oh, they're lined up for the start of the ride there. They've been there sleeping in a tent so they could be the first ones out. I guess they thought these two females were going to try to pass them and beat them to the finish line. Whatever. We promptly moved our bikes away from them. Luckily, we had a room waiting for us for the next two nights. We went in and checked in. It wasn't all I had hoped, but to be true I didn't know what to expect. I guess I thought there'd be more people. They were nice though. We got our much coveted and cherished challenge coins, each engraved with our own rider numbers, and to be honest I have had mine in my pocket every single day since - as I do now and hopefully always will. We got Hoka Hey stickers and T-Shirts and some papers and stuff. I think we met both Beth and Jim Red Cloud on this day. We also saw the video camera team dudes that were going to be interviewing people for the documentary. It was exciting, but still so much seemed unknown. We hung out there for a while but then went back to the room to sleep.
I'll attempt to catch up now.
It's Ocotber 17th and I haven't posted since August 2nd. How will ever fill in the lost days?
I guess I'll start at the beginning and try to recap the events and feelings while they're still pretty fresh in my mind. We left on the 2nd of August, it was 110 degrees in Dallas. I worked that day so we rode West until we got tired and it was dark. I think it was over 500 miles before we started to find a hotel. I was happy thinking about the last few nights before leaving would be in comfy hotels before the sleeping outside kicked in, but not on this night. All the hotels were sold out in West Texas - and this was a Tuesday night! Seems all the oil field workers snag up all the rooms during the week. Plus there was some championship softball tournament or something somewhere. So here we were - having to sleep outside beside our bikes, early. We rode around looking for a place - couldn't find one that felt safe, couldn't find a campground either. We finally went to a State Park - it was after midnight, and we found Sandhills State Park, a pretty strange, weird and almost creepy place. We rode our bikes out far into the white sand dunes on narrow roads until we saw some picnic tables in a cul-de-sac area. We never saw a soul. We each got out our mosquito nets, rolled ourselves up in them and each grabbed a sandy buggy metal picnic table to sleep on. Weird. All I could think was, this is what we're in for for the next few weeks, better get used to it. We slept a little, tossed and turned alot and got cool that night in the desert.
Next morning we packed up and rode into Mesa Arizona - the excitement of the event we were about to embark on was really getting intense now.
I guess I'll start at the beginning and try to recap the events and feelings while they're still pretty fresh in my mind. We left on the 2nd of August, it was 110 degrees in Dallas. I worked that day so we rode West until we got tired and it was dark. I think it was over 500 miles before we started to find a hotel. I was happy thinking about the last few nights before leaving would be in comfy hotels before the sleeping outside kicked in, but not on this night. All the hotels were sold out in West Texas - and this was a Tuesday night! Seems all the oil field workers snag up all the rooms during the week. Plus there was some championship softball tournament or something somewhere. So here we were - having to sleep outside beside our bikes, early. We rode around looking for a place - couldn't find one that felt safe, couldn't find a campground either. We finally went to a State Park - it was after midnight, and we found Sandhills State Park, a pretty strange, weird and almost creepy place. We rode our bikes out far into the white sand dunes on narrow roads until we saw some picnic tables in a cul-de-sac area. We never saw a soul. We each got out our mosquito nets, rolled ourselves up in them and each grabbed a sandy buggy metal picnic table to sleep on. Weird. All I could think was, this is what we're in for for the next few weeks, better get used to it. We slept a little, tossed and turned alot and got cool that night in the desert.
Next morning we packed up and rode into Mesa Arizona - the excitement of the event we were about to embark on was really getting intense now.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
All Ready to Roll!
Whew! The day is finally here for us to head out to Mesa Arizona. It's been a tough few days with last minute things and stresses... but we're good now. It's 107 degrees outside and not even 2pm yet. I'm leaving work in 15 minutes to meet Louann at Maxim, a place where she ordered some riding pants. They had my size, but not hers. Hers will be delivered by UPS today - around 2pm - we'll see! Talk about last minute. So we'll put the pants on, soak our cooling vests in cold water, get our motors running and head out on the highway!!!
I cannot wait. I don't think I've ever been so excited in my entire life. I will try to keep posting here and eventually tell people about it - other than my mom :) I love you mom! I'll be in touch. Next post, we will be in Mesa Arizona!!!!
I cannot wait. I don't think I've ever been so excited in my entire life. I will try to keep posting here and eventually tell people about it - other than my mom :) I love you mom! I'll be in touch. Next post, we will be in Mesa Arizona!!!!
Monday, August 1, 2011
It's August!
I got my bike back from Jud yesterday evening. New tires, fresh fluids, a connection to charge to phone and the tracking device installed. I love my mechanic Jud, he worked on a Saturday and Sunday, during his busiest time of the year for us. He has also given us some good tips, and always has - smart guy he is.
I think we have Lulu's bike squared away - but she's got some issue right now with her radio...
We got the bikes pretty much packed now. We have lots of stuff but not a lot of clothes! I still cannot imagine how hard it's going to be to be in the heat all day, day after day with no cooling. We'll be living in the elements regardless of what conditions we're presented with. Choosing to suffer I guess, and realizing how truly blessed we are to have the life we live. People live their lives sufferring thru whatever the elements throw at them - for years on end. In the streets, the dessert, the jungle - everywhere with no end in sight. And I'm also aware of all of the other forms of sufferring people miraculously seem to endure and survive. Keeping all this in mind while I struggle for a mere 3 weeks or so will really keep things in perspective. I expect to cry and to be very uncomfortable and at times so mentally, spiritually and physically weak that we want to quit - but we will not.
The reality of this challenge has been setting in for a while now. I expect to be scared too - and I don't scare easily. Reading the accounts of some people from last year's challenge - is eye opening. Lots of obstacles will be thrown in front of us. And also, lots of wild animals could be in front of us it seems. Travelling parts of the country that are not widely traveled will have it's plusses (less traffic) and minuses (less services). I'm thinking of gas stations, and water/drinks stops. There are so many, many unknowns ahead. Still, I just want to get on my bike and ride.
I really look forward to meeting all the characters in this story :)
I think we have Lulu's bike squared away - but she's got some issue right now with her radio...
| Today Aug 1 | Tue 2 | Wed 3 | Thu 4 | Fri 5 |
 |  | |  | |
| Mostly Sunny | Partly Cloudy | Mostly Sunny | Sunny | Sunny |
| 108°FHigh | 109°High | 108°High | 107°High | 106°High |
| 80°Low | 81°Low | 82°Low | 81°Low | 80°Low |
| Chance of Rain: 10% | Chance of Rain: 10% | Chance of Rain: 0% | Chance of Rain: 0% | Chance of Rain: 0% |
We got the bikes pretty much packed now. We have lots of stuff but not a lot of clothes! I still cannot imagine how hard it's going to be to be in the heat all day, day after day with no cooling. We'll be living in the elements regardless of what conditions we're presented with. Choosing to suffer I guess, and realizing how truly blessed we are to have the life we live. People live their lives sufferring thru whatever the elements throw at them - for years on end. In the streets, the dessert, the jungle - everywhere with no end in sight. And I'm also aware of all of the other forms of sufferring people miraculously seem to endure and survive. Keeping all this in mind while I struggle for a mere 3 weeks or so will really keep things in perspective. I expect to cry and to be very uncomfortable and at times so mentally, spiritually and physically weak that we want to quit - but we will not.
The reality of this challenge has been setting in for a while now. I expect to be scared too - and I don't scare easily. Reading the accounts of some people from last year's challenge - is eye opening. Lots of obstacles will be thrown in front of us. And also, lots of wild animals could be in front of us it seems. Travelling parts of the country that are not widely traveled will have it's plusses (less traffic) and minuses (less services). I'm thinking of gas stations, and water/drinks stops. There are so many, many unknowns ahead. Still, I just want to get on my bike and ride.
I really look forward to meeting all the characters in this story :)
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