– Rob Nye<\/i>
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CP2
Oh Captain, My Captain<\/p>\n
The Iron Butt Rally is designed to be a test of the rider and machine. In the early days of of the rally simply getting a motorcycle to the finish with three mandatory stops along the way was was an achievement worthy of being a finisher. This was known as a base route ride. As motorcycle design has progressed to the point where spooling off Saddle Sore 1000’s for 11 days on the interstate is no big deal the organizers dropped a checkpoint and made the requirement to be a finisher points based rather than on miles ridden. This eliminated the ability to ride a base route. As in almost every Iron Butt Rally held, the degree of difficulty along with the point values go up in the final leg. With this in mind I was determined to have a good stay at the second checkpoint.<\/p>\n
Get scored, attend to bike, get sleep.<\/p>\n
A few hours before arriving at the second checkpoint I was feeling pretty good. I was starting to see other riders and that’s always good for a boost. This is when I started to worry about getting stuck in a scoring que and tried to do a “splash and go” for a fuel stop. A “splash and go” is a short tank, filling the main tank until the trigger pops. No aux fill and no top off. Because I was running a tracking device I did not need to keep a fuel log. For the second leg I went all in on this bonus and didn’t bother keeping receipts for fuel.<\/p>\n
Other than costing me 30 minutes looking for my whiz bang super speedy gas cap that both my wife and dealer told me I’d loose it was a great idea.<\/p>\n
While I looked for a small black cap that I heard pling off the bike at speed I had plenty to time to remind myself that it’s really easy to be stupid on the IBR. Thankfully it happened at a time and place where the potential to minimize the impact of my dope move was very high as one of my last stops for points was to be A&S BMW.<\/p>\n
I made an intermediate stop and rolled into A&S as the mechanic as getting ready to leave. They were open on this Sunday afternoon by appointment for IBR riders who needed tires and service. While they didn’t have an aftermarket cap they did have a ’12 GSA on the floor. I heard the bike telling me to take anything I needed. The mechanic heard it too and before the GM could come up with a reason not to help me out the fuel cap assembly and an ignition key to the bike was in my hand and my card was on the table. It’s not rallying if you’re not ready to throw down a VISA card before hearing the balance.<\/p>\n
Back on my way to the checkpoint I was ready to reveal my secret weapon, my ace in the hole or more to the point a complete stranger I recruited off the Internet. Adventure Rider to be specific. Three weeks before the rally. The rider’s version of speed dating<\/p>\n
On the 18th of June I sent the following request to “Capt. Ron.”<\/p>\n
Good morning,<\/p>\n
I saw your gracious offer of help to a rider in the upcoming Iron Butt Rally and I’m wondering if I could also ask for a little assistance.<\/p>\n
Specifically I need a friend I can ship a set of wheels to. Ideally this friend would receive the wheels and bring them to the hotel on the afternoon of the 7th along with a torque wrench and if possible a small jack.<\/p>\n
If you could help out I would be grateful and gladly send you a nice bottle of your favorite hooch or perhaps some genuine real Vermont maple syrup.<\/p>\n
My direct email is xxxxxxxxxxx and my phone is 401 xxx-xxxx<\/p>\n
Thanks very much.<\/p>\n
– Rob Nye<\/i>
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