In Memory: txcwdancer-Oregon Trail Rally via Idaho

[vroc13091]

I have about ten minutes of things to finish up and I should be on the road to visit family in Pocatello Idaho.

If you would like to follow this summer ride to the west (Idaho, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and California) I'll be posting update and pictures on my blog at:

2008-july-vroc13091.blogspot.com (http://2008-july-vroc13091.blogspot.com)

I am attempting to gain an Iron Butt BunBunner Gold award with this run. 1500+ miles by motorcycle in under 24 hours. I'll post on my blog if I made it.


My ETA in Pocatello is 24 hours from now. Hopefully in time for dinner with my grand sons.

[rlfaubion]

Hey Dancer,

We'll look for you in Oregon. We're staying at Captain John's. Hope to see ya there.

[audiogooroo]

Have a ball and stay safe guys. Looking forward to pics and blog.
Really wish I was riding with ya!

[waterman]

Ditto what Audio said.

Chuck, you are a driving fool. 1500 miles in 24 hours!!

[lw]

Ride Safe and enjoy the family time and Oregon Rally Chuck.

Any chance you'd let some of us wannabe's chase you to Custer next June on an IB attempt?

[coacha]

Ride safe Chuck. You are the KawaNOW wild man rider.

[vroc13091]

I rolled in at my son's home in Pocatello about 9PM CDT Friday. Left at 8:30 PM Thursday night.


Nothing out of the ordinary for most of the ride except I passed a Deputy Sheriff on a two lane highway. He was doing five over the limit and I started around the stealth marked pickup about 25 over the limit but slowed down when I got in front of him. He didn't even light me up. Talked with him at the gas stop down the road. I give y'all the details later.

Been up for over 40 hours. Off to bed. Will post more and update the blog with ride details tomorrow night.

[ringadingh]

I rolled in at my son's home in Pocatello about 9PM CDT Friday. Left at 8:30 PM Thursday night.


Nothing out of the ordinary for most of the ride except I passed a Deputy Sheriff on a two lane highway. He was doing five over the limit and I started around the stealth marked pickup about 25 over the limit but slowed down when I got in front of him. He didn't even light me up. Talked with him at the gas stop down the road. I give y'all the details later.

Been up for over 40 hours. Off to bed. Will post more and update the blog with ride details tomorrow night.

I don't know how you can stay on the bike for that many hours Chuck, you truly must have an iron butt. How many miles on the bike now? You had about 16,000 3-4 weeks ago.
Have a great visit and ride safe.

[vroc13091]

Rringadingh Wrote:



How many miles on the bike now? You had about 16,000 3-4 weeks ago.


===================

As of today 19,558. It's been on the road since February 14th.

Pending no unexpected down time, looks like this will be a 30,000+ mile year for me.

I'm making a 500 mile day trip on Monday to Nevada so I can color in one more state on my states visited by motorcycle map.

On Tuesday I'm heading for Spokane Washington.

[ringadingh]

Youve put on as many miles in 6 months as I have in three years.
Keep on truckin, Chuck

[davidjones1]

you are the kawanow biker! be safe and have a great time.
ride safe.

[coacha]

Dang Chuck. Did you make the cut off for the Bun Burner 1500? Truly an outstanding number of miles.

Hope your ride continues to be a safe and uneventful one.

[vroc13091]

Dang Chuck. Did you make the cut off for the Bun Burner 1500? Truly an outstanding number of miles.

Hope your ride continues to be a safe and uneventful one.

No problem for the regular Bun Burner 1500+ in under 36 hours.

As for the Bun Burner Gold 1500+ miles in 24 hours it looked like touch and go around Amarillo but with some open road and light traffic in the wee hours of the morning and with the same conditions on US 30 in Wyoming (except for passing the deputy sheriff who was already doing 5 over the limit) I was able to up the cruising speed.

I did 1522 miles in 23 hours and 42 minutes. It was close but the gas receipts confirm the time.

I'll submit my paperwork when I get back.

[coacha]

You are a wild man Chuck. I met a guy here local that did the 10/10ths and a couple BB and BBG's.

[dantama]

I'm looking forward to the details on the sheriff conversation.

I don't know how you stay awake. I fall asleep even on the bike after about 900 miles.

[vroc13091]

I'm looking forward to the details on the sheriff conversation.

I don't know how you stay awake. I fall asleep even on the bike after about 900 miles.

Dan,


I'll post details on the deputy sheriff encounter on my blog tomorrow night. In short I came up on a white pickup that was doing about 5 above the limit. I was about 25 above the limit. When I got out in the oncoming lane to see the side I saw the decals but at that speed there was no way to uncommit.

I pulled in front and rode at about 5 above the limit and waited for him to light me up. He never did. About 15 miles down the road I pulled in for fuel and he did the same but parked away from the pump.

We had a conversation later at my initiation. I'll detail the conversation in my blog report. Bottom line he didn't cite me but said I was really moving along. Lets say he was on a mission and I wasn't it. Stay Tuned.

On getting sleepy.
I had to pull over twice to stay awake and safe. This was unusual for me but I didn't get much sleep two nights prior to departure (about 4 hours each night) so I was not well rested.

Story details to be available later on my blog.

[vroc13091]

I did Nevada Yesterday. One more state to color in on my states visited by motorcycle map.

Made a round robin ride of 473 miles in eight hours. I love these 70-75 speed limits out west.

Route was Pocatello ID to Stone Lake UT (nice little cafe there), Wells NV, Twin Falls Idaho and back to Pocatello. Took all back roads to Stone Lake. Reminded me of West Texas with open range. Rounded one curve and there was Mama cow and her calf just standing in the road. Beeped the horn and they moved on.

US 30 from Stone Lake to I-80 is one 100+ mile long stretch of two lane lonely road through the desert. Because of elevation it was a modest 82 degrees.. Met a lot of Beemers going the opposite direction.

It was a nice 9 to 5 day ride.

[ringadingh]

Good to here you made the Iron Butt 1500 Chuck! Youll have to show us your certificate when you get it.

[pirate]

Chuck, you are the mileage master! I am so jealous of the places you are going and the miles you are racking up. Thanks for keeping us posted, and ride on!

[vroc13091]

Short update:

Left Pocatello Id at 9:30 AM. Monday. 700 miles later arrived Richland Washington 8:15 PM.

Tuesday AM Off to Coos Bay Oregon for the VROC Oregon Oregon Trail International Rally.

Hopefully I'll have time to upload some pics then.

[vroc13091]

OK, I'm in Coos Bay. Checked into the Plainview Motel around 7 PM Local time. About 30 miles out came through Reedsport, home of Sherm's Cycle Products www.shermscycleproducts.com (http://www.shermscycleproducts.com), and the temp got down to 56 degrees. Almost stopped and put on leathers. Owner Guy Mobley and chief mechanic holds seven Bonneville Salt Flat Land Speed Records many on a Kawasaki Vulcan 2000.

I didn't have time to stop but will probably ride over on Friday or Saturday. It's been a couple years since I have visited him.

First went and had some seafood at the High Tide Cafe. Delicious home style Clam Chowder. Bay scallops in a cream saffron sauce. mmm mmm good.

Stopped by the rally headquarters, Capt John's, and met a few early arrival. Saw Watchman & Liz and Rick. Watchman's the one that led rides at the KawaNoW Central Rally. Also saw Sherm, Scotty, Tom Miller and a few others.

I'm going to retire early tonight and work on my blog tomorrow.

[vroc13091]

Proof that I'm in the area.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj169/vroc13091/2008/OTI/welcome2bay-1.jpg

Had lunch at the Fisherman's Grotto in Chalreston. Oysters & Grilled Veggies. Check out the size of those oysters. Only five but they were filling

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj169/vroc13091/2008/OTI/oystersfg1.jpg

Ok...no more posting delicious seafood...it's not fair!

[vroc13091]

Going back in time. Some shots on US 30 going from Stone Lake UT to Wells NV.

Road goes on forever:


http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj169/vroc13091/2008/OTI/roadforeverfnv.jpg

and comes from far away

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj169/vroc13091/2008/OTI/roadforeverr.jpg

How to cover 100 miles across the desert in under an hour on US 30.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj169/vroc13091/2008/OTI/desertxing.jpg

[vroc13091]

Just to confirm I did make Nevada


http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj169/vroc13091/2008/OTI/welcomenv.jpg

[beezer]

You make Chuck Norris look like an amateur ;)

[vroc13091]

I have uploaded all my pics as of Saturday.
Most recent pictures are at top. I also completed my narrative of the ride from Round Rock to Pocatello.

Oregon Trail Blog
http://2008-july-vroc13091.blogspot.com

I'm outta here towards Texas in the morning. Will probably overnight in Henderson NV.

It was a great rally.

[lw]

Looks like a lot of fun was had by many.

Interesting "summer" attire with the long sleeves, sweatshirts and leathers. Makes me long for December-February so I can wear mine.

Be careful on your trip home.

[ells]

Great trip log txcwdancer, really appreciate the tales and photos here. I'm sure that it helps that you're riding the Blue and Silver!

[vroc13091]

Coos Bay home to Texas:

Day one complete.

Got on the Road about 9 AM. Took Hwy 42 over to I-5. Then once in California I took CA-89 towards Reno. Turned into several state highways until I got on US 385.

Morning low was 48. 50 at departure. Man, it's July, I'm on the coast and I had to put on leathers. As soon as I got inland and at the first fuel stop they came off because it was up to 80 by then.

Had supper in Reno. Ran into some light rain east of Reno, again by Lake Walter, and in Hawthorne. Light enough at 75 I didn't have to don rain gear. Saw a nice rainbow too. Rain kept the temp in the low 80s. When I came close to the Death Valley turnoff it was around 11 PM and dark so I missed all the high temps rolling through the desert.

US 95 to Vegas is a long lonesome road. South of Lake Walter they patrol with aircraft. Didn't see any so I was able to roll on pretty good.

Got in to Henderson, which is about 20 miles south of Las Vegas, after 16 hours and 940 miles later.

I expect to get out of here around eight in the morning. I estimate it'll be about 26 hours to do the 1200+ miles to Round Rock Texas.

I tired....sleep now.

[ells]

txcwdancer, With you setting the example, I don't see any Nomad owners having any trouble getting to the National Rally next summer, at least those on this continent.

Ride swift, ride safe.


Modified: Although this post haunts me now, I only made a minor spelling correction to the original. Perhaps others will take it differently than I originally intended. I doubt if Chuck ever saw it.

[Todd]

Reading this now only brings a tiny speck of joy knowing that Chuck was having such a blast and a great trip........peace be with you now Brother Chuck......

[blowndodge]

Ride In Peace Chuckster. May the wind always be at your back. I will miss you brother


a very broken hearted BD tonight....

[ells]

Ride on forever Chuck, it will be another outstanding journey.

[scion0]

+1

[pirate]

It's so bittersweet to read his last blog entry. The "I sleep now" is just such an ironic quote. Wow...

[Idaho]

Kind of eerie reading these posts now. Makes one wonder if Chuck let safety slip to try to make miles and rack up post material for his blog. I know it makes me look back on my ride home this last weekend with a different view. I will not do that again. Please be safe.

[blowndodge]

Me neither Bud. I'm sitting at me computer waiting for Chuck to post one more time telling me he's home safe :-[.

I know I will forever look at time and speed as two seperate issues and I have plenty of time not to hurry. I hope this was not the case for Chuck. This is just so so sad.

[ianicky]

Reading this now only brings a tiny speck of joy knowing that Chuck was having such a blast and a great trip........peace be with you now Brother Chuck......

+1

[ridemslow]

My wife was also moved when she heard the news too. Sad to hear of this loss to our forums, and his family, he will be missed.

[socwkbiker]

I have to admit that this blog was tough to read today. Although I could feel his joy in the ride, my sadness overwhelms me.
Rip Chuck. You are missed.