| Author | Message | ||
     Dino |
 22nd of July Fireworks...things are done differently in California. Okay, this is actually a wildfire in the mountains across the lake. Those aren't city light, folks...they're hot spots remaining from the fire's sweep up the mountainside several hours ago. This was the view from the driveway (see above) of the Thunderdome.  And thus ends Day One of RANE. Empties (of various sorts) are strewn hither and yon at the Dome. Our heroes are off for (not nearly enough) sleep before remounting at 4:30 a.m. and boldly venturing into the deserts of the Southwest. (Cue theme music.) | ||
| Dino |
A side note to RANE: I felt that, while any idiot can go riding off into the desert in the middle of July, it takes a truly wise man to forego such pleasures in pursuit of a day's work in an AIR CONDITIONED office. Therefore, I did indeed, umm, forego. As our brave fools, er, heroes headed east to meet Sir Bartimus in Vegas, I rode northwest to home and thence to work. Just before leaving home for work I received a phone call informing me that the office had been burglarized. An air-conditioner had been removed to gain access to the otherwise nearly impregnable building. Upon arriving at the office I found that this interpretation of events was incorrect. The a-c unit had not been removed to gain access to the building. It had been removed so that it could be stolen! (and, in fact, was...stolen, that is) So, while our misguided "maroons" (as FMJ would say) rode fearlessly thru the scorching deserts toward Utah, I was hard at work in the broiling sun, armor-plating a rather significant breach in the office wall. As Wm Shakespeare once said, "Tis better to be a maroon in the desert than to...", ummm, I seem to have forgotten the rest of that famous quotation. | ||
| Court |
Ya gotta love PhotoShop! In the first picture someone has airbrushed the beer outta FMJH hand! I love technology! Go Alex Go Court | ||
| Dino |
Court, You can't credit technology with this one. You may note the somewhat dazed and disoriented look on FMJs Face. Well, okay, that's normal...but in this case that look has been somewhat accentuated by the same set of facts that resulted in FMJs empty hand. He has just been informed of the fact that this particular establishment does not serve alcoholic beverages. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Thanks for sharing the pics Dino. | ||
| Court |
>>>He has just been informed of the fact that this particular establishment does not serve alcoholic beverages. Dino: I am sorry the rest of you were left to eat alone. FMJH is great company and it is unfair that he was forced from this establishment. Remind me sometime and I will show you how to make him run down a Wendover street like a lab chasing a t-bone!  Enjoy. . . many of us are with you in spirit! Court | ||
| Stingaroo |
Wow, would you believe I finally got to a computer!!! I just started looking at the pics when Alex just called me, he is about 50 miles from the CO border, and found a hotel to stay in. I have been getting daily reports from him on his trip, and have stopped by to visit his mother quite a bit. Needless to say she is worrying like no other, but I have been managing to keep her on an even keel. I am so upset I was not able to join my brother on this ride of a lifetime, however, my family and I have given him our full support. My mother who considers him another son is thankful he has not lost sight of his goal, and why he is doing this, she is a cancer survivor. Keep putting up more pics guys. Unfortunately I will not be around when he comes home, I leave for some military training on the 7th of August and will not be back for two weeks. If any of y ou were planning to come down to see hime when he gets home, I am sorry but I will probably miss you. Keep going buddy, ride long, ride hard, and ride safe. Stingaroo Brian PS The reason Alex's "shop" is so clean: Most of his stuff is at my shop, much to the dismay of my old man. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Just finally got a chance to sit at computer.Rode through the oh so temperate central valley of CA on the way to Ferris's(similar to riding in a blast furnace)Little did I know this was meerly a prelude to the rest of the ride.We left in the wee AM hours to head across Death Valley, a sultry 111 at 9:30 in the morning,and proceeded to ride across and though nothing but stinking hot desert to Las Vegas,where ,if you can believe it,it was hotter than Death Valley!!!From there we headed across more desert toward Zion,top temp of the day,a meer 118---not my idea of a good weight loss program.I had some issues with the rear wheel on the Triumph.Seems the last real mechanic to work on it did not torque the axle nut properly,letting the wheel move a bit,breaking 2 of the 4 pins locating the wheel.(see,it's not just HD mechanics)So I was forced to super-slab home across more--you guessed it--stinking hot desert.Though it was different desert. All in all a great ride with a great bunch.Now I need sleep!! | ||
| Bartimus |
Issues like this?  Was I the only one to catch FMJ on his knees? | ||
| Bartimus |
Here is a shot of Prior in the Zion Natl Park.  Below is a shot of Prior riding thru the Park,  As usual, there was rain somewhere in our ride,  There were some REALLY SWEET roads west of Bryce Canyon, a beautiful river flowed alongside the road, and poured into a lake here where we stopped.  Prior needed a break from all this beauty...  I warned him I was going to post this pic... So far, he seems to be loving every mile he rides.  I tried to get alot of shots of him riding, but I will have to post more later, as I have to run off to work.  One last post, we stopped in a town called BLANDING, Utah... Turned out to be a dry town. WHAT? NO BEER? We found some, and tried to make the best of our situation...  Ferris, one of those beers were for you! Of course, no pic in Utah is complete unless you add the good book of Mormon. I tried to talk Prior into taking it with him, but alas, he had no room in his bags. I had a small scare this morning as we got ready to leave. Fired up the bike to check the oil, and it died shortly after, only to not start again. After checking the plugs and finding no spark, we fiddled with all the wires, cleaned the plugs, and prayed to Jebediah, the Elder of Blanding and TADA! The bike started... Alex Prior and I parted ways, He heading on into Colorado, for the next part of his great adventure, and me heading south back to the oven known as Phoenix so I can go to work.  I really enjoyed being a part of this adventure, and wish I could have gone on through Colorado. I look forward to seeing HIS pics when he gets back home. Ride on Alex Prior!!! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
GREAT pix!!!!!!!!!!! me 'n Unibear are finally back home, safe and sound. just got a cell call moments ago from Alex, somewhere in eastern Colorado, also safe and happy. it was an awesome weekend. i am honored to be a small part of it all. some pix to follow here in a bit. FB ps to Dino: LOVE the shot of the workbench with the helmets and hooch lined up, sorry to hear what happened at your work. pss to Mrs. (and Mr.) Prior: you have a wonderful son, and he is a safe and careful rider. we are all lucky to have shared some time with him during his great adventure. psss to Stingaroo: it's now very easy to understand why you and Alex are best friends. pssss to Matt: thinking of you. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 Alex's lid  view break up on Angeles Crest  Denise enjoys a cold shower in Lancaster edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 just like the sign says  Unibear and Denise enjoy the view of the Kern River Valley from the north end of the Lion's Trail  Isabella Lake, looking north edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 party at the Dome, with a few SacBORG salutes thrown in for good measure  Dino tries Unibear's Firebolt 1203 on for size...  ...i think Mikey LIKES it! edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
several early shots of Alex's JB2-painted tank:  good thing i got this on film, eh Alex?   XOXOXO!!!  love, Mom & Dad edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 early on day two, overlooking Panamint Valley west of Death Valley  Alex in Badwater, California. the sign says, "But it's a DRY heat!" at this point (a little after 9 a.m.) it was only 111 degrees. edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 FMJ and Unibear assessing the damage on FMJ's Sprint in Las Vegas, while Bartimus studies the map looking for the nearest Triumph dealer  i warned Alex i was going to post this, part two edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 Alan Blackburn, GM of Zion H-D/Buell, and Alex in front of the dealership. i can't say enough about Mr. Blackburn's support and enthusiasm for Alex's ride. Alan, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your help. Zion Harley-Davidson/Buell 2350 N. Coral Canyon Blvd. Washington, Utah 84780 435/673-5100 edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 our digs in Zion were pretty cool, enough so that some of our beverages decided to chill out before joining the party.  i don't remember if this is Bart B.B. (BEFORE beer), or A.B. (AFTER beer). pretty scary either way.  Alex doing the "I made it to Zion!" cheer outside our rooms. edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Thunder |
I just spoke to Alex this evening, he is 30 miles west of Pueblo for the night. He said the National Park traffic slowed him down alot. Dave Tripp and myself are headed out from KC tomorrow to meet Alex in Salina KS. Now driving across Kansas is not the end of the world, but some say that you can see it from there!! Our hope is to meet Alex around 2-3pm and bring him into KC for the evening... Tuesday- we hope to get a tour at the HD factory, visit-Topeka Buell, Central HD/Buell, Columbia Buell and escort him towards STL... Alex will be bedding down at the my place so I will have him post!! Jeff | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 Bart and Alex, members in good standing of "Tubers Anonymous."  Alex is not one to miss a photo op. or a beer. edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 Bad Billy Bartimus doing the Happy Dance in Zion, day three  Alex in Zion, livin' large edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
 Alex, this is my map pocket tonight upon my return home, with Death Valley and the Owen's Valley keeping a "Ride Across North America" patch good company. it was an honor to be a small part of your journey - thank you. and thank you to those who had the passion to help send Alex on his way: Glenn Dolph, Jim Attebery, David Hoffman, Jim Higgins, and Art Bartlett. Alex, ride safe, ride to lean, and thanks for who you are. Matt, we love you. Ferris and Denise edited by jerry_haughton on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Unibear12r |
Yes, an honor and great pleasure to meet and ride with people of such great character and quality. Ferris, Denise (a special lady!), Gentleman Jim Attebery, Dino, Fireman Jim,Bartimus, and of course Alex. We will be hearing much about Alex after RANE is long over as he will make his mark on this world. There is not enough time or bandwith to describe my four days with any justice as every minute was an adventure. Only hours sitting around the beer cooler would. Anyone who lets Alex slip by without being a part is truly missing a chance in a lifetime! At the two and a half day mark, the end of Zion Park, I almost couldn't do the U turn for home. Of course Ferris and Gentleman Jim would just say that I didn't want to try to slip back through that wonderful tunnel with out getting into more trouble with Ranger "Helga". It was the best riding experience of my life. Ride hard & Stand tall Alex! Thank you all. Glenn edited by unibear12r on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Unibear12r |
A special thanks to all at Zion HD/Buell. I cannot envision a better more Buell friendly atmosphere. Way to go people! | ||
| Unibear12r |
The Sat. High at Death Valley was 124. Felt like my helmet was melting to my face! I kept thinking Holy crap its HOT! I was panting in my helmet because that made a COOL breeze! Seems Ferris's temp gage doesn't like going over 118 but we both agreed it was much hotter in DV Sat. than the 118 in Nevada on Fri. Whew! edited by unibear12r on July 26, 2004 | ||
| Denisea |
Those aren't city light, folks...they're hot spots remaining from the fire's sweep up the mountainside several hours ago ... and not a single home lost... most probably due to the efforts of the firemen/women as FB mentioned earlier... Alex in Zion, livin' large If I didn't know better I'd say this is surely Baby Bart. BTW Bad Billy Bart, anything left of the town you two stayed in Sat. nite? I almost couldn't do the U turn for home It's ALL good! | ||
| Awprior |
All, Thanks for the kind words... It was truly great riding with all of you. We've made it to KC, after one LONG LONG ride ( a little more than 700 miles today, 7 am to 10 pm, due to construction). Unfortunately, I don't really have the energy to post a whole lot this evening, we'll save that for when I make it back to Pennsylvania. Tomorrow is a tour of the KC HD plant (great story about that, I'll pull a Court and tell you later, but it's a story about Court...) and running around Topeka Buell also. After that it's off to St. Louis and then Newfie! Baby Bart? I've got a lot of work to do to live up to that! Pray for good weather! Alex | ||
| Dino |
Hey Alex - Great to see your post! Here's to clear skies and winding roads. Dino | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
ride, Alex, ride! Ferris |
