Inzane 17

Any interest in the "Race the Sun Ride"?

Started by MAragorn, Fri 05, Dec 2008, 11:16:10

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MAragorn

Fri 05, Dec 2008, 11:16:10
Somebody told me about this a few years ago and I want to do it sometime.

You start on the border with Louisiana at Orange on I10 before daybreak.  At the first ray of daylight you head west as fast as you can [safely] ride.  The goal is to get to the border with New Mexico at El Paso before sundown.  According to Yahoo maps, this is about 871 miles.

You do this on the longest day of the year, on or about June 21.  For 2009 June 21 is a Sunday, so probably be done on Saturday June 20.  Sunrise in Orange is 6:13 am.  Sunset in Elpaso is 8:13 pm.  That is exactly 14 hours.

I guess the real MEN [not sure I qualify] would want to turn around and ride another 2 hours back toward San Antonio so you could get an Iron Butt in also.

At any rate, I have always wanted to make this ride.

Anybody else interested?

Rocketman

#1
Fri 05, Dec 2008, 11:50:17
That sounds interesting.  Could get a little slow going through Houston at ~7:30...
Funny how motorcyclists don't need a meaningful goal to be interested in something.  Who cares if you beat the sun?  Who cares how many states you've ridden to this year?  Who cares how many miles you've gotten in 24 hours?

We do.

MAragorn

#2
Fri 05, Dec 2008, 12:25:24
Well it shouldn't be TOO bad on a Saturday morning, do you think?  Of course, getting on the Katy Freeway ANYTIME is a risk.

Rocketman

#3
Fri 05, Dec 2008, 13:09:40
Right now, I'm in a mood to say "%^&* it, let's go now!"

Super Santa

#4
Fri 05, Dec 2008, 21:37:40
I think I would also be interested.  Might be a warm day.  At least we have comfortable bikes to ride on.  No other big VRCC gatherings that I am aware of that month either.  Let's Go !!!!

DrewDanube

#5
Sat 06, Dec 2008, 03:21:39
Quote from: MAragorn on Fri 05, Dec 2008, 12:25:24
Well it shouldn't be TOO bad on a Saturday morning, do you think?  Of course, getting on the Katy Freeway ANYTIME is a risk.

Katy Freeway is AMAZING now.  A billion lanes each way, dedicated HOV...Saturday morning would be a breeze. 
Construction between Beaumont and Houston however Suuuucks...
Interesting ride concept though...I'd be in.
And into the great beyond I go...
previous bikes:
Suzuki Intruder 1400
KLR650
V-Max
FZ-6
Bandit 1200S
Hyosung Avitar GV0650 (sold!)

Tinman

#6
Sat 06, Dec 2008, 22:32:42
Rocketman would have to stop and check his alternator every 30 minutes.... ;D
We should have 2 local spares by then...
Sorry Mark I could not resist... ;)

All that long and straight road sounds boring.
Sounds like a challenge for extremely bored riders.
It might be fun though.

QOTFU

#7
Sun 07, Dec 2008, 15:53:14
which airlines service Orange? LOL...j/k That sounds like fun! Let me check with Duct Tape and see if he's up for it. He is turning 50 next week!!! ;)

Rocketman

#8
Sun 07, Dec 2008, 23:57:12
Quote from: Tinman on Sat 06, Dec 2008, 22:32:42
Rocketman would have to stop and check his alternator every 30 minutes.... ;D
We should have 2 local spares by then...
Sorry Mark I could not resist... ;)

I'll be carrying both of those spares with me.

Daniel Meyer

#9
Mon 08, Dec 2008, 00:15:24
You could hook one up to run on the back wheel...remember those bicycle generators they gave us when we were kids? :D
CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer

Rocketman

#10
Mon 08, Dec 2008, 11:19:06
That's an outstanding idea.  Just make a rubber wheel to mate to the alternator, and press it against the rear tire, and I'm all set.  Hook one up to each side, and then I'm three failures from having a problem.  I could make it for over an hour before checking the alternator(s).

godfire

#11
Mon 08, Dec 2008, 11:24:50
Becareful Rockeman, those things always caused sidewall damage on my Huffy.
Ride Safe
Ride Often

Choirboy

#12
Mon 08, Dec 2008, 12:10:15
Sounds like a super-slab gas and dash....different tea.
Ready to Ride, Let's get going!!

Rocketman

#13
Mon 08, Dec 2008, 17:45:01
Quote from: godfire on Mon 08, Dec 2008, 11:24:50
Becareful Rockeman, those things always caused sidewall damage on my Huffy.
Are you saying that people using wheel-mounted alternators will experience spontaneous flaming death?  Maybe I'll go darkside, and two flaming deaths make a life. 
Did anyone understand what I just said?  Could you explain it to me?

Daniel Meyer

#14
Mon 08, Dec 2008, 18:16:02
Quote from: Rocketman on Mon 08, Dec 2008, 17:45:01
... Maybe I'll go darkside, and two flaming deaths make a life. 
Did anyone understand what I just said?  Could you explain it to me?

You just said, "I've been hitting the caffeine a little hard today." :D
CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer

Tinman

#15
Mon 08, Dec 2008, 19:18:15
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Good one Daniel!!!

Looks like I started something here.... ;D

With Marks luck his travel tool box should include both Alternators a set of shock seals brake pads and a pingel valve and a couple of spare tires and a partridge in a pear tree.

Rocketman

#16
Tue 09, Dec 2008, 01:04:56
Quote from: Tinman on Mon 08, Dec 2008, 19:18:15
With Marks luck his travel tool box should include both Alternators a set of shock seals brake pads and a pingel valve and a couple of spare tires and a partridge in a pear tree.
The Pingel (from the flooded Valkyrie) went on to the new Valkyrie just this evening.
As for the shock seals and brake pads, well, I'll have to add those to the stockpile.
The alternator has survived a full week and counting.
As for the tires, I've already ridden with a tire strapped to the back seat, so I guess that's within the realm of possibility.  Stephanie might complain about the lack of space left for her, but... can't be helped.
That only leaves the partridge.  I'll work on it.  Do I have to find him in the pear tree, or does the tree have to fit on the bike too?

OK, that cinches it.  I have been hitting the caffeine too hard.

Mark
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