Cannonball - Day 11 (Final)

July 15th, 2016

Walla Walla, WA to Mukilteo, WA (332 Miles)

The last day of the Cannonball is a little exciting.  The 7am riders meeting is bumped to 6am as I guess most people want to get on the road early.

Frank and I took off together.  I started having top speed issues in any uphill and headwind areas.  Frank was pulling away from me and I didn't want to hold him back.  Besides, he NEEDS to come in first (out of the Helix team) on at least one day.  In the end, he even made it in before Bob.

Mike and Steve left earlier than us, but Mike had a oil line fracture right at checkpoint 1.  Good thing this happened in a small farming town.  Mike removed the oil line, and Steve took it to a local farm implement shop and asked to borrow the welder.  Steve came back with a perfectly brazed line.  Two things.  First, small town people can be the nicest ever.  And second, who knew Steve could weld so good?

It cost two hours, but they were able to make the repair and get back onto the road.

Here are a few of today's pictures: 

After leaving Walla Walla

Lyons Ferry area

Rock Island Dam - Columbia River

Starting into the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

The mountains were incredible

Don't go into the light!

... and finally the drive into Mukilteo - I got caught in ferry traffic and forgot to turn the video back on.  I was only 100 yards from the finish and stuck.  

And the end...

Congratulations were passed around and everyone turned in their final numba's (damn Matt and that accent).  And we were done.  The end of a Cannonball seems a bit subdued.  I think everyone is just beat.  I've made some good friends and met some great people.

As a side note, I got to spend some real quality time with my dad.  Did I mention that Mike was my dad?  Probably not.  The Smith aren't a real touchy feely bunch, but I can't recommend doing something like this strongly enough if you get the chance.  As we get older, these opportunities become fewer and fewer.  Do yourself a favor.  If you are able, go call a loved one right now.  It's worth it.

After hugging it out for a while, most of the Connonballers headed off to the hotel, but a few of us hung around waiting for Mike, Steve and the SOD boys. 

They came in with a bang (and a few other local riders from their chapter riding along in support)

We ended the night with the Cannonballers and SOD guys at Cask & Trotter, with the celebration sponsored by Elysian Brewing Company.  It was a good ending.

As of this writing, the final standings have not been published.  As of day 10, I was in 11th place.

My goals had changed as this ride went on.  At first, I just wanted to finish with me and the scoot in one piece across the finish line.  Then I really wanted to be in the top 50%.  Then feeling competitive, realized if I could get in the top 10, I would be a rock star in my own mind.  I know it's not a race, but maybe it is just a little.

And the final Cannonball Map

There is still a few days left of this trip to ride back to Arkansas.  I'll continue this blog until the end.  Thanks for following!

Cannonball - Day 10

July 14th, 2016

Hamilton, MT to Walla Walla, WA (280 Miles)

Today we left Montana, then drove through Idaho, and into Walla Walla, WA

Right as I was turning on Highway 12 into the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, my Sena locked up.  I knew there was a reset button the back which meant stopping, finding something like a paperclip (I didn't pack that tool) and doing a reset.  Time being what it was, I pressed on.

... and couldn't stand it so stopped at checkpoint 2, dug through my bag o'stuff, stripped the plastic off a twist tie and presto, Sena operating again.

The downside is that Highway 12 was specatacular.  Unlike Montana with big open Sky.  This was craggy rock and deep dark forest with twisty roads.  If you ever get the chance, drive it.  Sorry, no pictures.

There was still some forest past checkpoint 2

With a stroll along the river

and into eastern Washington.  Boy what a difference.

After arriving at the final check point, I went with Bill, Walt, and Bob (the current leaders) into Oregon to eat at Wee Bit O' Heather's Restaurant.  This place has been open and family run for 30 years.  I'm pretty sure the Grandma cooked the food, the Mom served us, and the daughter (about 8 years old) was setting the tables.  Good food and very friendly people.

Mike and I were able to get the laundry done before heading to dinner at the Smith's Family Restaurant in Walla Walla.  We has about 25 people there and that poor waitress was slammed due to our unexpected party.  She did a great job despite the odds and ornery clients.

And that's it for Day 9.  Here is the obligatory elevation chart and map

Tomorrow, Mukilteo, WA and the final day of the Cannonball

Cannonball - Day 9

July 13th, 2016

Livingston, MT to Hamilton, MT (290 Miles)

It was a cold morning once again.  I saw postings of both 48 and 50 degrees depending on the source.  We didn't get rain last night, and the sky this morning was really incredible.

I am still without sufficient cold weather gear, so I ended up with 1 short sleeve and 2 long sleeve t-shirts with my rain jacket over the top.  I figured the rain jacket would at least block the wind better than the mesh armor I have been wearing.  One good thing is that the scooter blocks most of the wind off the legs, so I opted not to wear my rain gators for leg protection.  It worked.

Before I go too much further, Frank's friend Dennis from Helena met us last night and would follow us to Hamilton today.  So all the non-essential baggage went into his car.  Maybe the scoots would do better without the extra dirty laundry weight.  I'm still in 13th place so I can't say if there were any real gains, or just imaginary.  Either way, the lighter scoot handled better.  Thanks Dennis!

And we're off!  The dark clouds in the morning have been pretty standard.  Plans are to stay just north of the morning storms.

While I had passed Frank, Mike, and Steve earlier in the morning, I found them ahead of me in Bozeman (maybe Franks keen path-finding abilities are starting to show.)  I took this opportunity to shoot a picture of Steve...

...and one of Mike (the picture of Frank didn't come out)

Montana Clouds amaze me.  Want to see about 100 cloud pictures from today?

The downhill slope into Virginia City, MT

Virginia City, MT is all old west decor on the main strip.

... with a rail museum which included this "old barn looking" train car

And more clouds

With some more really neat downhill stretches

We finished off with dinner at The Edge with several other riders.  Both the food and the company were excellent.


Two things of note today.  
     #1 Prairie dogs.  Jerks.
     #2 Lots of bicyclists.  Have you seen these hill I have been showing you?

And that's it for today.

Here is the Altitude and maps pictures

Tomorrow, off to Walla Walla Washington.  I'm sure Wikipedia has something on this towns name.

Cannonball - Day 8

July 12th, 2016

Gillette, WY to Livingston, MT (380 Miles)

Nice ride today, but aren't they all in some way.  We spent the first part of the day getting out of Nebraska.  I took a few videos.

A wild herd sighting  

And then played around with Ken and took some pictures

Crossing into Montana, I just could not get over how really blue the sky was.  Pictures don't do it justice.

At 9800 ft, the view is staggering.  This was worth stopping for.

And if you have never seen one, an 80 mile per hour sign.  Yup, I was getting passed by EVERYONE.

It was cold today, especially at 9800 ft.  And while not as bad as yesterday, the headwind returned and put the brakes on quite a few scooters.  I did hear of several scooters (not riders) complaining of "altitude sickness", but this should remedy once we hit the down slope.  

Looking at the other riders, fatigue doesn't seem bad, but parts are starting to break.  Spirits are good as we head into the last 3 days.

Recap:

Tomorrow, to Hamilton, MT

Cannonball - Day 7

July 11th, 2016

Valentine, NE to Gillette, WY (360 Miles)

The first thing I have seen mentioned in all the blog posts is WIND.  Yup that's major discussion as everyone pulled in for the day.  It was a constant left headwind all throughout the day.  Top speeds were effected across the board and I was regularly getting passed.  Wind buffeting was pretty brutal and I'm sure I have more tire wear on the left from riding at an angle just to maintain some semblance of going straight.  But time is of the essence, we pressed on.

I started out from Valentine a little early.  Clouds were low but it didn't really look like rain.  For the first time on this trip I was a little cold.  I'm not sure what the outside temp was, but I may need to grab some thermals from Walmart tonight for another layer as we get higher up.  This was something I didn't plan for since we were leaving in July.  As the day wore on, the sky cleared and the sun warmed things up.

The scenery sure did change as we approached Mount Rushmore.  

The first few hill were a bear though.  Mt top speed was 30 miles per hour with the throttle pegged.  This is the first tine I have seen Mount Rushmore in real life.  As you round the corner, it really pops out.  Amazing.  I'll have to stop and actually look more on the return trip.  One major drawback of the Cannonball, no time to stop and smell the roses.

So back on the road.

And out of the pretty

Then end the day at the Hotel.  It's a routine.  One of the great things about the Cannonball is the people you meet.  The depth of knowledge of this crew is incredible and most people will get together and help each other out at the end of the day. 

And that's it for today.  I will add our altitude charts for the next few days as the spikes are really awesome.

Tomorrow, Livingston, MT


BTW, you probably know this, but there is no way to get thermals in Walmart in July.  I'll just have to bundle up as the temps are supposed to start out in the high 40's. 

Cannonball - Day 6

July 10th 2016

Lincoln, NE to Valentine, NE (310 Miles)

It was a short ride today.  I left the hotel checkpoint at 7:13 and arrived at the final checkpoint at 12:24.  While I am not pegging out the scoot, I am riding a little faster than about half of the Helixes (what is the plural of Helix?).  Consistency is key.

The roads today were similar to yesterday in Kansas.  Not much in the way of change or twisties.  Shoot, even Frank couldn't get lost.

No video today as straight roads just arn't that fun to watch a recording of, but I took a few pictures.

If you look close, you can see my gator hood ornament.  Is this really what I am thinking about now?  Kansas must have had more of an effect than I thought.

Green and straight ... ahh Nebraska

More Korn!

I took a selfie at checkpoint 2 which marks the official halfway point of the cannonball.  See me smiling?  Don't I look happy?

Getting closer to Valentine and the Sand Hills area.

As mentioned earlier, we finished off early today in the Sand Hills area.  I took a quick nap in the hotel lobby while waiting on Frank, Mike, and Steve.  Boy those chairs were comfortable.

Once the others arrived, we unloaded the baggage into the room.  This early stop was the perfect time for us do the midway oil change.  The problem with the Sand Hills area is ... guess what ... sand.  With the afternoon wind blowing everything around we had a little challenge of not making any messes in the hotel parking lot or getting sand into anything important.  We were successful.  

I did end up with more valve stem issues.  Those balancing bead for the tires work wonders, but seem to be getting hung up and causing the stems to leak when I check the tire pressure.  All fixed now, but it did provide me this wonderful picture.  Mike kept looking in the stem for bead blockages.  All he kept seeing was Steve.

While heading over for dinner at the Peppermill, We see one of the casualties of the Cannonball.  Bob (BigKart) had a few flashing lights behind him.  I understand that he had to ride for a little longer than he should have with the police behind him so he could shoot a picture of the hotel for his final check in.  Sorry Bob, the rules say you have to be in the hotel parking lot.  Of course, it's even worse when you have a dozen Cannonballers standing in frond to the restaurant about 100 feel away cheering on the traffic stop.  I'm sure the office was wondering why all these "kind law abiding citizens" were cheering and taking pictures of Bob.  He got off with a warning.

This day is in the books

Tomorrow, South Dakota into Wyoming.

Cannonball - Day 5

July 9th 2016

Nevada, MO to Lincoln, NE (355 Miles)

Still no total score tally on the main site.  I may need to work with the raw data to see where I am, but I'm hoping to be moving up some.

The days riding was pretty uneventful.  The weather was a little warm, but at least dry.  We spent most of the day in Kansas so there were rolling hills, but mostly straight roads.  That's when I get tired.  Just point the scoot and hold the throttle.  When you finally get to a turn it's almost like snapping out of it and learning to ride again.

But it was pretty in it's own way

Korn!

Manhattan and Kansas State

Turtle something lake

Then the local Lincoln scooter group showed up and we rolled out to dinner at the Mellow Mushroom.

Where Mike and I made new friends

And the day is done

Tomorrow, Valentine, Nebraska and the Sand Hills