Laura Klock: Rest Day - Motorcycle Cannonball Run

LAURA ON THE ROAD WITH TEAM EFFIE – “Rest Day? (Friday, Sept. 17)”

Cris and Effie.

While today, Friday, September 17, was the one and only rest day for the Motorcycle Cannonball riders and crew, I'm not sure how much resting went on. Other than everyone did get the whole day to work on their bikes, do laundry, etc., instead of having to cram all of that same work into a few hours on a regular riding day. So, the resting probably came when we got to sleep in, and move just a little bit slower today. Not at such a frantic pace.

At Hot Springs Arkansas - they allowed the motorcycle cannonball riders and crew to work inside the convention center and leave the bikes there in the secure area.

Effie got some new pushrods along with a new primary chain, and all of her regular maintenance. She was also test ridden by the experts, and told she is SWEET. Athena is really getting a great reputation around here and I'm so proud of her. As the lead mechanic on our crew, I've watched her take her knowledge and combine it with all of the knowledge and advice of the experts around us here to become more and more confident in working on these older machines every day. She's a sponge and she gets SO EXCITED when something clicks for her. She's respectful of the men, listens intently, and learns quickly. What an asset to our team.

Effie HAS NEW PUSHRODS!

Cris got a massage today from Linda - someone that our Motor Maid sisters lined up for us. She also found a new shin guard that we are going to try tomorrow instead of wrapping gloves on her leg each day. Hopefully it will protect her leg from the heat of Effie's rear cylinder. Cris got to wear flip flops for a whole day and is hoping her feet and ankles will be ready for boots again tomorrow.

At Hot Springs Arkansas - they allowed the motorcycle cannonball riders and crew to work inside the convention center and leave the bikes there in the secure area. Team Effie's temporary pit area...getting Effie and Cris all ready to get back on the road tomorrow.

There was a banquet tonight that was put on by the local Antique Motorcycle Club and the city of Hot Springs. They sure welcomed us with open arms and the food was great. We had some fun listening to the Roughians chanting "Motor Maaaaaaiiiiiidddddsssss" since Dave Bettencourt got a new Motor Maids Security shirt to borrow today. It almost brings a tear really to see how accepted and respected we are. These guys have been SO helpful, so patient to answer our questions, and so supportive. That's true motorcycle camaraderie.

Motor Maid Security!

I'm going to share a few photos and sign off. We begin STAGE 8 tomorrow out of 16 total. End of tomorrow we will officially be half way there. Seems like a lot left, but also like the first half has gone real fast. Santa Monica will be here before we know it!

Tomorrows ride is 145 miles. A relatively light day compared to what is to come. The next 2 days after that are 290 and 270 miles. I would imagine we will see some real endurance challenges to come. So for right now, we will head out to Fort Smith, Arkansas where we finish at Old Fort Harley Davidson.

Good night.

Self-explanatory