That's one of my favorite songs, even though I've never been here before, nor do I know how to pronounce the name of the town (Tuscumbia, AL) we are in right now. Oh well, this whole trip is about adventure, new places, new faces, and new challenges.
Cris headed out on DAY 5 - From Chattanooga, TN to Tuscumbia, AL...212 miles
Day 5 went GREAT for Team Effie with Cris reporting that Effie got pretty hot in the early afternoon sun, but she didn't overheat on us, even though some of the other's did. Cris got pretty warm also, but she's wearing her camelback and staying hydrated. Good rider!! Team Effie's crew was asked to be a sweeper van today, so we got to follow the route the riders take, and assist with break downs. Today, we truly experienced what it's like to be out there on the backroads of America along with the riders. We stopped at 6 different times, but never had to load anyone up, which is GREAT news. We were able to either assist, or at least block them from traffic to keep them safe while they got their machines running again. Some of the winding switchbacks and inclined roads that were traveled today were, well, treacherous, and if I didn't already respect Cris and the riders for what they are doing on these old machines, I have even MORE respect for them now. Wow. It was truly amazing for us to see it first hand, even if it was from the van.
The directions we received as a sweeper are the same roll charts the riders get...which is different from the support crew route instructions we've received until now. So, I as the navigator, skillfully lead us down what I thought was the wrong road, we turned around and back tracked only to find we were on the RIGHT road, and this was in the first 5 miles. Oh well, rest of the day went better. We only missed one other turn. Have to pay ALOT closer attention than the highway routes we've been on because they ride on back roads and turns are way more frequent. Athena has continued to be the driver and I the navigator/co-pilot and it's worked well. Just glad the crew didn't fire me today! So to my family, co-workers and friends, if you don't hear back from me right away, please know it's because I'm having trouble texting and navigating at the same time now that we get to be sweepers. :)
Pete Young #82 - tire replacement on Day 4The Militaire went on the trailer today, and so did Flying Merkel. #80, Shinya, was pulled over a couple times, but got it rolling. And the best part for us was one of our favorites, Pete Young, #36. Pete is on a 1913 Premiere, a single cylinder bike that has about 5 HP. Pete is one of our crew favorites, because even though he's completed 390 miles (which I think is ALOT for what he's riding!!) of the now 1,003 MILES that has been traveled, he always has a smile, positive attitude, and is just plain happy to be here. Yesterday Pete didn't get to finish and when we saw him in the parking lot, he was changing a rear tire that had blown out. This afternoon we came up on Pete on the side of the road and pulled in behind him. He put in some more oil, and started up again, so we hung with him. His Premiere became what we called "Puff the Magic Premiere" as it was puffing white smoke so bad as we got another mile closer, more smoke, another mile closer, a little more smoke. When we were down to the last 5 miles, we were literally CHEERING in the van. "GO PETE GO"!! We so wanted to see him cross the finish, and HE DID! That's another moment in history to cherish.
We know about Effie Hotchkiss and that she went coast to coast on a 1915 HD V-Twin 3-Speed like Cris', but can anyone tell me the history of the single cylinder? Has anyone done this on one of those small 5 hp bikes? I'm curious....
On another note, Day 5 didn't go so well for our friend and fellow rider Matt Olsen. As we pulled out from checking on Shinya another sweeper pulled up and said we had a rider down. Now, I wouldn't wish a crash on anyone, but it struck fear in us so bad because Cris was out ahead of us..."please don't let it be her", even though we didn't want it to be ANY of the riders. We pulled out and were passed by fire truck, another fire truck, ambulance. Chills. Prayers. We came up on the scene about 5 miles later and learned that it was our friend, and a friend of our Klock Werks Team back home because he's a South Dakota boy, Matt Olsen. Seems he hit a bump coming up over the bridge and lost control. Matt suffered a broken arm, broken nose, and face and hand lacerations, but he is ok. He was in surgery tonight, and is heading home tomorrow. He had a rough trip. All over the blogs and face books, you will see this determined young man rebuilding a blown engine on his sears, running some miles, and rebuilding a blown engine on his Sears. But he never gave up. Maybe for him the trip wasn't meant to be, but we sure do wish him well as he recovers. Please keep Matt in your prayers.
Lunch stop at Rocket Harley Davidson in Huntsville, Alabama. Motor Maid Angie Groves drove 2 hours to see Cris ride in! Motor Maids Rock!Cris and Effie rolled into the lunch stop at Rocket HD, hot and sweaty. Angie Grove was the Motor Maid waiting there to greet her. All along the way, at every stop, there have been from 1 to 25 Motor Maids there to support. So honored to be a part of the group. After a cool off at lunch, they headed back out and the finish line was at Fosters Harley Davidson here at our stop in Tuscumbia. There was a riders meeting tonight where some rules were adjusted - actually almost all penalty rules discarded making the trip even more about who puts on the most miles at the end of the run. Most were in agreement with the changes. I just reflect on the fact that this is the FIRST Motorcycle Cannonball of this kind, and there is bound to be a learning curve. Overall, Lonnie and all of the staff have done an AMAZING job. This couldn't have been easy to plan.
End of Day 5 – Maintenance begins.Back to the hotel where we kick it into a NASCAR style pit stop for Effie, and Cris. Pat (Cris' husband) is here with us now - so we try to get Cris to relax and put her poor swollen and bruised legs up and enjoy some time with her husband while we get to work. Daily maintenance is what is keeping Effie strong, and honestly it feels like she gets better every day! I'm in charge of draining the sump and refilling the oil, gas, tire pressure, roll charts, clean-up, battery charging, and Athena gets to work on the more intricate adjusting. Effie usually needs her tranny chain adjusted and that's not an easy job really, but Athena has it down. She really rocks and I'm so proud to be on her team. First the floorboard is removed, the tranny loosened, adjustment to chain made, put it all back together, and then you have to adjust the rear wheel to tighten that chain, adjust rear brakes....in addition she's checking the spark plugs, valves, etc. etc. Effie gets the spa treatment every single night and in addition to that we give her LOVE. Seriously, we hug her, praise her, and encourage her. Tonight someone came by and we jokingly explained that the difference in an all woman pit area, is love. :) hahaha! Come on, we have to have some fun! We are up at daybreak and don't usually get to bed until midnight. But we are sure enjoying the ride!
Cris and husband Pat Simmons at Foster HD in Tuscumbia, Alabama at the finish of Day 5Toast leaves us tomorrow. Seems she has to go back to work :( We will miss her as she's been a valuable part of the crew. She lives in California, so will be there at the end to film once again.
A fun thing that happened tonight was Vince Matinico was pitted next to us and he was on the phone talking to a friend. He said, “ok, goodbye John Parham”, and Athena and I both looked up. We said "tell him hi!" and Vince handed the phone to me. I think John was surprised that I was here, but I explained about Cris and Effie, Athena and our all woman crew and he sure seemed pleased to hear the story. Those of you that don't know him, he's the owner of J&P Cycles, and he recently had a lung transplant. Vince told me that he was supposed to be here on the ride with him. Hopefully John can read all the blogs and info and feel like he is.
That being said here are some sites that you can read more about the Cannonball and different teams on:
http://motorcyclecannonball.blogspot.com/ this blog leads you to a bunch of other blogs – most of them blogs of the riders
http://www.wheelsthroughtime.com/latest/motorcycle-cannonball-to-stop-at-wtt-sunday-september-12.html
http://nogooders.com/ (for a cool video of a frame straightening Cannonball style!)
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_183601.asp (the chattanoogan.com article)
http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/2010-motorcycle-cannonball-run-preview
http://outerbanksvoice.com/2010/09/09/vintage-bikes-ready-for-coast-to-coast-cannonball/ cool video of start day
I better get to bed. Tomorrow is another 200 miles day for Team Effie. And one crew member is headed home. Tomorrow night I will try to write from LULA MISSISSIPPI (I love that name!).
Godspeed.
Laura
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