MTF 50/100CC Iron Butt Association Ride Wayne Doyle 50CC Ride Report March 2003

Itenery 

I-8 East to I-10 East (That’s It!) Ha!

The night before they had a banquet for the people leaving in the morning and some of those who were already arriving from Florida and returning in the morning. They provided the awards made by Alan Leduc (quite the nice award if I might say) a nicely machined plaque of the USA with the Route engraved with 2 or 3 test tubes depending on the ride you were going for. Nice that he gave them to us even before we had accomplished the ride ha! I left early without eating so that I could get as much sleep as possible…   

Well….woke up Wednesday morning at 4:45am in order to arrive at Hunter's Steak House in Mission Valley for the start of this insane adventure. When I arrived the starters and witnesses were already sending the riders off every 5 minutes. It was kinda eerie with the flood lights lighting the guys as they were leaving. My partner Bob Coffland was sending them off into the night and so I informed him I was ready when he was. He finished sending off the others while I checked the bike over one final time. After talking to some of the guys and realizing that they were actually turning around and doing there second 50CC I became amazed in these riders. 

Bob motioned to me he was ready and it was our turn, pulling up to the line photographer taking our pictures we headed out to the Shell station in Ocean Beach to get our start time ( a receipt with the topping off of the tank which read: time, date, place. We then blasted off towards Jax, FL.   

Bob mentioned that we did not need to speed but 5 over would be plenty enough so took the lead and he patiently followed on his 97 Honda Goldwing SE 1500, yes an exact copy of yours Fran man! Except he has an auxiliary tank that allows him 300 miles comfortably. 
  
The ride went exceptionally un-eventful until around Van Horn, TX when out of our rear view mirrors came 2 headlights gaining on us. Turns out it was 2 Canadians on Beamers who left in front of us. It was common to pass and be passed by others due to stopping for gas. One of them noticed my running lights on so he pulled up beside me in the other lane an turned on his running lights and we lit up the night in front of us in search of un-friendly critters wanting to play chicken J ha! 

We rode to the middle stopping point of Ozona, TX and pulled off to find a bed for 4 hours. After the beamer led us to a motel they decided to head further down the road. Bob and I decided to get a room. It was the worst room I have ever stayed in (Hitching Post Inn) the roof tiles were pulling away and hanging due to the previous rains, the carpet smelled of dampness, and the bathroom was old style with that darn water saving faucet to boot. We pretty much crashed and relaxed for the rest of the time. I got up and took a shower and woke up Bob and so we were up and heading out. Outside to load the bikes, noticed another bike in the parking lot, Kawasaki 1300 Hyubusa. Well I could not believe what I saw next, the guy was laying all his gear on the ground and in a daze said hello and asked what time it was? I said 4am and he acknowledged he needed to get going as well….the next thing I know he has a pillion on the back of that crotch rocket! A beautiful blonde who I know for sure has been laying on his back since San Diego, this guy had to be the strongest man and he could not have been any bigger than I am. Needless to say Bob and I headed out leaving him in the parking lot getting ready!   

Next came the cities of San Antonio and Houston transitions, San Antonio was pretty easy with a loop bypass, though the road did get confusing and of course the construction came into play. Houston was the time to make the mental mistake for me…saw the 610 loop sign and made a wrong decision thinking it was the way to go…just as I veered onto it I noticed the I-10 east sign to the left and knew I had screwed up. Turns out the 610 was a northward direct to the airport. After riding for awhile I pulled over to consult with Bob and of course ask directions, the 610 hooked back into I-10 just ahead of us so we were ok. But then the storm started to brew, we put on our rain suits and prepared for the rain. It started coming down on us while in the city traffic tucking in behind a truck in the fast lane I moved through the rest of Houston and headed east the rain still coming down. As we worked through the east Texas area the rain lightened a little but never stopped.   

As we made our way around Baton Rouge, LA, low and behold who did we come up on…the Hyubusa and pillion who looked like they were going to make a wrong turn towards New Orleans, I zipped up in front and lead the way so they would not be confused. They eventually left us due to their gas usage and we headed on...  the sun coming up in our faces as we approached Florida. Not far now and we had one last gas stop in Lake City, FL. I took this opportunity to drink a caffeine drink, chocolate covered coffee beans and chocolate. BIG MISTAKE! I began to get wired like I never have been before…I got nauseous and my head was moving a mile a minute. We ended up stopping more than expected in order for me to wind down. 

After making our way into Jacksonville during rush hour morning traffic our final destination was just ahead. It was nice seeing the beaches of Florida again, it brought back memories of where I grew up in Cocoa Beach the way the streets were laid out and seeing that (A1A) sign really told me we were close now. Upon seeing the infamous Shell station and other motorcyclist ahead I knew we had made it with time to spare…47 hours and 43 minutes we had crossed from the Pacific to the Atlantic. 

And along came the Hyubusa in about 30 minutes, I shook the guys hand and hugged the blonde offering congratulations.   

We had a banquet and most of the guys headed back if you can believe that REALLY J !!!!! I got a room and went to bed ready to leave the next day back home….   

Thank God for watching over us. No accidents for any of us! Enjoy the pictures!