MTF 50/100CC Iron Butt Association Ride
Michael Glass & Viktoria Juodenaite
100CCC Ride Report March 2003
Part 2
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MTF 50/100CC Iron Butt Association Ride
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PRE-EVENT IN FLORIDA
We arrived in Florida Friday afternoon and checked into Jax
Beach Best Western which became more or less event central. Vik and I were part
of the early arrival group but by Saturday most of the riders had checked in.
With fuel cells and GPS systems up the kazoo, it was obvious that this was one
serious group of long distance riders. And while everyone was as friendly as can
be, it was also obvious that some of them weren’t taking our two-up attempt
too seriously. This is not surprising, as a long trip on a Hayabusa is
traditionally to the local drag strip and back.
Three Big Wings and a baby Busa.
Rider’s started arriving at the Jax Beach Best Western on Friday.
The pre-ride dinner was scheduled around 6PM near the the
hotel.
Vik and I wanted to go but we were running late in our final preparations that
were cut short in New York due to bad weather. So while the others were eating
-- we were packing, duct taping and installing. Finally around 9PM we took a ten
minute ride to see if everything would stay on. Fortunately it did.
The Busa was ready for business (Photo courtesy of Jerry
Mather)
One thing for sure. Thanks to Vik we wouldn’t be hungry the first day out.
The plan was to get a good 8 hours sleep before the ride. But by
the time we had finished outfitting the bike it was almost 10PM. OK—so six
hours of sleep will have to do.
Alarm clock, Screaming Meanine, and wake-up call all set for 4AM. This would
give us enough time to get dressed, check-out of the motel, finish packing the
bike, and get to starting area by 5AM. Only problem was I woke up three hours
later at 1AM and couldn’t get back to sleep. OK—so three hours of sleep will
have to do.
5AM, March 10th, The Start
It was finally happening. After a month of anticipation and planning, here we
were at 5AM with all the other riders at the Jax Florida Shell Station. The
100ccc insanity was about to begin. We just couldn't wait to get started.
Vik and I were witnessed in and given a start number. As our number was called,
I pulled up the pump, topped the tank off with about a dollar worth of gas, got
the required start receipt. The receipt read 5:50AM, March 10th. Fifty hours
later we were required to be in San Diego, and fifty hours after that to be back
at this very gas station if we were to complete the event successfully.
Riders wait for their numbers to be called
Can you spot Vik, BMWRT.com’s Steve Hebert and his army buddy Uli?
"Vik…are you sure you really want to do this, or should we head for
Disneyland?"
