Lessons Learned from 500 Miles in the Saddle

Practice = Improvement

The whole purpose of practicing is to improve. As I reflected on the 500 miles we rode this weekend I formulated the things I learned that will be most beneficial for me in May when we begin the Run For The Wall. 

1. Loose clothing is NOT good when riding at 75+ miles per hour with a 20 knot head wind. I opted to wear a very nice 2014, long sleeve Run for The Wall, Men's medium shirt that I purchased last year. I thought the thick cotton would be little warmer and the long sleeves would protect me from the sun. A men's shirt is baggy on me and that made me a less than pleasant experience as my shirt kept blowing up under my arm pits. So cruising along at 75+ I was constantly pulling my shirt down and tucking it under my butt or between my legs. Grrrrr, very annoying. Next Time: wear a women's fitted shirt. 

2. Handy Gadgets to have and use: Cruise control is 'da bomb!!! Oh my gosh, I fell in love with cruise control. I haven't taken the new bike on the open road to utilize the cruise control until this weekend. I see why Don insisted I get a bike with cruise control. 

Push to release gas tank cover: Oh my gosh, this little button is a dream. No more fumbling for the key after pulling into the gas stop. Just push the button and the cover pops open. One less thing to think about in the chaos of the gas stops. 

3:  Custom Parts are worth it: The custom seat and extra reach handle bars Don installed were an excellent choice. The bike fits perfectly. The seat was comfortable, after 250 miles I felt great. 

Next week's practice runs will involve the new CBs Don is installing. I will also be putting on the tour back (thanks for the suggestion General's Driver) to see how the bike handles fully loaded. 

If any veteran Run for the Wall riders have any preparation suggestions, please leave a comment.  A special thank you to my wonderful Jack of all trades, husband, Don for insisting on outfitting me with the best. Love you honey. 

Time to get off the fence!

It looks as if the time for fence sitting is over. Fence sitting??? Yes, I have been sitting on the fence trying to decide whether to ride by own bike or once again ride on the back of my good hubby's bike.

This week I received an email from Chicken Joe, Assistant Route Coordinator, Southern Route, Run for the Wall, stating:

"Eyes,

You have been placed into a Tail Gunner position in the 4th Platoon with Robert "Old School" Reavis at the Platoon Leader.  He is excited to be able to take you into the platoon."

So that's it folks, I will be riding myself. The slow speed maneuvering has been my only struggle. It's a big bike and when it's slow going I feel like it's going to fall over. I have been out riding every Friday and Saturday for months and will continue to do so until May 13, when the run officially begins.
I am excited!!! Please follow along with us as we "Ride for Those That Can't" on our journey to the Vietnam Memorial.

Lost in a sea of Harleys

No matter how hard I tried to triangulate our location, after every lunch break I would lose our black Harley amidst the hundreds of other black Harleys on the ride.  This picture shows perfectly how easy it was to become lost in the sea of Harleys. Before next year I need to devise a new system cause triangulation didn't work so well.

What's in a platoon?

After multiple plane delays, I am finally on a flight headed to LA. The flight has given me a chance to go through photos from the first couple of days. How odd to look through the photos and remember at the time I took the photo wondering who these people were and what prompted them to run for the wall. And now, some 12 days later we are friends and I know them and they know me. 

A little bit about the logistics of the Run for the Wall. The first day in Rancho Cucamonga you check in with Shirley (Top Sarge) she issues you the orange tie for your bike which denotes you as a registered participant. She also pins you with your FNG button, if you are in fact an FNG. What is an FNG, you ask, Fine New Guy or Gal. Hahaha, we all know what it really stands for but this is a G rated event. Which I am grateful for. 

This is Jim, somewhere between California and Washington DC he earned the name Shamu. You can see Shamu's FNG pin. Each year the FNG pin changes color, so with one glance you can tell who the new guys are. I think it's kind of funny that Jim received his road name, Shamu from Spoon. The guys up in Hollister must have a thing for food and eating. 

Once you arrive in DC the FNG pin is turned upside down denoting that you are no longer an FNG and next year there will be a whole new crop of them.  I plan on having a lavendar patch made with FNG 2014 embroidered on it. It is sewn upside down on your vest. I earned it so I guess I'll wear it. It's fun to see the old ones. 

After you check in with top sarge you drive around where a road guard randomly places you in platoons. Once you park and check in with your platoon leader you are given a sticker for your bike. 

I know, I know there are lots of stickers on the bikes. The one I am referring to is the little red number 4. This is how the road guards know what platoon to direct you to when 400 bikes roll into the staging area. 

You might think all platoons are created equal, but it is not so. 

Platoon 1 is comprised of the most seasoned riders and the riders in leadership positions. The first platoon is probably the smallest platoon. The first platoon rides side by side verses staggered. 

Platoon 2 also rides side by side verses staggered. FNGs are not allowed to ride in Platoon 2 until three days into the run after they have proved themselves to be competent riders. 

Platoon 3 -7 is comprised of riders that prefer to ride staggered not side by side. 

Platoon 8 is the trikes

Platoon 9 is lovingly referred to as trailer trash as they are the bikes that are pulling trailers. Most of them camp instead of hoteling it and haul their camping gear in the trailer. 

There's some beautiful trailer trash. 

Looks like we are beginning our descent into LA. I'll bring your more news of the ride in the coming days. It is going to be difficult to return to real life after experiencing Run for The Wall.