Boog’s Motor Vacation 2014
Dear reader, stop, go get yourself some popcorn and your favorite beverage. This journal is around 19 pages long and I do not want to have to stop while you go get something to eat or use the restroom. Get it done now; I will wait…
Day 1, Aug 1st
I loaded up the bike that I affectionately call Brahma; one of the biggest bulls a fellow can ride in the Rodeo. I am about to begin an Iron Butt to Denver to meet up with my three youngest sons, Antony 25, Preston 22 and William (Liam) 17 (he just got his motorcycle endorsement on his license yesterday). Our destination will be the Black Hills Motorcycle Rally held in Sturgis, SD.
My first stop is at the local Exxon to get gas and my first signature to officially begin the Iron butt challenge. I hope to get two awards; the Saddle Sore is 1,000 miles in 24 hours and the Bun Burner is 1,500 miles in 36 hours. Denver is approximately 1,780 miles from my place in Dumfries, VA; should be easy...
I head west on Hwy 234 out of Dumfries and merge onto I-66 west 30 minutes later. It is around 0545 and traffic into DC is starting to pick up. Luckily, I am heading out of the area and my traffic is light. A short time later with the sun is coming up, I turn south onto I-81. The morning air is perfect for the start of a long trip. The temp is in the high 60s and the feeling is exhilarating as I ride along. I do notice that some heavy clouds are showing up to my southwest, dead ahead. I decide to stop for a squirt of gas and to get a breakfast burrito from a local gas station as I feel the first drops begin to fall. Weather app on the smart phone tells me there is only a 20% chance of rain for this area so I decided to forego wearing my rain gear. A few minutes later out on the freeway, I change my mind as I see the sky pouring just up ahead. It rains on me for the next two hours and I wonder if
@rainman is riding today too.
I changed highways again and took I-64 west. By the time I was half through the West Virginia Turnpike, I had counted nine cagers who have flicked cigarettes towards me as I either passed them or followed behind. None has hit me yet but it sure is annoying.