Saturday, September 18, 2010

Day 4

Day 4

Well I was excited to continue after my lil snafu with the battery. I took off a lil later today as I needed a rest from the previous day being a long one but also a rewarding one in the sense that the local Montana residents and the Cannonballer's helped out a person who was in need. Bill on his helix rode 60 miles round trip to get me a battery. The local people gave me powdered donuts, jelly orange slices and the name of the local scooter shop.
So I was all packed up and ready to go but when I gave my scooter gas it would not go! I go a jump from a local at the gas station but it soon died after…

Same symptoms as yesterday…

When I since have come to find out that the regulator/rectifier was bad and my battery which I had been running down with accessories before the Cannonball put too much recharge on the system so it was not recharging. I had just left the film crew about 30 min previous so I called them. They had an extra space on the trailer so they drove back the 50 miles to give me a lift so I could get the scoot to the end of toys route. I am not the only one who has been getting these mechanical gremlins. We are pushing these scooter to limits that they are not supposed to do and when you do that things WILL break .

So I rode with the film crew for the rest of the day and got the needed rest along the way...

Day 3

Well Cannonball Day 3. The Day started out early as Cynthia and I wanted to get out of the park early to beat the tourist traffic. We witnessed incredible natural beauty which left me breathless! It was by far the coldest morning at about 30 degrees. There was snow on the mountain range amen nd we hit construction after we headed over the pass. I encountered steers on the road, deer trying to figure out which way to go when crossing the road and several toes of flying foul.
On the half way part of the trip my GPS started wigging out. So for some reason it sent me to the previous check point when I should have been going to check point #2. Wen that sent me back an hour so I can kiss the 3rd spot good bye. Then when I was on the dusty, twisty, and challenging dirt road of Evens Riceview I used my extra gas can to to fill my tank and when I went to start the scoot the battery was dead!!! I have been having issues with the battery . So I got a jump and it started again but when I started to take off there wasn't enough power to make the scooter continue. I checked the battery water level and three of the cells were dry! I guess running the battery down with an over excess of accessories in not a good option to do on a scooter.
Soo I called the numbers of who I could think of but all were still on the road. The support truck did not have cell service way out here in the country :(

Well in was a local woman who came to the rescuer. In fact all the people in this area of Montana were extremely helpful! Giving me powdered donuts, Candy orange slices, and the number of the local motorcycle shop that had a new battery for me.
Then the scooter Cannonball riders came to the rescue. Mike on his Helix offered to go back the 30 plus miles to Grand Falls to pick up my battery! Wow!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Day Two

Day 2 and the weather was better as we started with a crisp morning. I
wore multiple layers under my Corazzo Gear to keep that 40 degree
chill from numbing my body!
Todays route took us out of Canada into Idaho and through Montana. It
was also the most technical part of this journey so far. I fell in
love with the route through Montana! Long sweeping roads mixed with
tight and twisty logging lanes, which were well suited for my S250. I
have to say that the 16 inch wheels mixed with the Heidenau tires made
me feel very stable when pushing hard into the corners. I put had my
feet on the rear pegs and rode it more like a motorcycle than a
scooter!
Today was also the day I pushed it the hardest as I rode with a gifted
rider, Bodacious, who has no fear! Almost all day I had the throttle
open all the way!
Oh and the scenery was extremely incredible too! Topaz blue lakes,
vibrant green foliage draped the mountain range and tons of wildlife,
which I had to dodge a few times! Everyday has been a new adventure
and I look forward to tomorrows challenge as I am currently in 3rd
place!

Day One

Well I competed the 3 day, 980 mile journey from Salt Lake City to the Start of the Cannonball Run in Vancouver BC. I endured rain, wind, masses of huge truckers, swarms of bugs and long desolate roads!
When I arrived in Canada Wed afternoon I was greeted by the 20 plus riders as the first meeting commenced. Our leader informed us of the rules and regulations as well as putting a big emphasis on safety.
On Thursday morning all the riders met at Vanier Park, some dipped their toes in the the Bay of the Pacific Ocean. I rode my People S250 into the water to baptize my scooter for this incredible journey ahead of us.

The scoot has been running excellent since I left Salt Lake. The 336 Mile ride across Canada was amazing with scenic views and super fun roadways. This Cannonball route was made for two wheeled vehicles and I am stoked that my scoot handled extremely well today.
Day two brings 350 miles of more twisty roads…

Monday, September 6, 2010

Leaving Utah

Well reluctantly I am leaving Salt Lake City. I have spent almost 3 weeks here and have met some incredibly cool people, gone on some majestic rides, eaten delish vegan meals, had some wild nights, and have been challenged and overcome many physical and emotional obstacles. I have made excuses to not wanting to leave this area but I know that I will return to experience and share more of the love I have been given!

This chapter will now end only to start another phase in my journey of life. With three days to go I am off to Vancouver BC to the start of the famed Scooter Cannonball where over 20 people will test their physical and mental limits on scooters across North America.

I ready for this challenge and am open to what the future has in store for me...

Well didn't leave Salt Lake City till 4:30 PM. John Southerland helped me put a power source for my GPS. Then we went to have Falafel's and then Kevin and Shannon Hanson came by to partake in John's scooter shop.

I blazed a trai on the Interstate 15 and 84 all the way to Twin Falls. Riding into the sun SUCKS and riding through millions of small bugs at sunset also SUCKS! I did encounter a small confrontation outside of Salt Lake from a stupid Farmer wanting me to hurry up at the gas station..and pushed my gas situation where I made it to the gas station on fumes! Stupid!

8pm arriving at the Days Inn in Twin Falls, ID to get warm, rested and do blog and photo stuff. Hope to leave early tomorrow and put in as many miles as possible. I still have 2 days and 763 miles to get to Vancouver BC by Wed night. No worries I just need to fill the spare gas incase I reach any long stretches wheres theres no gas stations. Todays average speed was 68.4 mph with a top speed of 79.4 mph and I rode 224 miles for 3hr 16 min. Will make the 488 mile trek to Yakima; no problem...Maybe further???