The Lower-48 Challenge
Excursionists: 2ringbike
Shortly after I started riding a motorcycle, I heard about the Hoka Hey Challenge (more on this later!). Researching that – and endurance riding in general – led me to the Iron Butt Association web site and their rides/certifications. So, when I pulled into my campsite last night and found that I was bivouacked next to someone doing the IBA's 48 States Series, I was quite chuffed.
@2ringbike seems a private man (he didn't give his name, and I didn't ask), but he was eager to have a quiet chat with another rider. He'd just left home in Saskatchewan, Canada yesterday ... and was already sharing his ride status with his kids and wife (via SpotWalla and Bubbler GPS). He's also riding with a GoPro which is configured to take a still shot every few seconds; he plans on compiling these into a video time-lapse of his trip and putting it on YouTube.
This morning he starts on his journey of the lower 48 states. He's going to hop across the state border to Minnesota, then come back to North Dakota and head down to South Dakota, then on to Nebraska and points East after that.
I was delighted to be there at the start of his journey, and play some small role in his story – last night we used my phone's Yelp app (so that he didn't have to pay exorbitant international data fees) to find a coffeeshop where he can get his first certification today.
I can't think of a more excellent way to begin a morning ride than with a cappuccino :-) 🛣