50 CC to Raise Awareness and Money for Prostate Cancer

Discussion in 'Trips & Events' started by deidem, Jun 12, 2017.

  1. deidem

    deidem New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Pittsford, NY
    Map
    This August 21st and 22nd I will be riding my '03 VFR 800 from Folly Beach, SC to Ventura Beach, CA. I have done quite a few 500 mile mornings and afternoons and one 1000 mile day (on a naked SV650). This will be by far the longest. Training is consisting of going for a run or bicycle ride, then lifting and then finally getting on the bike in the dark when i am tired and going for a ride. I am doing the ride in remembrance of my father who lost his battle with prostate cancer 4 years ago. Love to hear thoughts on this.

    Dennis
     
  2. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2015
    Messages:
    2,840
    Likes Received:
    525
    Trophy Points:
    158
    I'm sorry for your loss. I hate cancer. This sounds like a memorable way to honor and remember your dad.

    Looks like you have 2 days to make it? 2 full days? What is your timeline?

    It's great you are getting the physical practice. But the thing I believe that will save you and help you complete this mission is your mental stamina.

    I would estimate (when I do extreme riding) that 10% is physical, 90% mental. I fit on moto perfect, doesn't take much physical strength once I'm on and going.

    BUT, when you are in freezing rain, scorching temps, alone, tired, scared, facing close calls with cagers, dealing with unsavory characters on the road, moto breakdowns, missing family and friends, etc...for HOURS...with only you and your thoughts and maybe some music in your ears...your brain and the will to continue has to be stronger than anything else.

    So train your brain. Know that parts will suck. But know this fact:

    Nothing lasts forever, it will pass.

    When I rode 16 hours straight through the dark of a winter's night, on interstates in sub zero wind chills this past winter, that fact kept me going.

    And it is a fact. I kept going and the ride didn't last forever. And I was successful and made it to work as planned that morning.

    The only other thing I can say is watch out if you are planning I-15 south to get into Cali L.A. area. Cajon winds almost got me down this past New Year's holiday...on that same chilly ride as mentioned above.

    Good luck! Give your body a little break and train your brain. Which also means positive self talk that you will be successful!
     
    Samuel likes this.
  3. deidem

    deidem New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Pittsford, NY
    Map
  4. deidem

    deidem New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Pittsford, NY
    Map
    So it is almost here. Training rides have gone well. I added a BrakeAway throttle lock and Powerlet port in my tankbag. These have been tested on multiple rides. Bike has new Pirelli Angel GT's as of Friday. Sena SMH10R for music and directions. I am having trouble sitting still now! Had an opportunity this morning to talk about the ride and my fundraiser on our local news show.

    http://foxrochester.com/news/good-d...g-cross-country-for-prostate-cancer-awareness
     
    Bubba Utah likes this.
  5. deidem

    deidem New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Pittsford, NY
    Map
    Update Jul 22nd from Oxnard, CA

    Left Folly Beach just before 4 AM Sunday August 20th.
    Arrived in Oxnard, CA just before midnight August 21st

    Interceptors rock
    So do Pirelli Angel GT's
     
    Samuel, Bubba Utah, A.M and 1 other person like this.
  6. derstuka

    derstuka Lord of the Wankers Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2007
    Messages:
    6,733
    Likes Received:
    193
    Trophy Points:
    108
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Map
    So you did coast to coast in less than 44 hours? 2600 miles? My dear lord, you are a machine! You must have had your hands nailed to the bars! I don't know anybody who has done that....amazing!
     
  7. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2015
    Messages:
    2,840
    Likes Received:
    525
    Trophy Points:
    158
    WOW!

    That is incredible! How did you do it?
    Cat naps? A couple hours here and there of sleep? Amazing!

    Did you video or have any other interviews?

    How did you feel? How DO you feel?

    Are you riding back? If so, just as quick or taking your time?

    How was the message for awareness delievered or received for the cause?

    Did you have sponsors? People helping?

    So many questions! But so amazed...
     
    Bubba Utah likes this.
  8. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

    Joined:
    May 27, 2016
    Messages:
    1,384
    Likes Received:
    324
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Utah
    Map
    Did you make a trip diary of the ride, both photo and personal thoughts on this ride. That is amazing to have done this for cancer awareness in your fathers name. Let us know. Thank you for doing it so that it inspires others. I am sorry that I was not aware of this ride you did until today.

    Take Care.

    Mike D.
     
  9. deidem

    deidem New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Pittsford, NY
    Map
     
  10. deidem

    deidem New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Pittsford, NY
    Map
    Why: To raise awareness and money for Zero: The End of Prostate Cancer. Bucket list item!

    Route: Folly Beach, SC - Oxnard, CA I-26, I-20, I-22,I-55, I-40, I-15,14,I-405, 101. Approximately 2600 miles

    Bike: 2003 Honda Interceptor VFR800, very well maintained, 30k service and new tires just before departing

    Gear: Helmet; Shoei Qwest w/SENA SMH10R, Jacket: AGV Sport Mission Textile Hi-Viz, Pants: AGV Sport Telluride, SIDI WT boots, Gloves: Z-leathers Deer-Traks Leather Gauntlet + Alpinestars Hi-Viz summer gloves. Luggage: Givi side case and 25LT Xtreme tankbag w/Powerlet powerpoint.

    Rider: 53-year-old, lifetime rider, one 1000-mile day 10 years ago. Took preparation rides very serious for this trip.

    The Plan: Ride from Rochester, NY to Charleston, SC with girlfriend two days. Have fun in Charleston/Folly Beach area for a few days. Then Sunday morning the 20th leave from Folly Beach before 4 am. Ride halfway to Pacific (Elk City, OK), sleep. Start early Monday the 21st ride to Oxnard, CA. Gas stops plotted out using GasBuddy and some subjective analysis of when I might need to stop. Each stop would include refueling, documentation, bathroom as needed, water, and a couple handfuls of road mix (mixed nuts and m&m's). During prep rides, this was 6 - 10 minutes.


    Positioning Ride:

    The ride from Rochester to Folly beach went well, GF still loves the Corbin saddle and backrest after 650 and 450-mile days. Sena works great. Navigational issues arise when phone overheats (testing in western NY does not mimic I-95 heat conditions). Check out the Public Safety office in Folly Beach for access and personnel for witness forms, as well as gas station across the street for times. The Saturday before I start, I create 3 x 5 navigation notes for transitions and gas stops. This is to be a backup in case of phone overheating. These are numbered and placed in order in the tank bag. My plan is for the next two stops/transitions to be placed in view in the map window in the tankbag. This will add a bit to my stops, but in the end, could save a ton.

    The RIde:

    August 20th: Alarm set for 3:00 AM, wake up at 2:00 decide to get up and go at 2:30. Things do not go smoothly. I unknowingly drop my disclock key in the parking lot, spend 15 minutes retracing my steps from the room to the lot, till I find it in the dark parking lot. Get everything on the bike and connected, ready to go. Push off, get a block and realize at the first traffic light I have my tinted shield on. Now I am getting annoyed, tell myself get this crap out of the way now the rest will go smoothly. Ride to Folly Beach for my start uneventful, glad to be on the bike moving. Get my witness signatures at the Office of Public Safety and cross the street to top off. No receipt prints, doors are locked. Finally, someone comes to the door and says the computers cannot print and run her daily report at the same time. She can get me a receipt in a few minutes. I take off my helmet and breath! Two minutes later I have my receipt and I am off. Ten minutes later I realize I have not turned on Bubbler, pull over and turn it on. Take a minute to go through a mental checklist, remind myself this is an Ultra-marathon.

    No traffic, smooth sailing through Charleston, onto I- 26 to the end of I-26, temperature has dropped almost 20 degrees since the coast. I know I will wish for this later. Transition to I-20 goes well, as does first gas stop. First but not last time someone asks me where are you heading. I tell them, after a bit of banter I decide on a cliff bar for breakfast since I am already here for 8 minutes. Tinted shield back on, off to Georgia. Special thanks to Dale Gordineer, thank you for suggesting a weekend start! I sail through Atlanta, no traffic, zero! I get into a nice rhythm and now use only my notes for gas stops. Using the mileage and exit numbers. It keeps my mind occupied and I tell myself my phone cooler (I am still using it for Amazon Music & Bubbler). Temperature now rising, as I go through Alabama and into Mississippi. Triple digits, vents all open. Bike temperature still under 190. I decide to buy Gatorade every other stop and double my liquid intake to about 14 oz. every stop. I only need to spend a little time in Memphis and I mess it up. Somehow, I missed or incorrectly wrote down my transition exit from I-22 to I-55. I pull over, what the heck happened here, the place looks like a disaster and now my phone will not let me open the map app (yes overheated). I head west since I know I-55 runs north-south on the west side of the city. Find 240 instead and get on. Find out in a couple miles the wrong way. Get myself turned around now headed correctly. Looking forward to I-40. Cross the Mississippi and into my sixth state today, Arkansas.

    Eastern Arkansas, never been to Arkansas before, not much of a shoulder on I-40. Lots of trucks, holy crap it is hot! Calculate that I got a little out of sync on my gas stops due to the extra mileage in Memphis. Decide to get back on track before I hit Oklahoma, remember when I used gas buddy they were a bit scarce in western Oklahoma. Think about what I know about Arkansas, not much. Wal-Mart and Bill Clinton. Oh well, realize the fields I am looking at are probably cotton. Don't remember ever seeing cotton before, how can that be, I think. Think to myself that I will soon hit 1000 for the day. Only couple hundred or so after that, this is fun. Then I see the mountains in the west, pretty I love mountains, finally remember that these must be the Ozarks. Enjoy the view for lots of miles, would love to see these up close sometime. Shortly after the Ozarks my phone starts making lots of strange sounds, I surmise that it must be over temping again. Then it gets dark, clouds roll in and temp drops as I get closer to the Oklahoma border. Wind gets seriously fierce and I see a wall of water blowing across the road. Decide to at least pull over at the next exit (Van Buren) this puts me back on the original gas plan. Find out when I get off that my phone has been trying to warn me about sever weather. 50 MPH+ winds for the next 45-60 minutes. Decide to get a Luke warm chocolate and take a cat nap in the store next to the Casino/tables/slot machines. About 30 minutes later I wake up, head outside to find calmer weather (just rain). Top off tank and put on rain gear. Off I go to Oklahoma.

    Oklahoma, rain stops very shortly, then bugs. Large black bugs are bouncing off everything. Fouling my newly cleaned clear shield. Not many cars or trucks on the road, just black bugs, locusts, crickets,,,,, but they are big. Lots of stuff in the them to smear my shield. Lots of red smears from dead critters, eyes along the road, move to the center of the road and then, off the driver's side of a truck for the next 70 or so mile. Maybe 100 feet or so. Figure the truck will clear a path. itching to get to Elk city now, one more gas stop. Hands are now getting a little uncomfortable, do not like to use the throttle lock much in the dark, but I am using it now with my hand staying on the bar. Cloudy as well making it darker, sail through Oklahoma City and gas stop. Vegetation seems close to the road as do the eyes. Happy to pull into Elk City and the Hampton Inn is just off the Interstate next to Hutch's 119 as planned. Get my greeting at the front desk 11:25 PM, verify that I can leave my bike undercover, load my stuff onto a cart, check the bike, decide not to lube the chain, lock and cover it. Get into the room, down 16 oz. of water, text the loved ones, shower, clean shields, plug in batteries (phone & Sena), pack and set out tomorrow's clothes, set alarm for 3:40 (4 hours). Looking forward to a breakfast burrito and a brief visit with my friend and coworker Cory Huey tomorrow morning.
     
    Samuel and Bubba Utah like this.
  11. deidem

    deidem New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2014
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    11
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Pittsford, NY
    Map
     

    Attached Files:

Related Topics

Share This Page