Two-Bits Rally '05 - by Kirk Nichols

Well here it is, finally my first motorcycle rally. I've read many stories on the Iron Butt and other Saddle Sore 1000's so I figured it was time for me to try one out. The write-up by Matt from last year's rally helped out a lot also. I have to say the Two-Bits idea is great, it fits me perfect, 6 hours of fun riding, no overnight riding and great intro to see what it's all about

I spent the previous week getting all my gear together and hoping I had everything I needed. I had never really been on a ride this far from home before so I wanted to make sure I had all the bases covered. Most of my rides on the Kawasaki ZRX1200R were 2, maybe 3, hours up the Poudre Canyon or a quick trip to Cabela's. I gathered tools, rain suit, tire plugs, GPS, cell phone, some extra clothes just in case I got wet, snacks and a water bladder to fit into my tank bag and a camera. I also set the wife up with my truck and tie downs in the back just in case the worst happened and she had to come pick my broken down butt up somewhere.

I mounted up the REX left the house at 6am and had a nice drive down south I-25 and got in at GPM around 7:15am. Plenty of time to mingle and start to get a feel of what this day is going to be about. First one I see is Randy, even nicer than what I have read about, he fills me in on the check in and the morning's schedule. As I park I look over and see the defending champ himself Matt Lasley. Still on his Honda Nighthawk S, a bike I had always wanted since the late 80's but never did get. He is a heck of a guy also, about a nice as they come. Spent most of the morning talking to him and almost forgot to check in. Took a few pictures of the other rally riders and then it was time for the rider meeting. Randy described everything to a "T". He made sure that this was going to be a fun ride and made a point that the pace is yours to set. He made a note that if we were to just ride the base route a MPH of 38 is all that was needed to get back by 3pm. Of course that wasn't going to happen.

After the meeting he handed us the base routes and bonus locations, it was now time to plan my attack. I busted out the highlighters and red pen and started marking the map on how many points each spot was worth. Knowing I couldn't make all of them I had a mindset of high point bonuses but also a route on which I could take some roads I had never been on before or at least not on the bike. The 30 minutes given to plan went by fast and before long it was 8:55. I stuffed the map in the tank bag viewer, geared up and was ready to roll.

My adrenaline was running, mainly just hoping not to screw up and just stick to the plan. Pulled out of GPM and hit the light on County Line and Santa Fe, and waited, and waited, and waited. What the heck man, I am already falling behind and its barely started. Finally the light turns green, left turn, right turn and onto C-470 we go. The pace was set at a pretty good clip, with plenty of cars headed the same direction. The Mile High Nationals were going on which made roads a little more crowded. Took C-470 to I-70 and up we go. Not too far on I-70 I felt a wetness between my legs, I couldn't of pee'd myself already? Turns out my CamelBak was leaking in the tank bag and running down my left leg. It kind of felt good it a way, cooled me off, I toughed it out until the first bonus.

The first bonus on my route was on CO-103 up Squaw Pass to find some hummingbird's colors on a kiosk. Took the Evergreen exit and up 103 (I later realized this was probably my biggest mistake) I had never been on this road before and it was definitely a bikers dream, plenty of curves and great views, watch out for the peddle bikers though, there are many of them. Got the hummingbird bonus, drained the CamelBak and headed down to Idaho Springs, snagged the Steve Canyon bonus and the fire box door on the train for the first of the progressive bonii.

Next stop was Silver Plume, this was just stupid of me, I felt so good 1 ½ hours in and three bonuses down, I got lost in the metropolis of Silver Plume. Not exactly lost but wandered all over for the bakery on main street, which is probably 1/8 mile long if that. What should have taken 5 minutes took me 15 minutes, got the bakery and the firing order on the old military truck.

Now I am ticked off that I wasted time on probably the easiest bonus of the day. Oh well, cool off, settle down, we are supposed to be having fun here. Back on I-70 to Loveland Pass for the second of three progressive bonii. Zip up to the top to get the bonus and some little boy asks me "how fast can you go around corners on that bike?" I told him faster than I would really like to go. Back down to I-70 and down to Dillon, checked the gas and I am at about 120 miles, plenty of fuel to get to Kremmling.

It's now a little after 11:45 and time is starting to worry me, I am heading up FR-15 to Ute Pass, one of the best roads of the day. Following three others, I find the Forest Service sign and get the bonus. The other three kept going and were looking at some other sign, no time to chat, the clock is running short. Heeney was on my route but had to pass it up due to time constraints. Got the helicopter bonus in Kremmling, still good on gas, no reserve yet. Hit the Parshall bonus to complete the progressive points. I am now past my normal miles before having to hit the reserve at about 180 miles. I check to make sure that I am still on the regular tank, still am. I thought my mileage would be worse up in the hills.

Came to Hot Sulphur Springs and decided I had better get some gas. Only 3 ½ gallons on a 5.5 gallon tank, I have never had this good of mpg before. It worked out to 51 mpg, I normally get about 45mpg, (as you can tell is doesn't take much to get me excited). I took a small break after the fill up, chugged a Gatorade ate a couple of powerbars. It was now 13:00, and time was against me more than I thought.

Willow Creek pass was out, but if I make Grand Lake Lodge for some big points and zip back to GPM I should be alright, WRONG!! This sealed my fate; I headed up to Grand lake Lodge, where a wedding was going on. Got the points and back to Granby, now 14:00 and I realized making it back by 15:00 was out of the question, I will shoot for 15:30 so I at least don't get a DNF.

Passed up the Granby, Fraser, Moffat Tunnel and Empire points. Although I probably should of gotten the Empire points. (Speeding ticket gets you 1 point.). On to I-70 and GPM here we come or so I thought. The afternoon traffic wasn't letting me get to where I needed to go. The closer to C-470 I got the hotter it got, (Denver hit 102°) I was felling every bit of it. I was counting down 15:17, 15:19, 15:23, almost there just make by 15:30. I rolled around the corner and into the parking lot, 15:30 on the nose. Wheeewww a small victory for me, the last one in as I could tell, but I finished my first rally and within the qualifying time (barely). I ended up with the third most miles of 317.

Randy was tallying up the points and all the other riders were already cooled and relaxed waiting for the results. It's here were I look back and wish I did this and did that and if and but, all in all it was a great time.

Post:

I learned these rallies aren't about the most miles or the fastest riders, it all happens in that 30 minutes before the ride. The planning, I thought I had a good plan but I bit off more than I could chew, I am sure this happens a lot (I hope anyways). The ability to adjust and evaluate where you are at during the rally is a big plus as well.

I could of planned better, getting to the hummingbird bonus backwards really made the difference of the 30 minutes. The base route itself was great, I got to go up a few mountain passes and see and learn some things I had never known about Colorado.

I hope Randy and all of his partners are planning this again next year, I had a great time. I got to meet some good-hearted folks who just like to get out a ride and maybe add a little excitement along the way.

Thanks,
--Kirk Nichols, Severance, CO, July 2005