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Per AZ511.com it appears that I-10 is open at this location, now. I would assume that there might be construction still underway.
Bonehead… I won’t be able to make this month’s lunch… have a CMA Leadership meeting in Apache Junction on Saturday. Maybe I can make March.
NEW INFO AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2023… Just got off the phone with the Secretary/Treasurer of the Limon, CO Rotary Club. He was contacted by the Colorado State Coordinator, Tom Burnette concerning the camping situation in Limon. The City Park (Railroad Park) located on 1st Avenue between G and H Street (39 degrees 15 minutes 42.10 seconds North, 103 degrees 41 minutes, 24.19 seconds West) will be available for camping. This park is located 1/2 miles directly South of the High School on F Street. If you are coming from the motels/gas stations at the Freeway, 1st Avenue “Y’s” off of Main at the curve going east (see attached Google Earth satellite view). This satellite shot is old and doesn’t show the NEW restrooms (constructed in the last 2 years) that are across 1st Avenue from the park (currently shows a vacant lot). I have asked that these restrooms be left open overnight for our use. The dark blue roof in the satellite shot is a pavilion with a concrete floor which would provide some extra protection from the weather for tents. The parking along 1st Avenue is OK for pop-ups. The Rotary Club will be taking care of the permit for using the park overnight. Also… the gentleman from the Rotary Club will be checking in with the KOA to see what they can do about the rates currently being charged to RFTW.
I agree with Wally Gator on all of these things… but a few “quirks” for those of you pulling Bushtec or other cargo trailers…
7. Lube the suspension and make sure it is moving freely. Check with Bushtec for the “right stuff” to use. Make sure the air tubing and connections to the air shocks and the tee under the trailer are in good condition. Carry the proper air pump to increase air pressure… temperature and altitude will affect these. Know how to make this adjustment to keep the tires at the right camber. And… yes… I’m a major offender on this!
8. Tires for some trailer (like Bushtec) are kinda hard to come by along the Run… I carry a spare on top of my trailer as “insurance”… haven’t used it yet… but it’s there if I need it. I carry a small scissors jack as well along with the correct tools for removing the tire.
9. Check your load to make sure it doesn’t cause wobble. Last year we needed to move a spare tire off the back of a trailer and move it on top of the cooler on the front of the trailer to correct this issue. See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWd8ml9mFMo
10. Check the seals on the lid and at any penetrations (lights) … we will be riding in rain… there is nothing more discouraging than a soggy trailer.
Steve Andros – “U-Turn”, Arizona State Coordinator 2022, 2023- CR – RFTW
Camping Coordinator 2022, 2023, CR – RFTW
Participant 2017, 2018- CR – RFTW
ATW 2019, 2022 – CR RFTW
10th Platoon Tailgunner 2022 – CR RFTW
I went ahead and made a reservation online at the KOA in Limon in January for 3 adults in tents for a water/electric RV site. One of the guys I was planning to ride with has decided not to do the Run this year. The cost is $54.62 + $5 for an additional adult. I can have up to 7 people at that site. The site is 31 ft. long and right in front of the restrooms. Free Wi-Fi. I am willing to share the site. However, I may reconsider and cancel this and head down to the Lincoln County Fairgrounds. I have until 48 hours before arrival to cancel. If someone want to share, let me know. So far, during the past 2 years, I haven’t been willing to camp in Limon because of the weather and ended up in a motel. Let me know if you are interested in sharing the site @ the KOA
Oh… BTW… Staging would appreciate if you don’t practice your “panic stops” when rejoining your platoon in the morning and during fuel stops!
Yep… getting into DC is probably the highlight of the Run… we ride in traffic like I’ve never experienced anywhere else! The 9 days leading up to DC are truly “practice” for that last auspicious day. But… by the time we get there, we’ve gotten to know most everyone in our platoon, and have learned to trust our Platoon Leaders and Tailgunners. Practice your panic stops… you will probably do one at least once. But… I was amazed how we all worked together as a team on that last leg… and I especially remember our Tailgunner yelling at us from the back (as we sat there amazed that our tires were only inches apart after one of those “quick” stops)… ‘GET YOUR HEAD BACK IN THE GAME!” Thanks, Chief!
Another “trick” that was shared with me for RFTW pack riding is to use one gear lower than you would normally use… having the engine at higher RPM allows the engine to better control your speed with just minute (small) movements of the throttle. I was first aghast on my FNG year that I was constantly making throttle corrections and I was thinking “are we doing this ALL the way to DC”? Yep. Get used to it. Most of us with cruise control will get on the interstate, set it and forget it. Can’t do this on RFTW… you are constantly a throttle jockey… and the better you are at it, and the more you do it… the more “automatic” it becomes. Forget looking at your tach and your speedometer… you don’t really have the “luxury”… go by engine sound (if you can… us Wings have a hard time hearing our engine around the Harleys) and VISUAL clues. As you ride to Ontario, or whereever you are starting… practice using the lower gear and using the throttle. Yes… your fuel milage is going to suffer some. But the primary concern is safety… and being an integral part of the largest parade in the US… we ride for those that can’t!
I was in a platoon my FNG year that actually fined you $5 (that went into the fund for the schools) if you didn’t wear a red shirt on Friday! I gladly paid up the first time… I found the merchandise trailer and bought a red shirt for the next Friday. I pack at least 2 red shirts for the trip!
My apologies… I checked again… here’s what I found in a Google search:
Propel is sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame potassium. These artificial sweeteners are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), although there have been some concerning research findings for both. Propel does not contain sugar or aspartame.
Sucralose and aspartame are sugar replacements that are used to sweeten foods or beverages without adding a significant number of calories or carbs. Sucralose is widely sold under the brand name Splenda, while aspartame is typically found as NutraSweet or Equal.
Thanks for setting me straight.
The Rodeway on the west side of Williams wasn’t included on the RFTW listing for several reasons. One is that this particular motel has recently changed ownership several times. The other was that it is pretty basic and it was my understanding from locals that worked there that it hadn’t been remodeled in awhile. Another is that typically the parking lot is full of semi and construction trucks. However, it is good to hear that Jim’s recent visit was a good one. So… for those who haven’t yet made a motel reservation in Williams, this might be a good option. We will check it out for next year’s RFTW! Thanks for the information, Jim!
Yesterday I did an all day trip in the truck and went dizzy and had a pounding headache when I sat down once I got home. My wife pointed out, you were down in Phoenix in the heat, working on hitching up the trailer. I pointed out that I only sweat a little, it wasn’t even that hot! She asked… what did you drink? Hmmm… 3 cups of coffee that morning and a Dr. Pepper at lunch. Not water. I know better. But still… I was dehydrated! A couple of Advil and a couple of glasses of water later… I was fine. The funny thing is… I wasn’t thirsty all day… I was in a truck, in the “shade”… and I peed several times along the trip. Up to a point, the body compensates… but then… it crashes big time! It was a good lesson!
Mavrick… just a note about Propel… it contains aspartame. For migraine sufferers, such as myself, aspartame can and does trigger migraines. (Riding a motorcycle with a migraine is not good.) Another option that does not contain aspartame is Pedialyte. What is best is that each rider know how these types of products affect them… BEFORE riding RFTW.
Balancing hydration and the need to pee can be difficult. I “overhydrated” on the leg from Bunker Hill to Junction City and ended up tapping out at a truck stop near Abilene. Tried to make as quick a stop as possible, but people kept coming up to me and asking what was with all the motorcycles… so I ended up being an Ambassador for a while and missed the entry with the flags into Junction City that year! But… being overhydrated always is better than underhydrated. You will notice that most of the experienced RFTW riders have a water bottle handy… either on a pouch next to their seat or on the handlebars. Now… taking a drink while riding in the pack is pretty hard to do and maintain control of your motorcycle… but… I find that having that water handy while waiting in line to fuel is a blessing! I usually empty the cup that I have with a straw in it on my handlebars while waiting my turn to fuel and this helps get things flowing when it’s time to head for the men’s room. Of course… I drink at least a bottle of water and a bottle of Gatorade at each fuel stop and then top off the cup on the handlebars for the next stop. If it’s hot… I add ice so that its cool when we get to the next stop.
