Pictures

Here are some pictures shared by Claye:
http://fleeter.smugmug.com/Other/2009-Iron-Butt-Rally/9372434_pTqYd/1/627339099_ijtQG

Getting closer.......

I completed my check-in process this morning and should be set to go. Everything seems to be in order. I have another Rider meeting at 2 pm and then the Banquet this evening. Following the banquet is when I get my bonus points list to choose from. That should take a few hours to complete. We'll be departing in the morning to somewhere.

I guess you have read the latest news clip from the IBA from their page. They've asked us not to blog or twitter during the rally so I'll definitely respect that and keep my communication to a minimum.

End of the day

I didn't complete my check-in process today. However, I will get another chance starting in the morning. I had dinner with quite a few friends from past rides. It was a great social evening.

Checking in today

I'm about halfway through the check-in process today. It seems to be going very good. I had lunch with B.B. today. He's the one I met in Costa Rica a couple of years ago. Everything is going good.

___ I'm ___ here at...

___ I'm ___ here at the Scottenburg(?) and now I'm definitely going to an odometer test. I've got to run that ___ the insisting mile so that it calibrate my odometer, or not calibrate my odometer but at least find out what my odometer reading is and compare it to ___. Anyway, talk to you in a(?) later. Bye to(?) you(?).
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Clayton, Georgia

I'm staying in a quaint motel in Clayton, Georgia tonight. The weather has been just fantastic for August in the South. I hope it continues to be this nice. I'm taking my leisure time getting to Spartanburg, because official check-in isn't until Saturday. I'm hoping my check-in will be brief and painless. If it is, tomorrow will be a great day. After check-in, we have an unofficial meet-and-greet tomorrow evening, then a breakfast meeting Sunday morning. The official meeting/banquet will begin Sunday afternoon. It that time, they will give us our instructions and bonus locations for the big ride. Sunday evening will be filled with planning my first leg of the big ride. We don't depart until 10 am Sunday morning.

I had a great tuna salad for dinner tonight and I'm looking forward to sleeping about 10 hours to bank some sleep?

Well this is just a...

Well this is just a very nice road, it's from Chattanooga over toward Blue Ridge, mostly Highway 64 then it turns into 68. Really nice, temperatures are nice, beautiful day. I went to Little ____ [unclear speech, please listen] back there at ____ [unclear speech, please listen] it gets crowded here some spots now but really nice real, it's along a river or something along here. Beautiful ride, okie-dokie.
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Well I'm over here and...

Well I'm over here and Eric Fairmont(?) at Tennessee. Just had _____ that's why he want to make sure of it. Corn here and vegetables over in the spot. However, Larry isn't gonna be lost in the sugar. As they're gonna be drenched and must be batter(?) at some time. So anyway, I guess I'm still getting you there. _____. [lots of noise, please listen]
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Just wanted to report...

Just wanted to report a beautiful morning back to 78 ___ a little hot in ___ summer(?) to may(?) some of the sun and everything is wonderful. Have a good day.
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[no transcription, please...

[no transcription, please listen]
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Okay. I'm in Palestine,...

Okay. I'm in Palestine, Arkansas ____ for the night. Let's see, we get in some Latin and showers and a little rock area but it was really-- it didn't last too long, and it was missing I guess when I got here to Palestine but not bad at all. I think it must have an already moved south or something just kinda a little aftermath. But anyway, see you later.
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Thanks to all

I'm fortunate to have many family and friends. I receive help and support in a lot of different areas. First of all, thanks to my wonderful wife, Joy, who chooses to enable instead of disable me. That, in itself, is a wonderful thing. My two sons, my mother and father, and all of my immediate and extended family have been a great support in many areas.

Joel Watson and Randy Simoneau have been very helpful in my mechanical issues. Stan Goodell has spent countless hours on wiring my bike with the necessary lights and communication necessary to make an attempt at a great ride. Stan also continues to remove and replace my tires as necessary. (I hope I'm lucky enough to be routed through Stan's place during the IBR to get another Tire change.) He makes it much easier than a dealership. Herman vanBeek has been burdened by my questions and curiousity with the GPS, it's software, and it's many changes. He's also been to my house several times just to finely tune my CB Radio. Thanks to you all for your generousity of your time.

I have too many others to mention. I can't tell you the sincere offers of help that I have received from many of my riding friends to help out including doctors and Physician's assistant with medical advice as well as others that could ride to a checkpoint to support me as necessary. The local clubs and members have been equally as nice with the generosity. I was even given some "necessary" powder by another club member. I should be good-to-go with all of the help.

Thanks to all, how very wonderful!

Moving Forward

I now have my camera memory and all of it works. I got the antenna mounted and Herman came out to tune it in perfectly. I'm ready for the highway. Some good rest tonight and I'll leave Thursday evening.

Things are coming together

I received my Customtankbag.com yesterday and got it installed. I couldn't be happier. It will definitely work well for my adventure. According to UPS, I will have my replacement CB antenna and Camera Memory this afternoon by the time I get home from work. Tonight, I'll have to purchase one more neck wrap to keep me cool in the heat and a new plastic tube for my water jug that will replace my old one.

Everything else should be good to go!

Getting ready for the Iron Butt

Sitting here at home getting ready for the IBR. I'm going to depart Thursday night after work and arrive in Spartanburg Saturday morning for official check-in.
I've got new tires, new brakes, new spark plugs, new metal quick disconnects on the fuel tank, fresh oil, fresh transmission fluid, fresh rear end fluid, fresh brake fluid, a clean air cleaner among other things. Some things that I lack and are waiting for is a custom tank bag, digital camera memory, and a new antenna. They should be here over the next two days. I should be ready in a day or two.