“In a car you're always in a compartment, and because you're used to it you don't realize that through that car window everything you see is just more TV. You're a passive observer and it is all moving by you boringly in a frame.
On a cycle the frame is gone. You're completely in contact with it all. You're in the scene, not just watching it anymore, and the sense of presence is overwhelming.”
-Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values
My gut reaction to the invitation was an emphatic “NO WAY!”. Okay, if we are being honest, there may have been a minor explicative thrown in my response for emphasis. The idea of riding a motorcycle through all 48 states in the continental U.S. in only 10 days sounded about as fun as getting my stomach pumped, binge watching the Twilight series, or listening to an endless playlist of Nickelback. More like the combination of all of those at once.
Secretly though, I was intrigued. I have been riding for years and even restoring old motorcycles, but a trip that long and grueling provided…street cred. To date, only 74 people have finished the 48/10. Yep, it all boiled down to bragging rights. And every man enjoys a little bragging rights.
So 2½ weeks out from the start date, I begin chronicling the prep, the team, the machines, and the journey from start to finish. There will be 4 of us participating in our group; Steve Peacock, Andy Eberhardt, Marc Menlove, and me, Jared Hansen. For those who want to follow our journey, this is the place.
I need pictures! Show us the proposed route, your iron horse, and packed supplies! Sounds like a fun long ride.
ReplyDeleteI heard that more people have been to space than have successfully completed this ride. Can you confirm this?
ReplyDeleteWhy yes Steve. To date only 74 people have completed the 48/10. Conversely, more than 536 people have been to space.
ReplyDeleteHope to follow this and learn a bit could not make this trip.
ReplyDelete