You Are Now Free to Move About the Country 

There is now a satisfying swarm of Spots centered on ABQ.  And, disconcertingly, still a handful of Spots from riders who are still several states away.  And here it is check-in/ tech inspection day.  Oh dear.  A few days ago, I was on the phone with Kirsten as she crossed mile post 0 in TX and the NM state line - “There’s cholla all around!  There’s one blooming.  And sunflowers.”  We’re no stranger to NM, but the last time we were in ABQ it was March and very cold - not the 100+ degrees of June.  We bought a Mexican blanket, rigged it with some rope, and she wore it as a blanket belt all the way back to VA to help keep her legs warm and the ice off.  Desperate times.  I don’t think that will be an issue this trip; in any case, she did not pack the blanket in the top case.

This is a good time to introduce new IBR followers to the publicSpot Tracker link and the daily reports on the official Iron Butt Rally 2015 page.  This is Ground Zero of IBR reporting, coming from the staff at Rally HQ as it moves from ABQ to the first check point in TN, and back to the final check point at ABQ.  The first report (up yesterday!) provides an excellent primer into the “how does it all work” question behind 11 days, 11,000 miles.  

www.ironbuttrally.com/IBR/2015.cfm

Just a couple days ago, as Kirsten was getting a brand new set of tires for Leg 1, she started texting me – Jim Owen just walked in the waiting room (at the BMW dealership).  I sent back a smile.  Then – Chris Sakala is here too.  More smiles, and before you know it, it was a “the boys are back in town” moment as everyone was deep into their final bike-readiness. 

And the IBR 2015 theme poster was revealed!

Kirsten and Jennifer Ridin'

Thank goodness Kirsten picked up her “America the Beautiful” pass in ABQ.  That would have just been embarrassing.  Contrary to popular belief, National Park Service employees do not get free entrance to national parks, national forests, or even dog parks, oh wait, maybe that one’s true.  Still – the poster is more of a tease because the riders won’t get the rally packs until Sunday night.  So they still don’t know where they’ll be going over the first 4 days of Leg 1.  But, she has my permission to go to Glacier National Park if it’s on the list – I’ll tell you that story later.  And I promise, if there are lots o’ parks in those rally packs, I’ll help translate the NPS alphabet for you- YOSE (Yosemite NP), GLAC (Glacier NP), GRCA (Grand Canyon NP)...Get your pass and #findyourpark this summer too!  Looking forward to this rally – and with tech inspection complete and good news all around – we are now free to move about the country.