Saturday (2030): Just Say I Do

The first rider call came at 6:45 a.m. this morning, with several more following in quick succession.  Apparently one of the memorials at a bonus location (a memorial the size of a car) has moved.  Riders will take a picture of the sign, and have called in to notify the Rallymaster.  These things happen despite the best efforts of staff to confirm each bonus.  Bonus locations are available all over the Mid-Atlantic.  A must get – as MD 20-20 Rally veterans know—is Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.  Riders are required to visit the grave of Jim Young, a founding father of the MD 20-20, and perhaps say a word or two in honor of the service given by those buried in this 677-acre site.  It is Memorial Day weekend after all.

 

Apparently over half of the riders chose to gather for a group photo bonus in NC, contributing to the Wedding Crasher production theme.  Mike Baker and Tina Venters, who completed her first IBR in 2017 got married today and a few dozen of their closest friends on two-wheels decided to crash the party!  

  

Guests arrived for the afternoon ceremony must have wondered why there was a giant Mason Dixon 20-20 Rally banner staked out on the lawn.  The bride gave purple tiaras to all the riders to wear in the photo.  Princess Meghan has nothing on these beauties!  When those of us at Rally HQ received the photo, we all wondered why the groom was making such a funny face.  Turns out, they were all yelling “Cheesedick!”  Three times.  At the top of their lungs.  The wedding photographer was a bit shocked at first, then just doubled over laughing.  Hugs all around for the wet and sweaty riders and the other rider / guests, and it was back on the road.  The point value for this time-restricted bonus location, “My Big Fat BMW Wedding” is 708 points.  The memories will be priceless.

When Kirsten called in tonight from the road, she asked, “have you ever seen a rainbow in the middle of a sunset?  It’s incredible!”  Unfortunately, that also means that she and the rest of the pack leaving NC are riding through bands of rain and thunderstorms.  In our hotel near Rally HQ tonight, the rally pups and I were surprised when the hotel fire alarm went off for a couple minutes.  There was no emergency, but lightening had hit something nearby, causing the alarm.  It looks like part of the group will continue to ride through nasty weather at least until about 1:00 a.m. tonight.  Scoring begins at 11:30 a.m. Sunday morning.  We may need to have towels and boot driers at scoring in addition to lunch.  There might even be wedding cake.

Bonus Location LO19, Available Saturday, 5:30 p.m. ONLY.  Congratulations Mike and Tina!