Well, it finally came, the Utah 1088.  Nearly a year after I decided to set some time in 2007 aside from "regular scheduled riding" to dabble in the LD stuff …..and about 6months or so after signing up for the Utah 1088, the weekend was here.  I had set this event to be a personal benchmark to see how I would fair against a proven group of proficient riders.  I wanted to ride well, I wanted to finish strong.  This would be my first experience in this arena.  I ride nearly every weekend, just recently dabbling in the LD stuff, but this weekend had a big red circle on the calendar and I was excited to ride even more than usual.

Left Reno late Wednesday night after some last minute coaching by Brian Roberts (over sandwiches in Fernley).   Not wanting to take my Nevada ways into Utah too early I grabbed a room in Wendover at about 3:00a.

Was one of the early arrivals at motel, but soon the place started filling up with bikes of all sorts of flavors and farkles.   Later this evening a BBG at Steve's home.  Steve is the  RallyMaster (affectionately referred to as RallyBastard, also DIS-affectionately referred to as the RallyBASTARD, it is all in the tone you use).  Nice time to socialize and do some oogling over the bikes.  Many repeat attendees and a few newbies such as myself.  I felt welcome, it was a nice time.   Later ran some errands and did a little SLC sightseeing.

Friday more time to relax, ……and more bikes started to roll in.  Tech inspection and odometer calibration with a rider's meeting that evening.   Steve does a wonderful job at this, as does the staff that he put together.  One of the many things Steve did before this ride (and I'm told often does) is to put every riders' drivers license and registration in a sealed envelope that the rider carries with them.  The object being to come back with the envelope un-opened.   Obviously the intent is to put an emphasis on not doing anything that would warrant a law enforcement officer to having to get inside the envelope (and yes points are on the line).  This evening Steve also gave us each three alternate routes to consider, (something to sleep on).  The primary route would stay unknown until the next morning.

Idle time for me is rare, and now 1.5days of being able to relax was a nice treat, but I was very itchy to ride.   My mind was eager to start piloting the bike and it was going over the millions of suggestions that had been given to me by experienced riders.  Too many folks to mention, but Matt Watkins, Monte Leveaux, Brian Roberts had all gone way out of their way in helping this Nevada hick with his new quest to learn the LD/Rally arenas.     This help had come over the previous many months.  I wanted to ride well, not just for myself, but I figured the best way to repay these folks would be to put in a respectable performance at this rally.

FINALLY, after a few hours of mediocre sleep, the day was here.  Another short riders' meeting and we were given the primary route packet and bonuses FOR THE FIRST LEG.  I knew the next few minutes were going to be important.  I dissected the information and put a route bonus plan in place.  Good news is that I only had to worry about this first leg ...so at least at this point I wasn't overwhelmed with the whole day's challenges.

Being my first Rally, I was pretty happy at my plan for the first leg.  I thought I set a solid yet not too overly aggressive plan in place.  I was very confident with it and felt I'd get off to a great start/base to build off of.   In short, it would go like this:

1. Go across the street, do a slow-ride exercise (ride a certain amount of yards in UNDER a certain amount of time)   NO PROBLEM!, I thought,  ..and good points for this easy thing!
2. GPS Bonus.  This meant putting some coordinates in the GPS, indentifying the location then go that location and take a picture -in this particular case a picture of a trailhead sign.   ---and wouldn't' you know!  this destination popped up right in line with other bonus locations that I wanted to do!
3. I identifed a few bonus destinations that I would also incorporate into the mix ...

 So, the rally starts I realized my first of a billion mistakes, I was way back in the line for the exercise.   Still, I knew the points were worth it and I attempted to be patient as I waited for the riders in front of me to take their turn.

I had a million things going through my mind, but not this exercise –this exercise was cake.  My turn up, I start off –doing fine and I have no idea how/why/what but the next thing I know I put my foot down.   It was like surreal, like that didn't really happen.  I had no focus; my mind was already on the route, not on the task at hand.   Easy points that I had waited in line (eating up valuable time) to get, and I blew it!!

I was pissed at myself in a HUGE way.  All I could think of is how hard future points would be to come by and I missed a great opportunity.   But, I thought it best to put the catastrophe in the rear-view mirror, forget about it, and get on with my route.

 So, following my GPS for the most part, I was off to the GPS bonus about 22miles away.    As I neared the location I was becoming even more confident in my choice as I could see I was being led up to an area that looked like it was frequented by hikers and such.    I was surprised that other riders weren't taking this bonus as I didn't see a one!  (you see where this is going?) Got close (about a mile) but saw that there was no obvious way to the exact location so I looked for other streets etc to get through.   No such luck, so now I'm thinking:  Does the rallyBASTARD expect me to hike up there?  Am I missing something?   It must be obvious.  By now I'm about 45minutes into this bonus and no pen to paper or picture taken.
 

No words can describe what I felt.  I had just blown two important bonuses within an hour's time ….and the clock was ticking past the cut-off where I could make my next planned bonus stop.   All I could think about was how D U M (dumb) I was, the wasted energy I had put into this event, the learning the training.  I was beside myself with self-directed anger, and disgust.

Things were so bad I decided to skip other bonus desinations and just head to the 1st checkpoint ...i could not chance missing it.

On the way I saw a sign that pointed to the town of Delta and a quick look at the map told me I could loop that way and still easily make the first checkpoint ….I knew that a few points were available for a gas receipt from Delta.   So, I did that, bought gas  (that I didn't need at this time) and then headed to the checkpoint.

 I had (Finally) collected some points, I should have taken satisfaction of getting "on the board" so to speak, but the reality is that I was very upset with myself.   I had really wanted to make a good showing at this Rally …and I had invested time and resources to do just that, not to mention my ego -and wanting to show the folks who had mentored me that I put their advice to good use.  But, the reality is that at this moment all of that was going down the toilet.
 
 

So, there were some points for pushups, I took out my frustrations by doing some pushups and gaining a few points.  While doing the pushups I couldn't help but stare at the pin on the left sleeve of my Aerostich Roadcrafter.

Kathryn is very aware of my motorcycle passion, and no stranger to me leaving nearly every weekend to ride.  But she knew this ride was different, she knew that I was going to Utah to test myself in a brand new arena ...and she knew I was hell-bent to do well.  She even commented that the deliveries of motorcycle tires that seem to land on our doorstep every couple of weeks were different lately: .....there were no knobbies on the tires.
 

I then knew I was totally F$#@'ed.  Not even god could help.  I looked at my watch, I was under the iron-boot of the RallyBASTARD for like twenty something more hours.  And wouldn't you know, just now, Steve approaches me to make sure I had turned in my paperwork and that I had the next packet ..Steve asked how things were going....
 

Now what?
Well, my guardian angel caught my eye and asked me:  "John, what is it you do best"?

And I answered:  "I can only do one thing well:  Ride hard and have fun on motorcycles"

Guardian Angel:  "Well, maybe time to go with your strengths and see where the pieces fall"
 

Left the first checkpoint with the plan of knocking out some bonuses off of  I-15.   I had identified them on the maps, put some in the GPS and I could play with the GPS while en-root.  Started knocking them out, –for a while playing cat-n-mouse with a couple of guys on BMW GS's who were local.  I'd be at one bonus destination and they'd show up, the next they'd be there when I got there.   It turns out that these two placed 1st and 2nd overall in the rally.   Rather than go south to mesquite (my original plan) I opted to  I'd go over to Kanab and then to a bonus that was on dirt and then to the checkpoint.   I don't know the roads of Utah, so always a guess and risk when I make plans like this but I aimed for Kanab.
 

This is when my "drama adventures" of running into Jim Owen started.   Jim is a very proficient rally veteran, well known and he makes it all look so easy.   Me on the other hand:  Out of my element, my first rally and don't have the slightest idea what I'm doing.  A huge contrast, but I was determined to not let it show.

I'm doing some pretty girlish  (not wanting to piss people off) lane splitting going up through the line of cars into Zion Park  ...when I see Jim coming up behind me and soon filling my rearview mirrors.  Hmmm, not doing this as fast as he'd like so I dart up to within a few cars of the two tollbooths.   Jim veers to the right booth, I to the left booth.   Jim waves and people politely let him in -cutting a good twenty cars.  "Wow", that was easy, so I do the same on my side.   I get the big "F$#% You" and the accompanying gestures including the ones that say I should be about 30cars back.  Persistent I get in, but not with the suave flow that Jim does.  But, I'm in the park, not too many cars behind Jim.   I wanted to watch Jim, he's good and I knew that by observing that I'd likely learn something.  I also thought to myself:  Don't do anything stupid (you know, the kind of stuff that would be embarrassing, especially if done in front of someone so skilled).
 
 

We get through the park.  I know I have enough gas to get to Kanab, –about a gallon or so buffer--no worries.  I had already opened the valve from the aux tank and it had done a splendid job of getting fuel in the main tank …and I (mistakenly) leave the valve open.   Jim is immediatly behind me at this point

Leaving Zion  is uphill for the most part to Kanab …and as we're heading out of the park my bike starts to surge ..as in running out of gas surge.    Immediately guessed the problem (gravity pulling gas back into the aux tank from the main tank).  I do some aggressive weaving turns back-and-forth to get the tiny bit of gas sloshing around enough to keep me going …meanwhile I've got my clutch-hand behind me on the valve …open close open close open close …depending on the slant of the road, …remember it is mostly up hill.   Any continued climb and I start surging ..and then I start weaving hard to slosh gas …meanwhile with no clutch hand,  I'm speed-shifting to negotiate the road.

What a drama filled calamity …and of course, Jim is behind me and perhaps some entertainment value for him, but more likely he's (correctly) thinking that there are some real stupid folks entering/playing in the LD arena.
 

Roll into gas at Kanab and Jim is pulling away from the pump as I approach it.  (I think he was surprised to see me.)   Couldn't help but a make mental note of the way he went, Not the same as I was planning, so I assumed he wasn't going to the double arch bonus.  I back-tracked a bit and head for the double arches to get those points.

Road turned dirt and at first it didn't seem too bad, but that shortly changed.  Deep sand in spots and a real challenge.   No matter your riding proficiency, this road had surprises..   Lots of talk in the IBA community about Jungo road ...Jungo Rd is in my backyard and a breeze compared to this road, although this road was shorter.
I brought the FJR for this rally, my primary mount and dirt-worthy V-strom was parked at home -mad at me for not giving it the nod for this rally, and I was now  2nd guessing my choice of mounts too.  But the fat sport-tourer is still a motorcycle and this is still dirt and dirt is some of my favorite so I knew some good fun was ahead!   I must say, my first experience in dirt with the FJR and while it is fat, it got the job done just fine.

Didn't take long to find and assortment of BMW GS's laying on their sides, no smiles from their pilots and they seemed shocked to see me on the fat sport tourer navigating that heavy sand.   Up ahead a Triumph Tiger and I approach and then pass …I think he was shocked to see the FJR take him on the dirt as well.

Cruising along, trying to stay out of the abundant trouble that this road is dishing up I see a fancy BMW approaching from the opposite direction …It is Jim.   "How the F$#@ did he do that?" I thought …obviously came in the backside, which I didn't realize was possible.

He had been down, it was obvious by the dirty and slightly damaged bike and he was covered with dirt.   He motioned & yelled and I stopped.  He warned me that there was heavy sand in spots up ahead  …and I in turn warned him of the same in his direction.  I'm positive neither of us was glad to hear of the other's report.  He took off, and I thought, well apparently even the best go down, and I haven't done that (at least not yet), and behind his back I gave his "cute" little wave back to him ...LOL, my first real smile of the day.

Started again, knowing there were more challenges ahead.  Meanwhile I was beginning to watch mileage and time very closely as this bonus was taking much longer than I had anticipated.

Got to the arches and was pretty tired from wrestling the bike through the sand.  Rode up on the tiny pedestrian sidewalk to take the needed picture.   Wanted to stretch the legs and catch my breath but I knew time was tight so I just turned around and headed back as briskly as I could on this road.

Down the road I see a side-bag in the road and the Triumph Tiger laying in the bushes and it's owner taking inventory of the assorted pieces that were laying around.   He seemed fine, but had taken a good spill.  Of course I stopped to help him and we got the bike up, back on the road and it fired up.   I then started out again with time really tight.  Got to the pavement then to hwy12(?) and pushed hard toward the checkpoint.

I knew Jim was quite a ways ahead of me but I felt it a good goal to see if I could reach the checkpoint before he left.   I rode this section extremely spirited.  In the town of Boulder, a V-strom heading the other way had the town sherrif occupied and I'm very confident his misfortune saved me a ticket here.   I owe you one!
 

PS:  While high from having a good leg, I still had not forgotten my leg one performance ...that bitterness will be with me a long time :-)

 I knew once at the checkpoint, I'd have to make a decision as to whether to go for the big points down in Las Vegas, which would be a challenge from a time perspective.

I got to the 2nd checkpoint late by a few minutes ….but tales of the dirt road had already been spread and I told them I had helped the Tiger and it's rider.    They said that they'd likely give me a few minutes for this good-deed.  But, "likely" was the key word, I couldn't chance going to Vegas, which would mean missing the 3rd checkpoint and then having this checkpoint not count.  This scenario would have put me over the allowable missed checkpoints.

So, in my mind, the decision was made for me, I had no choice but to head north to the third checkpoint.   (as it turns out, they did give me a few minutes for helping the other rider and this 2 nd checkpoint counted!  (note: RallyMaster is a good and fair man)

My next simple bonus was identifying the number of logs on one wall of an old school building.   Two windows broke up the six middle horizontal logs for a total of 18 logs, plus two logs both above and below the windows = 22 logs.   The RallyBASTARD doesn't see it this way, he sees 10 logs –hence the answer he was looking for.   Never brought this up, it would be futile as the RallyBASTARD is always right.    Plus I went to public schools so my math is always suspect.

Headed north, eventually getting to the third checkpoint.  Picking up bonuses, having fun and riding hard.   Now time to head north into Wyoming. Cold and dark now, with crazy roads, the environment was changing.  It then occurred to me that this Rally stuff can be much like Adventure Touring …as both promise nothing but the unexpected, surprises and dicey situations.  More parallels than I would have thought.   "I like this!"  I heard myself say inside my helmet.

Imagine dark, cold and very twisty roads that weave primarily between about 6500 and 9000 feet through thousand of cows, millions of Elk, billions of deer and then we can discuss the trillions of other creatures.   Not the place to push the limits, and fortunately I was good on time so I could take a nice pace.  Even at night, it was beautiful, and I must say, the Wyoming sky with the stars you can reach up and touch --it is amazing.

Cranked out the obvious bonuses, had fun and eventually dropped back down into Utah toward SLC …sun was slowwwwly coming up and I had plenty of time. I had made all of the checkpoints; I had the needed mileage plus a bunch to spare (aprox 1300+) so I was all but a finisher at this point.

Many bikes already at the finish when I got there ...and they continued to come in.  Some socializing and fun, then the banquet which was another class job by RallyMaster Steve and staff.
 
 

…..My advice to anyone reading this:  If you like to ride long and hard on a motorcycle, the Utah 1088 will give you a great canvas to paint your ride on.    You're crazy to not take advantage.  I'll be back, with a sharper paintbrush and ready for some more fun.

I came to the 1088 to see where I stood as a newbie in the LD arena.  My first Rally.  I knew lessons to be learned.  What a wonderful venue to do this learning.  What a humbling experience to go through it ...and what a dream to be able to ride within a mix of wonderfully skilled folks.  Not a better way to learn.

I ride a lot, I always have fun, and this was one of the best most enjoyable days of riding that I've ever had.  Thanks to all who made it possible.

Matt Watkins (Blue FJR Waiving)

Greg M  ...reading for a short ride up to Park City