Mom's Memorial Run

Had to do it.
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Well this is it, the story you have been waiting for......for real?
At the time I made Mom's Run, I had already found an interest in the Iron Butt Association. I talked to some who weren't impressed and someone I knew from another area at work even stated that Iron Butt was for people who didn't ride much, so they could impress people who don't ride at all. Hmmm, takes all kinds. Anyway, at one point I was looking into making that run into an Iron Butt run. Might as well, riding the distance anyway, and surely going to be steady on the move. But I felt I might have been too distracted and the guys that I was in contact with were wanting to meet me in Savannah. I really didn't think I would pass Statesboro for that reason. I knew I would go no further than Statesboro.
Well the notion stayed with me, all I needed was maybe an excuse. So on the Memorial Weekend following the first anniversary of my mother's passing, I took my plan and took off.
I had planned on leaving Duncan, Ok at midnight Saturday. My reasoning was that the dark travel would be done while I was full of adrenalin and the adventure would be fresh. I didn't want to be returning after dark, tired and pushing. Proved to be a good idea.
I also planned on making my turn around spot Graceland Harley Davidson. Thought how cool it would be to run in and get one of those way cool T shirts. One that has a pic of Elvis on a Hog and the caption says " A Legend, Made For A King". Awesome. But leaving here at midnight put me in Memphis around 8-8:30 am. They don't open until 9 am and I wasn't going to lose time waiting. So my destination ended up at Horn Lake, MS, at another of Mr. Rossmeyers dealerships, Southern Thunder Harley Davidson.
Leaving was no big deal, I had got off work and laid down for a few hours rest. I got up about 10 pm and had some breakfast and headed out. I filled up with fuel and got my timed receipt at 11:58, close enough.
I guess the first "experience" came after I crossed the Arkansas line. At some point, I started feeling claustrophobic. I was thinking that a few hours in the dark had started messing with my head, so I tried to ignore it. I can assure you that you cannot ignore something in your head at that point. With only my headlight showing the way, no traffic for a looooog time, your head truly takes command. I started thinking about animals, even though I never saw one. I did figure out after a time that the closed in feeling was the trees that line the side of the interstate in Arkansas, don't have that in Oklahoma.
After a while, of course you become somewhat automated, drive, stop get fuel, use restroom, drink water or coffee and run. I did actually have one of those moments described by the Iron Butt Association travel tips. If you get to a point where you have a problem making a decision, stop. I passed an exit where I thought of getting fuel and it spooked me. The fact that I felt I had made the decision, but didn't act on it. I was in fact pushing the mileage and I had brought a small gas can, just in case, but I had actually told myself it was time to stop and I didn't. Needless to say, the next one I did NOT pass.
One of the most incredible occurances, that was later confirmed by other Iron Butt riders, was sunrise. Riding steady from midnight until whenever, the sun breaking through the sky was like taking some kind of drug. It's euphoric, you can feel yourself recharging. The blood seems to all of a sudden start charging through your body, your focus and all systems go on alert. The most incredible feeling, impossible to really describe.
I pulled into Memphis, not much traffic, but kinda cloudy. Wasn't going to complain, because the trip had been so flawless to that point. After a hiccup, I found Southern Thunder. It had started to sprinkle a little but the place was packed. Bikes everywhere. Finally found a parking place and was approached by a guy who asked my name and where I was from, chatted a little and walked away. I ended up having small talk with several very friendly folks by the time I got inside. The place was barely breathing room only. Everyone moved at the same time. As I was looking for the perfect T, I noticed 3 different colors being worn and also plenty of women inside. Hmmmm, then I started thinking, this can't be good. Past experience with clubs and a mixture of women and the close proximity.........time to go. I picked out what was actually a very popular T with the shoppers, paid, got my time stamp for my turn around spot and headed out.
The sprinkes continued all the way into Oklahoma, not bad for traveling. Keeping things cool and the air cooled engine loves it.
Coming in to sight of the Oklahoma Welcome Center i saw the wall cloud. Huge and dark and imposing. I pulled in, leathered up and filled the tank with the gas out of the can, didn't want to stop for fuel in what I knew was coming. Everytime I leave Ok, I get spanked when I return. Once I got into the storm, it was raining hard enough for the underpasses to be full of cars, the other bikes had stopped at the welcome center. I had a schedule to try to keep.
Hey, one point worth remembering. I was crossing the bridge over Lake Eufala. It was raining so hard I had slowed to 45 miles per hour. Lightening was everywhere. It was me and trucks, that was pretty much it. I look over and see some guy in a speed boat and he's moving, fast. Weaving and circling and having a fine ol' time. Out there all alone. And I'm thinking, what a freaking fool. Then I laughed outloud, because I bet he was thinking the same thing. What an idiot, riding that damn motorcycle in such weather.
I got within about 75 miles of Oklahoma City and the rain stopped and the wonderful, warm Oklahoma sun came out and the clouds rolled away. I got all dry, then...........crap, my legs started to cramp. Soaking wet, now warm and dry, the muscles decided to try to fold up on me. NO way was I going to stop with no more gas stops to make, I had it made. I stretched them out and put them on the crash bars. Oh man, couldn't stop now! Wouldn't. Didn't.
I got to the Harley Davidson dealer in Moore, Ok. My home away from home. And hey, they were having a party. Hooters girls! Harley's Angels! Beer! BBQ! OH YEAH! Like a homecoming. Then I started looking for the guys who were going to verify my time. Went in the shop and hung out a bit, duh. Talked to the guys and all, went back outside and I saw him. Clean cut, sitting on his cadillac, uh I mean Gold Wing, scanning the area. I walked up to him and said "Hey, you know you gotta park that Honda in the grass, this area is for Harleys only". He looks at me with surprise and says, "sorry man, I'm supposed to meet a guy named Gary Manning here". So I laughed and said, you just did. He laughed and shook my hand and we yakked a bit. We were looking around and we see what has to be the other guy. He is sitting on his BMW with his clean face and straight back and pants and vest with matching color and security stripe. He looks like a cop. So we start making faces at him and he finally recognizes his friend on the Wing and comes over. He says damn, I'm supposed to be looking for a guy with long grey whiskers on a black Harley. That is EVERY guy here! Again with the laughter. Was a fine time, was an incredible ride. Official certification: 1,058 miles in 17.5 hrs. Didn't figure that was bad for an ol' man.
And as far as this year, did you know there is actually a sign that says "standing on a corner in Winslow, Az"?
All the time, when I felt like turning around and saying, forget this, I kept telling myself...........Ma........this is for you. You would say it was not very smart, but it's all I got, it's all I can give for you now. I miss you and I never got to give you that ride, so I'll make it for you..........for as long as I can.