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2024 VROOM VROOM

February - December 2024
This year's goals are:
- To complete the Grand Tour of Texas, PNW Grand Tour & H-D's 10 Rides for 2024;
- To win the H-D Dealership Challenge!
- Do well on Tour of Honor and Ride To Eat; and
- To finish H-D's 50 Rides, 1 Nation.
Wish me luck! ✌️ Read more
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  • 63days
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  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 1

    And so it begins...

    February 26 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 72 °F

    Today I began my 2024 riding season, leaving Cincinnati at around 0730. You can track me here (starting tomorrow) or through Spotwalla: https://new.spotwalla.com/trip/f0bc-3a6d752-34a….

    Here are my goals. Wish me luck! ✌️

    - To complete the Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas (50 stops), PNW Grand Tour (30 stops) & H-D's 10 Rides for 2024 (10 stops);
    - To win the H-D Dealership Challenge! I'm guessing I need about 700 HDs this year 😳
    - Do well on Tour of Honor and Ride To Eat; and
    - To finish H-D's 50 Rides, 1 Nation. I only need Alaska!

    I will also try complete an Iron Butt Association Leap Year Ride SaddleSore 1000 with RTE-X-USA "Fat" status and the IBA's Lap Around the 48.

    My numbers are:
    Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas #539
    Tour of Honor #72
    Pacific Northwest Grand Tour #415
    Iron Butt Association #81065

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 7 (total 7)
    RTE-X-USA: 5 points (total 5)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: x (total 0 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)
    PNW GT Stops: 0 (total 0 of 30)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 2

    Day 2: St Louis to Joplin

    February 27 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    I hit the road very early this morning to make it to my stops in St Louis before the traffic got too congested...but I could've left earlier 🤣.

    I've only just begun, but I'm disappointed that yesterday my heated gear jacket liner failed and today my chaps zipper blew out. I've ordered a new liner to pick up in Oklahoma City tomorrow and duct taped my zippers closed 🤞. I'm also disappointed that none of my Ride To Eat restaurants have been open. I was really looking forward to a cup of coffee at the Cow Bird Creamery and Sweets 😞.

    But there was a humongous Amoco sign to admire and only a couple of semis tried to squish me, so not a bad day.

    I have learned that--similar to when wearing a gas mask--a full-faced helmet makes it very difficult to sneeze and cough at the same time 😳. My friend who gave this crud to me--don't hate yourself--went to the doc, who said its just a chest cold. If I'm still fighting it on 1 March, I'll visit an Urgent Care. Until then, TheraFlu and Tylenol shall suffice.

    Now, it's a Chick-fil-A salad, followed by bed.

    [PS: I added the pics of yesterday's Ride To Eat stops to yesterday's post.]

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 8 (total 15)
    RTE-X-USA: 4 points (total 9)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: x (total 0 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 3

    Day 3: Joplin to El Reno (OK City)

    February 28 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 46 °F

    A bitterly cold ride today, all day. I started out before 0630 again, just before sunrise. Even with my heated jacket out of commission, the 27°F was bearable until I hit 70 mph and a wind chill of 5°F 🥶.

    My heated grips didn't feel warm, but they weren't ice cold either. My gloves couldn't get hot enough, but using cruise control to get my hands near the engine heat worked well.

    Around 1100, it warmed up to about 32°F 🤣. By then, anything not being warmed even slightly was completely numb.

    I finally hit one Ride To Eat stop that was open. Pops 66 in Arcadia OK, where I thawed out a bit. Good coffee, good food, and every flavor of soda pop you can imagine, most of which line the glass walls. Some Route 66 knickknacks and even gas to top of the tank. Well worth the time for a stop if you're nearby.

    Not long after Pops, I was at Cycle Gear getting my new heated jacket! Yay!! I was nice and toasty the rest of the uneventful day.

    Now I'm rerouting my Iron Butt route for tomorrow because of the massive wildfires northeast of Amarillo, exactly where I was planning to go through, of course.

    A little salad, a cup of TheraFlu, a hot shower, and a comfy bed will wrap up my night. Wish me luck tomorrow, particularly that I don't have to go through snow and/or rain🤞!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 7 (total 22)
    RTE-X-USA: 4 points (total 13)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 4

    Day 4: Leap Year ride was a bust

    February 29 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 46 °F

    Leap Year 2024 = 💩💩💩. 🤬ing weather.

    I started out great, right on my planned time of 0500. Straight up on I-40 and off I went in the 30°F chill. I made my first two Ride To Eat stops in Shamrock, TX, before dawn, refueled, and tore out again. Unfortunately, only three hours after I left, I hit snow. Thirty minutes after that, I was 15 miles east of Amarillo drinking coffee in a gas station while I waited out a frigging blizzard. It didn't stop snowing for FOUR hours. So, no Iron Butt for me today 😭😭😭.

    Here are the good things about today:
    - I made myself stop before I hit ice (I got a little concerned about the road when I started passing snow plows 😳)
    - The gas station folks were super nice, the bathrooms were clean, and I had a table to hang out at and a power outlet to charge my phone and music player
    - I was back on the wet road at 1300, but there was no ice. In fact, the roads were completely dry about 20 miles further west
    - By 1430 the sun had come out
    - By 1530 it was 45°F and I had to turn off my heated gear 🤣
    - I was able to pay for my hotel room in Gallup tonight with points (but I'm still paying for my room in Kingman since it's for tonight and tomorrow night 😞)

    I plan to leave Gallup around 0430. I've cut out all the HD and RTE stops after the snow today and all for tomorrow to save time. I should get to Kingman in around 6.5 hours, then I can unload the bike into the hotel I'm supposed to be at tonight and still make my 1230 service appointment at Mother Road HD. I hate being late, particularly when they made room for me in their full schedule.

    Right now, I'm off for a long hot shower, followed by more TheraFlu, which seems to be working well enough. I think the rattling cough is drying up and I know the runny nose has slowed down significantly. With a short ride tomorrow and no reason to get up early on the 2nd, I'll get some good rest in Kingman.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 0 (total 22)
    RTE-X-USA: 3 points (total 16)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 5

    Day 5: Gallup to Kingman (finally)

    March 1 in the United States ⋅ 🌬 63 °F

    Sunrise on the bike is one of my favorite things about riding, and today was a whopper! In front of me, mountains far in the distance were breathing their rings of clouds into the sky. Behind me, the radiant orange orb was slowly scaling the hills in my mirror. When the brilliant glow broke the horizon, it was as if the entire sky burst into flame, the clouds before me reflecting the fire behind. Simply breathtaking.

    I left Gallup at 0430 and beelined to Kingman, arriving around six hours later. Because of the time zone change, I was able to get breakfast at my hotel and unload the bike before making my 1230 service appointment at Mother Road HD. They're also going to lubricate my steering head bearings and change the spark plugs, so I'm leaving the bike with them tonight. She deserves an indoor rest after these several days of cold weather. As do I! I've extended my stay a night and will be leaving Sunday instead of tomorrow. No 0400 alarm in the morning! Yay!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 23)
    RTE-X-USA: 0 points (total 16)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 7

    Day 7: Kingman to Ely (almost)

    March 3 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 36 °F

    The day started out so well.... Over the Pat Tillman Bridge by Hoover Dam, into Vegas, down the Strip, drive by of the new Sphere, then through Valley of Fire State Park. All in beautiful, dry, and not cold weather.

    Now I'm stuck again, this time about 35 miles south of Ely, NV. When you get out on desolate roads, you keep going to the next gas station. Only then can you think about going back. So, when the snow started in earnest around 1130, I kept pushing north until I came to the next gas station in Lund. It's so close to Ely, but there's a mountain pass I have to traverse between here and there, one that the truckers are having to use snow chains on today. I've opted for a room and hot meal instead of icy or slushy roads. The precipitation should pass this afternoon, then the traffic should clear the road by morning. Fingers crossed for me yet again.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 4 (total 27)
    RTE-X-USA: 2 points (total 18)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: 0 (total 0 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 8

    Day 8: Lund to Ely to Victorville

    March 4 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    I made it to Ely to get the photo I needed! Although the mud parking lot was frozen solid and the bike almost didn't start, the road was dry most of the 35 miles north. The mountain pass I had to traverse was wet but not icy (lots of chemical). I only had a problem stopping for gas because the pump areas weren't clear. Almost spun out the bike trying to get out of there, but I kept the shiny side up. Well, what used to be the shiny side 😉.

    After gas, I backtracked all the way to Las Vegas, then continued on I-15 south until arriving in Victorville. Even on I-15, I had to go through some elevation, so I decided to make the most of a crystal clear day to get as far south as possible. I hope my snow days are over, at least until after I get to Petaluma.

    Great day of riding even with the Interstate and $5.85 a gallon 😳. Welcome to California 🤣!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    P.S.: If you're headed south on US93 between I-15 and the junction at NV318, be prepared to hold your breath when you see 16-foot tall tractor-trailers coming at you. They're garbage trucks...horrible, stinky, nasty, slimy, disgusting garbage trucks 🤢🤢🤢🤢 .

    HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 28)
    RTE-X-USA: 0 points (total 18)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: 1 (total 1 of 10) 😁😁😁
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 10

    Day 10: Victorville to Sacramento

    March 6 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    No, you didn't miss anything; there is no Day 9 post. I decided to stay two nights in Victorville, so I spent Day 8 pretty much in bed.

    As for Day 10, I had so few miles left between me and Petaluma that I took my time leaving, not pulling out until after 0800. Once I got to Bakersfield, I saw a weather front moving onto the coast, so instead of turning southwest to Highway 101, I took CA99 northward.

    The drive from Bakersfield north was very beautiful because of the fruit trees. Budding pinks, greens, and whites lined the road. Bees were everywhere, either for pollinating the trees or for making honey from the blooms. The orange groves were bursting, their miniature suns hanging heavy from the dense green limbs with many falling to spoil on the ground.

    For a late lunch, I stopped at a Panera Bread for the tomato soup and grilled cheese 😋. I messaged a friend in Sacramento to see if she wanted to go to lunch tomorrow, and she invited me to stay with her for the next two nights! I got to her house around 1700 despite heavy traffic (yay, lane splitting!). After a warm welcome, I am now snuggling on the couch with her adorable cat Felix 😁.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 8 (total 36)
    RTE-X-USA: 1 points (total 19)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: 0 (total 1 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 12

    Day 12: Carmichael to Petaluma

    March 8 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    I spent the last two nights at a friend's home in Sacramento (Carmichael). Over the past few years we've met at several Harley rallies and events, so it was very nice to get to know each other better.

    Today's ride was another short one, less than 275 miles, so I didn't leave her house until after 0800. After hitting some dealerships along the way, I've finally arrived in Petaluma and am staying in an old silk mill that's been converted into a very nice Hampton Inn.

    I came to Petaluma from Cincinnati for my friend's memorial ride on Sunday. Unfortunately, I found out yesterday that the ride has been postponed until the 24th because of a chance of weather. 🤦 FML. I've already made plans for the 24th, so this weekend I plan to go to a couple of the places he took me to the first time I visited this lovely little town.

    I just love this place. If I had the wealth to live anywhere in the US, it would probably be the greater San Francisco Bay area.

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 6 (total 42)
    RTE-X-USA: 0 points (total 19)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: 0 (total 1 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar2024 VROOM VROOM
    Day 13

    Day 13: Urgent Care

    March 9 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    I began this trip to Cali with a pretty bad cold. I still haven't kicked the congestive cough, so today, despite the sprinkles, I rode about 15 miles north to Santa Rosa for an Urgent Care visit. In 2012, I had a long-standing cough that turned into walking pneumonia, and I absolutely do not want that again. Doc says my lungs are clear, and he gave me a prescription cough syrup to help my throat and my sleep. Yay!

    After that, I had a huge, delicious lunch at one of the Ride To Eat locations. I love this new adventure because I would most probably never visit any of these restaurants...and I would be missing out on some great food!

    This evening, I popped into McNear's Saloon and had a toast in honor of my friend, Lonnie. This Irish Pub was the first place he took me in 2022. Cheers, buddy. Now I'm at Kapu, a sweet little tiki bar, and having a Cobra Fang drink. I have y had this much rum since I dressed up as a pirate for the Galveston Mardi Gras Parade last year 🤣!

    So long [for now], and thanks for all the fish! ✌️

    HD Dealership Challenge: 1 (total 43)
    RTE-X-USA: 2 points (total 21)
    MCGTTX 2024 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 50)
    10 Rides for 2024: 0 (total 1 of 10)
    IBA Lap Around the 48 Stops: 0 (total 0 of 9)    Read more

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