Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Location: upper black eddy, PA
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Lots of interest in this forum lately... 
So I think I will take this opportunity to post my own dream ride that is coming into reality. Anyone who owns the On Any Sunday and Dust To Glory DVD’s has had the passing thought “I would really like to experience a desert race, from the seat of a motorcycle…” I am chasing that dream and am signed up for the 2008 BITD Vegas to Reno race that will be held on August 22, 2008!Here are some race facts: This year’s TSCO “Vegas to Reno” – which is certifiably the Longest Off-Road Race in the United States at 457.5 miles...
This race is open to all Best In The Desert classes – cars, trucks, UTVs, quads and motorcycles. And, with the ongoing changes in off-road racing, we expect over 300 entries.
The course traverses a part of the legendary Pony Express Trail made famous 148 years ago, and finishes up east of Reno, Nevada.
The TSCO “Vegas to Reno” race takes racers from the high desert floor at 2,500 feet elevation to mountainous heights of over 9,000 feet, forcing competitors to adjust to the changing pressures, and endure extreme hot and cold temperature variations.
This course features some of the toughest, and most varied terrain in the world. On the dry lakebed portions of the route speeds over 100 MPH are typical. Racers must fight their way through narrow canyons, boulder lined paths, and deep silt beds.
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Shawn in PA ________________________________ ___________________________ ________ many thanks to these guys for helping me out with Vegas to Reno 2008! ________ ________ *Adventurers Workshop* - Custom Accessories for Adventure Touring Riders ________________ *MAXBMW* - The Northeast's ONLY exclusive BMW Motorcycle dealer
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 14:03
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Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Location: upper black eddy, PA
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Pony Express Trail - Nevada 
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Shawn in PA ________________________________ ___________________________ ________ many thanks to these guys for helping me out with Vegas to Reno 2008! ________ ________ *Adventurers Workshop* - Custom Accessories for Adventure Touring Riders ________________ *MAXBMW* - The Northeast's ONLY exclusive BMW Motorcycle dealer
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 10:42
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Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Location: upper black eddy, PA
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When this crazy idea popped into my head, I wondered “why do I want to do this dangerous race clear across the country?”. Then I though “why not??!!” You only live once. I would rather have attempted this race and DNF’d then to not have tried at all. Next step was to get the approval of my wife. “You have always wanted to visit my uncle in Reno, how about we head out there in August. Maybe stop in Vegas on the way out…” She took the bait mostly because she is hooked on Dust to Glory and racers like Malcom Smith, JN Roberts, etc. She could also see the “dream” in my eyes and knew that this was something that I really needed to do. Bear in mind that I live in eastern Pennsylvania. Just getting me and the bike to the starting line is no small task! I will be competing in the Ironman Amateur class on the G650X challenge. The bike is set up with a 1.3 gallon aux. fuel tank (“belly tank”), ROC steering stabilizer, BajaDesign Fuego HID lights and some other custom farkles. I fabricate most of my own parts. 
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Shawn in PA ________________________________ ___________________________ ________ many thanks to these guys for helping me out with Vegas to Reno 2008! ________ ________ *Adventurers Workshop* - Custom Accessories for Adventure Touring Riders ________________ *MAXBMW* - The Northeast's ONLY exclusive BMW Motorcycle dealer
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 11:17
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Joined: Jan 11, 2007
Location: Rosendale, NY
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Wow, that sounds totally amazing. Tell me, how do they handle the navigation part of it? Over 457 miles, I assume you will have to pick your way through a good part of it, and I doubt most f it is marked in any way- is there a specified route to follow? Youre doing a lot of these long distance rally raid type events, those are something I'd really like to try.
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 12:55
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Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Location: upper black eddy, PA
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 R100gspd said: Wow, that sounds totally amazing. Tell me, how do they handle the navigation part of it? Over 457 miles, I assume you will have to pick your way through a good part of it, and I doubt most f it is marked in any way- is there a specified route to follow? Youre doing a lot of these long distance rally raid type events, those are something I'd really like to try. No navigation skills needed for this one. I chose the BITD V2R because it is reputed to be very well organized, "safe", completely closed and well marked course. The race packet states that the course is marked with the mileage every mile for the entire length of the course, 457 miles! They use arrows similliar to enduros for following the route. Also there are 11 designated and controled pits. All competitors are checked into/out of every pit so there is always a good record of where you where seen last. For reference, the Baja 1000 has no designated pits and the course is easily accessed and used by locals during the race.
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Shawn in PA ________________________________ ___________________________ ________ many thanks to these guys for helping me out with Vegas to Reno 2008! ________ ________ *Adventurers Workshop* - Custom Accessories for Adventure Touring Riders ________________ *MAXBMW* - The Northeast's ONLY exclusive BMW Motorcycle dealer
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 13:11
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Joined: May 22, 2007
Location: Cheyenne, WY
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Smithy -- That looks fantastic. I've admired the mods you posted in the past. Any race rules with respect to how your bike is modified or "must have" featuers? E.g. safety wire, water, fuel cells, GPS, strobe light, etc.... Keep us posted on your progress and best of luck to you! Jack
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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 13:52
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Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Location: upper black eddy, PA
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Madhatter said: Smithy -- That looks fantastic. I've admired the mods you posted in the past. Any race rules with respect to how your bike is modified or "must have" featuers? E.g. safety wire, water, fuel cells, GPS, strobe light, etc.... Keep us posted on your progress and best of luck to you! Jack The rules are pretty general. Not much out of the ordinary other than: bike has to have a working tail light, each competitor has to carry 1 quart of water, 2" or 3" of reflective tape on the helmet. Not much else. I did safety wire the front spokes last night. No gps needed. They also require you to have a transponder that will record you at every pit and the finish line
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Shawn in PA ________________________________ ___________________________ ________ many thanks to these guys for helping me out with Vegas to Reno 2008! ________ ________ *Adventurers Workshop* - Custom Accessories for Adventure Touring Riders ________________ *MAXBMW* - The Northeast's ONLY exclusive BMW Motorcycle dealer
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 14:24
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Joined: Jan 11, 2007
Location: Rosendale, NY
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Do they launch you at intervals, or does everyone take off at once? Sounds like the pits are every 40 miles or so...
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 14:39
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Joined: Dec 24, 2006
Location: Austin, TX
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"I would rather have attempted this race and DNF’d then to not have tried at all." Bingo. Why don't more guys see that? Good luck, man. C
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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 14:43
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Joined: Jan 02, 2007
Location: Austin, TX
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Oh man.. that race sounds just awesome!!! Love your bike it looks wickedly fun! How cool that you do your own mod. manufacturing. "Dust to Glory".. how can one not be stirred to their very souls by that flick? Someday, with better skills and know-how... I'd love to follow your lead and do a race like this... not for the competition, but just for the intensity and sheer knowledge that one is never so alive as when pressing those limits... going to the extreme... Best of luck on your trip and your race. Please post a very detailed ride report with photos after completion. Thanks ever so much for sharing this with us.
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Posted on
08/13/2008 at 01:35
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Joined: Jan 19, 2007
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Wow, my buddy was going to do this race, too, until his bike suffered a major failure while he was riding across Idaho last week. He was going to do the Iron Man, just like you. Have a great race. We'll all look forward to reading about your experience. Steven
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Posted on
08/12/2008 at 15:53
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Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Location: upper black eddy, PA
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R100gspd said: Do they launch you at intervals, or does everyone take off at once? Sounds like the pits are every 40 miles or so... Riders go off at intervals. I think one every 30 seconds? Not really sure. Ironman class goes last after the other bike classes. First bike is off 4 hours ahead of the first truck! Ever been passed by a 800hp pro truck in a silt bed??!! I hope to not find out what that feels like...
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Shawn in PA ________________________________ ___________________________ ________ many thanks to these guys for helping me out with Vegas to Reno 2008! ________ ________ *Adventurers Workshop* - Custom Accessories for Adventure Touring Riders ________________ *MAXBMW* - The Northeast's ONLY exclusive BMW Motorcycle dealer
Posted on
08/12/2008 at 22:49
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Joined: Apr 05, 2007
Location: Kintnersville, PA
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Shawn, Are you going to post a link so we can follow your trail from the Spot satellite tracker? I am real curious to see exactly how that works too... Eric
Posted on
08/13/2008 at 08:56
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Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Location: upper black eddy, PA
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Ehatcher said: Shawn, Are you going to post a link so we can follow your trail from the Spot satellite tracker? I am real curious to see exactly how that works too... Eric Yes, I have a Spot Messanger that will automatically send out my gps location every 10 minutes. I will post a link so that everyone can follow along throughout the day (and night ?). I am still fooling around with the website and what access the public will have. I can download the current file and lay it on the race course map but I am not sure if others will be able to. I will follow up with this later in the week.
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Shawn in PA ________________________________ ___________________________ ________ many thanks to these guys for helping me out with Vegas to Reno 2008! ________ ________ *Adventurers Workshop* - Custom Accessories for Adventure Touring Riders ________________ *MAXBMW* - The Northeast's ONLY exclusive BMW Motorcycle dealer
Posted on
08/13/2008 at 10:59
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Joined: Mar 23, 2007
Location: upper black eddy, PA
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I am leaving in a couple days for the treck across the country to Vegas! I have both sets of new Excel rims, Desert tires, new bearings/seals, sprockets. I just realised that my chain is shot (rollers are pretty sloppy) and will have to pick a new one up today or tomorrow. I was at the sign shop yesterday for the number plate lettering, pick them up today. New tires are on the truck. Ehatcher was nice enough to make up some really cool team t-shirts (thanks again Eric!). The plan is coming together...
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Shawn in PA ________________________________ ___________________________ ________ many thanks to these guys for helping me out with Vegas to Reno 2008! ________ ________ *Adventurers Workshop* - Custom Accessories for Adventure Touring Riders ________________ *MAXBMW* - The Northeast's ONLY exclusive BMW Motorcycle dealer
Posted on
08/15/2008 at 07:40
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