cross country

Cross Country Chase Stage 3

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Cross Country Chase riders spent their day in rain gear as Mother Nature dampened the route between Wisconsin and Illinois for one of the longer days on the run. The morning pit stop at Barbed Wire Harley-Davidson in Dekalb, Illinois included hot coffee and donuts served up with big smiles and the daily quiz. Riders have gotten over the initial test anxiety and the rising scores are reflecting their attention to their surroundings and motorcycle history knowledge. Rain had settled down by the time lunch was served under the popups by the friendly folks at Starved Rock H-D in Ottawa. Staff there welcomed riders to the service bay where a bit of welding and wrenching went on before riders headed on to the next destination. By the time the riders covered their 278-mile day and rolled in for the evening check-in at Andrea’s Harley-Davidson in Urbana, Illinois, there was a cool breeze, a bit of sun, and a nice meal. Riders immediately took full advantage of the Andrea’s HD hospitality and set to tending to their machines in anticipation of the arduous Stage 4. Tomorrow will be the longest day of the entire run and, if the weatherman is right, it will be the hottest day the riders have seen so far. With temps in the 90s and only a slight chance of rain, Monday holds the promise of a good ride. Check out today’s scores! Of the 69 Chase riders who started out in Sault Saint Marie, 65 still remain with the mantra of “Florida or Bust!”

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Cross Country Chase Stage 2

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A glorious sunrise kicked off a day of cruising country roads and enjoying warm hospitality as Chase riders boarded the S.S. Badger for a 60-mile cruise across Lake Michigan before enjoying lunch during a visit at the gracious Harbor Town Harley-Davidson dealership. The day was topped off by dinner, fellowship and a bike show at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. Riders loaded up the belly of the S.S.Badger with their antique motorcycles and spent the 4-hour cruise on the old ferry by napping, eating or playing bingo with the very animated staff of the coal-burning ship. Lucky rider, Evan Riggle, #11, would later show off the cool ship cap he won during bingo aboard the transport ferry during his first-time visit to the H-D Museum. Luck also followed third place rider #72, into the museum. Larry Luce managed to roll onto the campus before the tire on his 1938 Velocette KSS went completely flat, so instead of visiting the museum exhibits as he had planned, the first-time visitor barely had time to get the flat fixed before the museum closed, though he did have time to enjoy a plateful of the great dinner the museum had prepared for the riders. Luce will start Stage 3 alongside the other riders, though James Malone, #05 and Don Gilmore, #22 have left the race completely. Good news is that rider #51, Shane Masters, has rejoined the group and is ready to make up for lost time. Be sure to check out the scores tomorrow and see where your favorite rider stands!

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Cross Country Chase Stage 1

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A dark and dreary start for the Chase did nothing to dampen spirits as 68 riders set off for their 267-mile day. By the time the first antique bikes started crossing southbound on the wet and foggy Mackinac Bridge, a group of 1,500 antique tractors had already begun their trek north. It’s an annual parade that just happened to coincide with the Cross Country Chase ride and seemed quite appropriate as the antiques met midway. Drizzle kept riders occupied through out the day, but the rain stopped long enough for the group to enjoy a nice lunch hosted by Hagerty Insurance in Traverse City, Michigan, which was followed closely by a short stop to take the daily quiz. Brainy bikers stood with clipboards and quickly answered 10 multiple-choice questions before hopping on their bikes and booking on to the final stop in Ludington. From there they will board the Badger Ferry for Stage 2 tomorrow morning. The top three positions are still held by the same Class I riders from yesterday’s Prologue, and last place is still Shane Masters, who we hope will rejoin the group for Stage 2. As it is, the sweep trailer was loaded to the max with broken bikes for Stage 1. Let’s wish them all an overnight recovery.

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