COVID-19 Escape

COVID-19 Escape

 March 19, 2020

The Iron Butt Association’s web page shares this, “An equinox is an astronomical event in which the plane of Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun which occurs twice each year, around March 20th and September 23rd. This year, because of Leap Year, it was on March 19th.”

“The March equinox is known as the Vernal Equinox, or, in the northern hemisphere, as the Spring Equinox.  The September equinox is known as the Autumnal equinox, or, in the northern hemisphere, as the Fall Equinox.”

“A solstice is an event occurring when the Sun appears to reach its most northerly or southerly excursion relative to the celestial equator on the celestial sphere. Two solstices occur annually, around June 21st and December 21st. The seasons of the year are determined by reference to both the solstices and the equinoxes.”

“Guidelines: You may ride any certifiable ride.  Most riders choose to ride a Saddle Sore, but some have ridden BBGs, and even a very few have ridden 50CC Quests on each of the four astronomical events to qualify for the Four Seasons 50CC Quest Award!”

“You must be riding sometime during the date of the solstice or equinox.  Purists choose to be riding at the exact time of the solstice or equinox.”

“You must earn the same type of certified ride for each of the four astronomical events. The four rides need not occur on consecutive astronomical events, and your qualifying rides may span more than one year.”

I had been planning a 100 Coast-to-Coast-to-Coast ride when this COVID-19 virus broke out. It is a very nasty little bug. Many services (motels, restaurants, etc.) shut down and everyone was encouraged to limit contact with others. I was planning on accomplishing a Spring Equinox ride inside the 100CCC and then found out that Spring was a day before I was planning on leaving. So, when the 100CCC canceled I made a quick plan to just be gone for a day and get a Saddle Sore 1000 accomplished.

I wasn’t sure what the weather would be like but figured it would just add to the ride if it was bad. A quick plan was put together and I found a southern route that I could use. I have never been to Organ Pipe National Monument and Lukeville, AZ is just past that and 521 miles away. That was my plan. I figured to get gas when I needed it and put together the route for the Iron Butt Association after I was done.

I got up when I normally do for work at 5:00 am and headed out. I ended up messing around at the first stop with my phone trying to make it work and finally realized I had turned off the cellular network somehow. That wasted about 20 minutes. Most of the ride was freeway or major highways so I knew the time would not be a factor. I ran out of gas about a mile from the gas station in Wickenburg. I knew it would be close because I ran out about 20 feet from the pumps last year! I finally got to use my gallon can of gas that I carry.

It was a great ride, partly cloudy most of the day and the Organ Pipe National Monument was very interesting. Lots of Border Patrol around and they were super cool at the stops they have in place. Apparently, they weren’t too worried about speeding either!

Got to Lukeville, AZ and the sign on the gas pump made me wonder if I was in Mexico. The sign read something about the fact if you are using a US credit card you had to prepay inside to store. I had a snack and took some pictures of the border and headed home.

Made it back to Wickenburg and then went through Boulder City to Henderson, NV, it was long-distance and this time I didn’t run out of gas!

About a half-hour outside of Henderson, it started to rain pretty heavily. I am glad I had my new helmet and new riding pants that keep me dry.

Made it back to St. George in just under 18 hours. It was a great ride and I earned a Saddle Sore butt.