Autumnal Equinox 2011

The Autumnal Equinox Rally was held in Broken Arrow Ok. With its Start Dinner and End in Broken Arrow, it made for some tricky route planning. The rally was comprised of bonus locations all around the state with each being assigned a” Quadrant” . Oklahoma is divided north and south by I 40 and east and west by I35. We were not allowed to snag any 2 bonus locations in the same quadrant consecutively . I t pretty much came down to the farther away from Ok. City they were the more points you earned. Then throw in a few time restrictions and planning becomes a real chore to map a good route. All the location bonus locations were under 200 Points. With dinner a big one back at the Rally Master” Michael Hickman ” home, this was a 350 point stop open From 5:00 to 7:00 Pm Saturday. This was a “Must Do” . There was also a SLEEP Bonus that was worth 2 points per minute up to 6 hours and a 125 point EAT bonus that forced you to get a restaurant receipt between 5:00 and 7:00 am Sunday Morning . With were the bonus locations were and that number of points it made for a rally that forced you to stay Rested and eat well. Great Planning on Michael’s part. Now For the Kicker!!! At the Riders Meeting we were told that our rally flag was a Balloon that must be inflated to the point that you could read the printing on it at each location for the picture. Extra balloons were available For -50 points each. Man those Rally Masters  are a sneaky bunch!It looked like everyone took 1 to 3 extra. I chose 2 extra and just used the original for the whole rally.

 

A wonderful ride all over Oklahoma in near perfect riding weather. I was able to make my route which included 3 combo threads, and work in my eat bonus and sleep bonus all in the proper time windows. I rode 1326 miles and made 14 bonus stops. I was able to work 5 1/2 hours sleep all in well under 30 hours.

This was a great ride for me. I have been low on energy after my crash one year ago in Alaska. My Dr. put me on some new meds  to help my damaged right lung start doing a better job and they are getting it done!! I had my stamina back and felt great the whole ride!

When we returned to Micheal’s house he had us a big Spread of Chips, dips and veggies  .He was cooking dinner for us at 6:00  Pm . I was already starting to think of The land of enchantment in New Mexico for next weekend So I missed dinner and headed for home. Thanks to Michael Hickman and his helper Brent VanDyke for putting on a great rally!!

I hope you enjoy the pictures of people and Bonus location!

 

This was Steve first rally He did a great Job Coming out on top winning his first rally !! Congrats Steve on a GREAT RIDE !!

< First stop of the day was the Broken Arrow Farmers Market! Time window was 9:oo to 9:30 AM it was just a few miles down the road to this one. I made the decision to get on I 40 and head west to the little town of Erick Then work my way back to Sayrem OK. ,then back to OK. city to meet Matt Mitchlen if time permitted. It didnot  i could tell after getting myself stuck in the Sayrem harvest day parade that there was no way to get back to Ok. City in time to get Matt’s autograph on my Rally Sheet Time window for this was 2:00 to 3:00 pm Saturday. As it turned out I probably could have made it on my way back to Broken Arrow for the Dinner bonus I was just a few minutes after 3:00.

 

 

 

After a quick stop for some GREAT grilled Pork Tenderloin, and Chicken! (did I mention that Michael is a Wonderful cook) If all you have is a tricycle you should enter his Rally’s!! He made some Southwest Chicken Dip for us at scoring that May have been the best thing I ever had on a corn chip!!!! (Sorry Back to the ride) .

 

This Bonus was taken right At Dusk. Bonus Window Dusk to Dawn.  This is just about  all there is here in Wewoka Oklahoma. As I was pulling away I looked in my mirror to see Sarah Bjiork hanging off the clock  holding her balloon while her dad David snapped their Bonus picture. (I will post it if I can get her to send it to me) It was really cool to see Sarah and her dad David riding together and having such a great time .

 

It was up to Pops Soda ranch . Another cool bonus along Route 66. It was also a dusk to dawn only location. Here the in the picture is the Giant 66 foot tall Neon  Soda Bottle.  It is located just northeast of Ok. city. It os a really cool1960 style dinner. They have every flavor of soda you can think of. The Burgers and shakes are really good also.  (Am I writing about a ride or Have I become a Food Critic?) A note on Balloons as rally flags. I like it! if you notice in this shot I was using a tiny LED flashlight as a cork It also illuminated the balloon for the shot  . This way I did not have to tie a not in it and carry an inflated balloon . It was a modification of Steve Bracken’s idea to use a water bottle lid.

From Pops it was back south across I 40 to the Chickasaw Nation to Get A picture of the Chickasaw Warrior in Ada Oklahoma. This is also where I would tale my rest bonus. With the restrictions of having to change quadrants form bonus to bonus it made it necessary to stay on my pre-planned route. So I Went right to sleep with no wondering mind about last few hour route changes. I knew what time I had to make it to Pryor Ok. to get my third Centennial Clock photo.

This Was The last location I need to complete the CLOCKS bonus Thread. It was now back north across I 40 Again to pick up my last bonus  at the Creek Nation Headquarters.

The Indian Casino Business must be doing  good ! Though the actual building is old this place rocked !!! It had camp grounds,Tennis Courts, Foot ball fields, Base ball diamonds. There were beautiful monuments and statues everywhere. They even Had a go cart  track!!!

That was it i was on the way back to the finish over an hour early!! But did not take time to read the cold bonus time restriction.  ( note to self : Get red high liter before next rally)

Congratulations to Steve Bracken on his First Rally And First Win !!!!!!!!!!

This was a great Rally Format !! I had tons of fun  and got to see lots of new sites in Oklahoma! That is what makes rallying so fun to me. Next week it is off to New Mexico For the Land of Enchantment Rally. It is also balloon festival weekend there. Maby I will tale along my balloon rally flag just for fun.

See ya next time

Mark