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| Musings of a Long Distance Rider |
Sunday is prep day and early Waypoint bagging day at the Wyman Rendezvous. Many riders took advantage of the off peak traffic counts to head into San Francisco get their picture taken at Lotta’s Fountain, the original launch site for Wyman’s ride in 1903. Tim Masterson did the honors and snapped pics of riders and their bikes at this historic location. Some also headed to Oakland to the Mausoleum to visit the final resting place of George and his wife, Nellie. The Rendezvous only requires that you make it from start to finish and visit all of the states on the route. Everyone on this ride has indicated they intend to visit several Wyman waypoints while ensuring they make it to the designated ‘Rendezvous’ stops with the group each night. The overall goal, SF to NYC, will be the undercurrent pushing everyone along.
There was a frenzied pace today compared to Saturday’s arrive and relax day as riders went through final preparations for the challenge ahead. The full list of riders who have assembled for the 2018 Wyman Memorial Challenge “Rendezvous” and their mounts, ranked by horsepower, reads as follows:
Time was a precious commodity. There was a rider’s meeting with Q&A about the Grand Tour detail. Dave Scaffone brought his priceless 1902 ‘California’ motor-bicycle. Dave gave an informative presentation about the bike and its’ authenticity. Marti Wyman Shein also addressed the group with some special Wyman thoughts. Some final instructions, changes, edits and questions answering by Tim Masterson rounded out the afternoon. As things wound down and pre-ride nerves were calmed somewhat, there was partaking of pizza and adult beverages, with a good night's sleep before the “Rendezvous” launches on Monday.
Today marks the first of seven unofficial Wyman Ride to Eat events, or RTE’s as they are known in long-distance riding community. RTE’s are simply gatherings of motorcycle riders to eat a meal together. The founders of the Wyman Rendezvous decided for this year, the second running of the Rendezvous, that it would add to rider enjoyment to have people join the event along the route. With a start, a finish, and five nightly stops along the route, there are a total of seven RTE opportunities along the way. No one knows if anyone will show up for the stops on the route, but today we were joined for pizza by Marti and Jimmie Shein. While they didn’t actually ride to eat, they certainly qualify as participants and the group was honored to have them. Tomorrow night will find the group in Wells, NV. Wells is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. We may be dining alone.
As darkness falls upon the land of Wyman, he awaits our departure from his final resting place a short distance away in Oakland. The fact that 115 years ago you accomplished something that people want to relive almost 60 years after your passing must account for something in the great beyond. At least we should all hope so. Perhaps George, or the spirit of George, is out there somewhere wrenching on his 1902 California, preparing it to ride once again. There are nine devotees, consumed by wanderlust, scheduled to leave on the ride Monday morning… or maybe it’s 10.
Cliff Wall, ‘Rendezvous’ Ride Master
