I Wish I could be there. Oh Well, Maybe next year.

 

Wrong, it is a common error that this so called challenge is advancing. "Hoka Hey" or more correctly "OPAHEY" is a man's exclamation in Sioux, similar to the American expressions "Let's do it!" or "Let's roll!"

I really don't expect there to be another. Most likely be too many upset participants at the end of this one.

I am seeing reports of cut down sign posts, a mysterious white pickup taking out riders, multiple accidents due to lack of rider skills, multiple potential disqualifications for speeding and use of 'shortcuts', and on the fly multiple rule mods by the organizer. (use of GPS or no use, bikes chipped at start or not chipped) Then last but not least, the issue of will there really be a prize and the end of it all. I have been doubtful all along, but from what I see even if the developer of this was 100% straight (not to say he isn't) he would have genuine grounds for ending it. Also, just getting into and across Canada should really be interesting due to the routes used in the US.

Regardless of it all, it will be a fine memory for all that even just start off. Good fortune to each!

 

There is some a holes,glad i didn't waste my money SEE BELOW from the blog

There is a group of Challengers that have been sorely affected by the unscrupulous individuals who have stolen, destroyed or moved street signs in order to impede the progress of our riders. When we validated the route, all of the signs were present, the roads do exist and our test driver progressed through the route as expected. However, a number of riders who would otherwise have a shot at the prize, have now been stuck searching hours on end for a street sign that no longer exists.

As for how the Challenge itself is progressing, we are getting mixed reviews. Several participants forgot (or never fully understood) that "we won't be giving that half million dollars away - they are going to have to earn it!" This was never meant to be a joy ride. It was never supposed to be easy. It was intended to be a Challenge of navigation, wit and perseverence. And now, through the outbursts, anger and the tears people have expressed their disappointment at realizing it is everything we said it would be... A "challenge" in every sense of the word.

On the other hand, in spite of the missing street signs we have had people thanking us for putting this ride together. One man told me that he has crisscrossed Alabama a hundred times but he has never been in a place like he had been that day. Early on, I had said that there were two schools of thought as it regards the Challenge - those that are in it for the prize money and those that are in it for the ride. The ones racing for the gold are absolutely MISERABLE while the ones that are taking the time to really search for the roads and who are willing to back track 100 miles in order to pick the route up again, are the ones who seem to be enjoying themselves the most. They are glad they decided to join the Challenge and have been the majority of the people I've talked to.

These men & women understand something that they never even considered before. These are the ones who get it

 

My buddy, Mark (Iron ***) is competing in this as is his company's VP, Mike. I am tracking their whereabouts daily on this thread if you are interested. LINKY

 

This sounds more and more like a cartoon than a real event every day. It reminds me of the skits in the Buggs Bunny & Roadrunner cartoons.

It's amazing that anyone would have associated themselves with this farce - let alone paid $1000 to be a part of it.

 

I hear from a friend that was in it, that the lead riders have pissed the police off in a lot of the small towns and they are waiting on the other riders. As stated missing signs, multiple accidents, etc. Supposedly the person listed as leader right now is riding all interstate routes. Don't know about that but seems like a scam to me, no guarantee someone will win and to many ways to keep someone from winning if they make it to Alaska in the alloted time. Easy 700,000.00 for some one's bank account, in my opinion.

Joe

 

What a BIG waste of time.

 

Wow! Not off to a good start for the "none race challenge" with four crack ups and not even out of Florida!

 

I really question the missing sign thing. Who would do that and why? A lot of riders missed the route in our area, but is wasn't because of a missing sign. (Good thing to blame it on I guess.) The directions said take the "Hasty Cut-off" (local name the road is known by). Which is a county road cutting across National Park Service land on the Buffalo River. The problem was the sign says "Buffalo National River" on the first line then "Hasty" on the second line. It is a brown NPS sign, not a typical green road sign. The words "cut-off" are no where to be found on the sign. None of the riders I talked to, about dozen or so, had a state map. Most of them were attempting to navigate off the written route instructions provided by the Challenge folks. (Much like internet directions, which really suck!) The state maps I handed out showed the Hasty Cut-Off, so that made the directions clearer, but didn't identify it in anyway by name or county road number. So it seems to me the Challenge folks may not have identified their routes clearly on their direction sheet. At least that was the reason so many missed the road in our area. There were way more than a dozen that went the wrong way, I just talked to about a dozen that happened to stop to ask me directions. (I was trying to finish up my accident report and go home.) Just my thoughts on the whole thing.

 

one of the guy's in my hog chapter is on that run-ride. you can read his blog here http://bobsride.wordpress.com/ good luck bob ride safe.