Ride for the Cure - PonyExpress 2000

I am raising money for breast cancer research as part of the Pony Express Round-Up 2000 in July.

My Route - A Work in Progress

I have received in-kind support or Komen contributions from Avon Tires (Everett, WA); Ducati Seattle (Seattle, WA); Renton Motorcycle Works (Renton, WA); Rich's Custom Upholstery (Seattle, WA); Ventura Motorcycle Accessories (Everett, WA). Many Many thanks to my sponsors!

I am riding a stock 2000 Ducati Monster900, which I purchased seven weeks ago from Ducati Seattle. It will have slightly fewer than 5,000 miles when I begin the trip on 1 July; I expect the odometer to read about 11,000 when I return.

Because the route this year is not an organized ride, I have (selfishly) chosen to ride only the first (and possibly the last pre-Omaha day) on the promotional schedule. I am taking off two weeks (without pay) and wanted an opportunity to do some sight-seeing -- and tent camp in the desert! To meet the promo schedule would have meant droning on the interstates; this way I will have a chance to visit national parks and ride second-tier highways (which are usually Much More Fun on a motorcycle!).

Thanks in advance to John Coulter (JC) and Jim Horton who are serving as daily "flight plan" contacts. Also thanks to the individuals who helped me raise almost $4,000 for this event!

Schedule

Friday 30 June
Kickoff at Ride West, Seattle, 6pm - all welcome to attend

Week 1 - Day 1 - Saturday 1 July
Seattle to Ashland - two tour promo stops (Salem/Medford) - 480 miles
This will be semi-organized ride of 5-6 people from SEA - two of us (plus a companion) are going all the way to St. Joe, the others are just doing day one; overnight with a friend in Ashland.

Day 2 - Sunday 2 July
Ashland to Sunnyvale - 450+ miles, depending on amount of meandering off I-5. Current meandering looks like I-5 to Yreka; 96 to Eureka; 101 to San Francisco (with possible meandering over to US1 for a view of the Pacific); Golden Gate; Sunnyvale. Overnight with a friend.

Day 3 - Monday 3 July
Sunnyvale to NV (possibly via Death Valley) - motel in NV (Beatty?) or camp in the National Park.

Day 4 - Tuesday 4 July
To Zion NP, Utah - to Bryce Canyon, Utah. Camp in the park.

Day 5 - Wednesday 5 July
To Arches National Park and Grand Junction CO (or points east); motel.

Day 6 - Thursday 6 July
Grand Junction deep into Nebraska - or join the promo team.

Day 7 - Friday 7 July
Omaha by Mid-Day; check in; motel.

Week 2 - Day 8 - Saturday 8 July
Omaha to St. Joseph, MO - 135 miles - Pony Express festivities; motel with EC. Change Oil!

Day 9 - 13 - head back, pointed to Crescent Lake, OR

Day 9 - Sunday 9 July
St. Joe across KS - route 36?
- or -
jump onto i-70 at colby

Day 10 - Monday 10 July
Denver - Cheyenne - Casper

Day 11 - Tuesday 11 July
Casper - Jackson (route 26)

Day 12 - Wednesday 12 July
Jackson WY to Caldwell, ID

Day 13 - Thursday 13 July
Caldwell, Idaho to Crescent Lake - camp with WetLeather

Day 14 - 15 - DO NOTHING

Day 16 - head back to SEA - if too tired, overnight in vancouver

Day 17 - pick up Peaches from 18 days in the kennel

Back to My Main PonyExpress/Komen Page
Kathy E. Gill