We are now in Ohio. The beginning of the Lincoln Highway, the route the Van Buren sisters used for their trip across the country. As the first national memorial to President Lincoln, and the first automobile road across America it ushered in a time of travel. The prosperity it brought to the villages and towns inspired more long distance roads.
Lisa and I decided to bypass the museum tour, instead just booking it to Pickington, OH, via I-70W. There was a reception for the group, after hours, at the AMA Hall of Fame Museum. We wanted to get to the hotel and unload before going. Lisa has been to the museum before, I have not. We were both excited. On one of our fuel stops, I know I've mentioned how much I love talking to people at fuel stops before. Anyway, we are with our bike and a truck driver starts walking towards us. I'm thinking he's going to head straight to Lisa and her Harley. NOT --- straight to me and my BMW. It was his dream bike, not just a BMW but a dual sport. We probably talked for 30 minutes. His name is Scott Jones, he's from Fresno, CA on his way to Bethlehem, PA. Not married, hates kids, never wanted any, although he does have a niece, who is changing his mind about that. Lesson learned hopefully about stereotyping people. It is fun traveling - a BMW GS and a Harley Davidson Electraglide Classic together.
The AMA Museum was amazing. 9R was like a kid in a candy shop, it was fun to watch. What caught me by surprise was how emotional I was going through the motocross exhibit. Lisa was pointing - look there is - he was Jody's favorite. And then there were names that I recognized from when Tommy was racing. I teared up. The Hall of Fame is simple yet powerful. Not many women, but that is changing -- The Van Buren Sisters were inducted into it in 2002. And it was announced publicly for the first time while we were there that Gloria Tramontin, still an active member of the Motor Maids at 91, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. There was also an exhibit on the motorcyclists rights arm of the AMA, which was really interesting. Woke me up to how much I take for granted. Particularly inspired by off highway advocate Mona Ehnes. "The non-riding public has such a misconception of what our sport is. They think it's freestyle jumping competitions on television. They don't know it's mom, dad, and kids on quiet trail bikes in the woods." Yep, that's how I remember it. And that's how Lisa and I first met as kids-- BCTRA. Baltimore County Trail Riders Association. Very proud of my AMA membership.
Day 7
Beautiful morning. Motohio European Motor Sports hosted a breakfast for the sisters group and then led us on a ride through the Ohio countryside - cornfields, Queen Anne's lace, blue corn flowers, horse shows. Mid 70's, sunny with some puffy white clouds ( I forget what they are called), no humidity. Doesn't get much better. We were in 3 groups of about 25 people, with 3 ride leaders each, so that we were able to all get though lights and intersections.
We arrived 70 miles later to the Mid-Ohio Raceway and AMA's Vintage Days, where we were ushered in to stage for our Victory Lap on the racecourse. I had butterfly's in my stomach --- we were packed in, I kept looking at the ground just to make sure I was going to end up with a slight downslope, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to put my kickstand down. All good. Gear off, group pics, chatting, looking, watching, etc. 20 mins. Later we were on the track --- 2 laps. It was thrilling for me --- Tears -- couldn't help thinking how much fun it would be if Tommy and Jody were here with us.
After our laps, we were led over to the Wall of Death where we parked. 9R and I wandered around --- again 9R -- kid - pointing and talking --look, look, look --- knowing exactly what she was looking at. We went to the pits, we watched some trials, people action, and some racing. Still such a beautiful day. Around 2, we decided to head to our next hotel before it got hot. She was on lead, I noticed that I needed fuel and went up beside her and pointed at my fuel tank, well actually I pointed at my battery because my fuel tank is in back. She nodded. Then we went right past the exit for fuel to the next exit to go to a Harley Store --- WTF. She wanted to get a throttle lock - her wrist was killing her. I got that. I told her I was on reserve and had 15 miles left. I was going to have to go back an exit and get it --- I tried to stay calm, but she could here it in my voice. I was actually about to start crying because of all the emotions and memories of the past 2 days. Anyway, she got her throttle lock, we got fuel at the next exit ( she had asked inside) and all was good. Hotel, unload, beer, laundry............ Which leads to laundromat conversations, which I have found to be consistently interesting.
Lisa and I decided to bypass the museum tour, instead just booking it to Pickington, OH, via I-70W. There was a reception for the group, after hours, at the AMA Hall of Fame Museum. We wanted to get to the hotel and unload before going. Lisa has been to the museum before, I have not. We were both excited. On one of our fuel stops, I know I've mentioned how much I love talking to people at fuel stops before. Anyway, we are with our bike and a truck driver starts walking towards us. I'm thinking he's going to head straight to Lisa and her Harley. NOT --- straight to me and my BMW. It was his dream bike, not just a BMW but a dual sport. We probably talked for 30 minutes. His name is Scott Jones, he's from Fresno, CA on his way to Bethlehem, PA. Not married, hates kids, never wanted any, although he does have a niece, who is changing his mind about that. Lesson learned hopefully about stereotyping people. It is fun traveling - a BMW GS and a Harley Davidson Electraglide Classic together.
The AMA Museum was amazing. 9R was like a kid in a candy shop, it was fun to watch. What caught me by surprise was how emotional I was going through the motocross exhibit. Lisa was pointing - look there is - he was Jody's favorite. And then there were names that I recognized from when Tommy was racing. I teared up. The Hall of Fame is simple yet powerful. Not many women, but that is changing -- The Van Buren Sisters were inducted into it in 2002. And it was announced publicly for the first time while we were there that Gloria Tramontin, still an active member of the Motor Maids at 91, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. There was also an exhibit on the motorcyclists rights arm of the AMA, which was really interesting. Woke me up to how much I take for granted. Particularly inspired by off highway advocate Mona Ehnes. "The non-riding public has such a misconception of what our sport is. They think it's freestyle jumping competitions on television. They don't know it's mom, dad, and kids on quiet trail bikes in the woods." Yep, that's how I remember it. And that's how Lisa and I first met as kids-- BCTRA. Baltimore County Trail Riders Association. Very proud of my AMA membership.
Day 7
Beautiful morning. Motohio European Motor Sports hosted a breakfast for the sisters group and then led us on a ride through the Ohio countryside - cornfields, Queen Anne's lace, blue corn flowers, horse shows. Mid 70's, sunny with some puffy white clouds ( I forget what they are called), no humidity. Doesn't get much better. We were in 3 groups of about 25 people, with 3 ride leaders each, so that we were able to all get though lights and intersections.
We arrived 70 miles later to the Mid-Ohio Raceway and AMA's Vintage Days, where we were ushered in to stage for our Victory Lap on the racecourse. I had butterfly's in my stomach --- we were packed in, I kept looking at the ground just to make sure I was going to end up with a slight downslope, otherwise, I wouldn't be able to put my kickstand down. All good. Gear off, group pics, chatting, looking, watching, etc. 20 mins. Later we were on the track --- 2 laps. It was thrilling for me --- Tears -- couldn't help thinking how much fun it would be if Tommy and Jody were here with us.
After our laps, we were led over to the Wall of Death where we parked. 9R and I wandered around --- again 9R -- kid - pointing and talking --look, look, look --- knowing exactly what she was looking at. We went to the pits, we watched some trials, people action, and some racing. Still such a beautiful day. Around 2, we decided to head to our next hotel before it got hot. She was on lead, I noticed that I needed fuel and went up beside her and pointed at my fuel tank, well actually I pointed at my battery because my fuel tank is in back. She nodded. Then we went right past the exit for fuel to the next exit to go to a Harley Store --- WTF. She wanted to get a throttle lock - her wrist was killing her. I got that. I told her I was on reserve and had 15 miles left. I was going to have to go back an exit and get it --- I tried to stay calm, but she could here it in my voice. I was actually about to start crying because of all the emotions and memories of the past 2 days. Anyway, she got her throttle lock, we got fuel at the next exit ( she had asked inside) and all was good. Hotel, unload, beer, laundry............ Which leads to laundromat conversations, which I have found to be consistently interesting.
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