It’s finally here, it’s FINALLY HERE! We made it to the start line and kicked off the very first day of the race, rolling out from the stunning Jennette’s Pier in the Outer Banks. What a way to begin this adventure.
The day’s ride swept us through what we’re now calling Alligator Alley, with water on both sides and scenery that was absolutely breathtaking. From there, the route wound into farmland where we passed rows of tobacco, and I’m pretty sure I spotted some chard and maybe even kale along the way. It might have been a flat route to start things off, but don’t be fooled, it was no easy day.
Right out of the gate, the riders tackled 245 miles. We weren’t pulling any punches! By the end of the day, all but five riders had made it to the finish, and those five are showing some serious grit. As I write this at 11 pm, they are still out in the parking lot wrenching on their motorcycles. Props to Team Kiyo & Kat, Nathan, and Rodney. You’ve got this, keep on keeping on!
Our destination for the night was the beautiful town of Apex, NC, and wow did they roll out the red carpet for us. The Chamber and City hosted us on their town hall campus, complete with the GearWrench truck on site. They even surprised our first rider in, Jeff Tiernan, with a $500 tool kit. On top of that, they treated us to food, cold drinks, and warm hospitality while locals came out to admire the century-old motorcycles.
What a first day it was. Between the scenery, the miles, the challenges, and the welcome in Apex, this is a day I know I’ll never forget. And the best part is, we are only just getting started.
Check out a YouTube video about some of our riders first days
Photos: Olivier Touron
Looking forward to seeing you all in Dodge City, ride safe!🇺🇸
We’ll catch you tonight in Statesville, NC and at Wheels Through Time, Maggie Valley tomorrow.