Let’s talk about another close-knit team this week, Team Kansas-Texas. Somehow, we still don’t have a better name for them yet! This crew was a team of pure Harley-Davidsons, led by none other than the Harley whisperer himself.
Bill Page built so many motors that ran on the TransAm, somewhere around a third of the bikes that finished came out of his Barn Guy Garage. Like every successful team out here, Kansas-Texas was powered by a strong, supportive group behind the scenes; the ones who kept the wheels turning, the tools moving, and the riders rolling every morning.
The team consisted of Bill Page, Amy Krueger, Bart Grelinger, Pat Olson, Rodney Sterling, Paul Ryan, Monica Olson, Rosie Encinia-Sterling, and Kathy Page. Every person mattered, every role counted.
Paul was constantly in motion, fixing whatever broke that day, whether it was Bart’s or Bill’s or anyone’s bike. Amy was right there with her dad, prepping their sidecar for another long day. Monica and Pat had their nightly checklist and worked through it with precision and determination. Rosie and Kathy filled in wherever they were needed, the behind-the-scenes heroes who kept everything flowing smoothly.
Pat made all his miles with Rodney only missing a few, and Bill, Amy, and Bart embodying the definition of never giving up.
“What an amazing adventure to experience with my husband. We had experienced a cross country run in 23 so we kind of had an idea what to prepare for. I enjoyed helping my spouse build a 100 year old motorcycle that would be able to cross the country again. This time he had his close friends to ride with Rodney, Bill and Amy, Bart. Missing Bartman and Tribbey. Seeing old friends we have met and meeting some new friends everyday along the way. The things I learned from other crew members and riders is such an experience. Its hard to really explain it. This is only something you can learn through in real time. Very blessed to have this opportunity in life. Thanks for putting on such a great event.” -Monica Olson
Bill Page & Amy Krueger
1925 Harley-Davidson JD Sidecar
Bill and Amy are a father-daughter team who tackled the TransAm in their 1925 Harley-Davidson JD sidecar. Bill has tons of experience building Harley J models. Bill was going to ride an earlier bike, but when Amy said she wanted to join him on the race, he changed his plans to ride a later bike that could carry the sidecar.
The sidecar setup came with its fair share of challenges (and then some). Here’s just a partial list of what went wrong along the way: smoked clutch, exploded rocker tower, bad distributor coil, fried points, faulty condenser, dead battery, six broken spokes on the rear wheel, sheared bolts off the sprocket hub, clogged fuel line, and carburetor issues. And probably more that we didn’t even hear about.
But despite it all, Bill and Amy made 3,405.54 miles, an incredible feat considering the setbacks. Watching Bill push through pain, exhaustion, and mechanical chaos to reach the finish line was inspiring. The pair earned every bit of their Spirit of the TransAm Award at the banquet.
“Each day on the Trans Am was the most challenging, toughest vintage ride I’ve done, and I couldn’t wait every morning to start again……”
-Bill Page“This experience was so much more than just a motorcycle endurance event for me. It was the first time in 20 years I did something for myself. The opportunity to step away from the grind of day to day life and be fully in the experience was unforgettable. The beautiful bikes, the people, the time with my dad, the opportunity to be out in nature for that many days straight, the true courage & strength some days took to finish all contributed to something I still yearn to be a part of again even weeks after completion. For me, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so grateful I took the chance to do something new.” -Amy Krueger
Pat Olson
1921 Harley-Davidson J Model
Pat Olson rode his 1921 Harley J to perfection, making every mile and earning 6th place overall. His consistency, attitude, and determination were a testament to his dedication and to the partnership he shares with his wife, Monica.
Monica drove their truck and trailer to every stop, helped with Pat’s bike maintenance each night, and never hesitated to jump in and help others on the team. They were often among the last to leave the pits each evening, making sure every nut and bolt was ready for the next morning’s start.
“Wow, what a great adventure that was. The route and the people involved, it was just incredible. It takes a real team effort to get this goal accomplished. Huge thank you to my wife. I couldn’t have picked a better team mate than Monica. She truly rocked this role as “Pit Boss”. She was on point the whole route, took care of all the logistics when it came to our equipment and supplies. I can’t say enough about her role. I was able to take a long ride across this beautiful country with some good friends. We got to ride some badass roads, whew some of those were just made for motorcycles. Some breakdowns and mistakes made along the way but the bike and myself kept making it to the next day. I will never forget this adventure. It was awesome to reunite and catch up with the friends we have made on these runs. Meeting new friends along the way on this run was a true highlight. It’s funny how one thing can bring so many people from around the world together with a common interest and goal. One of the most challenging yet so rewarding experiences I have ever had in life. Congrats to everyone that took this on huge accomplishment.” -Pat Olson
Rodney Sterling
1919 Harley-Davidson J
Rodney Sterling rode his 1919 Harley J, and if you know Rodney, you know he’s no stranger to adventure. He’s always traveling, always riding antique motorcycles, and always up for the next challenge.
Rodney and Rosie were a joy to have along. Their positive energy never wavered, even when the miles got long and the fixes got creative. Rodney missed only 27 miles out of the entire route, so close to perfection, and his determination to keep going no matter what truly embodied the TransAm spirit.
Bart Grelinger
1925 Harley-Davidson JD
Bart’s TransAm journey started in Bill’s Barn Guy Garage. Every Friday for weeks, Bart was there wrenching, learning, and slowly being convinced by Bill to sign up for the run. We’re glad he did!
Bart tackled a long list of mechanical hurdles, ranging from fuel tank leaks to numerous other issues. But through it all, he stayed focused, serious, and determined to finish. Watching him in his first endurance event was inspiring. With his team by his side and his own mechanical know-how, Bart earned his place at the finish line and the well-deserved True Grit Award for perseverance.
Teamwork Makes the TransAm
Having Team Kansas-Texas on the run was a true blessing. Their deep knowledge of antique motorcycles, their teamwork, and their willingness to help others made them an invaluable part of the event.
Sometimes you’d see other riders like Norm or Bob jumping in with them; that’s how welcoming and collaborative they were. From the outside, it looked like they were having fun even in the toughest moments. And when they rolled into the finish each day, their crew was right there, ready to take over and make sure tomorrow was possible.
Congratulations to the entire Kansas-Texas team… your grit, camaraderie, and good humor made this year’s TransAm even more special.
Photos by: Olivier Touron, Kazuo Matsumoto, Ed Harriger
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