Stage 13 of the Motorcycle TransAm was a serious test of distance and determination. Riders logged 360 miles today with one long stretch that had no gas for 105 miles, so everyone carried extra fuel today.
Our first group of four cylinder bikes reached the finish in an incredible eight and a half hours. Almost every rider made their full miles, and the look of accomplishment on their faces is something that never gets old.
The route offered rolling hills and gentle mountain passes as we crossed into eastern Oregon. The scenery feels almost otherworldly, wide open and wild with a beauty that is hard to describe.
One of the standout stories of the day came from Kiyo. He rode the Thor single that Kat usually rides and logged all 360 miles with only two 5 minute breaks all day. His Thor has a fuel tank that can stretch to about 240 miles per fill, so he just kept rolling and showed some incredible endurance.
Bill Page gave us another unforgettable moment. Riding his sidecar JD, he faced mechanical trouble on the side of the road but refused to quit. Bill dug in, made repairs right there, and pushed on to the finish line with an amazing one minute to spare. Great job Bill, what a display of determination.
Burns greeted us with a warm welcome at the end of this marathon ride. Tonight every rider is wrenching on their bike, making sure it is ready for another long push tomorrow at 290 miles. The crews in the pits are just as determined as the riders, working late into the night to keep these century old machines on the road. Watching their teamwork and grit is inspiring every single day.
Photos by: Ed Harriger, Olivier Touron
Sponsored by: Legends Motorcycles, Sinless Cycles, Competition Distributing, Veritas Vintage, Antique Motorcycle Club of America
