The First Hours of Every Morning

This week, we’re starting the blog with something everyone experiences a little differently, but all for the same reason. Mornings on the TransAm. From the staff side and the rider side, the first hours of every day are all about one goal. Getting everyone out on the course safely and pointed in the right direction.

We’ll start with the staff mornings.

The earliest alarms go off somewhere between 4:00 and 4:30. It is early early. Kevin is usually the first one out moving, and he is out the door fast. He needs to get on the route as early as possible to make sure there are no major route changes or surprises waiting for the riders. Most mornings, he is gone before breakfast is even set out.

The rest of us are up and moving, too. Maps are getting sorted and ready for the day. Sometimes we are finishing up the blog from the day before. Emails are going out to upcoming city stops for the next day or two to confirm arrival details and make sure everyone has what they need and that we do not need anything else from them. Press releases are being sent out ahead of time so the media in towns know what is happening.

The photographers are up just as early because they never want to miss a thing, capturing those quiet moments and the wonderful photos that only happen in that soft sunrise morning light.

Once all of that is handled, it is time to head to breakfast. Mileage Master stickers need to get out, and the route maps for the day need to be handed to every rider. After that, we move outside where the riders are already starting to gather around their antique motorcycles, getting them ready for whatever the day is about to bring.

Connor is usually helping wherever and whoever needs it, also blasting music from his Indian Motorcycle. I (Kelsey) am walking around doing a Facebook Live and chatting with anyone willing to talk that early in the morning. Sean is in contact with Kevin while also helping with any last minute repairs. Tom is getting his green flag ready for the day.

Then there are the riders mornings.

Hotel breakfasts usually start at 5:30 and almost everyone is there. Eating, talking, laughing, and getting their heads in the right place for the day. There is a lot of BS’ing going on while pencils come out and gas stops are penciled onto the maps.

Slowly, riders start trickling outside. Oil levels are checked. Machines are warmed up. Some mornings it is cold cold. We saw temperatures as low as 36 degrees. Last minute repairs are made, and paper maps are carefully loaded into map holders. Tape goes over the top of the map holders so if it rains the maps stay dry and readable.

Each rider is assigned a starting group, and the order changes every morning. Singles always go first since they need every minute they can get. Other than that the lineup is different every day.

Finally everyone lines up and waits for Tom’s green flag. When it waves it’s time to go. Sometimes we stop traffic where we can to help get riders out safely and pointed down the road.

No matter how many days in a row we do it, that moment never gets old. Even after fifteen mornings in a row we were ready for sixteen. That first hour sets the tone for the entire day and it is one of the most exciting parts of the TransAm.