Cal24 Report
First, a little background. Last year I competed in the Cal 24 rally with my buddy, and came out in tenth place. I rode my FZ1, and I can honestly say some parts were the hardest riding I had ever done, due to my being tired and the dark, twisty roads. For this year my buddy had to bow out, but I was in again, except I would be riding my new to me FJR1300.
My plan for the rally was simple, I was going to follow the base route and answer all the questions I could. Last year I only answered questions in the first 2 legs, but this year I was determined to answer the questions even when I was most tired and only wanting to finish.
I arrived in King City, completed the odometer check, then went to bed early so I could be plenty rested. Saturday morning came early and we all gathered in the parking lot to get the rally packs. This years rally was different from last years in that the main base route questions were on a separate sheet from the bonus questions.
I scanned over both sheets, made a mental plan, and was ready to leave right at 8:00. The first leg started uneventfully, until about one hour in. I was riding at the time with another competitor, and he stopped at some Hot Springs to answer a bonus question. This was not on the main route sheet, so I figured I would stop and get the bonus listing, answer the question, and be on my way. Well, I couldnt find the bonus sheet. It turns out I had left it in the hotel room. This irritated me the whole rally, as I had no idea how close I was to bonuses during the entire ride.
I made it to Checkpoint One about 15 minutes after it opened, tried to slow ride, at which I suck, then headed up Highway 108. The time went quick, and the stretch to Hawthorne went very quickly  .
A side note, at the pre-ride meeting Tom made a point of saying that reading comprehension would play a big factor, and he was right. A few questions I had to think for a moment to make sure I was answering what they were asking. All in all though, I was confident and well rested, not too hot, and feeling good.
I made it to Checkpoint Two right as it opened, got checked in, scarfed down some McDonalds food, then was back on the road. At the turn off to Lake Isabella it started to get dark, and the roads got very twisty. I was riding with Sean (?) on a Kawasaki Concours, and it worked out well having two sets of eyes looking for the questions.
I made it to Pismo Beach and Checkpoint Three 1 hours before it opened. I used the opportunity to change into warmer clothes and try to get a quick nap, until we were rousted by Pismo PD. 3:00 came, I got my sand and water, then struck off to the finish.
Up to this point I had answered all the questions, and while reading the remainder of the main route sheet I saw, for the first time, a Reading Comprehension bonus of 5000 points if you answered all 25 questions correctly and made it to all the checkpoints on time. I was thankful by coincidence I had stopped for all the questions, and resolved to get the remaining (2) questions on the last leg.
The last section went fine. I was well rested, but once again found I couldnt get a bonus at the Madonna Inn because I didnt have the bonus sheet. I got to the hotel at 5:15, which gave me some time to get situated, take a shower then check in. I laid down at 6:45 for what seemed like a moment, but opened my eyes at 10:45. I got everything ready, and went to the banquet which was very nice.
I was kicking myself the whole time for forgetting the bonus listing, and kept expecting my name to be called. When Tom got to finishing position 16 without calling my name I was pleasantly surprised. When he got to position 10 without calling my name I thought maybe I had been disqualified, and no one had told me. I was surprised when my name was announced as the seventh place finisher, and was thankful I had took the time to answer all the questions.
In all, I had a very good time at this years rally. The experience from last year gave me an indicator of the equipment requirements I needed, for example, I had ordered a map holder for my tank bag from Touratech only because it fit a full sheet of paper without folding, which made scanning the main route sheet much easier. I had attached a small map light which was also very helpful. Hopefully the rally will be held again next year, and I know I will be there.
First, a little background. Last year I competed in the Cal 24 rally with my buddy, and came out in tenth place. I rode my FZ1, and I can honestly say some parts were the hardest riding I had ever done, due to my being tired and the dark, twisty roads. For this year my buddy had to bow out, but I was in again, except I would be riding my new to me FJR1300.
My plan for the rally was simple, I was going to follow the base route and answer all the questions I could. Last year I only answered questions in the first 2 legs, but this year I was determined to answer the questions even when I was most tired and only wanting to finish.
I arrived in King City, completed the odometer check, then went to bed early so I could be plenty rested. Saturday morning came early and we all gathered in the parking lot to get the rally packs. This years rally was different from last years in that the main base route questions were on a separate sheet from the bonus questions.
I scanned over both sheets, made a mental plan, and was ready to leave right at 8:00. The first leg started uneventfully, until about one hour in. I was riding at the time with another competitor, and he stopped at some Hot Springs to answer a bonus question. This was not on the main route sheet, so I figured I would stop and get the bonus listing, answer the question, and be on my way. Well, I couldnt find the bonus sheet. It turns out I had left it in the hotel room. This irritated me the whole rally, as I had no idea how close I was to bonuses during the entire ride.
I made it to Checkpoint One about 15 minutes after it opened, tried to slow ride, at which I suck, then headed up Highway 108. The time went quick, and the stretch to Hawthorne went very quickly  .
A side note, at the pre-ride meeting Tom made a point of saying that reading comprehension would play a big factor, and he was right. A few questions I had to think for a moment to make sure I was answering what they were asking. All in all though, I was confident and well rested, not too hot, and feeling good.
I made it to Checkpoint Two right as it opened, got checked in, scarfed down some McDonalds food, then was back on the road. At the turn off to Lake Isabella it started to get dark, and the roads got very twisty. I was riding with Sean (?) on a Kawasaki Concours, and it worked out well having two sets of eyes looking for the questions.
I made it to Pismo Beach and Checkpoint Three 1 hours before it opened. I used the opportunity to change into warmer clothes and try to get a quick nap, until we were rousted by Pismo PD. 3:00 came, I got my sand and water, then struck off to the finish.
Up to this point I had answered all the questions, and while reading the remainder of the main route sheet I saw, for the first time, a Reading Comprehension bonus of 5000 points if you answered all 25 questions correctly and made it to all the checkpoints on time. I was thankful by coincidence I had stopped for all the questions, and resolved to get the remaining (2) questions on the last leg.
The last section went fine. I was well rested, but once again found I couldnt get a bonus at the Madonna Inn because I didnt have the bonus sheet. I got to the hotel at 5:15, which gave me some time to get situated, take a shower then check in. I laid down at 6:45 for what seemed like a moment, but opened my eyes at 10:45. I got everything ready, and went to the banquet which was very nice.
I was kicking myself the whole time for forgetting the bonus listing, and kept expecting my name to be called. When Tom got to finishing position 16 without calling my name I was pleasantly surprised. When he got to position 10 without calling my name I thought maybe I had been disqualified, and no one had told me. I was surprised when my name was announced as the seventh place finisher, and was thankful I had took the time to answer all the questions.
In all, I had a very good time at this years rally. The experience from last year gave me an indicator of the equipment requirements I needed, for example, I had ordered a map holder for my tank bag from Touratech only because it fit a full sheet of paper without folding, which made scanning the main route sheet much easier. I had attached a small map light which was also very helpful. Hopefully the rally will be held again next year, and I know I will be there.
