2013 Minuteman Rally

I had a very poor finish in the 2012 Minuteman Rally due to some very dumb mistakes. It was my first rally, and I vowed to learn from those mistakes. I did much better in my 2^nd rally, the Nutmeg 400, earlier this year, with a 2^nd place finish. The 2013 Minuteman Rally was going to be my big test to see if a bit of experience would help.

After a thorough soaking on the 4 hour ride down Friday night my first task was to ride back out into the rain for my odometer calibration. Once complete all my gear was hung up to dry overnight. My room mate, Mike Breton, had the good thought to run a dehumidifier. Smart move, as our gear dried out nicely overnight. Once the rally books were handed out at Friday's dinner we rushed back to our room to work on our routes. I already had three good options, a main route and two other routes I could use if there were some expected combo bonuses. There were no combo bonuses for Max BMW, so that ruled out one of my routes. I made a couple of small adjustments to my main route and saved it, then experimented with a route attempting to get the 8 Diner Combo bonuses. There was a good 6000 point bonus for getting six diners (all located in and around the Boston area), a tiny increase for getting seven, and a slightly larger bonus for all eight. Six diners were located on a good route, but two were off the route a ways, and I didn't see enough points for those last two to make them worth the ride. Adding in the likelihood of getting caught in traffic somewhere in the city could easily drop the points on that route to well below my main route. Late at night (or rather early Saturday morning) I finalized my route and loaded it into the GPS. I was ready, time for 4 hours of sleep and 24 hours of riding.

Our 6am start was wet and so was the first bonus on my route. It was nearly a traffic jam getting it as it was located so close to the start of the rally many riders chose it. As we departed I headed south toward Connecticut. My route quickly changed though because a bridge was out and there was a detour. I turned right and hoped my GPS would guide me to the next bonus without losing too much time. I usually keep a list of every bonus and my expected arrival time for each, but due to the large number of bonuses on my route, combined with how late it was when I was finishing the planning, I chose to only list arrivals for every 10^th bonus. I thought this would let my mind relax between those bonuses and allow me to concentrate on the ride instead of worrying over time. I already found this to be a bad idea because when I got to the 2^nd bonus I had no idea how far behind I had fallen due to the detour. I had a very rough idea from the ETA I had to the end of my route, but that was a very rough estimate at this point.

I claimed my 2^nd bonus in Southampton and continued toward Connecticut. On my way I saw a Cumberland Farms and made a quick stop for fuel. I was less than 30 miles from the start of the rally but there was a wild card bonus for stopping at up to three Cumberland Farms. I topped off my tank, got my receipt, and double checked all info. I was good to go! Or so I thought. When I arrived at my 3^rd bonus I pulled the slip of paper with the Cumberland Farms bonus info and saw that I needed an actual CF branded product package! My original fuel receipt wouldn't cut it. Oh well, save that as a gas stop and look for more Cumberland Farms. This is New England...they are everywhere!

After a few more bonuses I spotted another Cumbies and stopped for a bag of chips. Knowing I had 21 hours of riding ahead of me I didn't attempt to carry them that far. The bonus said I could eat the contents, and only needed the package. I opened the chips, shoved a handful into my hungry mouth, and dumped the rest into the trash. The bag was safely stored in my rally clipboard. I had a couple people looking at me with funny looks. Not sure if it was the big guy in the bright yellow suit & lime green helmet running into the store, or the fact that I ate 4 chips and threw away the rest while carefully saving the bag that got the odd looks.

A couple bonuses later was the Childbirth Center. A too-friendly bystander offered to take my photo. After two tries to get a good one I was trying to quickly write my log while he was talking my ear off. I politely managed to extricate myself from the conversation and got back on the road. He was so persistent that I wondered if he was a plant by the Rallymaster to try to slow us down. Just down the road was my second Cumbies package stop, then a gas stop in southern CT and a quick run up to Max BMW in Brookfield, CT. I was working my way north now, headed toward New York. A few more CT photos, including giant cows on a school lawn, then I was in New York for four more bonuses. I managed to bag my final Cumbies bonus, allowing me to cross one thing off my list. As I arrived at a bonus near Ancram, NY I recognized a bike coming toward me- it was my friend & previous night's roommate Mike! We had a quick meeting where we found each other in high spirits. We posed holding each other's rally towels, said our good byes, and headed off in opposite directions.

I picked up a couple more NY bonuses which included an Indian on a sign and a giant chair before crossing the border into Mass. At one farm bonus I was greeted by a very friendly miniature horse. Being an animal lover I wished I had time to make friends, but I had to head to my next mission. After taking a photo of a cow-colored dairy bar I went next door and purchased three half-pints of maple syrup. I only needed two but I wanted an extra in case one got damaged. I would be happy to take the extra home with me if all went well.

Soon after acquiring my maple syrup I saw my first Farmer Crossing sign. This was another wild card bonus- we were allowed up to three of them. I was excited because this was the first one I saw the whole day. I got my photo, filled out my log, and continued east. A Stetson street sign, a cow on a roof, then an old sugarhouse. As I was leaving the sugarhouse my GPS decided it had a shortcut and took me along the dirt road rather than backtracking. No problem, I'm good on dirt. It was a good thing, because I had a few miles of it before coming back to pavement. I did save some time, so it was worth the ride. Unfortunately it wasn't enough, because I was nearly 15 minutes behind schedule. This would prove to be a problem later on, though not in the expected way.

I stopped at the Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters so I could get information off their bathroom wall. I also needed a receipt for a purchase, but I didn't need the actual item. I asked the girl working behind the counter what she liked to eat or drink. She didn't know how to answer that, so I quickly explained the rally and that I needed a receipt. She said she liked the coffee so I bought her a cup and got my receipt. I ran out to my bike while politely answering a couple questions from other customers. Off I went east, then up into Vermont for the first time that day.

As I was headed to my first Vermont bonus I spotted another Farmer sign, this time in someone's driveway! The bonus didn't specify where the signs had to be so I did a U-turn and pulled in. The owner was mowing his lawn and I asked the old-timer if he minded if I took a photo of his sign for a scavenger hunt. He chuckled and said go right ahead. I snapped the photo and high-tailed it out of there. I didn't get far, however, because I was smart enough to watch in my mirrors for signs. It stands to reason if there is a farmer crossing sign in one direction, there should be a corresponding one on the other side of the road. This was the first time I was right. I ran back and got the photo before continuing on to my next bonus. A picture of an old sign, then a photo of a sheep sign and answer a question before crossing over into NH.

I was in the area where I grew up and knew these roads like the back of my hand. I had a sad moment as I

passed my aunt's & cousin's house and saw them outside. I hadn't seen them in several years and wished I could have stopped for a visit. Unfortunately my schedule didn't allow it and I was already 20 minutes behind schedule. I pulled up to a moose sculpture and got the photo, then U-turned and headed east down onto Rt. 12-A. This is the road I lived on for over 25 years of my life. I turned left and rode toward Alstead before turning off toward Acworth. I got a photo of a sign, and another photo of a farmer crossing sign for a total of 4. I later realized I only needed three, and could cross one off. This sounds simple but would come back to haunt me.

After the last NH bonus I headed for the Vermont border. My GPS wanted to take me on a different road than I was used to going on, and I had second thoughts about trusting it, but I gave in and allowed myself to follow it's guidance. Boy was that a mistake. I turned right onto a side road. Then left onto dirt. The dirt road narrowed and became single lane. A quarter mile further I was riding through grass and mud puddles. According to the GPS the road continued through but I didn't entirely trust it at this point so I turned around and headed back the way I came. I got back to the main road and let my instincts take over. I was soon on another dirt road, but one I knew, and it took me back out to a main road. By this time I was even further behind schedule so I called my wife to ask her to check a map. I decided to delete one bonus from my route. This didn't save enough time so I deleted two more low-point bonuses further north. I saved a total of 17 minutes between the three bonuses and lost 8450 points, but I was almost back on schedule. I crossed the bridge into Vermont, took a photo of a camp in Springfield, and got on the highway headed north. I was glad to be riding at highway speeds. I was making good time with light traffic. My next stop was a coffee shop in Hanover, NH. It had good points and was only a short ways from the highway, so how hard could it be? Well it was apparently graduation weekend. The place was mobbed. Fortunately the coffee shop was just off the main road into town. I turned right and stopped in front, double parked my bike at the curb, and ran in to buy a couple cookies for a receipt. I ran out, hopped on the bike and made a U-turn between stopped traffic and rode back to the highway. Easy in, easy out!

Next stop was a round barn then a sugarhouse in Vermont. I was only 14 minutes behind schedule and catching up. I was still a little concerned but thought I had made the right decision by eliminating the three bonuses. I got on I-89 and made good time until I had to exit for the next bonus. This would be the last time I saw a highway until Mass. At the next bonus I was only 12 minutes behind and still making up time. A photo of a sign on a barn and I was headed northwest. 9 minutes behind. I came to a place where I needed a photo of a solar array. Yea, good luck! It was way out in a field and it was very dark. I turned my bike and flipped to high beams and turned on my driving lights. I was just able to light it enough to get a photo. Next was a dog made from hay bales, then a couple more signs.

I had chosen Manchester, VT for my 2-hour rest stop. It was chosen because it was large enough there should be a 24 hour convenience store or gas station, and it was more than the required 50 miles from the rally headquarters. I managed to get behind schedule again. I should have been starting my rest stop at 11:38 but I arrived at 11:50. I found a mini-mart and got a gas receipt. I filled out my log at a leisurely pace expecting to get a bite to eat then rest for an hour and a half. As I was removing my riding suit a woman poked her head out the door and asked if I needed anything in the store. Huh? Are you closing? Yes. !?!?!?!? I ran in looking for quick food. The only sandwiches were tuna salad and seafood salad. Looking at the condition of the sandwiches I thought the tuna would be safer. I made my purchase then asked a police officer outside if there was a bank with an ATM machine nearby, and if so, would it be O.K. to take a nap by it. He said no problem as long as nobody complained. Cool! I rode down the road to the bank and decided to get another start receipt just to play it safe. The rules state the start & stop must be in the same location. I assumed in the same town would count, but I didn't want to take any chances, so I got a fresh start receipt. Now my rest stop was starting at 12:10 instead of 11:38. Ugh. I laid down on the grass for a nap after setting my Screaming Meanie for 110 minutes.

The next thing I knew my alarm was going off. For those who have never heard one, a Screaming Meanie is just as the name implies- it will wake the dead. And now this thing was going off in the middle of downtown Manchester, VT. At 2:00am. Next to a bank. Yea, I didn't think this through thoroughly. I saw lights moving around and heard something, but I was still wearing my helmet (noise reduction, and a little warmth while sleeping on cold, damp grass). The Screaming Meanie isn't easy to turn off- its designed that way so you can't easily turn it off and fall back asleep. I managed to get it turned off, removed my helmet, and concentrated on the voices and lights. Well the police officer I had talked with earlier was with another one and they were shining their flashlights at me and asking me if I was O.K. Ummm, yea, I'm good. I checked the ATM time and found I had 6 more minutes. I took that time to talk with the officers and explain a bit about the rally and what its about, why I was sleeping on the bank lawn at 2am, etc. They were very cool and understood, and thought the rest bonus was a good idea. I apologized for the noise and commotion and we all had a good laugh. I hit the ATM machine, this time a little late, but that's O.K. I wasn't in jail, or worse...shot, so all was good. Fill out my log, jump on the bike, and head for my next bonus.

I got a photo of a sign & a bear in Bondville and turned north toward Londonderry for a sign with a barn on it. I was running really late now- my double start for my rest bonus, then extended stop in Manchester really threw me off. I should have been in Londonderry at 2:22, but I got there at 2:47. I guess it could have been worse considering the big screwup at my rest stop. Things are starting to get really interesting. I'm in an area I know very well from my 4-wheeling days. I know the back roads, side roads, short cuts, and cow paths around central Vermont. My GPS wanted me to ride from Londonderry to Chester then down to Grafton. I knew better- I hit 121 and rode 8 miles of dirt in the middle of the night. In fog. With critters all around me. After having a bunny shoot out and bounce off my rear wheel (I saw him scurry into the ditch, but I bet he had a heck of a headache!) I came out in Grafton and turned down 35, stopping at my next bonus.

This is where things go bad. For those with a very delicate stomach skip to the next paragraph. I won't go into detail, but as I stopped and filled out my log I felt a quick rumble of my stomach. No. NO. NOOOOO!!!!! I started tearing my 'Stich off. Remember that tuna salad sandwich? It was coming back...and not the way it went in! I had a 15 minute stop while I was...indisposed. So there I was, naked from the waist down on the side of a back road in Vermont at 3am hoping no other riders...or worse...came along. I got myself composed and back to dealing with rally matters.

Somehow I managed to have the frame of mind to notice that the sign had two different sides. I read the bonus and took a photo of the correct side, got back on the bike, and headed to the next bonus just a ways down the road. I had arrived 20 minutes late, and departed 33 minutes late. Again...I guess it could have been worse. Time to make up some time. I know the roads I'll be on for the next few hours and know where I can make up some time. I'm in my comfort zone, and as long as I don't have a repeat of the previous stop, I might be able to make up some of this time. I got to the Long Acres Farm sign 26 minutes behind. Quick photo, shorthand on the log, and back on the bike. Down to Vernon for a quick photo and scribble the answer to a question about a farm co-op. I was in a hurry and scribbled my answer and rode on. I should have read more thoroughly. 13 minutes behind.

I arrived at Just A Dream Farm for a photo and saw another rider there. This was the first rider I had seen at a bonus since the previous afternoon. No time to chat, click a photo in the dark and rush back out into the night. 5 minutes behind. Down to Diemand Farm as the sky was getting lighter. Click-N-run. 3 minutes behind. I might pull this off! Next was Old Depot Gardens. I was getting so I had the camera out of my tank bag as I pulled up, jump off the bike for the photo with the rally towel, scribble on my note pad, and ride away while I put the camera back into the tank bag. I was 5 minutes ahead as I left Old Depot Gardens! I usually plan 3 minutes per stop but I was doing them in 1-2 minutes, and at this time of morning there was no traffic slowing me down. I was able to ride at a brisk, yet safe, pace. I was twelve minutes early to Atlas Farm. Click, ZOOM....

I arrived at AGY 15 minutes early but couldn't find the sign. I rode up and down the road, stopped a couple times for closer looks, but all I could find were a couple of posts that looked like they used to hold a sign. Well time to use the phone. I called the Rally Master and asked about the sign, and was told they were aware of the problem, and to take a photo of the two posts. Done. BYE! I left 12 minutes early. Still exceptional. Next was an old growth tree plaque. Then a milk bottle. 15 minutes ahead still! I was now on the phone with my wife filling her in on the night's happenings and informing her of my ETA. I made a beeline to the last bonus, a huge mural on a barn, and snapped the photo. 20 minutes ahead! As I was leaving the final bonus I noticed the sun rising off to my right. It was just above the tree line with warm rays hitting me, and the fields around me seemed to glow. It was the perfect setting for the final bonus of the rally. Now to get back safely. I relaxed my pace a bit since I was so far ahead.

I arrived at Rally HQ 17 minutes early. I was already kicking myself for eliminating the three bonuses Saturday afternoon. I hadn't done the math but I knew I would have had time for them. I saved exactly 17 minutes by eliminating them, and finished the rally exactly 17 minutes early. Well no time to think, I checked in, parked my bike, and my wife helped me grab what I needed. I ran to the room for a quick shower before starting on organizing my mess into something that resembled a rally pack. I verified that I only needed three Farmer Crossing signs and randomly crossed one off my list. I managed to forget to insert my Cumberland Farms bonuses into my log, so I had to go back and erase several entries so I could get them written in the correct order. I got everything squared away then went to wait patiently in line for scoring.

At scoring I was nearly shaking. Flashbacks to the 2012 Minuteman were on my mind. I was called and sat down to take my punishment. We went through one thing at a time. So far so good. Cumberland Farms were all good, I got the full points allowed. Farmer signs were good, I got full points. Fuel log was fine. Phew. Rest bonus was O.K., and I found that I could have skipped the double start- just being in the same general area, within reason, was good enough. Oh well, I played it safe. Now we were going over the actual photos & bonuses. I quickly got penalized for having one Farmer Crossing sign out of order. It happened when I was adjusting the log to put my Cumberland Farms bonuses in. Oh well, it was only a small penalty. Funny though, if I would have crossed off THAT sign instead of another, I wouldn't have had the penalty. As we got near the end of my route things were looking good. Until we got to the Farm Co-op sign. I had misunderstood and written the wrong name down. Crap. That was a 4750 point mistake. Oh well, maybe it didn't cost me a position. I waited while numbers were crunched and was given my final score. Nearly 400k points. Not bad. But was it good enough? We left scoring and went to breakfast to wait for the official word. The positions started getting called. Cool, I made the top 10! Wow, the top 5!! TOP 3!!! My name was called for second place!!! I made a GREAT showing compared to last year!

When Anthony Mills was called as the winner I was really happy for him. He's a great rider, comical, and all around nice guy. I listened for his score and at least my two penalties didn't cost me the win, though my three skipped bonuses did. Later, when I had gotten home and went over all my bonuses I noticed that there had been a mistake in the rally book. The files we received showed one bonus as 3000 less points than the rally book stated, and I had used the points from the GPX file. Oh well. It would have been a few more points but wouldn't have changed my position. A week later when the official list was posted I saw my points had changed- apparently I had been awarded the 3000 points. Cool! But now that meant that my wrong answer for the farm co-op DID cost me the win. Argh. Oh well...there is always next year, and this rally was yet another learning experience.