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Vetter Challenge 2015 Mid-Ohio
Hi Rustygirl,
Nice meeting you and your gorilla at Vetter this weekend. I was the stock black CBR250R.
I ran across your post while looking for the results. Craig did say it would be about a week to post the results for this one and Corbin event.
For the rest, here's my synopsis:
We had the riders meeting on Saturday at the Splash Harbor Comfort Inn scheduled for 5pm. I was expecting, no, I guess I didn't know what to expect. I got there at 4:30 and no sign of any competitors.The front desk clerk didn't know anything about it, so I was wondering if I was even in the right place.
I went and had dinner at the BK across the street watching for any aero bikes to arrive. I went back to the parking lot in the rear of the Inn and there was two CBR 250R's similar but different to my stock one.
Introductions and conversations ensued. I think my first impression is the competitors all have such similar interests, social barriers are quickly dissolved.
Craig eventually showed up and we discussed the plan for the morning competition. Rain was in the forecast but it looked like it would move through by 10 am start time.
I rode back to the Mid-Ohio campground to get some sleep. It was hard to do with noisy 2 stroke pit bikes running around until after 1 am and fireworks going off until 3 am.
I awoke to the sound of rain on my tent. It was a chore to take down and store in the truck in the morning drizzle. I had the CBR loaded on the trailer but it was exciting to try to get up the muddy uphill road out of the camping area.
I filled the bike at the Speedway station and then got to the parking lot. I parked the truck next to a Prius towing a U-haul bike trailer exactly like the one I had rented.
Even though the rain was predicted to let up, prudence dictated putting on my rain gear. I would be glad I did.
After another riders meeting we departed the Splash Harbor Inn. We had two AMA officials leading (and following) the group on Harleys. A chase vehicle went along in case of mechanical failure. the electric bikes would go on a shorter route due to the distance was at the fringe of their range
We were to ride staggered formation at the pace set by the lead bike.
The route to the AMA museum was about 70 miles. The roads we traveled were a broad spectrum of stop and go, two lane medium speed and highway.
I spent the outbound leg getting familiar with best riding position and stop/ starting the engine. I found the best position was with my helmet resting on my left hand on the tank and my right hand working the throttle and steering.
I short shifted with light throttle and never let the RPM go past 7,000. The 11:1 engine didn't like lugging below 4,000 but it seemed comfortable at 5,000.
Rain came and it was more than a drizzle. My rain pants kept my lower extremities dry but my running shoes were soaked. Good thing I had wool socks on. Rusty girl was ahead of me, but dropped back during the rain. I thought she had thrown a rod when she signaled me to pass her. I was sure she was going to be on the trailer but she managed to get it started again.
The group pressed on and the rain eventually passed.
Once we got to the 1/2 way museum rest stop. I was glad to see the fuel gauge had more bars than usual for 70 miles.
I've had the bike since new and have kept every fuel fill up recorded. My average over the last 4 years has been 65 mpg.
We had 1.5 hours break at the museum and had a pizza lunch provided by AMA along with free admission. Craig was filming a documentary on the new exhibit at the museum chronicling some of his achievements.
His coast to coast fuel economy bike was there. Made it across the country on only 15 gallons of gas...in 1980!
Return trip was dry but I got caught at the light. Motorcycles don't seem to trigger some traffic light sensors so luckily my AMA escort had the presence of mind to check for traffic and go.
He lead the way through rolling hills and small towns, ( I kind of felt like I had a police escort!) We caught up to the group at a pre-assigned break stop.
After a short pit stop we made it to the starting point and everyone filled up.
the receipts were handed to Vic and we await the official results calculated from "official" distance.
The unofficial results for me was about 80 mpg and the other two CBR250R's were about 91 and 115 MPG.
I had a great time and would do it again next year.
Hopefully this account will get any fence sitters incentive to go give it a go.
Last edited by RunningOnEmpty; 07-15-2015 at 01:37 AM..
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