Sorry to take up the list with LD rider news, but where else can I post something like this to so many die hard riders. The economy must be taking its toll on our LD community because we don't have enough riders signed up at this time to pull off the '02 Rendezvous. Ever dreamed of riding from Mexico to Alaska? Then why not sign up for the adventure of a lifetime scheduled for June 3-10. The 02 Rendezvous starts on the sunny shores of the Sea of Cortez in Puerto Penasco, Mexico, and ends in Glennallen, Alaska, in the heart of the rugged splendor of North America's final frontier. You earn points by visiting bonus locations along the way, and by arriving at checkpoints in Boise, Idaho, and Whitehorse, Yukon Territories, on time.
Along the way you'll ride through some of the most spectacular country of the face of the earth, from burning deserts to towering mountains to endless forests. You'll ride roads you never knew existed, and see things you never imagined in your wildest dreams. And when you're done, you'll want to turn around and do it all over again. The '02 Rendezvous starts in Puerto Penasco on June 3, and ends in Glennallen on June 10. The entry fee for a solo rider is $550 (your passenger can come along for an additional $170) and your entry fee includes hotel accommodations and a banquet at both the start in Mexico and the finish in Alaska; a custom '02 Rendezvous Rally shirt and hat; an '02 Rendezvous sticker, pin, and name tag; and food and drink at the checkpoints in Boise and Whitehorse. Along with a thirst for adventure, you'll need a street-legal motorcycle and proof of registration, a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement, a helmet and proper riding gear, and insurance. Oh, and one other thing - since the '02 Rendezvous is an Endurance Rally, and may require you to ride long distances under less-than-ideal conditions, membership in the Iron Butt Association, or the completion of an official IBA-sanctioned 24-Hour Endurance Rally, is required. You can join the IBA by completing an official Saddlesore 1000 (riding 1,000 miles in 24 hours), which you can do after you enter the '02 Rendezvous, as long as you complete it and receive your Saddlesore certificate before the start of the Rally. Go to http://www.ironbutt.com for more information. And unlike most rallies, the fun doesn't end when the '02 Rendezvous winds up in Glennallen. Alaska is one of the last unspoiled areas of the United States, and is more like another country than just another state. You'll be within a day's ride of Denali National Park, the Alaska Pipeline, and historic cities like Fairbanks and Seward, and the whole time you'll be literally surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery you've ever seen. See it alone or with other Rally participants, or fly your spouse to Anchorage and go on a two-up tour. And for the trip back home, consider loading your bike on a ship and taking one of several Alaska ferry boats on a cruise through the gorgeous Inside Passage back to the lower 48. For complete information about the '02 Rendezvous Mexico to Alaska Endurance Rally, check out the official Rally website at http://www.wetcoastirregulars.com/02rendezvous So pack your swimsuit and your electric vest, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! -- Dave Biasotti // Fremont, CA
