GS500 America Relay - Official Thread

[jestercinti]

Who has Baton: IceIVblue
States Visited: OH, IN, IL, KY, WV, VA, PA, NJ

First leg of the relay has been completed 6/29/13.  It is now official.  Contact the person who has the baton or me (jestercinti) if you want to get involved!

Ok, the time has come to begin the relay officially.  Here are some links to get us started.

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Credit first goes to the Australians.  I 'borrowed' their idea.  You can read about it here: Australia relay here --> http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53572.0

The map of GS-twinners who would like to participate (Thanks Steezin and Wheezin):   https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=216083428469334706913.0004ca8b0ee9785ee8b2b&msa=0&ll=36.949892,-91.142578&spn=26.819707,57.084961&iwloc=0004ca8b3b0ed93615aaf

The 'Planning' thread:  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=62024.0

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Popular vote is to hit as many of the 48 USA States as possible, so that's what we will go with.  Here are the rules:

1. Baton must be carried on a GS500E/F.  Others may ride, but this is a GS500 Relay, and as such...it will be a GS500 which will carry the 'baton'.
2. The event will begin in my hometown of Cincinnati Ohio.  I can assist in where the baton will meander around the USA, but this is a team effort.  All who are willing and able to participate should do so.  Post yourself on the map.  It's the system of record.  The person who has the baton, and the next person receiving the baton are grown adults and can communicate how to complete the hand-off.
3. We have a baton, a banner, and a log to promote the event.  Take pictures when you can, and have fun.  It's not the destination, it's the journey.
4. If possible, take a picture with your bike (and you if possible) with the banner next to the 'Welcome to <state>' sign.  This way, we can document the journey across the USA.
5. The OP will be updated by me or another Admin to state where the baton is now.  Therefore, we will know where it is (approximately). 
6. There is a risk that this will stall/become lost/never hear from people again.  Life happens, and mine is no exception.  Therefore, this will be a best-case effort.
7. Make sure that your bike is able to do the ride that is scheduled between you and the next rider.  Bring a cell phone, and make sure that others know where you are going.  This is for your safety.  Make sure that the baton is securely fastened to the bike and is fastened safely.
8. Be safe, have fun, and let's begin this thing already!

I can ride either the weekend of June 1, June 15, or June 29, 2013.

Here's a picture of the 'Baton' (it can expand and shrink):


Here's what the banner looks like (Thanks goes to Dry_Humor):


The initial plan is to either:
1. Head west to IN, and IL, then swing back towards Steezin' and Wheezin for the hand-off.  There are some riders in IL that would like to join (I'm talking to you BockinBBoy and Bombsquad...)
2. If the riders in #1 are not available, skip IN and IL and just head to Steezin via either OH or WV.  I think there are some riders I can pick up along the way as well.

That's it for now...I'll update the OP with more information as I get it.  PM me with anything.

--Jesse (Jestercinti)

[BockinBboy]

W00T

I'm checking with the fiance this evening to match some weekends with yours... seems the 15th and 29th weekends are best bet just glancing at our calendar, but gotta confirm with her 

There is going to be multiple times in the next 14 weekends that I'll be traveling from Illinois to Kentucky on my bike with plenty of time for the ride, so I'm sure we can mesh up at least one of those.

To reiterate number 7 on Jester's list, everyone please ensure your bike is tip top.  We want to keep this safe and fun... and stuck on the side of the road... or worse... is neither of those.  Along those same lines, don't use your bike being out of commission as an excuse, LOL.  This is a GS500 forum, it can help get you and your bike ready so you aren't sitting on the sidelines for this!

I'm more or less using this post to subscribe to the new thread, but PMs hit my inbox faster for some reason, so use that if anything is time sensitive... Or if you are one of the luck few to already have my number, use that if you need to

- Bboy

[RossLH]

I'm selling some stuff so I can buy tires. The bike should have new tires in a couple weeks!

[BockinBboy]

Yes Ross, tires for you... your current set is way tooo OLD!

- Bboy

[jestercinti]

Tentative date for kick off is 6/29/13.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RossLH]

Yes Ross, tires for you... your current set is way tooo OLD!

- Bboy

The bike hasn't moved since I realized how old they were. Started it a couple times to get its blood pumping, but that's about it.

[Erika]

How much does that baton shrink (never thought I'd ever ask that question)? Just curious how tall the banner is and how compact we can make that. I'm in Brooklyn if anyone is interested in venturing that far into NYC. The weekend of the 15th might work for me. I'm taking off on the 29th for a week with some camping gear. I could pass the baton maybe on my way somewhere North or North East... Maine or anywhere on the way maybe.

[steezin_and_wheezin]

Heyo! Missed this thread. I'll should be good and ready by the end of june. My birthday is tuesday the 28th, and my present to myself is all night and day saturday uninterrupted in the shop, then sunday until the gf gets off work.

I should have the bike button up and broken in(still only 130 miles on it) by then. Worst case I'll use my old gs i sold to my friend.

Pumped to be stoked this is happening. I think we will be able to make some solid progress, but we need to get some of the west coasters involved in the planning to get the wheel moving out that way

[jestercinti]

Without sounding too dirty...

The Baton is about 12 inches "shrunk" and about 24 inches "extended".  With the banner in the baton, it's at about 18 or so inches.

Regardless, you will need some way to secure it to your bike.  A meshed bungee net, or other type of strap would do.  Just make sure that it's safe and secure.  I plan to secure to the passenger pillion.  Some of the baton will stick out the back of my bike I'm sure.

[BrianRC]

Excited about this! I can help when it makes it up to the Northwest, will be watching.

[25knots]

Awesome Idea!

I'll take it anywhere it needs to go in North Carolina or Southern Virginia.  Fellow travelers are welcome to crash ( :nono:meaning sleep) at my place in Chapel Hill.  I've got the whole summer off from grad school, so my schedule is flexible.

[afx500]

This is pretty cool haha always wanted to do something like this. I'm in middle northern Tennessee (Sumner county to be exact). If it comes this way I'm in. Added my circle to the map lol no where near as big as everyone else, but every bit counts right?

[Trwhouse]

I'm into this crazy, fun idea here in central PA.
It sounds like fun.
Now I HAVE to get my carbs cleaned out and wash my bike!

Thanks for the motivation.

Best wishes,
Trwhouse

[dry_humor]

We will be waiting patiently here in Florida waiting for my Clark's Fish Camp money  ....

[jestercinti]

OP Modified to update the official kick-off weekend for 6/29/13.

This is actually happening.  WooHoo!   

[Calpantera]

WOOT! Looking forward to doing a stint out here in SoCal, I am sure it will be awhile before it gets here but we have some big holes in the map out here on the left coast. Come on guys lets fill those holes! 

[steezin_and_wheezin]

So stoked on this!!

Slack and another local gs'er may be riding along with me on the first leg as well! 

Need my GS done asap

[Gorilla]

i added myself to the map. Add me to the people interested in joining you guys. Would like to know have a better time as to when you will be visiting so i can ask for the time off!

[Zmerica19]

would love to take part in this, there is actually a travelocity gnome at my house for my uncles r6 group doing this. western ny here

[iceIVblue]

Hey guys, this is a pretty awesome event and if I can I'll join in. Any idea when this will be passin through NJ?