Mon 27 Aug 2007
Sorry I haven’t been updating the past several days. I haven’t stayed in a conventional hotel room for 2 nights now…..having slept at the Iron Butt Hotel. Last night was deluxe accomodation in Death Valley at elevation -203 feet. I found a nice spot that was only 91 degrees as opposed to the 108 at -260 feet….all while this is 3 in the morning.
I found a nice soft dirt bank with a slight incline and had 3 hours to kill until daylight.
Monday was an orgie of points….over 51,000 of them in one day. What started out as a Death Valley 5000 point option at dawn, was then followed just a few hour later by visting the oldest living tree on the planet at 11,300 feet. Then motoring up to Yosemite for 2 meaty bonii. And then a romp to a hot spring that was a surreal experience in riding as well as finding out where all the lost hippies disappeared to.
More on all this after the ride, but suffice it to say that EVERYTHING I saw today was new and different. I’m exhausted, contented, and contemplative at the same time. A route for the past two days since you all can’t track me with Doug any longer. This route was our plan…I’m just running it as hard as I can stand it.
I am in Super 8 right now and the 5 hour “rest bonus” started…so I’m getting points for sleeping. Long-term fatigue is setting in and I’ll have to watch and manage it. Future posts probably are going to sound like they were written by somebody who has been on a motorcycle for 7 days straight. No deep style or intense alliteration….probably just the facts.
Tuesday is going to be all about a giant 24,000 point bonus in the Bay area along with various yellow diamonds around the city. My plan will be to pick them up and escape across the Golden Gate (all a first again)….and then decide if I’m going to go up to Oregon and Washington…or start heading back and pick stuff up in Utah and Colorado.
I’m hoping 5 hours of sleep will make my options clearer.

August 28th, 2007 at 3:06 am
Matt,
You are doing great, your in the home stretch, so stay safe, don’t over think the options and bring it home for a solid finish.
Ghostrider
August 28th, 2007 at 5:21 am
Hey Matt:
Great job, you will never forget this experience and I think you’re really doing unbelievably well. We’re all pulling for you. Take care and enjoy the scenery.
tel
August 28th, 2007 at 5:24 am
Keep up the good work! You’re doing a fantastic job of keeping yourself and your bike in the hunt. I hope you’re taking good mental notes - I can’t wait to read all about it when it’s over. We’re all behind you.
August 28th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Matt - you are the wind beneath my wings.
Pig
August 28th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Okay, that sounds gay. And it doesn’t even make sense. We’re actually the wind beneath y…oh, hell with it! YOU ROCK! KEEP IT UP!!
Pig
August 28th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
C’mon Matt! You’d have more time for updates if you’d quit riding so much. A little less bonii gathering and a little more typing, please.
Oh, and you are the wind beneath my shorts.
Tim
August 28th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Hey Matt, keep up the good work! We enjoy reading about your trip, but I hope you don’t spend too much time typing. But it’s fun living vicariously.
And, you are the passed wind……. oh, forget it! :)
August 28th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Sounds like things are going real well! Also looks like theres a bonus near me in Manhattan, KS . If your passing by in the home stretch & need something taped back on, ect. to finish, remember I’m here & on the assistance list. Oh, and who farted?
James