Jack Powis

See Member Spotlight page for more information.

Text: Svein Berli svein@bike.no
Photo: Svein Berli, Bård Ivar Flageborg og Kristen Knudsen
Bike powered by Motorrad
This article is printed in Bike Magazine October 2019 issue. Rolf Knudsen is a member of Long Distance Riders with many LDR achievements.

Rolf Knudsen from Grimstad has been riding a motorcycle for longer than a large part of our readers have been alive. He was born in Grimstad in 1951 and had his first motorized two-wheeled ride well over half a century ago.

He claims that he got his basic motor skills from Joerg and Paul Johanson, two brothers who lived in Grimstad and who were specialists with British Ariel motorcycles. Additional info was supplied from the undersigned when we discussed mc and technical issues over coffee served by my wife Astri (which Rolf claims must be Norway’s most traveled mc passenger!) To quote him: In a shed in our small town – the workshop of Joerg and Paul – I was initiated in as many MC technical secrets as my young brain could receive. I specifically, and painfully, remember the trick of making gaskets yourself. Was told to give it a try – it was easy. But it had to be done again and again and again and again and now – more than 50 years later – I still see this as the only way.

Adjusting the ignition and carburetor by ear became the norm. This was a time when the ignition was controlled manually – it was not considered 100% serious to have a centrifugal controlled ignition advance on a mc, and vacuum was still locked in the vacuum cleaner. So, a bygone era. The mc languages (Swedish, German and English) we had to learn or remain ignorant. It was there the longing for extended non-stop drives was planted in me. ”

The organizations…

These long distance non-stop drives makes it natural to sooner or later get in touch with the Iron Butt Association (IBA) and Long Distance Riders (LDR). The IBA was officially established in 1982, but existed as an informal organization before that. The IBA is headquartered in the United States, but the motto is: «The world is our playground.» What is required in Europe is 1600 km in 24 hours, 2000 km in 24 hours or 2500 km in 24 or 36 hours. There are strict documentation requirements. Long Distance Riders come on the scene in 2007. They have equally stringent documentation requirements, but fewer challenges. On the other hand, they have much cooler logo and effects. If one is to judge by average mileage in Norway, a long drive is very short in the IBA or LDR context.

But here as very often otherwise: These are definitions. Nick Sanders drives around the world, but that doesn’t necessarily mean long-haul stages. The guys in «The long way …» programs were also out on a long trip, but they had the full support teams and again: The daily stages were easy to overcome. Those who drive the IBA or LDR must travel 1600 or 2000 kilometers in 24 hours, possibly 2400 in 24 or 36 hours, and that is their definition of long haul. It is worth noting that these are individual achievements where preparation and execution depend entirely on the individual. And not least: That you are physically and mentally able to spend a day or a half in the saddle…

Planning and more planning

Planning a trip that involves having to put 2,000 kilometers behind you in 24 hours is not just something you scribble down on a napkin. Everything – absolutely everything – must be taken into account, for the project to have a chance of being implemented. It is not just the purely physical, such as body and steed, that must be prepared – a trip like this is so demanding that it is not feasible unless one is mentally 100% prepared and motivated. Rolf and his friends with similar interest are consciously training for this. If you feel that Iron Butt is a challenge you might want to try – here are Rolf’s tips on how to prepare and make the trip: It is important to control the intake of food and drink so that it is in line with your own demand for calories and fluids – then you avoid too many toilet visits and fatigue. Both too much and too little make us tired – being awake is literally vital. Find your own stage length. How far is it okay to drive between short stops? For Rolf it is between 150-200 kilometers and preferably no more than 1 1/2 hours continuous, 20-30 minutes max. Be sure to have some energy bars or something else high in calories that you can take a few bites of at the stops. Rolf plans the route all the way down to gas station level. Each time you stop, consider whether you are in shape for the next stage. If unsure, stop by and get into the nearest hotel. Bring at least 2 cards: Debit cards and credit cards. Try to bring some cash in the currency of the country you are in. BUT: THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE IS TO STOP, It’s vital.

The overview of Rolf’s attempt to meet the Iron Butt demands is a story of a man who has had more adversity than most, but it is also a story of a hard will and a mind that refuses to give up – no matter what happens to the body . The stories of the trips and the circumstances speak for themselves.

The first trip was approximately 15 years ago. At Malmö (after about 850 km) after 5 hours of pouring rain, the cup was full in more than one way and the trip was canceled. The following year another attempt was made, but it was interrupted when Rolf realized it was not a good day. The same thing happened again the following year. It was clear that more mental training was necessary – it was not enough that the body was ready, the head must also be prepared for hours on end with what eventually becomes a rather grueling experience. Rolf spent a few years getting his head in gear and in 2016 he thought it might be time.

The Kawasaki ZX 10 R was purchased, but in late September the bike decided to kill a moose – with Rolf on board. For his part, the result was, what could have been, a disaster. 23 fractures: neck fracture, back fracture, most ribs etc. There was a 3 month recovery and the time was spent on body renewal, and getting a replacement for the bike that got the same fate as the moose. Therefore a newer ZX 10 R, bought unseen on Finn (an on line sale site), picked up in December. In 2017, a new attempt was planned. This time with his daughter, Lisa Helene, as a passenger. Start was at 9 o’clock in the evening with 20 Celcius degrees and a weather forecast that claimed a minimum of 12 degrees through the night. On the way out of Oslo, the temperature had crept down to 8 degrees and they froze like crazy through the night until Jönköping in Sweden. Then both body and soul were worn out by the cold and the trip was interrupted. The return trip was via Gothenburg with long good breaks. The two had driven 1400 km and had the trip not been canceled they would have met the requirements with a good margin. Rolf is aware that Lisa Helene deserves honorable mention: Sitting in the back for 24 hours… is awesome.

Two must be better…

It is always easier when you have someone to share the madness with and Bård Flageborg joined a 2000 km run in less than 24 hours. Rolf had become familiar with the ZX and Bård was well familiar with his not very young Transalp. The reserve plan stopped at 1600 km, possibly an extra «loop» which could yield 2500 km if the energy was there. The trip was successful with 2000 km at just over 2 3 hours, proving that the will is more important than the mc choice. New plans were made for 2018: 2500 km and finish in Moldova. Departure was set for a Thursday in September, but the day before departure Rolf got a call from the hospital: Forget the trip, you will be in for cancer treatment in a few days. It was an effective stopper for those plans.

Autumn and winter were long and boring, but after finishing the treatment a new trip was planned for Easter 2019. The goal was Nurburgring by way Of Sweden, Denmark and Berlin…The team of 2 had become 3: Bård, Wiggo Webjørnsen and Rolf. It got colder than planned and after just over 1200 km Rolf had to throw in the towel – his breathing was simply terrible. The next stop was a hospital where Easter was spent. In retrospect, it was found that the aftermath of the chemotherapy regimen was the cause of the breathing problems.

So far the last try was last started the last weekend in June with goal Moldova, still with a team of 3 where Kristen Knudsen replaced Wiggo. After a little over 1600 km, the chain broke on Rolf’s bike and ruined every opportunity to reach Moldova in time but the trip was memorable, although the goal was not reached. Rolf’s health had now become so dependent on access to oxygen and it was this, combined with the hard work of his teammates, that made the trip possible. At this point, one would think the man would realize his limitation, but Rolf is aware of one thing: The last attempt has not been made.

We shall never surrender…

Mental strength is required to meet the challenges Rolf has faced and he is proof that anyone can find challenges that strengthen self-confidence as long as it is accepted that temporary defeat is only part of the learning process. Long Distance Riding is not something for everyone, but with good planning and the right mental attitude it is doable for most people. Rolf can no longer cope with the challenges alone, but he is aware that with the right measures almost all obstacles can be overcome. He is dependent on having fellow travelers, his own pack of medicines and his oxygen machine on the trips and he always checks with a doctor before starting. He stubbornly claims that although he may have to be carried to the bike, he can still drive himself. The lung capacity is around 25%, the cancer surgery means he has to go to the toilet about every three hours, but as he himself says: “What is the problem?”

Three friends from Dubai, UAE came to the United States and completed the Long Distance Rider’s “Coast to Coast” designation on September 11 & 12. They rode from San Diego California to Jacksonville Beach Florida in 47 hours! Congratulations to Mo Kassabian, Waseem Hattar and Ahmed Elnawawi. All are previous members who are King of the Road certified.

Ahmed Elnawawi will send us their story and we will post it to the news page once it is completed. We look forward to hearing more about this journey!

Leonid Fedoseev (LDR Member) and his friends ride from Moscow to Pskov. They are members of H.O.G. 1st Moscow Chapter Russia, making a short (805 km) trip from Moscow to Pskov to attend a party organized by friends from the Harley Davidson Club Russia. Leonid welcomes LDR members to visit Russia where there are thousands of miles and lots of places to ride!

In the photo:

Denis Egorov
Leonid Fedoseev
Zurab Saryan
Valentin Novikov

My attempt at the Long Distance Rider’s Coast to Coast achievement began at 11:30 pm on Monday (February 18, 2019). I departed from my home in Texas headed to Jacksonville, Florida. My journey involved a 3-hour ride on I-20 East to Shreveport, Louisiana. The cold rain began to fall and continued all the way to Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The temperature was mid-40’s. I traveled from I-20 East to US-49 South. I arrived in Hattiesburg, Mississippi around 8am (February 19, 2019). I changed into dry clothes from my rain drenched gear. The Burger King @ 6517 US-49 gave me a reason to eat, change clothes, and rest.

I traveled on to Mobile Alabama, then on to Pensacola Florida, Tallahassee Florida, and on to Jacksonville, Florida (7pm arrival). I checked into my motel and rested for the night. On Wednesday morning (February 20, 2019) I awakened at 5am to prepare for my ride west. I left the motel at 6am. One of the LDR rules is to acquire a witness. I rode around for ten minutes and rode upon a Sheriff’s Deputy (Sergeant) Brian Shore and he was kind and professional. He signed my paperwork and gave me his business card, and wished me well.

I proceeded on my ride and around 8am I was 45 minutes from Tallahassee, Florida when an object struck my rear tire and it was punctured. I slowed down and gradually maneuvered to the Florida Motor Sports @ 2463 Greer Rd. I arrived at the shop around 9am and at 12 noon I was back on the road. I continued on to Mobile, Alabama, to Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, where I ate a light meal at the Burger King at 699 US-90 west. Somehow on the parking lot, as I departed, I lost my cell phone. One hour later, I realized my mistake. I was too far into my ride to turn back. I continued on to Louisiana, and Texas. At 3am Thursday morning, I arrived in San Antonio, Texas. I spent the night at the Motel 6 off of I-10 West. At 8am, I was back on the road.

At 11am I arrived in Fort Stockton, Texas at the Walmart to purchase a burner phone. Shortly, I returned to my trip, and I headed to Van Horn, to El Paso, and on to New Mexico. I continued on to Benson Arizona. It began to sprinkle as I continued on to Tucson, Arizona (8pm). It really started to rain heavily, and it did not stop until I arrived in Campo, California. I continued from Tucson to Gila Bend, to Yuma Arizona. I believed I was on the way to victory.

I arrived in Campo, California (approximately 60 miles from San Diego), and it began to snow. The temperature dropped to 29 degrees and the I-10 West freeway was shut down. At 1am PST, the U.S. Border Patrol came to the slick road and helped me back on my bike after two falls. The second fall caused concern from the officers. They decided for safety to suspend my ride. I was escorted to a safe area, and my bike was parked under a bridge. I was placed in the patrol car and taken to the Golden Acorn Casino @ 1800 Golden Acorn Way in Campo, California. I rested there until 9am Friday morning.

The roads were shut down and the safe place was a Casino. At 9:15am, I proceeded to walk to the area where my bike was parked. Ten minutes later, two California State Patrol officers drove up and carried me to my bike. I continued to San Diego, California, arriving around noon. I ate a light lunch and headed to Gila Bend, Arizona (7pm MST). I spent the night at the Best Western and I slept for eight great hours. At 6am on Saturday morning (February 23, 2019). I awakened to prepare to ride to Texas. I ate breakfast at a local restaurant at 7am. At 7:30 am, I hit the road (I-10 East), I traveled to Tucson and Benson, Arizona. I continued on to El Paso, Texas (1pm) to Odessa, Texas (6pm) and I arrived at my home at 11:30pm (CST). I didn’t finish the 48 hour Coast to Coast in the allotted time, but man, did I have a blast. Thanks for the three patches that I did earn!

When I first met Holger, he was a boy, just 13 years old and a son of one of my friends. At his young age, he already had a good eye for my motorcycle, so a couple of years later, I took him for a ride down to the harbor and back. He was tense, but who wouldn’t be at age 15?

As the years passed, he contacted me from time to time when he wanted my opinion about this or that, and suddenly, he graduated high school, got a driver license, had his own home, etc. He bought a car, and the year after, a motorcycle. In Denmark, there is a law that youngsters are only allowed to ride motorcycles not bigger than 500 ccm. After 2 years of riding, they have to pass another test. Only then can they ride the bigger motorcycles. Consequently, he bought a 500 ccm Honda.

Last year, a lot of things happened to Holger. His days in the military were over, he and his girlfriend broke up, and his father died. So when I heard from him again, he had sold everything he owned, except for the Honda, and was living in Australia for a three month period!

He contacted me because he had some thoughts about visiting Italy with a friend, on his Honda. He had never rode long distances before, so I suggested that we do an “Easy Rider” challenge when he came home to Denmark, just so he could have the experience before he went to Italy. He agreed, and while he was flying back from Australia, I planned our ride.

On 24th of May 2019, we started our trip. We rode across Sjaeland and to Fyn, taking the world’s third longest suspension bridge. Then we stopped for coffee (and a cigarette for me). Crossing Fyn, we passed the town of Odense, where the famous writer Hans Christian Andersen was born. Then we crossed another big bridge, and we were in Jutland. The very moment our tires hit the soil of Jutland, the rain started. Heavy rain. We had to take cover for a half hour until the rain stopped, but by then, my GPS had drowned! Fortunately, we knew the way back, it was straight north. As we came up to the north, the wind raised and the temperature dropped. Finally, in the afternoon, we reached Skagen, the northernmost town in Denmark. Due to the delay we had no lunch there, only another cup of coffee, and then it was the same way back.

I had decided before we started that we would break no speed limits. But on the way back we were “very close” to breaking them anyway. Suddenly Holger rode up to me, and gave me the sign – we had reached 805 km on his odometer and had accomplished the Easy Rider designation. I know from previous rides that the odometers can be incorrect, so we rode on for another 30-40 km until we reached Nyborg. Then we visited a gasoline station, filled the tanks and made the guy at the station sign our ending form.

We rode across the bridge again, this time with the setting sun on our backs, and did the 80 km to my home at a relaxed speed.

It was a good trip. Not one single time did I hear Holger complain, he just rode on, and I am proud to call him a riding-buddy. I am sure he will do many rides in the years to come.

Another Long Distance Rider is born!

Henrik Nielsen and Holger Nielsen

What started as an adventure trip to a far destination, Salalah; the micro weather spot south of Oman, became a challenge to touch the Four Corners of Oman, and to complete the Long Distance Rider’s “King of the Road” designation of 2415 kilometers in 36 hours.

The ride started with a long stretch from Dubai, via Alain into Oman, going through the plains of the Empty Quarter Desert and ending in the scenic, historical city of Salalah. After a brief night’s sleep, the Camel Hump crew pushed west, exploring a new route to them by the coast of Oman from Salalah. The coastal route was a very pleasant surprise, highly scenic, with great curvy road quality.

The final stretch was a bit more treacherous as a thunder storm hit Sur, with very strong lightning and thunder that hit the mountains along the route. Once the group arrived to Sur, rain had poured and the roads were flooded about 30 centimeters above street levels. The ‘Camel Hump’ team got split into two pairs in search of a working gas station to have the ride’s end destination log verified.

We all finally met up again at the destination hotel drenched and ready to celebrate. The four riders of our group were: Yousef J. Masharga, Waseem Hattar, Wael Jandali, and myself Ahmed Elnawawi.

My eye caught this announcement on a Facebook group: “Ride 1610 kilometers in 24 hours in the UAE”. There’s all sorts of wrong about this! Firstly, part of the bike touring culture is to explore many places, stop wherever you see something interesting, take pictures, have a refreshment with your buddies and take time to bond.  Why would anyone think it’s a good idea to spend probably 20 plus hours in the saddle in one day?

If you’ve done some touring on your boney, you would know that even after a couple of hours, your back will feel like you’ve had to carry your mother-in-law up the Burj Khalifa, your butt will feel like you forgot your homework back in a 1980’s History class, and spare a thought for those who do not have wind screens – they will boast knowing what a sparring session with Mohammed Ali feels like.

Well, of course I said yes! I’m IN like a Kim Kardashian thong.

Another 70 slightly off-center biking enthusiasts said they’re ready to swing their legs over the saddle on 15 March 2019.
Fortunately, Vivek had the wisdom and experience to suggest we do a trial ride. Vivek Mehta is the organiser of the “BIKER BUDDIES BROTHERHOOD 1610KM IN 24HRS RIDE”. Of the 70 Iron Butt wannabees, 9 showed up for the trial ride on 15 February. With all the required enthusiasm and confidence, we set out to do 805 kilos in under 12 hours, riding to Liwa and back.

The 9 brave souls congregated at the Emarat Hassa service station just to the South of Dubai. As bikers do, we ogled each other’s weapons of choice for the ride and complimented each other on the impressive rides. There were the “limousine” Harleys with heads-up display, rear view camera, park distance control and automatic lipstick applicators. We had a few JBR Walk cruisers without windscreens and loud pipes. Of course, we also had the Dakar trainees on their dual-purpose adventure bikes. We all secretly hoped our bikes would survive and make our ride as comfortable as possible.
From Dubai we cruised past Abu Dhabi and followed the coast line of the United Arab Emirates towards the Saudi Arabian border. At Ruwais, we turned our headlights inland in the direction of Liwa. We were greeted with views of vast rolling sand dunes on all sides, until Vivek pulled us over in the middle of nowhere and proclaimed that we were standing on the Tropic of Cancer.

   
The Tropic of Cancer

After our short break, we pushed on to Liwa where we had a rudimentary lunch. The road from Liwa greeted us with the most spectacular sand dunes I have ever seen. I remember wishing I could turn off and go play in the dunes with my GS, but there’s no time for that on an endurance riding challenge. We were all tired and aching by now, but our convoy tightened
up closer on the road and we kept going, back towards Abu Dhabi and all the way to Dubai. We arrived at ENOC Hessa just before 6 in the evening, with about an hour to spare.

All the bikes survived, but not many of us ended the ride exclaiming how comfortable the journey was. On the contrary, we probably all got off at Enoc Hessa seriously contemplating our leisure options for the 15th of March. Personally, I have to admit to visions of my couch and 20 episodes of Friends.  But that’s where TOUGH comes in! Despite the tired bodies, we got off our bikes with high levels of dopamine pumping through our veins (Note to the authorities: This is a legal substance produced internally by our own bodies to make us feel good after physical exertion). Strangers who were now friends congratulated each other with high five’s and bro hugs.

Now let me make a note about “bro hugs”: We all would have loved to have some ladies on this ride too and the comradery of biking is certainly not reserved exclusively to men. Yes, this is a “Tough” ride, but tough has nothing to do with testosterone. It has everything to do with mental resilience and as a father of three daughters, I have a strong suspicion the female species outrank us in this attribute!

To all those who have put their name forward for the full 1610 kilometer ride on 15 March, know that this will be tough. It will be a proper endurance test. You may think at times of quitting, but you will also have brothers and sisters supporting you and going through this with you.  Meaningful friendships and deep bonds are not just formed when people of similar interest meet. They are formed when ordinary people go through tough challenges together and at the end they know they may not have made it, was it not for others’ support.

Thank you to Vivek Mehta, Mohanad Mohktar, Akshay Haridas, Allan Janda, Subeesh Abbas, Ateef Hyder, Faisal Shah and Jayson Mercado for the shared journey. See you soon for the Big One!

This ride was audited and certified by Long Distance Riders (https://longdistanceriders.net). Those who complete and meet all the criteria qualify for the “Easy Rider” patch and certificate. The upcoming 1610km ride will qualify riders for the coveted and respected “Full Throttle” patch and certificate.

To sign up and/or follow the full 1610km ride, join the “Biker Buddies Brotherhood Full Throttle” Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2080390538919477
————————–
Author: Willie Maritz
williemaritz@gmail.com
Twitter @williemaritz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/willie.maritz
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wmaritz/

“OFFERINGS TO THE GOD OF SPEED”
This February…open your throttle to be a member of BAPUBA CHALLENGE. 2019 (Largest Congregation of Long Distance Rider’s Easy Rider 500/Full Throttle1000 King of the Road 1500 in India).

Full Throttle1000 is one of the long distance rides sanctioned by Long Distance Rider’s, USA. One can qualify Full Throttle 1000 if he rides 1000 miles(1610 kilometres) in 24 hours and he will become a member of Long Distance Rider (LDR)

We are inviting registrations from individuals/clubs from all over India to join the biggest team in India to perform Full Throttle 1000.

Seriously desirous Riders who wish to participate the BAPUBA CHALLENGE 2019. Please contact Jyothish Babu at jyothishbabu@gmail.com or register using the link below. https://www.bapubachallenge.com/news/bapuba-challenge-2019/

Date: 22nd to 24th Feb 2019

Regards,
Ba-Pu-Ba Team
“May the god speed be with you”