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The Rump Roast 300

Creating and refining a classic

In 2006 when we added Sport Touring Northwest to the Sound RIDER! Rally in the Gorge series we knew there would be a few high-mileage types looking for something long distance to do. Chatter started up in the Sporttouring.net forum suggesting we start an Iron Butt sort of ride during the event. The idea of a 1,000 or 1,500 mile ride during a relaxing rally didn’t quite seem to make sense, but we figured we could do something a little less strenuous and get some participation. I called out to my high-miles pal Bob Owen and asked for his suggestion. "500 miles is doable." I agreed. But that’s not an Iron Butt and I didn’t want to call it a Baby Butt. Bob came back - "It’s a Rump Roast."

And so the Rump Roast 500 was born. The night before the event, riders were provided a package with a list of 12 locations and a CD-R. They were told ahead of time to bring a good atlas, GPS and a laptop. The idea was to get photos or receipts from the 12 locations during the day, determining their own route along the way. They could leave as early as 5 a.m. and had to be back in by 5 p.m. It was totally doable. In 2007 only two riders completed the ride and in 2008 no one finished all the checkpoints. We needed to refigure the event.

And so we have! A motorcycle rally is supposed to have some aspect of relaxation to it. A simple 200 mile poker run is popular with most riders and we want the Rump Roast to be an alternative to that. So we’re scaling the mileage down and sticking with the original concept although the gadgetry requirements are going to be relaxed.

For 2009 here’s how it will work.

On Friday night at the rally we will announce the details of the event which will run on Saturday, August 1^st from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The route will be approximately 300 miles and involve 10 checkpoints, five in Oregon and five in Washington. Riders will be provided with a sheet of the 10 locations Friday night and can get to work between then and 9 a.m. on Saturday to come up with their route and strategy to hit each checkpoint. To make it simple, we will list the checkpoints in the logical order that brings the routing in at 313 miles, but again, riders will determine their own routing and do the checkpoints in any order they see fit.

Along the way riders must collect receipts or photos of themselves and their bikes at each location. As for the pictures, this year you can bring a digital camera and download the photos to your own laptop or ours (for those who don’t own or want to bring a laptop to the rally) back at the fairground. Another option is for you to shoot the pictures with your cell phone, smart phone or PDA and download them back at the fairground or email them to a special email address provided on the checkpoint sheet.

And as per tradition with our routing style, there are plenty of great twisties and plenty of scenic views along the route.

At minimum, you will want to have a good road atlas or set of maps that delineate between paved and gravel roads. Be advised that there is one 0.4 mile section of hard pack gravel along the route. No biggy – it’s kind of like riding through road construction. Beyond that, a GPS is handy but not required. Another handy option is a laptop which can be used to route the ride the night or morning beforehand.

The event is open to all rally participants and requires no additional fee. All those completing the 10 checkpoints successfully will receive a special Rump Roast certificate and will be entered to win their choice of a $50 gift certificate to Rich’s Custom Seats or a $25 gift certificate to Snake River Farms. Go for the seat or go for the meat! There will be five winners in all and the drawing will occur Saturday night following the door prize giveaway. Riders amassing the few extra bonus points will receive an additional Sound RIDER! goodie.

SR!/Spring 09

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