Houston, We Got Alot of Scooters Here: Day 4

Today the Cannonballers got a rude introduction to Texas heat. After 3 days of cool weather from a front that blew thru the south east the riders left the piney woods of Texas and rode into a wall of heat on their way to Abilene. While we drove we watched the thermostat inch menacingly toward 107 degrees with mean winds from the south.The wind is harsh enough, now add dehydration.

Nustar1 had a catastrophic engine failure 2 miles from today's finish and is done with the Cannonball. Though he may be hitching a ride with a friend on his Suzuki 650. To add insult to injury the person in charge of carting his luggage forgot to pick it up at his hotel before leaving Lufkin. That forgetful idiot is now paying to have it delivered to Show Low, AZ Friday morning. And that idiot is ME! I feel like shit.but my wallet is taking care of it. He is not angry thankfully. Just rolling with the punches.

Kraken Master is still working on his scoot. I will go down later and check on it. I just too tired to hang out and watch guys wrench in this still oppressive heat even at 10pm.

Other than that I haven't heard of anyone dropping out.

A bunch of the riders will probably be on the rode by 5am. They have 321 miles to ride. If they leave at 5am and average 55 mph they can be in Roswell, NM before noon. The forecasted record breaking heat will start setting in by 9am. I hope they heed the advice being offered.

Finally, I would like to talk about my favorite character from the Cannonball. In every sport there is an underdog that through displays of tenacity, humor and a daring spirit wins the hearts of fans who will root them on in face of impossible odds. For the 2012 Scooter Cannonball that honor goes to GBanks66, or as he his called by some Sir Paul. An Englishman that came to America 22 years ago so he wouldn't have to be just Paul the Welder. Every morning he sets out on his 1966 Sears Blue-Badge Vespa, with its whopping 120cc 4.3hp engine. Painted in the colors of his hometown football team (Soccer to we Americans) and sporting a 60's era Kawasaki windscreen. His rides take from 10 to 12 hours with top speeds on the flats approaching 43 mph. Despite the long hours, hot miles and what has to be an ass killing seat he is always cheerful and laugh inducing. Forget times, points, handicaps and all that shite. Sir Paul is a Champion with a capital C.