“An extraordinary life, of shared experiences”.
There was no wind, and many bikes making dust. While I am a seasoned desert racer, I’ve learned that no matter how talented you are, if you can’t see, you need to slow down, slower and slower as necessary, until you can see where you are going. Some other riders are not so cautious, and I have seen them pass me and hit things, and crash right in front of me.
As the riders spread out, I could see better; some moments thick, and some thin. It was clear to me that desert riding in the US is orders of magnitude easier terrain than in Baja. You see, the land is owned by the US Bureau of Land Management. They will not give race promotors permission to bomb through the virgin desert. Instead, we stayed on graded roads 95% of the time. You could have driven a pickup truck on 90% of what we raced on.
This took a lot less energy, but not less danger, because you’d always go faster and faster until it was dangerous. Blowing through a turn and going off a cliff or into the rocks was probably the biggest risk. I saw a number of riders down, one with a Medivac helicopter landing to get him.
I sped across the desert valleys, through sand and silt and rocks. Being a Baja racer, it was an easy race for me, with some exceptions, with my average speed of 46 mph, 50% faster than in Baja.
In fact, it was so fast that I beat my chase crew to one pit – and they were on paved roads! At another pit I pulled in just as they pulled up and jumped out! They were racing to Reno too!
The competition was on my tail. One guy who had beat me in the Silver State 300 race was right behind me, pulling into each pit just after me. Nothing like some competition to keep you doing your best.
The hours went by and so did the miles. The racing trucks started 4 hours after us. Normally in Baja they’d catch up to me in 8 hours, since there they were twice as fast. But with my higher average speeds, only four trucks passed me by the time I got to the finish line. I didn’t have to deal with their dangerous passes or their dust very much.
Out of 17 starters, I finished third, in 11 ½ hours. It was a great race, made sweeter because it was the second goal of the trip accomplished.
The team including my friends Jeff Russell and Bobby Miles and my girlfriend Marie, were lifted by goals met, adventures had, and memories made.
My personal mission statement is – “An extraordinary life, of shared experiences”.
I hope you have enjoyed me sharing this story with you, and taken something for your own life.
– Larry Janesky
To be continued…
Wow! Fearless…and scary, both at the same time! Talk about going out into the darkness not knowing the road ahead and just making it happen! Thanks for the poster, it’s on our office wall where everyone can see when they first walk in (clients and employees). I use it as a reminder everyday “not to quit or give up”, It’s pretty powerful…..
Very impressive. I’ve raced over 500 off road motorcycle events over the years so I have an “inside” appreciation of what you have accomplished! Thanks for sharing.
Truly enjoyed reading all 17 chapters. You and your team never gave up. Lots of lessons learned by everyone on your team and by all of your readers. Thank you!
Thx again for the story…and insights. Be blessed today.
Sounds like a great adventure shared with great folks. Congrats on the achievements, and for doing it with people you love and respect.
The stories are more intriguing each time! Thanks a lot for sharing.
Thank you for taking us along on your adventures. I am at the edge of my seat every time! Inspired by your desire to achieve such enormous goals and reminded of how powerful the human spirit really is. Amazing.
Keep riding, keep writing, keep sharing – thank you.
In ’64 when the Phillies blew the pennant, I was a devastated 11 yr old. I was done with team sports. There were several Dirt track racers in my neighborhood where I started to hang out and learn about racing. I consumed Hot Rod Magazine to learn even more. The second issue I ever received, January ’65, had an article about Bonneville. Whoa! Through the years I eagerly awaited the “January issue”. Though I became a avid drag racer, Bonneville always interesting with the likes of Craig Breedlove down to the local backyard mechanic’s ingenuity. Larry, your quest really struck a cord with me. I found myself eagerly awaiting the next chapter each day like it was Christmas morning! Great story and adventure my friend!
I enjoyed your story. Very inspirational. Thank you
Well done – loved the story of the trip out west – congratulations!
Larry, thank you very much for read. It was an incredible and exciting adventure for sure, that RV with it’s mediocre AC added to the closeness of the adventure :)! I needed that uplifting experience right at that time. I appreciate the lessons from you, a lot more than you probably know!
I have enjoyed your adventures that are full of lessons, emotions, and more.
What a great story .Having been on a couple adventures with you i know how hard this is and how tough you have to be and lastly have good luck with you . No one can imagine even from the stories how dangerous , alert and in great condition you have to be but having been i have a better feel . its amazing . not many can do it. Congrats on a huge daring accomplishment
I enjoy hearing about your adventures even though I am not a rider and I’m glad to hear you have found someone else to share your life with. Hope all is well and we can soon put this treacherous year behind us. Thanks for ALL the things you have done and the many years of hard work you have put in to allow someone like me to have such a great opportunity to completely change the narrative of my life.
It’s unlikely anyone ever has (or ever will again) achieve the incredible milestones of breaking 200 mph and a podium finish in a Ironman desert endurance race on a motorcycle, three days apart no less. A 21st century motorsports Bo Jackson!
Great story, Larry! Thank you for taking the time everyday and posting your life’s travels.
Loved the story and hearing about all of your adventures! Good job!
What an adventure! I like your personal mission statement – well stated.
Thanks Larry. Great fun to keep in touch with your bike rides.
I’m glad to see that you are still riding a red bike. 🙂
Keep up the maximum adventure and, keep that right hand full open. When is Dakar happening for you?
Thanks for sharing your bike stories. I shared one with my brother who was a very active bike racer and he laughed when the bottom said you where grateful for Dean Mizdal. He use to race against Dean and has not seen that name in awhile. He said he had a few good stories about Dean to share with me some time.