Moonshine Lunch Run 2017 - A brief report

[emptysea]

Moonshine Lunch Run 2017

Nine riders, mostly of the gnarled and weather-beaten Iron Butt variety, were scheduled to meet at 5:15 at a location near Chicago's O'Hare Airport for a 5:30 departure to the unincorporated town of Moonshine, IL, (Population 2).

For those who are not familiar, a brief history of the Moonshine Lunch Run can be found here History - Moonshine Lunch Run, but think of, oh about, 2,000 riders from all parts of the U.S. converging at intersection of farm roads E 300th Rd. and N 600th St. in Clark County, IL. -- otherwise known as the address of The Middle of Nowhere. On one corner of the intersection is the Moonshine Store, a wood-floored general store straight out of the early 20th century. The Moonshine Store sells a lot of general store sorts of things, but they also cook up some of the best hamburgers in the U.S., called "Moonburgers", and those burgers are the reason for the mass convergence.

Yes, there are other reasons: Moonshine Store is an official IBA checkpoint so many riders are finishing their Saddle Sore 1000 or Butt Burner 1500 there and it has become a great fundraising tool for local charities. At its heart, though, the Moonshine Lunch Run is all about the burgers.

The nine riders departed at 5:28. I was not with them.

At 5:28, I was removing the battery from my wife's Honda CTX because my bike's battery appeared to be dead, or at least on life support. I thought about jumping it, but it seemed to be simpler to do the swap and deal with the battery issue later on. I think I did a pretty quick swap considering it was still dark outside. I was a little surprised how hard it was to dislodge the old battery and reinstall the new one; the space is really tight. I guess I finally got on the road at about 5:45, I think. I wasn't sure because my phone was in my pocket and my clock now read 1:10am.

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I rode to the O'Hare Oasis (a rest area on I-294 near the airport), but as I suspected, they were long gone so I just rolled back on to I-294 and headed south. I did some calculations in my head: "If a group of motorcyclists left a rest area at 5:30 traveling at 70mph and Johnny left the same rest area at 6:00 traveling at 80mph, how long..." I figured I might catch them about halfway there if I rode fast and kept my gas stops short. The problem was, though, that I had not the foggiest notion of what route they were taking. I recalled from previous runs, that we would pick up Jorge en route. I thought that they did this somewhere along IL394/IL1. Turns out that I was correct that they stopped to pick up Jorge, but incorrect on where they picked him up. I still don't really know their route, but I was now fully committed to IL1 and to getting to MLR as quickly as I could.

Illinois Highway 1 is pretty straight and hits a lot of towns. None of it looked familiar so I knew this wasn't the route they were on, but traveling solo allowed me to make pretty good time especially when it came to passing slower traffic--and ALL of it was slower traffic. Let me just say that I made VERY good time. I only got slowed up just about 15 miles from Moonshine by a group of Harleys and really, really short passing zone, but I realized that they were heading to MLR, too and since they seemed to know where they were going and I not so much, I followed them in.

My Harley escort was met about 1/4 mile from the Moonshine Store by a volunteer in a High-Viz vest and were directed to park at the end of the line of bikes stretching from this point to the store and then stretched out in equal lengths in the other three directions. Taking a page from Fran's , the leader of the ride I missed, playbook and I just manuevered around the parking Harleys all the way to the store. Once there, another High-Viz vest suggested I turn right away from the store, but I spied a spot directly across from the store and I used the "my bike doesn't take up much space and can fit right THERE" rationale and he let me park there.

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Fran and the other eight riders were just sitting down to eat when I arrived. I was about 10 minutes behind them. I might have caught them had I been on the right route, but then again, I kind of liked moving at my own pace and seeing downtown Danville and Watseka. I ordered two burgers with cheese (there was a huge line if you wanted bacon so I sacrificed and just got burgers).

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One of the coolest things is that you order your food, get your chips and or drinks, find a picnic table and eat. After you're finished, you toss your stuff out and then you get in another line and they ask you what you had. No check, no paying in advance. Just the honor system.

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The weather was as good as the burgers, so there was a large turnout of bikers. I heard later that 2017 was a record year for MLR as they sold 3362 burgers.

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After eating, we regrouped at the next intersection to the north, Fran told us where we would stop for gas and that the ride officially ended when we merged on to I-55 somewhere a little south of Joliet. Sounded good to me.

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I was not kidding that this was the address to The Middle of Nowhere...

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I somehow managed to get into the second spot in line for the last leg of our return trip. While on I-55 in reasonably heavy, but fast moving traffic, Fran pointed to his head and then back at me. He did this twice. I assumed he wanted me to lead so I pulled ahead and took the lead. I lead this group for about 15 miles and the individuals began peeling off to their exits. When Fran pulled off, he pointed to his head again and wave to me. I rode on toward home with only one rider behind me. Jay lives in my town and was the only Harley rider in the bunch. We both exited at the same exit and he turned off on his street. I rode to the gas station, filled up, and went home.

I began to think about Fran's gesture and wondered if he was irritated with me for some reason rather than wanting me to lead. I don't know why I wondered that, but I decided to email him to find out. He replied that I lead fine, but that his gesture was to tell me that my headlight was out. Turns out that the high beam stopped working but it was sunny and I didn't notice that it was out. I know it worked when I left home. I find it odd that I had a USB port added last week and the battery died and the headlight failed on the same day. Coincidence, I'm sure, but I'm probably getting a new batter regardless.

489 miles later, with a burnt out headlight and stolen battery, I arrived home. I poured a bourbon, lit a cigar, and popped on some Van Morrison and relaxed in my backyard. It was a marvelous night for a moondance.

 

[CTsCB_imp]

Great write up MTC, there must be an over-supply of picnic tables at that place for the rest of the year!!!

 

[Rolls_imp]

+1! Great writeup!!

 

[Cormanus]

Great write up as usual, MTC. There's nothing quite like being on your own on a bike hurrying to get somewhere.

The USB outlet is not drawing power when the ignition is off, is it?

I'm reminded that it's been a while since I enquired about the state of Mrs MTC's leg.

 

[the Ferret]

Cool report and pics Sea. 489 miles is a good day, and many here will tell you it can't be done on a stock seat lol. Glad you made it to MLR, at this point I will probably never go. Have meant to for years, but never got it done. It has gotten too big for me. Not a big crowd guy. Some on the ST forum have quit going too for the same reason.

I wonder too if your USB is drawing current with ignition off, but into a 5 th year on the original battery sounds about right for longevity. The headlight going out is what makes me suspect though as I have had stock headlights last for decades. One of my ST 's 2 headlights went out last year after 11 years and 70,000 miles.

 

[emptysea]

Great write up as usual, MTC. There's nothing quite like being on your own on a bike hurrying to get somewhere.

The USB outlet is not drawing power when the ignition is off, is it?

I'm reminded that it's been a while since I enquired about the state of Mrs MTC's leg.

Cheryl's rehab is coming along nicely. She's walking 3-4 miles 4 days/week and plans on getting back on the bike in May. Thanks for asking. Fran was nice enough to ask about her as well. She rode with us to MLR in 2015.

Cool report and pics Sea. 489 miles is a good day, and many here will tell you it can't be done on a stock seat lol. Glad you made it to MLR, at this point I will probably never go. Have meant to for years, but never got it done. It has gotten too big for me. Not a big crowd guy. Some on the ST forum have quit going too for the same reason.

I wonder too if your USB is drawing current with ignition off, but into a 5 th year on the original battery sounds about right for longevity. The headlight going out is what makes me suspect though as I have had stock headlights last for decades. One of my ST 's 2 headlights went out last year after 11 years and 70,000 miles.

Well...I understand and probably share a bit of your dislike for large crowds, but I could envision a scenario in which you and I could meet up, ride in together, and we could manage our way through the crowd together. Check the weather about a week before the event next year and let me know. Alternatively, we could meet there some other weekend, eliminating the crowd entirely.

We're going to find out if the USB draws power. They were supposed to wire it to be a switched circuit, but they did not do so. It's their first mistake on my bike, though, so I'm not too irritated. I am giving serious consideration to an adaptive headlight (I think that's what they're called) as a replacement, but they run $200+ so I may just replace the bulb.

Probably going to replace the battery regardless of whether the USB caused the power drain. Better safe than sorry, but I will have them check out the battery anyway.

 

[Django]

Thank you very much for your great write up and the nice pictures!

Makes me (even more) wanting to ride in the USA once.

Cheers.

 

[emptysea]

The ferret: This is from Moonshine Store's Facebook Page:

Open Monday through Saturday
6:00am - 1:00pm
GRILL SHUTS OFF AT 12:30pm
Cash or check only

I bet they're closed on Memorial Day or I might be inclined to suggest we meet there on the way to Eureka Springs. I don't really think that will work, though, so all you have to do is pick a Saturday (You might be able to persuade me to take off a Friday, if that works better) and let's meet there. If we wait until June sometime, Cheryl might join us (and maybe a few other folks from our group). Let me know if this interests you. And don't worry, I won't judge you TOO harshly if you ride your ST instead of your CB.

 

[Cormanus]

Great write up as usual, MTC. There's nothing quite like being on your own on a bike hurrying to get somewhere.

The USB outlet is not drawing power when the ignition is off, is it?

I'm reminded that it's been a while since I enquired about the state of Mrs MTC's leg.

Cheryl's rehab is coming along nicely. She's walking 3-4 miles 4 days/week and plans on getting back on the bike in May. Thanks for asking. Fran was nice enough to ask about her as well. She rode with us to MLR in 2015.

Cool report and pics Sea. 489 miles is a good day, and many here will tell you it can't be done on a stock seat lol. Glad you made it to MLR, at this point I will probably never go. Have meant to for years, but never got it done. It has gotten too big for me. Not a big crowd guy. Some on the ST forum have quit going too for the same reason.

I wonder too if your USB is drawing current with ignition off, but into a 5 th year on the original battery sounds about right for longevity. The headlight going out is what makes me suspect though as I have had stock headlights last for decades. One of my ST 's 2 headlights went out last year after 11 years and 70,000 miles.

Well...I understand and probably share a bit of your dislike for large crowds, but I could envision a scenario in which you and I could meet up, ride in together, and we could manage our way through the crowd together. Check the weather about a week before the event next year and let me know. Alternatively, we could meet there some other weekend, eliminating the crowd entirely.

We're going to find out if the USB draws power. They were supposed to wire it to be a switched circuit, but they did not do so. It's their first mistake on my bike, though, so I'm not too irritated. I am giving serious consideration to an adaptive headlight (I think that's what they're called) as a replacement, but they run $200+ so I may just replace the bulb.

Probably going to replace the battery regardless of whether the USB caused the power drain. Better safe than sorry, but I will have them check out the battery anyway.

Great news. May the recovery continue apace!

 

[emptysea]

The ferret: This is from Moonshine Store's Facebook Page:

Open Monday through Saturday
6:00am - 1:00pm
GRILL SHUTS OFF AT 12:30pm
Cash or check only

I bet they're closed on Memorial Day or I might be inclined to suggest we meet there on the way to Eureka Springs. I don't really think that will work, though, so all you have to do is pick a Saturday (You might be able to persuade me to take off a Friday, if that works better) and let's meet there. If we wait until June sometime, Cheryl might join us (and maybe a few other folks from our group). Let me know if this interests you. And don't worry, I won't judge you TOO harshly if you ride your ST instead of your CB.

Bumping this because I received no response. C'mon 250 miles for a burger? easy-peasy

 

[the Ferret]

Sorry somehow missed that SEA. I'm in. LEts wait until Cheryl and your friends can join us, sometime in June or JUly.

 

[curlyjoe]

Nice ride report MTC.

Those burgers sure look good!

 

[the Ferret]

Maybe 1st or 2 nd week of July?

Between CB Ark rally (May 31-June 3) , 2 ST SToc events ( May 4-6 Indiana and June 9-10 SE Ohio) taking my family doctor over to ride in Marietta, Ohio area for 4 days (June 22-25) and a week in Colorado with LongRanger and Offroadfx4 (July 17-25) to ride mountain passes, taking Dianne someplace probably UT/AZ early Sept and the Mens Fall Trip (Sept 24-29th Oh-Ky-Ind) ... I'm running out of free days lol. What a problem to have!

August is completely open for now

 

[emptysea]

Quite a calendar. lol.

I'll check with my folks. We will all be in Wisconsin for our annual Fourth of July weeend ride. Same group is heading back to Arkansas 9/9. Maybe 6/8 or 6/15. Or a "birthday ride" on 8/5. (My birthday is 8/7). I'll send an email out to gauge interest and availability.

 

[Elipten_imp]

This retirement thing is looking good. I can't wait.


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[the Ferret]

This retirement thing is looking good. I can't wait.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

A happy retirement is a blessing earned from working every day for a half century. Being prepared mentally and financially is the key. It also takes a bit of luck. It helps to be married to the same woman for 45 years that has the same ideas and goals that you do, and that participates in the saving plan. Guys with divorces/second families I know, have a real hard go of it. I have been blessed.

It's never too early to start saving for retirement (hey young guys...talking to you!)

 

[Nortoon_imp]

I doubt I would have had the good sense to put money way for my retirement when I was young. Fortunately both my wife and I have Federal Government pensions with free lifetime medical benefits.

In Canada there is no income tax deduction for mortgage interest. So like our parents, the baby boomer generation paid off their mortgages as soon as they could. Most also paid the any credit card bills at the end of the month in order not to pay interest. So we retire with pensions, owning their own home, and no debt.

Unfortunately now very few employers have pension and medical benefit packages. Many in the younger generations are also less concerned with debt and retirement, or just cannot afford to do anything about it.