2020 BMW Riding Challenge

[Diljective]

Hi everyone!

The White Sands Missile Range sign seems to be gone and access to the base is limited to government/military ID card holders. Today, I went to the museum area and was unable to find an OSHM sign. We took pictures of the sign that is in front of the entrance. The base is at a heightened security level, so the gate guards are strict.

Pancho Villa Raid sign is behind a locked gate, but it is visible from the entrance and possible for the required picture.

This is a great scavenger hunt!

[Diljective]

if I use my non-BMW bike (Tiger 800) for some pictures do they count? Or must I be on my R1200?

Dear Jeff, I recommend using anything other than a spare Triumph Tiger for this challenge. Even that raggedy old 2012 R1200GSA is pushing the limits of acceptability!!
Sincerely,

John Dillon

[jeffos]

The Old Dowlin Mill is indeed getting repairs, but oddly enough they seem to have moved the OSHM marker to
33.335947, -105.580866 which is east of town on US70 in Ruidoso Downs! That OSHM marker says
"Old Dowlin mill" and includes directions from there to the actual mill site on NM48.

BTW, if I use my non-BMW bike (Tiger 800) for some pictures do they count? Or must I be on my R1200?

[Rstroh]

MISSING AND UNAVAILABLE MARKERS
There appears to be some markers which have either come up missing or cannot be reached because of COVID-19 road closures. The "New Mexico" marker at Four Corners and the Zuni Pueblo marker cannot be reached until the roads open back up. Therefore a picture of you and your bike at the Road Closed sign will suffice for the Challenge.

The "Old Donlin Mill" marker is missing because of some construction at the mill, I am told by Jan, so a picture of you and your bike at the mill itself will suffice.

The "Clovis" marker is missing and has been substituted already on the info sheet. The replacement marker is titled "Estella Garcia-Fabric Artist"

Ride safely. richard

[Rstroh]

It appears that the "NEW MEXICO" historical marker at Four Corners is inaccessible, as Challenge leader Sandy noted this week. The COVID-19 closure of the Navajo Nation lands means you cannot get there. Therefore a photo taken at the road closure sign with you and your bike will suffice. Ride Safely. The rest of us are WAY BEHIND Sandy for sure. Regards richard

[Rstroh]

BMW Riding Challenge 2020-Historical Markers- Starts Now
The history of New Mexico is fascinating and is represented piecemeal on over 600 Historical Markers located throughout the state. We have chosen 50 of them, and 2 BONUS markers, as the destinations for this years Riding Challenge. They are distributed around the state, none of them very close to home, and located where good riding roads will get you there. Intentionally left out of the choices were any located in the Southeast corner of the state. By reports, that area is just not any fun to ride in due to the disruptions of the oil boom.

There are two BONUS markers that are a little harder to reach because they require some miles on dirt roads, and not everyone relishes taking their shiny bike on gravel. You can win without the two bonus markers. They are thrown in to provide some bragging rights for the riders who reach them. Specifically, they are the "Fajada Butte" in Chaco Canyon and "Historical Marker #7" located in the far Southwestern corner, near Cochise's hideout.

The contest is open as soon as you read this, and all entries are to be submitted by midnite Sunday November 8th in order to be counted. As per the customary "rules", you must submit a photo of you and your bike at the Marker, which has to be recognizable in the photo. Send the photos to me at RidingChallenge@LOEBMWR.org. Winners will be announced at the Christmas Party which is generally in early December. You can check on the progress of club members on the "scoresheet" at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QtftJ1_svsAHLqKWE-f9SBlWM6M5G_GyfUVJ-7b11d0/edit?usp=sharing.

Check this forum thread from time to time for any updates or corrections. And PLEASE, if you encounter any issues such as missing markers or road closures, post those on either the Facebook Page of the club https://www.facebook.com/groups/loebmwr/ or on this forum thread. [/size]

Have fun. Ride Safely. Take a buddy. It's not a race, but a fun event meant to give meaning to our otherwise aimless wanderings. You must be a member of the LOEBMWR in order to win prizes, but of course anyone can submit photos of successful rides. You can join online at https://loebmwr.org/JoinRenew.aspx for a mere $35. The free lunch for two at the Christmas Party is worth more than that!

THE HISTORICAL MARKERS


Google Map at: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Mg1fY-VGHJhplVusTnQ-AMN5n9vRJyUJ&ll=34.19027818217695%2C-106.06303350000002&z=7


Google info sheet at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RnS4oSSf8S_yI6SEq8Hnb9TYll1Uyh_sroBXu3mMUCM/edit?usp=sharing

Google Earth File at:https://drive.google.com/file/d/12TLzjmeTdDlCnuPbozP7MiVMQQCoQg9q/view?usp=sharing

GPX file (Basecamp)at:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qzj0oa0dNe09voJ8JjqyHTeqmF4vvSPi/view?usp=sharing

Plagiarized copy of Sandy's instructions on downloading a GPX file to your Garmin GPS device: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AgF2B16RtK44IQSBZ6vp6ILz56O21IyN/view?usp=sharing

MAY YOU HAVE GOOD RIDING AND GOOD LUCK AND LOTS OF FUN

richard Strohmeyer
RidingChallenge@LOEBMWR.org