Ode to Bonneville...

[Rchop]

I have been posting info about bike builds and trips to Bonneville, El Mirage and Maxton on another forum for a couple of years. A friend at that forum posted this today...

Randy
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I cannot pretend to know what it's like to run the salt flats. Nor to have the skill or passion that it takes to try. But I've been intrigued by the postings here of Scott, Randy, Dave and others. Both of their efforts and those of the guys who have gone before. It's an incredible set of tales.

That led me to write the following. If it's good, the credit belongs to those above. If not.... mine, all mine.

Bonneville

Beware to taste the salt my son,
She’ll crawl under your skin,
And grab onto your heart and soul,
Just like a mortal sin.

I came here once to give a go,
To see if I could run.
Not serious, I thought, that time,
I’ll do this just for fun.

So off I went by that black line,
And learned a thing or two,
‘Bout tire grip and winds and such,
And thought I really flew.

But the salt knew what I didn’t know,
And trust me, that’s a ton,
My “record run” fell far, far short,
That’s when it starts, my son.

You’re sure of ways to up the speed,
And look for hints and clues.
Talk to old “salts” and wiser heads,
Next time you will not lose.

You see the other racers,
Men driven by the speed.
And see how well they answer,
That burning, salt-fed need.

Late nights spent inside your shop,
With welder, crafting steel.
Knowledge greater than before,
You’ve got a better feel.

So back you go and try again.
Much better… but not yet.
That shift, this plug, improvements come.
And next year? Sure, you bet!

More talk, more plans. And you learn,
There’s always more to learn.
And much more cash, now that’s a fact!
More midnight oil to burn.

Less slip, more revs, your speed creeps up.
You start to earn your place.
With men who’ve met the challenge
With salty, sunburned face.

And if you set a record,
Don’t think that’s when you’re through.
‘Cause once you’ve got one record,
You’ll fight for number two.

You may stare ‘cross vast, white plain,
And vow you’ll not return.
But though you may well fight the urge,
The call becomes a burn.

So do not taste the salt my son,
You’re better off right here.
But if you dare to try it,
I’ll see you there next year.

09-09-2008

Bill

[Glen]

Randy, thanks for sharing and to Bill who  wrote it so true are your words.
Salt fever is forever

[Sam Green]

Very good, well thought out

Sam.

[narider]

I found myself reading it to the rythym of "The devil went down to Georgia", LOL
Very well done!
Todd

[WZ JUNK]

Well done.

Since there is a Cowboy Poet society, maybe there should be a Hot Rod poet society.  I even wrote a rhyme myself about my old chopped truck but I am not ready to share it yet.

John

[Pat Kinne / Salt201]

Bill - You may never have been to the Salt but you sure nailed what grabs us all.  Grabbed me in 1963 and still has a grip - Pat

[Freud]

Bill, having never been to Bonneville is absolutely no restriction to your presentation.

The people that have given you assessments of their experiences, the reports you have read and the, until your ode, indescribable experience of both racers and spectators has been well presented. The behavior of the Salt visitor is frequently labeled as a untreatable virus. Imagine, describing a mind dominating experience to one of mankinds most difficult to treat health threats.

I guess I have to agree. Once B'ville penetrates your inner depth, our immune system is weakened. The only respite from this condition is to return to the source of the infection. The assault on the immune system is only eased by paying the co-pay and waiting for the balance following the "salt call." The treatment wears off in less than a year.

Many things are relegated to the "unexplainable experiences of life," first crush, first time, the fragrance of a gardenia, the smell of freshly baked bread and the smile on her face anytime a Grandma sees a new grand baby. We never attempt to describe these experiences. The attempt is futile. Time is wasted. The only way is to experience them.

One's  first trip to the Salt comes in those categories but Bill had a vision that was quite clairvoyant.

You chose to tread in an area that I generally suggest, "to get these answers, You just go there."

Your presentation was truckstop "on the spot."

Pat and I have had the disease the same number of years, others much longer than, and all of us have found the only relief is to return to B'ville for a new treatment.

We will probably see you there soon.........WELCOME to a life altering experience.

FREUD

[Stainless Two]

An extremely enjoyable read.  Well done!  almost gave me shivers 

[LisaKCurtiss]

Having gone my first time in 1995, 15 trips and 6 records later, your thoughts describe it perfectly!  I have a question, does anyone out there know how to order the coffee table book the French photographer was showcasing last month at Speedweek?  A good pictorial that also "describes" it perfectly...

[dwarner]

Lisa,

Try contacting JoAnn in the SCTA office. She was the one who told me about the book and introduced the author.

DW

PS - I fixed the record database

[WZ JUNK]

Having gone my first time in 1995, 15 trips and 6 records later, your thoughts describe it perfectly!  I have a question, does anyone out there know how to order the coffee table book the French photographer was showcasing last month at Speedweek?  A good pictorial that also "describes" it perfectly...

Hooley bought several of the books you speak of.   He ordered them after we returned home from Speedweek and he gave me my copy this last Monday evening.  It has lots of great photographs.  I think he figured out how to get a special deal on them.  You can PM him and he will be glad to help you.  The book is call "No Limits"  You can find it by going to www.Amazon.france and then search. 

This is the number on the book

ISBN:918-2-85120-657-2

John

[Sumner]

Having gone my first time in 1995, 15 trips and 6 records later, your thoughts describe it perfectly!  I have a question, does anyone out there know how to order the coffee table book the French photographer was showcasing last month at Speedweek?  A good pictorial that also "describes" it perfectly...

Hooley bought several of the books you speak of.   He ordered them after we returned home from Speedweek and he gave me my copy this last Monday evening.  It has lots of great photographs.  I think he figured out how to get a special deal on them.  You can PM him and he will be glad to help you.  The book is call "No Limits"  You can find it by going to www.Amazon.france and then search. 

This is the number on the book

ISBN:918-2-85120-657-2

John

John here is the link that Hooley used,

Sum

http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?isbn=2851206575&sts=t&x=60&y=10