Pick the Winner - 2009 IBR

[DNA]

Who is it going to be this year?  Inquiring minds want to know.

Can Jim Owens do it this time? He is the sentimental favorite - at least in the DNA household, but I don't want to jinx him.  

I only know about 10 of the riders this year personally, but I know of ~ 15 others from reputation.

I only chose the guys in the top 10 list plus a few Rally Bastards I need to curry favor with for future misdeeds.


And what the heck is Scott LaShier (RM VOID) doing riding a Honda?  

Something must have happened (like he bough a clue for $1).

Here are the returning riders.  I doubt a rookie can do it.

Paul Allison (United Kingdom) riding a Honda GL1800;
Kendall Anderson (South Carolina) riding a Moto Guzzi Norge;
Jim Bain (South Carolina) riding a BMW K1200LT;
Dave Biasotti (California) riding a BMW R1150RT;
Richard Buber (Florida) riding a BMW R1150RT;
John Ferber (Canada) riding a BMW R1200GSA;
Jim Frens (New Hamphire) riding a Honda GL1800;
Art Garvin (Ohio) riding a Honda GL1800;
Kevin Healey (Florida) riding a Triumph Trophy;
Mike Hutsal (Canada) riding a Honda ST1300;
Vance Keeney (Nevada) riding a BMW K1200GT;
Terry and Lynda Lahman (Washington) riding a Honda GL1800;
John Langan (California) riding a Honda GL1800;
Mike Langford (North Carolina) riding a BMW K1200LT;
Bob Lyskowski (New Hampshire) riding a Harley FLHT;
Gerhard Memmen-Kreuger (Germany) riding a Honda GL1800;
Rick Miller (Maryland) riding a Honda GL1800;
Andy Mills (Minnesota) riding a Victory Vision;
Bob Mutchler (California) riding a BMW R1150RT;
Rick Neeley (Colorado) riding a Honda GL1800;
Glenn Pancoast (Michigan) riding a BMW R1200RT;
Dick Peek (Utah) riding a Yamaha FJR1300;
Dennis Powell (Iowa) riding a Honda GL1800;
Brian Roberts (Nevada) riding a Honda ST1300;
Rick Sauter (Canada) riding a Honda GL1800;
Thane Silliker (Canada) riding a Honda ST1100;
Tom and Rosie Sperry (California) riding a Honda GL1800;
Bob St. George (Massachusetts) riding a Yamaha FJR1300;
Bill Thweatt (North Carolina) riding a Honda ST1300;
Bob and Sylvie Torter (Montana) riding a BMW K1200GT; and
Matt Watkins (Washington) riding a Yamaha FJR1300.

[sleazy rider]

Richard Buber aka oldwing is my pick.  .  I've met and had the pleasure of sharing the road with him last October in MS.

[2wTraveler]

Peter Behm

[aceclown]

Im going with Matt Watkins.  
If I remember correctly he had a good finish in last years Spank rally.

[guitardad]

The emphasis this year on riders who can plan their own routes plays right into Jim Owen's strength.  He's my pick.

And what the heck is Scott LaShier (RM VOID) doing riding a Honda?  

Something must have happened (like he bough a clue for $1).

That's why we got those awful orange shirts last year - he was clearing out his old Harley stock!    

[rajflyboy]

I'm picking the guy with the Rotary Suzuki Bike.  He is the sentimental favorite.

Realistically lets hope that somehow he can at least finish the rally!

Slonishku

[plumber]

I voted for Jeff Earls but I'm curious to see how Ken Meese takes care of business. IIRC he's on a run this year.

[Tony T]

I think it's going to be between John Ryan and Jim Owens.

Owens has outstanding routing skills - Ryan could ride the whole Rally without stopping.  

But I'm really just cheering for Alex Harper to make a good showing.  

[wheels_up]

I think it's going to be between John Ryan and Jim Owens.

Owens has outstanding routing skills - Ryan could ride the whole Rally without stopping.  

But I'm really just cheering for Alex Harper to make a good showing.  

John is not in the 2009 IBR

[AlanD]

My pick is Brian Roberts.

[mothergoose]

Barring another round of mechanical failures, Owens

[Tony T]

John is not in the 2009 IBR

You're right, I just checked the list.

Did he borrow his bike out? I swear I seen a picture of it at the start.  

[wheels_up]

Did he borrow his bike out? I swear I seen a picture of it at the start.  

No, he was just at the start visiting with friends in the IBR and not.  I suspect he will be in Spokane too.

Jim Puckett

[desert_rider]

I'm picking the guy with the Rotary Suzuki Bike.  He is the sentimental favorite.

Realistically lets hope that somehow he can at least finish the rally!

Slonishku

Another vote for the ST-N'er on the RE-5!

[Gar]

Barnes, Owens and Jewell are my top 3 picks in no particular order, a boxed trifecta if you will. But my heart pulls for Rick Miller, RM of the MD20-20. Having DNF'd that rally with TonyT (my fault TonyT dnf'd) back in 05, I like his thoughts and way of doing things. I need to enter the MD20-20 again.

[Virginian]

Kendall Anderson (South Carolina) riding a Moto Guzzi Norge or another vote for the ST-N'er on the RE-5!

Either one would be fantastic!

Eric

[Tony T]

Another vote for the ST-N'er on the RE-5!

Let's not forget that Chili is riding with Slonishku.  

my fault TonyT dnf'd,

FALSE! I was the reason I DNF'ed. If I took 2 minutes to stop and look at a map I would-of seen a better way back to York instead of trying to tour Gettysburg on MDW.  

If I didn't pick that rock parking lot in Little Rock your odometer wouldn't of broke, and you might-of been more motivated to keep going.

If we would-of taken a minute to think about things we would-of started using you GPS to keep you in the game.

If, if, if, if, . . . . . . . .

[DNA]

Fixed the poll.  

Still hoping for Jim O, but my #2 dark horse pick - Rick Miller.

He's smart, careful and tenacious.

I don't see him doing anything especially daring or risky to win, but I bet he will be a top 5 and if there are issues with the bikes at the top - he could be right there to pounce.

[doenitz]

My vote is for Thane Silliker (ST1100)

[wheatonFJR]

I pick Greg Marbach because he has big ears...and the guts to follow those ears to whatever bonuses he needs for victory.

...and he's a former Wheaton guy.

...and he's riding the sporttourer of the decade.