This has been a long time coming and I think I deserve a ‘fail’ for getting my ride write up out so late in the game. But here we are, and the journey will forever continue. Over the past Fall semester, I have been wanting to share with you, my riding family, my experience with the Big Dance but my undergrad studies took the better of me. Many of you may have thought my dad and I were on something during the 2023 Iron Butt Rally. I’m gonna do my best to articulate and share what we were on: the pure joy of the ride together as Dad and Daughter.
In order to better understand my experience, I must share with you my goals going into this gnarly ride. My dad, Jon Kerr alias “Jon Deer,” and I formulated these goals (more or less in order of import):
My unique goals for this dance coincided with the above team goals (for, we really were a two-up TEAM):
My top priority first and foremost was to involve my Heavenly Father in this challenging and transforming experience. I prayed, of course, for protection and believed I would receive it, but I also prayed with the intent to learn what the Lord wanted me to learn & experience on this journey. In light of that, I wanted to love Him and love my other riders while in preparation, during the 11 days of rally time, and in the cool down after the ride. I wanted to meet everybody and I was blessed to associate with, love, and learn from so many- thank you to everyone who opened a door, smiled or hugged, or shared their time, love, insights, experiences, and life with me. You have become endeared to me as my riding family, and I will treasure you for always. I also wanted to embrace the “type 2 fun” and test my endurance limits on all scales- I wanted to ride the ride and dance the dance. And it was phenomenal.
I asked my adopted Grunkle, James Owen, what he would tell me about this dance [I remember first hearing the term ‘Big Dance’ from him]. He shared with me that sometimes riding motorcycles is more than the destination- it’s the ride, the journey, the experience itself. Here is a collection of my favorite memories along this journey and endless road:
In order to better understand my experience, I must share with you my goals going into this gnarly ride. My dad, Jon Kerr alias “Jon Deer,” and I formulated these goals (more or less in order of import):
- To have an Iron Butt load of Fun- I believe we won first place in this category especially on account of Marc Beaulac asking us after a sit down to Poutine in Quebec ‘what we were on to be so full of energy’ in the third leg of the rally haha.
- I wanted to be a finisher & and receive my prized digits- which I gratefully did: #662
- Get home safe- with no small amount of protection by Deity from a close moose encounter to more than a little anxiety for anticipated run-ins with deer. I thank my angelic mother for her constant prayers that we would return home in one piece.
- Be Co-pilots- this last goal took shape over the course of the rally as I took on greater responsibility when it came to routing, point calculation, hotel calling, and of course distracting my dad from time to time. I did not want to take part in any lazy participation- I wanted to earn the finisher status with my dad.
My unique goals for this dance coincided with the above team goals (for, we really were a two-up TEAM):
My top priority first and foremost was to involve my Heavenly Father in this challenging and transforming experience. I prayed, of course, for protection and believed I would receive it, but I also prayed with the intent to learn what the Lord wanted me to learn & experience on this journey. In light of that, I wanted to love Him and love my other riders while in preparation, during the 11 days of rally time, and in the cool down after the ride. I wanted to meet everybody and I was blessed to associate with, love, and learn from so many- thank you to everyone who opened a door, smiled or hugged, or shared their time, love, insights, experiences, and life with me. You have become endeared to me as my riding family, and I will treasure you for always. I also wanted to embrace the “type 2 fun” and test my endurance limits on all scales- I wanted to ride the ride and dance the dance. And it was phenomenal.
I asked my adopted Grunkle, James Owen, what he would tell me about this dance [I remember first hearing the term ‘Big Dance’ from him]. He shared with me that sometimes riding motorcycles is more than the destination- it’s the ride, the journey, the experience itself. Here is a collection of my favorite memories along this journey and endless road:
I loved getting to see Rachel Baldwin, her rocking bike and riding vest pins and receive her hugs and support on the ride. I loved getting to see her at CO checkpoint. I love their hugs and encouragement. Specifically my adopted rider uncles Tim Allen, Justin Long, & Mike Best. Uncle Cory Ure went and got beignets in New Orleans which, after a hassle with an ATM, I followed suit (how could I not?). We had another good conversation after a group pic in CO for like 45 mins. Worth it. I loved getting to see Lisa Stevens and laugh with her at bonus counting. And her husband Toby did a solid job capturing me and dad’s matching painted toes, I’ll give him that for sure. Getting to interact with Lisa Stevens & Nancy Oswald reminded me of me of good times and cartwheels on the LDX 2022. We had such a good time, and I hope my pictures made people enjoy the ride a little bit more. They sure made my ride a more lovely experience. Also that’s Paul Tong pretending to be me when I take pictures at bonuses- I’d give it a low B-, he could use a little bit more spring in his step and sparkle in his eye. Dad and I had a good time yelling “BINGO!” Whenever we got one of the food bonuses hahaha. I have a special place in my heart for Australian sis Bec McCallum. She was part of my strength on the rally. We would text, vent, support and share experiences with each other what we were experiencing. I love her for that. 
