I've Been Everywhere

[ChaseH]

Okay, here's the big picture. For the Unlimited States, you will need to only use the locations mentioned in the song (we will post the song lyrics that are to be used) with the exception being only US states. I counted 7 locations outside the US so they will not be included in the tour (see, just got easy huh). That would make 85 locations available for the Unlimited States and the hunt for the Grand Champion of 2012. You would be traveling all over the US (Alaska included) for the Unlimited States.

Our 5 state area will use whatever locations that are in the lyrics that fall in their state. I counted 11 in Md, 11 in Va and 12 in WVa. So far I haven't counted Pa or De butt could do that later as time permits. I have also searched paper maps and MS Streets & Trips and have come up with substitutes to work with for a challenge for state champions. I have substitutes totaling 60 in Md, 49 in Va and 40 in WVa.

Example-The first 6 locations
Winnemucca for 5 state area substitute Forrestville
Reno substitute Salem
Chicago " Scotland
Fargo " Chester
Minnesota " Madison
Buffalo there is a Buffalo in WVa and Pa so no substitute is provided.

This way the maximun available locations in Md will be 71, Va 60 and WVa 52. I figure Md is small so it would be less miles to max out while Va is big so many more miles to try to max out. WVa is out in the boondocks and would be a big commitment to max out. Anyhow, made sense to me.

Don't worry this exlanition might not make much sence now butt it will when you get the full list of locations and the states they are in, at least the 3 states we have researched so far.

It should only be a couple more days before we are ready with everything finalized and numbers printed. Maybe we can learn how to post a attachment by then.

We are open for comments right now. Also check out http://www.teamstrange.com where they have details and and lyrics for their IBET back in 2000.

Ed & Barb

Can you clarify what's being sought out? I thought town/city names but some are on the chart for VA without me finding a corresponding town in the state. Montgomery appears to be only a county, is that the target? Some names have only streets.

Can anyone help me out here as to the many names listed for VA that don't seem to exist as towns?

[BMWGirl]

Maybe we should have a group meeting about this or something? It's very confusing to me (but I'm a dingbat sometimes so that's not surprising) so for now I'm just going to stick with the States tour and try to beat Wes and Arwyn!

[T.Wesley]

Well ... it is a CHALLENGE, right? It's supposed to be a little difficult

[Bicyclist]

Photos of location names can be post offices, police and fire departments, government structures (schools,etc) and signs (such as state and limit, welcome, etc.). We will accept road signs if the location does not have any of the above identifiers.

In Maryland, Oklahoma is an area with none of the usual identifiers. However, there is an Oklahoma Rd., Oklahoma Road Middle School, Oklahoma Estates and an Oklahoma Park (I think). One of those aughta do ya.

[Bicyclist]

Well ... it is a CHALLENGE, right? It's supposed to be a little difficult

Whatya mean? I want an A just cause I came to class.

[ChaseH]

Sorry, I thought the challenge was locating and collecting the locations, not decifering the rules. I'm sure you'll get your A again.

[Luna]

Can anyone help me out here as to the many names listed for VA that don't seem to exist as towns?

I haven't gone through much of the VA list yet, but just punching a few names into Google maps showed many that weren't found as well. So I'm wondering as well about just getting possibly a school or park with that name on it.

i.e. Google finds a Scotland MD but not VA (on the list as being in both)
Google does NOT find a Unionville VA although I know it exists (Village Motorsports is there, Rt 20)
Google does NOT find an Oak Grove MD, but several churches, marinas, etc. with that name

Also, there are some towns that appear more than once in a state (Middletown MD and Newtown PA are just two that I found). Do we get extra points if we get both?

Finding all these places on the maps is already fun. I'm sure riding to them will be even more so! Really looking forward to it!

Laura

[stevebmw]

i.e. Google finds a Scotland MD but not VA (on the list as being in both)

If you go down to Jamestown, there is a ferry across the river called the Jamestown-Scotland ferry. I don't think there's an actual town of Scotland anymore, but there might be some kind of sign on that side of the river.

Google does NOT find a Unionville VA although I know it exists (Village Motorsports is there, Rt 20)

Right down the road from my house; I got it last weekend If you type "unionville,va" into Google Maps, it actually does find it. If you're just typing in "unionville," it won't bring it up as a suggestion.

[Bicyclist]

Sorry, I thought the challenge was locating and collecting the locations, not decifering the rules. I'm sure you'll get your A again.

My wisecrack was commentary on chiba's students, not aimed at any of our bunch.

Finding all these places on the maps is already fun. I'm sure riding to them will be even more so! Really looking forward to it!

Laura

Yep, the research and planning are half the fun. Finding the places is the icing on the cake.

[PhilAger]

Greetings ya'll!

We've just returned from our BMW Dirt Riding course in Greer, SC (more on that exercise later). But while eating lunch with a fellow trainee, he said his kids LOVE this version of the song and make him watch it frequently. The photos are not all in North America (China?), but it's inspirational for us BMW Riders nonetheless!

Check out this version of "I've Been Everywhere". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84Jehn4ZsGY

And then this video shows photos according to each town mentioned -- Nicely done... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G536Mb9RsUQ&feature=fvst

BTW, we've bagged 13 cities [aka signs] thus far. Just some motivational feedback for any of the gang who are "In The Hunt..." How many others are out searching? Inquiring minds want to know...

Ciao!
Phil & Karen
2010 F800GS,
2009 F650GS,
2009 Kawasaki KLX250S,
2008 Honda CRF230L, and
1975 R90S.
RIP, 2003 K1200LT w/129,124 mi.

[shelion]

I have a GT noob question...I know I need a picture of my bike with the ID visible in each location. But the blurb on the back of the ID says along with the pictures, I also need a log. What needs to be noted in said log?

[PhilAger]

Ed's the man with the extensive Iron Butt documentation background, but I'd say it's helpful to have the list organized into an expanded spreadsheet. We have Ed's version on one tab, and we have the localities mentioned in the song ordered sequentially. Then we added a Date column for when we bagged a town, and a comment column for the explicit location. Springfield, IL, Springfield, MA, or Springfield, VA, etc. Also added a column for the order we hit each location... It all adds context to an individual photo submitted for Barb & Ed to scrutinize (read Accept or Reject). No big deal really, unless Bob Higdon is in The Hunt too! Then all bets are off...

Been out on any backroads recently riding your GS, Shelion? Karen's got new Heidenau K60 rubber! Moi aussi and we're ready for a lil' ride.

Would ya'll be interested in heading up into southern PA after next week's membership meeting -- assuming the weather cooperates.

Cheers,
P&K
2010 F800GS,
2009 F650GS,
2009 Kawasaki KLX250S,
2008 Honda CRF230L, and
1975 R90S.
RIP, 2003 K1200LT w/129,124 mi.
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“You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need…” Mick Jagger & Keith Richards

[shelion]

Well heck, I just thought I had to ride and take pictures; I didn't realize there would be paperwork involved!

I haven't been out doing any GSery though a couple weeks ago in my car I found an awesome GS road that includes a water crossing-that I'm going to post in that thread. Thankfully, my memory was engaged that day so I was actually able to find it on a map again once I got home. I'll be curious to hear how you two like the Heidis on your bikes, after you've put some miles on them.

[phelps2ride]

Sorry to be missing for awhile, butt now that I'me here I will reply to some of the comments.

There is no one version of the song that we used to make our list of names. Since there were so many variables in names we just specified what is acceptable. I spread state maps all over the dining room table to find locations that were in more than one state. My Streets and Trips software did not list every possible location so you are finding that the old method of paper maps is necessary to find many of the locations (welcome to old school rallying).

Keeping a log of the locations is not mandatory to get scored butt it helps us when we verify your results. It can be simply a list telling us what state (or province) in which your picture was taken.

There are some county names as well as cities and towns. Like we posted before, some locations may be a little challenging to identify. If you are having a problem finding a city sign then use a road sign, school, store or anything with the name. Since I used state maps to find locations there may no longer be any identifier for that name. If you cannot find anything then take a picture of the closest town's name that will show us that you were in the area of the IBEGT location. I know sometimes the state maps show locations that long ago bit the dust. We will be open minded for this possibility.

You can take multiple locations from different states of the same name. Sounds lihe something we could have an award for.

Hope that helps.

Ed

[PhilAger]

As this thread has been quiet for so long, I gotta ask: "How Ya'll Doin on this Goin Everywhere Challenge?"

We're just back from a little 'jaunt' to Homecoming [in Arizona]; sadly, UCLA beat ASU in the last few seconds of the game...

We're pleased with our efforts to date -- How Ya'll Be Doin???

Here we are out west on Oct 23rd.


Sláinte! (Gaelic)
Phil & Karen
2010 F800GS,
2009 F650GS,
2009 Kawasaki KLX250S,
2008 Honda CRF230L, and
1975 R90S.
RIP, 2003 K1200LT w/129,124 mi.
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“…And pray that there’s intelligent life somewhere up in space,
‘Cause there’s bugger all down here on Earth.” – Eric Idle’s The Galaxy Song
Check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23Dm7sQ1C1E&feature=related
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