In '99, Dane "crash" Walther and Bob "Gnarlydude" MacFarland joined in the fun for the largest ride yet. At some point the name of the ride changed to the "Rat Pack".  Don't know exactly why, but both names are appropriate!   :-)

Jump to this year.  Due to scheduling conflicts, the ride that had normally taken place in early July, got pushed back a month to early August. The ride was called for August 4^th - August 13^th, 2000.  Tim could not make the ride this year, as he was needed at home, eagerly awaiting the newest member of the Atwood clan, however Dane Walther and Rob Opiela both jumped aboard for the ride.  So the cast of characters at the start were: Bill Jennings, Tom Atwood, Dane Walther, Rob Opeila, and myself.

Now jump to early July. Bill, scoping out the roads for the RP2K, manages to go and get himself into a little accident.  Not only that, but he manages to go ahead and mess up his wrist pretty badly.  The result?  A lot of new hardware, and the realization that he would have to miss the ride this year, as he was looking at about 8 weeks recovery time.  :-( 

And then there were 4.

Now, jump ahead about 3 weeks, the 6th round of the Loudon Road Racing Series.  Mr. Walther decided to go ahead and high-side himself in turn 2 during practice.  Not learning from myself, who managed to lowside in the same place the race weekend prior, but managed to break my fall with my head, hence, I didn't hurt anything I needed, he managed to separate his shoulderand fracture his thumb, on different sides even!  So Dane was out. 

And then there were 3.

So, with just the 3 of us left, Rob, Tom, and myself, we planned out the best route we could, and made final preparations.