Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

The Iron Butt Rally is well known among long-distance motorcycle enthusiasts all over the world. But it’s a safe bet that most Kern Valley residents probably never heard of the grueling 11-day, 11,000-mile motorcycle endurance event touted as “the world’s toughest.” They may not know Wendy Crockett, of Kernville, either. She’s one the year’s most highly successful, well-placed competitors, and she’s a woman who lives and owns a business right here in the valley.

Wendy Crockett and her husband, Mike Loomer, are co-owners of The CycleSmiths, a powersports specialty shop located in Kernville. Crockett, a factory certified technician, placed 27th overall in this year’s event. Riding a total of 10,500 miles, she racked up 96,033 points on her Yamaha FJR1300.

Mike Loomer and Wendy Crockett, co-owners of The Cyclesmiths, pose next to Crockett’s Yamaha FJR 1300. Crockett recently rode her motorcycle for a total of 10,500 miles during the 11-day Iron Butt Rally.

Crockett, a recent transplant to Kernville, was drawn to motorcycles from a young age, but because no one in her immediate family was into motorcycles; she’s not quite sure how she caught the bug.

She does recall wanting to ride at an early age, but “My mom said, ‘Over [my] dead body,’ so I moved out and started collecting motorcycles.” She spend time traveling and attending schools in various places across, and eventually settled into studying pre-med. It wouldn’t be long before Crockett began to question whether that was the road she truly wanted to travel.

Then her life suddenly ­– and quite dramatically ­– shifted on to a different path. As she was leaving school one day, Crockett pulled out of the school parking lot, and hit by a car. She suffered extensive injuries requiring months of recuperation; it left her a changed woman, not only physically but spiritually as well. “I realized that life was short and I liked playing with motorcycles. So I went to Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and never looked back,” Crockett said. She didn’t know that in relocating to Phoenix, Ariz. she would meet the man who became her soul mate and husband of several years. But enough about romance. Let’s get back to endurance motorcycling.

The Iron Butt Association, which Crockett was becoming increasingly fascinated with over the years, has more than 35,000 like-minded members. To them, a good Sunday afternoon ride involves a jaunt through four states, as opposed to a short trip to a local biker-friendly eatery in the next town.

The Association hosts several rides, but the 11-day extreme ride Crockett was determined to enter and complete is considered the most notable.

The Iron Butt Rally is held in the United States every other year. Its starting and ending points rotate to various venues on the continent. The rally consists of five checkpoints located around the perimeter of the United States (see map on page B4). In order to be considered a finisher of the event, riders must be present at each of these checkpoints within a two-hour window. Rain sleet, snow, and extreme temperatures aren’t even considered.

According to the group’s website, “During the running of the Iron Butt, riders can expect to ride through rain, sleet, snow, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes and the occasional tornado.” Competitors also have the option of boosting their standings in their attempt to win a gold, silver or bronze finish by visiting optional bonus destinations located in all corners of the United States and Canada.

On the demanding trip, Crockett became all too familiar with trying to juggle the value of obtaining bonus points with simply trying to complete the grueling basic ride. Factoring in fatigue, physical pain from old injuries and hunger, she came up with her own unique strategy for completing the ride in excellent time.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately for her, a tire blow-out inside the Canadian border cost her a minor delay. With her bike and body miraculously emerging from the incident unscathed, Crockett managed to get back in the race with some “above and beyond” help from a shop called Proline Motorsports in Saskatoon, Canada. From that point on, she was able to forge ahead and finish in an amazing position for a first time participant. Even a quick glance at her route will give you insight into the logistical nightmare that was involved in attempting such a feat.

For those romantics out there, the motorcycle-loving couple have kept loose tabs on each other over the years, ultimately ending up together in Pismo Beach. Crocker said it might have been the freedom that Loomer was willing to allow her, heading out for days on end and trying to catch up with the horizon, that finally won her heart. Or maybe it was the surprise proposal that involved a gift of a brand new bike. Whatever the reasons, Crockett realized she needed to look no further. She sums up her mate simply by saying, “He gets me.”

Now the couple has made another dream come true. Luckily for them, they now have the shop they have always wanted in Kernville.

Luckily for the rest of us, CycleSmiths specializes in service and repair of all makes and models of street and dirt bikes, ATV’s, UTV’s and watercraft. They also carry a large range of parts and accessories.

CycleSmiths is located at 11417 Kernville Road. You can give them a call at (760) 350-9700 or check out www.thecyclesmiths.com. Drop by and say hi to Wendy and Mike and while you’re there, check out their cool selection of T-shirts and the unique line of motorcycle-parts inspired jewelry. You’ll be glad you did.