|
|
|
APRIL 24 - 30 April 24 - 26 Bob and Patti spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday getting ready for the ride. On Monday Tony Hennessy arrived in Sacramento. PDG Tony (D9830, Tasmania, Australia) rode with Bob when he rode Australia (click here to read about the Tasmania ride). Tony will be riding with Bob from Sacramento to the Rotary Centennial Convention in Chicago.
April 27,
2005 Officer Tom Marshall introduced Bob, who spoke about what the elimination of Polio means to the children of the world, and how the Ride supports that goal. After introducing his riding partner, PDG Tony Hennessy from Australia, he thanked the California Highway Patrol for their support and introduced Commissioner Brown. A polio survivor himself, Commissioner Brown thanked Bob for his efforts in bringing the cause to the public's attention. He thanked Rotary for embarking on such a huge endeavor. He cautioned Bob and Tony to wear their helmets and stay under the speed limit. That got a laugh from the crowd. Bob then introduced DG Steve Lemmon who commented on how appropriate it was that the school children were present, because what Rotary is doing and has been striving to accomplish, is for the benefit of all children. This ride is also the celebration of the end of polio. Bob then thanked his sponsors, Ride committee, and supporters. DG Steve rang the Centennial Bell and signed the log book. On your bikes mates. The riders were followed by Jon Greene, who is the webmaster and president of MACH, the foundation behind the PolioPlusRides. Away they went...........with some of us waving good bye.
(Read the article in the Nevada Appeal) mileage: day 412 Total 412
Thursday
April 28, 2005 The phone rang at 0600 waking our two wanderers from a sound sleep. (It was me, Patti) So they got up anyway and went and had breakfast. Even though It was raining they headed south on US 50. As they crossed the Tonopah Pass the rain became a sleety slushy snow. The rest of the ride was rain until about 20 miles outside of Phoenix. The headwinds were so strong the fuel stops became closer and closer, thus allowing our fine Rotarian travelers the opportunity to talk with lots of other travelers about their journey. Watch out folks- Bob will promote Rotary and PolioPlus every chance he gets. Then with PDG Tony's help, there is no escape. The BMW's are running very well. Tony is learning about US fuel pumps and is cutting his fuel stops down and soon will be at 4 min., which is what Bob prefers. I know, I've been there. Happily settled in for the night in Phoenix, Tony is silicone his helmet. Don't ask, I have no idea. While we had no response from the scheduled itinerary stops for today, the guys did their best to do their job. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a better day. We've been here before, but it is still sad that Rotarians are missing out on a positive win for all. mileage: Day 540 Total 932 Friday
April 29, 2005 7:20 a.m. "we overslept mate, by a lot" said Tony. The two guys hustled quickly up and out and on their motorcycles. Rushing to the Capitol they arrived right on time. The only problem was they were an hour off. They forgot that Arizona doesn't have daylight saving time. Well they couldn't go back to bed so a latte would be the next best thing. Bob sat with the bikes and Tony went into a copycat Starbucks. In his Tazzy accented voice Tony requested two breve lattes. The lady behind the counter said "we got coffee, don't make coffee and we ain't got no lids neither." So they tried to drink the black liquid called coffee and waited for 9:00 am to come around. With no one in sight, Bob went into the House of Representatives. An Aide signed Bob's book and came out and took a photo of the Centennial Bell with the Arizona Liberty Bell. The weather was a lovely spring day with temps in the 70's. With a full day of riding ahead of them, the boys left Phoenix on the Green Machine and the Zebra and headed east. 600 miles later, after a "miserably cold" ride, Santa Fe became home for the night. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. mileage: Day 600 Total 1, 532
Saturday
April 30, 2005 I have personally been told that there will be no support from the Oklahoma City Rotarians. We have tried to arrange some media coverage ourselves. Hopefully, tomorrow's visit to the capitol will prove me wrong. mileage: Day 550 Total 2,032
|
|
contact webmaster |
On Tuesday evening the Folsom (California) City Council presented Bob a
proclamation, commending Bob and Rotary International for
helping to eradicate polio. The proclamation was presented by
Councilperson Kerri Howell.
Well
it has arrived. The biggie, the challenge, the finale. Today, the culmination
of years of riding and speaking begins. Much like the athlete who spends years
training for the Olympics, stands at the starting line for the big race; so too
were Motorcycle Bob and his accompanying rider PDG Tony Hennessy from Tasmania.
All the preparations were done. It was time to begin the last marathon. And
so, assembled on the West Steps of the Capitol Bldg. were: Motorcycle Bob
(Mutchler), PDG Tony Hennessy, Rider- Rotarians Jim Buntin, David Janes, Ron
Smith, and Gary & Joan. Other Rotarians included PP Jon Greene
(Reno Sunrise) , DGE Dave Harris, PDG Bob Wassum, and DG Steve Lemmon.
Non-Rotarians included Robyn Mutchler, Amy Starr, Andy from the Sacramento Bee,
Phil from the Folsom Telegraph, crews from Channel 3 and 31, CHP Commissioner
Mike Brown, CHP Media Relations Officers Tom Marshall and Joe Whiteford and last
but not least, the 4th grade class from Laurel Hall Elementary School in
Southern California. 
Cruising up
highway 80 through the Sierras, the ensemble enjoyed some pleasant riding
conditions (that is until the rain started). Upon reaching
reaching Carson City the wet riders took time for lunch at Heidi's Family
Restaurant. It was then on to the Nevada State Capitol Building.
The Bob led the motorcycles on to the plaza for a photo session in front of the
Rotary Centennial clock. The security guard was not amused with all
the motorcycles in front of the Silver State's Capitol Bldg. He allowed Bob to
stay but made the other bikes move. The President of the Carson City Rotary
Club, Rafael Cappucci, was there to greet the riders. This time the riders
outnumbered the reception committee. Rafael signed the log book and they
visited. Bob and Tony then headed out for Hawthorne while the others
went their own ways. Our Awesome Twosome reached Tonopah, NV and turned in
for the night. Bob said they had rain, wind and cold but it was wonderful,
and no mishaps. Yep, he's nuts
The two travelers woke up
on time, in the same time zone as their watches. At the Capitol there was no
one. Bob hijacked a willing resident to sign the log book. They left and road
about 350 miles in really cold, 30 degree weather. While it was clear,
it did not warm up until they reached Oklahoma City. We are sad and very
discouraged. We've been here before, but it is really embarrassing to have a
PDG who has come here at his own expense to find such a dismal welcome.