MC Nation Podcast

In the past few weeks two rides have taken place that have so much meaning. Although one is a national level ride and the other is a local ride I feel that they hold great importance. The first ride is the Run for the Wall, which I assume most of us have at least heard of, and the second is the Miracle Ride.

The Run for the Wall web site provides us with the following:

“Mission Statement: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.”

This ride actually starts on the West Coast in Ranch Cucamonga, CA. Over an approximately 11 day period, the ride runs two routes that cross the United States and end up in Washington, DC for the Memorial Day weekend. The ride has preplanned stops and actually picks up additional riders at these stops as well as people joining in anywhere along the way. There are many festivities to hold your interest at the end of the ride but the most important event, of course, is the opportunity to attend the Memorial ceremony at the Wall. If you have never had the opportunity to experience the Wall I urge you to make your way to Washington and do so. Don’t forget to check out all the war memorials while you are there. There is something different about the Wall though. To see all the names of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice that allows us to remain free is a special feeling.

If I recall correctly, I believe that I have seen estimated numbers of 250,000+ participants. What an awesome sight that must be. I have had the desire to attend this ride for many years but have not found the time to do so. It is one of my wish rides that I hope to do before my time is up. I encourage any patriotic motorcyclist to add this to your list of rides.

The Miracle Ride for Riley Hospital is a ride that began fourteen years ago. The proceeds of the ride are donated to the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children. Riley uses the funds to pay for care for children whose parents can not. Motorcyclists have raised over 2 million dollars for the hospital over the past fourteen years. This is by far the biggest ride in the state of Indiana both in donated dollars and in number of participants.

On Saturday of Miracle Ride weekends, the motorcycles leave from various sites around the state and converge on Indianapolis. This year the poker runs raised over $250,000 alone. On Sunday, the day of the big ride, additional riders show up and pay their donation to ride as well. 7500+ motorcycles participate. In 2007, over $325,000 was raised in total. The Sunday ride is a fun day. The ride is normally led by Bob & Tom, of the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show hosted at WFBQ in Indy, Forrest Lucas of Lucas Oil, and members of the Indianapolis Colts.

The ride leaves the staging area and takes a route through the streets of Indianapolis ending across the street from the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. An awesome bonus to this ride is that you get to take a lap on the track where so much history has been made. It is quite an experience to cruise around the track and see what the drivers actually see. That track is not as flat as it looks on TV. As cool as that sounds, there is something even better about this ride. At the beginning of the ride, shortly after leaving the staging lot, all the motorcycles pass in front of the hospital. Hospital staff and parents are sitting on the sidewalk with signs waving at the riders as we go by. It is truly hard to hold back tears knowing that those children, and hundreds of others, are in that hospital fighting diseases that could potentially kill them. The feeling you get knowing that you are helping these children and parents, even in such a small way, is indescribable.

This ride gets riders from many states. Fourteen states were represented this year. If you live in a state that is close to Indiana I encourage you to come ride with us for an awesome cause. Motorcyclists have huge hearts when it comes to children. What are the motorcyclists of your state or country doing to help? Leave your comments.

Ride Safe
Steve & the MC Nation

As I rode to work this morning enjoying the cool, crisp air it occurred to me just how fortunate I am to be able to ride a motorcycle. There are many people out there who would love to experience the ride but can not for many reasons. I have been blessed with the finances to be able to enjoy this great sport. I also have coordination to manipulate the clutch and throttle on take off and during the shift process. I am able to use the clutch and both brakes simultaneously as I downshift during a stop, which is a feat similar to playing the drums. Four limbs moving at once. Both hands and both feet working in harmony to slow and get the motorcycle to stop smoothly. I also have been blessed with the physical strength to be able to bring the motorcycle off the sidestand and upright.

These things we take for granted every day. I could not imagine loving something so much and not being able to participate. The motorcycle industry has made great strides in attempting to make motorcycling accessible to anyone. I applaud them for the three wheelers they produce so that people who have lost lower limbs, or those who just do not have the leg strength to hold up a 600 lb. motorcycle, can enjoy riding. I thank the manufacturers that provide automatic motorcycles or “paddle” shifting motorcycles so that those with prosthetic arms can enjoy a ride. In the early 1980’s, one of my classmates, who had lost his left arm just below the elbow, rode a Hondamatic around. I appreciate the innovation from all the manufacturers of items that bring those with disabilities closer to the sport.

I have never experienced anything in life that equals the feeling of freedom or that provides me calmness of life like motorcycling does. I am grateful to all those that make the dream come true for all of us.

Ride Safe

Steve and the MC Nation

There are many faces to motorcyclists in the eyes of the general public. They see the bikers with the ten thousand mile stare that would just as soon shoot you as look at you. There is the young, aggressive motorcyclist. The husband and the wife that love to tour together. Don’t forget the RUBS (Rich Urban Bikers). And then just your everyday average Joe.

I can’t tell you which one of the above perceptions is most often tagged on motorcyclists but I can tell you that the public has noticed one important thing. They have noticed that motorcyclists have huge hearts and deep pockets. Charity rides have almost become an epidemic. It has not been too many years ago that you might find one or two charity rides in your local area in any given month. Today, in the Indy metro area, I can pretty much assure you that I can choose from 5 or more a week. This is within a fifty mile radius of downtown.

These rides vary from rides to benefit sick children, these are money makers, to fundraisers for school books or some other cause. Over the years, those people who would not go near a motorcycle have noticed the cash cow that many rides can become. They find someone willing to throw together a ride and they count the money. It seems like there is no limit to reasons for throwing together a ride. Joe and Mary’s house burnt down. Little Nicky has some disease. The humane society needs dog or cat food. The local school could use new playground equipment. And so on, and so on, etc.

The problem with the number of rides available on any given weekend is that they actually take away revenue from each other. Motorcyclists love to ride and they love to do charity rides. But, the pockets only go so deep and they can not be in two places at once. So, they are forced to make a decision and attend one ride. The dollars are stretched pretty thin and all rides suffer in today’s world. So, my personal suggestions for choosing a ride.

Avoid the rides that have all the stops at bars (for safety reasons).
Try to find the ride that actually gives the biggest part of your dollar to the cause.
Choose a ride that is actually helping something or someone.
Believe in the cause that you are riding for.

I am involved with a ride to raise money for type 1 juvenile diabetes research. This ride is the Dallas and Reid’s Ride and takes place in Plainfield, Indiana in September. Every dollar raised goes directly to the Iacocca Foundation (check out joinleenow.org) to fund research to find a cure for juvenile diabetes. The ride is the single largest fundraiser for the foundation every year and averages about $65,000 per ride. If you are in Indiana in September come look me up. Food, bands, and other fun for less than $20. This is the type of ride that needs supported. Where are you going to get a bargain like that?

The other ride that I like to participate in is the Miracle Ride for Riley Hospital which raises money for Riley Children’s Hospital in Indy. In the 14 year history of this event, Midwest motorcyclists have raised nearly $2,000,000 for the hospital. Please check that one out.

When you choose your ride for the weekend, choose the ride that provides the best bang for your buck. I don’t mean taking the attitude of “What is in it for me?” but the where is my money needed most and which cause will my money benefit the most people. You spend a few bucks, have a great time, and you go home feeling like you have made a difference. Please shoot me your comments. And, if you live near or far and can make either one of these rides, please let us know you will be in town.

Ride Safe

Steve and the MC Nation