In the 1946 Christmas Classic, "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey is a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others. When an unexpected calamity occurs, a despondent and angry George decides everyone he knows would be better off without him. Help arrives in the form of Guardian Angel 2nd Class [...]
Day 21: Oakland to Morro Bay. 235 Miles Wasn't expecting much after the previous day's Ride. I already had seen images and experienced sights I will never forget. Lucky for me, there was so much more still to experience. But first, let me begin with a gripe. Apparently, in California, the center stripe is an [...]
Day 20: Coos Bay to Oakland. 525 Miles Today's route along US 101 (both the Oregon Coast Highway and into California on the Redwood Highway was one I had been looking forward to since the planning began a few years ago. Spoke to my friend, Kelly Massey, last night about the long day ahead and [...]
Day 19: Portland to Coos Bay. 258 Miles Got started late this morning. Just needed a little extra time to saddle-up. Three weeks in, 7,000 miles ridden and 25 states visited. Wendy taught me a "horse-saying" that's appropriate now - "rode hard and put up wet." Had some great expectations for today's ride. Left Portland [...]
Day 18: Coeur d' Alene to Portland. 397 Miles After and extra day off the bike, it is time to get back on the Ride. Weather forces a change in route as rain and cloud-to-ground lightning in/around Seattle make it necessary to detour South, so if off to Portland. Cross out of Idaho and into [...]
Day 15: St. Paul to Bismarck. 449 Miles The day started gloomy with heavy rains throughout the area. Thought I might have to postpone a day, but the skies cleared just enough for me to chance a run with a late departure. The overcast skies were a perfect setting for all the lakes in Minnesota, [...]
So, I'm out here on the Road, just me and my Harley. According to the odometer, The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride has logged about 5,000 miles and I've visited 23 states. I've been pummeled by wicked rain in Florida; scorched by a Devil of a sun in New Jersey Devil and whipped by winds rolling across [...]
Day 6: Fort Myers to Key West. 282 Miles After a full day of rest and drying out from the thunderstorms, it was an early morning KSU to Key West. Rolled down the US 41, The Tamiami Trail, also known as Alligator Alley, through the Heart of the Florida Everglades. Amazing, scenic, somewhat scary ride [...]
Day 3: New Orleans to Panama City Beach. 315 Miles The morning began with a special reminder of just what this Ride is all about. Clem Goldberger with the National WWII Museum in New Orleans arranged a special interview with two WWII veterans, Bert Stolier and Tom Blakey. If you're not familiar with the National [...]
Day 2: Houston to New Orleans. 375 Miles It's Boots on the Bayou" as The Full-Throttle Leadership Ride (FTLR) rolls into The Big Easy. New Orleans is absolutely one of my favorite places anywhere in the world. My nephew, David Cromer left Houston with me this morning, so I had an official "Support Vehicle" on [...]