Ride Journal

May 19, Day 7 Davenport to Michigan City

We had a good breakfast at the Clarion Hotel and got a few new riders. We had another police escort with both cars and motor cops. I went once around the parking lot to get some speed up and did my police siren and stopped next to a bike cop. The siren rubs on the rear wheel and the faster it turns, the louder the siren sounds. The cop did a double take before he realized that it was just me. I think that he liked it, but you never can tell, because some cops think that they are the only ones that should have a siren! We got lined up and hit the freeway and it was finally a great looking blue sky day. Sun screen for the first time since coming down from Oregon over a week ago.

112 miles to Marseilles, Illinois and one of the great settings for a memorial. We were met by the Canaryville Veteran Riders from the Chicago area, who rode in with us. They are a great bunch of riders who know how to get things done! When they are asked to block intersections and other traffic for us..... it gets done right! They are also a pleasure to be around. The first people that I saw were Kristy and Nancy, Gary's daughter and his wife. They had giant smiles on their faces upon our arrival. I gave Nancy a hug before Gary did! Oops. The area is a memorial for the Middle East Conflict; Desert Storm, Iraq, & Afghanistan. They are black granite pieces not unlike the Viet Nam Wall material in DC. They are approximately 6' x 8' and last year if I remember correctly, there were a half a dozen filled up with names and 3 panels were blank. Now all the panels are filled up with names and the one on the far left about half way full. It's a shame knowing that most of those soldiers names up there on the wall were very young people with their lives cut so short. I talked to Jim Hovious, the Chief of Police and Laurie who were there to greet us. Jim's brass name badge that signifies that he is the Chief is still on the front of my bike from the 2006 ride when he took it off his uniform and gave it to me to take around the states with me! There were a lot of certificates of appreciation given out to say thanks for all the hard work that goes into putting this event on.

We got back on I-80 again for another 20 miles and got off in Morris for a fuel/lunch stop. The restaurant had a good meal ready for us in the back room like as in previous years. Tables were set up just outside the door for everyone to be comfortable. Julie (I think) had a cookie van set up outside to treat us to dessert. They were very good; too good.

I called Randy back home at the radio station (KRSB Best Country 103) to give another daily update on the ride. This time I got to give the phone to Lee Paterson again after I told Randy that Lee had a close encounter with a law enforcement guy. It seems that they did not get gas when the rest of us did and Steve and Lee took an exit to fuel up. They were going a bit faster than normal to try to catch back up with the group. An Illinois State Trooper clocked Lee at 80 mph in a 45 mph construction zone. Steve said he was stuck behind a slow car or else he might have been doing the same speed (maybe!). Once the trooper found out that they were with the NVAR ride that other State Troopers were escorting, he let him go with a warning! Lee never did tell Randy just how fast that he was going, but when I got the phone back, I did!! Then Steve wanted the phone to say something to Randy. He told Randy that 'Officer Steve' was only going 45 mph and that’s his story! That was good for a few laughs.

Time to get on the road again and into the hotter (finally) weather. We got off in Portage, Indiana and went to a school for another JROTC Drill Team demonstration. These kids are good! The way that they were twirling the rifles around like batons was amazing. There were guys and gals alike doing good moves. It was a pleasure to watch again. There were photographers and a TV camera crew doing an interview with Steve, Head dog and Moore outside. It's always good to do PR work and get the word out about our mission for the NVAR ride.

Somewhere during the day, just before we got to a tool road booth, something fell off the front of my bike. (Surprise!) I glanced down to see something red. I knew right away that it had to be my fire alarm from the fairing. It used to work many years ago, but all the shaking and rattling around made it useless and it finally fell apart today. No, I didn't go back for it!

We did a short 20 minute ride to Michigan City for our 'special' gas stop. The Michigan City Exchange Club has donated gas for all the bikes and the chase truck in the past and today was no exception. Their generosity is fantastic! They also, in the past, have given the rest of the unspent money to us for the chase truck for later. Very cool!! We then followed a fire truck into town for a parade to go to the Boys and Girls Club for a great meal. It was great seeing a lot of friends from rides of the past. There are a lot of real good folks in this town. Folks with a lot of heart!

I did an interview with Joe who works for the paper and a lot of photos were taken too. We went in and ate dinner and talked to a lot more people. I took off to go to see Jan at her Bed & Breakfast 'The Feallock House'. The house was built in 1866 and the cottage was built in 1880. Joni & I were lucky enough to get to stay here last year. Jan donated the 2 houses that sleep 9 to the riders on this run. I got the same room that we had last year. Jan is a super gal who wants to do everything possible to make sure that we are all comfortable. Most of the bikes fit in her garage. Mine stayed outside (my choice) to make more room for ten other bikes.

What a great Riding day and a great people meeting day and a great reunion day!!!!!!