Why we Crew

From one of my favorite multi-event walkers. She was my walking buddy in Boston in ’05 and has been with us in San Diego since ’03. Thank you, Pamela, for the kind words. We all appreciate them.

Michael,

that job of motocrew must be totally exhausting! people who drive could care less about 4600 walkers raising money for a cause. they are busy with their hurried lives. hats off to the motocrew. and you guys come back year after year for the torture. me too! see you in Chicago, San Fran and San Diego next year.

feel free to forward this to the motocrew. we walkers appreciate you to no end.

Pamela

Lauren's 2007 Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk

My sister walked her 3rd Breast Cancer 3-Day walk in San Diego. Click the picture on the right to see the letter she sent to her supporters.

San Diego wrap-up

The problem with doing an event in your hometown is that, when it ends, you work like returns.

I am sorry for the delay in updating this and I know you are all waiting with bated breath. My phone died on event and I wasn't able to post during the event. Now, a full week later, I am finally getting around to posting.

This one picture says it all. In case you can't read it, these ladies walked with shirts that said "FΩck Cancer".

Overall, we had an awesome event. The little rain we experienced on Sunday was nothing compared to other cities and the walkers all took it in stride, if you will.

Make no mistake, the San Diego event is a tough walk. 20 miles day one and 21 miles day two with a ton of hills. If you are not from San Diego, you might think that this area is flat -- it is not. Trust me.

That said, walking along the beach cannot be beat. The walk also took us through Hillcrest and many other parts of Downtown before ending at Petco Park, the home of the SD Padres MLB team.

Once again this year, we enjoyed the support of the San Jose Bike Police.

On route, day 2, I met a special walker I had been looking for. The week before the walk, I was watching The Learning Channel's LA Ink, a tattoo show. On the show I saw, a young surfboard designer named Andrea who came in to get a tattoo to memorialize her best friend, Ally, who had just died of breast cancer. The tattoo is a full sleeve and very distinctive. Since she lived and surfed in Santa Monica, I thought I might see her in San Diego. Sure enough, here she is, walking all 60 miles for Ally.

Finally, all walkers were in Closing and another event was successfully completed. Over $12,000,000 raised! On this event, my special Pig was named Rosha by Linda, for Romy and Shannon, two lost friends.

Preparing for the big one

Tomorrow the San Diego 3-Day starts. The big one. Twice the size of most other cities. Watch out San Diego.

Here we come.
Walking down the street.
We get the funniest looks from,
Everyone we meet.

Hey Hey, we'll be walking!

Thank you, AZ Route Safety Crew

You guys are awesome.

Another successful 3-Day

Fantastic day in AZ

Once again the awesome walkers of Phoenix have turned a challenging event into a fantastic experience. Arizona heat is legendary, even this time of the year, but we have been blessed with moderate (by AZ standards) temperatures. The police support today in Gilbert and elsewhere was stellar.

Today we had a few challenges on our team, including on bicyclist who was hit by a car and taken to the hospital. We believe she is OK, but her bike is totaled. It is the risk we take to make the walkers safer.

Well, it is approaching 8pm and I am exhausted. Think I'll take a nap.... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

AZ is Pig-Ready

Thanks to Ali, Tracy and Rayann, my bike is now 3-Day-ready. If you don't remember Alison and Tracy, go back in this blog to 2004 to see them wearing Luanne on their heads. Thanks, ladies!

Crew Training, Phoenix-style

I think Alan is as tired of seeing me in class as I am hearing the How-to-Nextel speach. Next I will learn how to drink water and use a porta-potty. And not one Continuing Education Credit to be had.

Michael Landesman
(currently mobile)

Dallas Wrap Up

Another outstanding event. Short. To the point.

The heat of 2005 and the wind of 2006 left us alone this year. Instead, we had 72° days with cool breezes and lots of sunshine.

The nights got cold -- near freezing Friday night -- but manageable. Once again, the Dallas Route Safety team was outstanding. A friendly, likable, quality group of folks. Evenly split between motorcycles and motorless cycles, the group worked together flawlessly. Our venerable (look it up) captain once again navigated the OCD-prone staff and renegade bikers (sorry, Chuck, but I was only going one way) with grace.

As always the event is measured by the walkers. This group of perambulators was awesome. Happy, healthy and well trained, they carried their 3-Day Smiles for all 60 Miles.

Thank you Dallas walkers, crew and staff. I will miss this group of new friends.

On the road again....

Apparently, I COULD wait to get on the road again. That bed just felt too good, perhaps fueled by the full plate of Campisi's spaghetti and meatballs last night.

Oh well... I am leaving Dallas now.

Sorry for the missed updates. My phone died on Saturday and I didn't charge it until last night. Hopefully, the recipients of my 3-Day pigs from the last two years will send pictures as I have missed getting both shots.)

Great Day 1

I am too tired and my head hurts too much to blog now, but I wanted to share one picture. These two Marines are walking the event in fatigues with 60 pound packs. Talk about inspirational.

Carbo loading for the DFW walk

Crew training is done, hugs exchanged and stories told. Comparisons to prior years will continue -- 2005's heat wave that knocked out many walkers and 2006's wind storms that knocked over the rest of the walkers -- while we carbo-load for the start at 5am tomorrow.

I hope to post a pic or two during the event but no promises.

Here we roll again

It is Tuesday afternoon, San Diego is burning, and I am packed and ready to fly back to Texas to start my trek on the final 3-Day events of 2007.

My thoughts and prayers for all who lost homes or other, precious items.

I will try to post nightly, but experience has told me that it is unlikely I will be consistent. I am usually too busy, followed by too hungry and finally too tired to do much. Please, keep checking though. I may get a sudden burst of cuteness and you wouldn't want to miss that.

From the Cleveland 3-Day Team

Invitation to the Michigan 3-Day Closing Ceremonies

We invite you to join with Michigan Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers and crew members on Sunday, Sept. 30, for the Michigan Closing Ceremonies at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan. You are welcome to meet up with the Michigan 3-Day community at the Holding Area to participate in the ceremonies. If you wish to participate in the Closing Ceremonies please plan to arrive by 3:00 pm as parking is limited.

Please send us an email RSVP by Monday, September 10th, so we can plan to expect you!

Pictures from Dawn Cawood

Dawn is the wife of a Dallas Route Safety Crew member and an awesome person in her own right. Here are a couple of pictures of me with her team, including her daughter, in Cleveland.

Jordan Leventhal, 3-Day Guru

17_15A, originally uploaded by levenhopper.

This a Jordan's first 3-Day event but you could never tell by his enthusiasm, professionalism or qualitism of his character. The man, all 18 years and 2months of him, was the bomb! Thank you Jordan for all of your help to the crew and the walkers! Mom, you should be very, very proud of him.

2007 Cleveland Route Safety Crew

18_21A, originally uploaded by levenhopper.

Nipple Man

12_10A
Originally uploaded by levenhopper

A random walker -- if you know who this person is, please post a comment and I will update the entry.

Steffanie Roulet

Thank you, Steffanie, for sending these pictures. You are awesome!

Email from Komen

Dear Walkers and Crew of the Cleveland Breast Cancer 3-Day,

We wish to express our sincerest regrets that the severe weather conditions on Sunday cut short the celebration of your accomplishments this weekend at the first Cleveland Breast Cancer 3-Day. If anyone ever earned the right to a public celebration at Closing Ceremonies, it was you. You rose before the sun. You camped in the wind, and walked in the rain. Our hats are off to you.

The Breast Cancer 3-Day has never had to cancel an Opening or Closing Ceremony before. We know you missed an important part of your experience. We know you are disappointed and we are, too. However, your safety is always our first concern and after considering the options, we made a decision that we did not wish to make. We hope you understand that we felt it was the right decision for you.

None of this diminishes the fact that you accomplished a huge feat this weekend. Congratulations! You walked 60 miles in three days – and you raised an amazing $2.8 million in the fight to end breast cancer forever.

You walked because you knew you were making a real difference in the breast cancer movement. We’re so proud of you and we thank you! Proceeds from your tireless efforts benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund for breast cancer research, education and community outreach programs. A portion of the funds will benefit the Cleveland area through the Northeast Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Though the extreme weather shortened the event, we hope your overall experience was positive. The journey you started months ago culminated with each mile you walked this weekend. We hope you celebrated every moment – from Opening Ceremonies to that final step you took when you received your victory shirt as we cheered you on. We’re grateful for such a supportive and determined group of participants. Next year, we will have an amazing Closing Ceremony just for you!

Thank you again for your efforts. Because of you we are much closer to our ultimate goal to live in a world without breast cancer!

Thank you.
Pat RenzulliVice President, Breast Cancer 3-Day

Local News Reports

WKYC: Closing Ceremonies Canceled

WOIO: Closing Ceremonies Canceled

Closing Ceremonies, Canceled

My morning wish was granted, but that apparently was all I was allowed today. I had asked that, even though it rained all night long, the rain would stop in the morning at least long enough for us to break camp and pack up. I hate packing a tent and loading a bike in the rain; nothing remains dry for long.

We woke to cloudy but quiet skies and it stayed that way through our pack-up, breakfast and even our route opening. It started raining within the first hour of the day and never stopped. The weather turned so bad that closing ceremonies were canceled. I have never seen that before. For some reason, likely cost, 3-Day does not have a relocation plan for closing ceremonies. In this case, since thunder showers with heavy lightning was predicted (but never arrived), they decided early in the day to cancel the celebration. Quick work by the 3-Day Staff and a very generous Marriott hotel a block away from the scheduled location allowed us to use a ballroom for the distribution of shirts and a gathering place out of the rain to welcome home the walkers. We made the best of it, celebrating the $2.8m raised by 1100 walkers for the first Cleveland 3-Day ever, but it still lacked the pizzazz that we all expected and wanted for the final hours of a great event.

Lest I sound like the event was less than perfect, it is important to note that, walker for walker, this is one of the best events in which I have ever been involved. The route was awesome, the camp site great and the coordination of city police and services was impeccable. Lastly, the community support was amazing for a first time event. A lot of families out providing water and snacks, banners and signs and cheering for ALL walkers, not just the first 100 or so. The fire department came out with their mascot Dalmatian (all 6 feet of him waving to walkers) and a misting fan.

Now, I am in the hotel room trying to dry everything I own. My computer still works, luckily, but my camera may not fare as well. My HD map book will be trashed after I make it home and anything that was made of paper in my bags was reduced to pulp. So, it is a night of delivery pizza, diet cokes and cloths hanging all around the room.

And I forgot to mention, the wonder extra charger cable I creatively installed in my bike’s trunk to keep my mobile phone charged broke a wire, so my phone is now dead and I have no way of charging it. I will try to rig something tomorrow so I can have a phone for emergencies, but it could be a quiet ride home.

Cleveland Day 2

We had a great day today. Cool temps, shady residential streets and breezes. The walkers are great and the crew are doing an awesome job -- not just for a first time event, but for any event.

Unfortunately, they are predicting rain overnight and thunder storms tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed that it blows by or, at least, waits until the evening so everyone can enjoy Cleveland's first 3-Day.

Day 1 is in the books

Cleveland 3-Day got off to an awesome start. Good walkers, good crew and great staff. After the major heat wave that made hadline news, today was a miled, comfortable day. It is still warm in the evenings (a liitle to warm for my tastes to sleep) and very windy. The wind made interesting work of tent building. And speaking of tents, the 3-Day is finally pink! Pink trucks, pink inflateables, and pink tents.

Back to your regularly schedued BLOG

So I am now in Ohio and tomorrow is the start of the 3-Day event, which for crew is really a 4-Day event.

I have riddin over 2,000 miles thus far and crossed 10 states. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Ohio.

I hope to be posting entries at least every night, and perhaps a few pictures during the event.

What a day!

When I was checking into the hotel in New Orleans, I met two other road-weary riders checking in. The usual conversation started -- "where you coming from? where you heading?" Turns out these two sweaty, grimy bikers just road in from Cleveland. I told them I was heading there in a few days after riding the Blue Ridge Parkway. At that point, we pulled out the HD map and they showed me Highway 250.

The day started out heading through Staunton, a historic Virgina town full of old Colonials and wonderful parks. This is more my speed, something interesting to look at besides just trees. A few more towns like that and all of the sudden I was in twisties and climbing quickly. I was exploring George Washington National Forest, one of three national forests traversed by Highway 250.



I was breathless as I rode through that section. I was thrilled that I had enjoyed a great ride -- but it was 9:30am.

Then, it happened again. And again. And again. Climbing hills with turns switching between hairpins and sweepers. Peaking and then dropping into valleys with signs warning trucks of 11% downgrades (like the DOW this week). In the valleys between the peaks, small towns like something out of the animated movie Cars.



"It rolls along past houses, farms and fields." (extra credit if you can name the song for which Steve Goodman wrote that famous lyric).

If the Blue Ridge Pkwy was created for families in cars out for a day drive, then Hwy 250 was created for overgrown boys on bikes. I rode through wooden, covered bridges and past historic and scenic train tracks. I saw ponds, lakes, rivers, rapids and cascades. I avoided five deer running across the road and three trucks who preferred my lane to theirs.

It was the 3rd best motoring day of my life. Thank you nameless bikers from Cleveland via New Orleans!

Blue Ridge Parkway

Built during the 1930s as a Depression-era public works project, the 469 miles stretch from Shenandoah National Park along the Blue Ridge Mountains to the eastern rampart of the Appalachians. The parkway is interesting for biking as it has a set speed limit if 45 mph and NO STOP SIGNS. The parkway has no gas stations, no stores, nothing. Just plenty of pristine forest, some tunnels and amazing scenery.

The ride was gorgeous, but very long. I started at 6:30am and rode for the better part of 10 hours. A few stops along the way allowed me to check the visitor center maps and buy some Appalachian Bluegrass CDs.

Since the majority of the parkway is shaded by a heavy tree canopy, the day was mostly cool. I was able to keep the leather jacket on comfortably all day. What a difference.

The day started in South Carolina. I entered the Parkway in North Carolina and ended the day in Waynesboro, VA. Even thought the speed limit is set at 45 mph, or perhaps because of it, the day was one of my most tiring. Beautiful, but tiring. I am glad I did it though.

Friendliest People

Sometimes we forget that good people are everywhere. I was riding the Blue Ridge Parkway today (see next post for details of the day) when I stopped in one of the picnic areas. After two days in the serious heat, I have realized that I need to stop every hour or so and drink a bottle of sports drink.

When I pulled in, I noticed an older couple sitting at a picnic table who stared me down a little as I roared in. I also observed two couples dining together with an impressive spread. It was the kind of gathering I would expect in the moutains of North Carolina on a scenic drive -- all with their bucket hats, oversized sunglasses and sandels with thier socks on.

I had already eaten lunch so I just pulled to the curb near the trash can and drank my bottle down. As I was pacing around, letting the life-sustaining nectar soak into me, I noticed one of the women at the group table waving me over. I smiled, held up my bottle and yelled, "no thank you, I just needed the drink". She yelled back, "we have too much, come on over." Big, bad biker being invited to break bread with a few senior citizens.

I mounted up and rode over to them to say that I didn't need any food, thanks. It was like being with an Italian mother. "We have salami sandwiches", "we have more than we can eat", "how about some fruit?", "a cookie?" She was a hoot. We talked about the ride, the breast cancer events, etc.

It is easy to forget that there are generally good people out there, not just at the breast cancer events.

Oh, and the other couple who stared me down on the way in. They waved and smiled as I roared back out.

Wrong Turn?

Tunneling Through the Blue Ridge Mountains

Just another gorgeous day

in the Blue Ridge Moutains

Now the fun begins

1300 miles of hot pavement for this. The big payoff.

The Redneck Ride

Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. What a day.

Recapping Yesterday

Now that I am sitting down for breakfast in Mississippi, it is a good time for an update.

For all Route Safety folks, please watch your fluid intake on event. It is hot out there. Yesterday, the weather overheated both my bike (shutdown in stop and go traffic) and me (mentally shut down 30 miles outside New Orleans). The bike got a little oil, I got 32 oz of PowerAde. We both took a break.

I am truely convinced that most single bike accidents in the summer are at least partly caused by dehydration. The poor decisions we make when the organs are malnurished can be devastating. For me, I notice that I "zone out" and no longer think about where I am -- I am just following the bumper in front of me just like the walkers following the fannypacks in front of them and walking into intersections.

Getting back to the ride, it was OK... Mostly pounding pavement. The same is on tap for today to make 650+ miles. That will set me up for tomorrow's ride on the Blue Ridge Hwy, I hope.

I had never driven or ridden into LA or MS before and seeing all of the swamps, bogs, rivers, lakes and buyous was very cool (well, swampy hot, but you get my meaning).

HOT

What the hell was I thinking riding South East in August? 6am in New Orleans and it is 85 degrees, muggy and ugly. Oh well, off to somewhere near Ashville, NC and the Blue Ridge Pkwy.

New Orleans, LA

long day of sun and humidity, but I am here. 600 miles, 8 hours of riding and ! am no closer to Cleveland than I was when I woke up. A little like day 2 on the event where we end back where we started, but sun burned, sweaty and tired.

The 2007 Season is Here!

Forgive me bloggers, for I have sinned. It has been 321 days since my last entry. Basically, I missed the entire 2006 season. So, to summarize, I did four events (Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix and San Diego), I had an excellent time, the walks raised a lot of money and I made new friends. There, I am done for 2006.

Now, 2007 is here!

Tomorrow I start my ride from San Antonio (home) through New Orleans (fun), up through the Smoky Mountains (beautiful) and into Cleveland for my first event of the season next weekend. I have a few friends there (Hi Jackie and Amy!) and plan to make more. I hope to be posting blog entries from my phone as I ride up, so keep you eyes peeled (Note: that is an American colloquialism and is not meant to be taken literally).

Heading to California!

The Adventure Begins

Tomorrow morning, Jackie and I are taking off from San Antonio to start what I hope will be a five week ride. We will take four or five days to take her back to Denver, then I will continue on to California for a week.

After California, I am not sure where I am heading. I need to be in Dallas/Ft. Worth by the last weekend of October for the first of my three 3-Day events. From there, I ride to Phoenix for event two, then San Diego for the closing event. After that, it is back to San Antonio.

If work does not raise its ugly head, I hope to be on the road that whole time, laptop along for the ride and documenting my adventure.

To all of my 3-Day friends, see you real soon!

That Toddlin' Town

What an awesome event. The walkers were great, the crew fun and the weather,,, well the weather was Chicago, but the walkers were troopers.

I became known as the Candy Man on this event, which is better than the Pig Dude I have been called on other events! Over the course of two and a half days, I gave out over six CASES of M&Ms (mostly with peanuts, for those planning on bringing chocolate to other events this year).

If you have done any west coast events, you probably know Big Dan cheering on the walkers in his bucket hat and pink pompom shoe laces. I was never sure how he could do that -- cheer for three days straight. Now I know. And I know WHY he does it. It is AWESOME!

I was able to play music, dance, sing and talk to all of the walkers. As I drove the route, I would look for "slow down spots"; areas where the walkers were falling off the pace. I would pull over, crank the music and offer up M&Ms with the theory that Chocolate Fixes Everything, including sore knees, blisters and Dementors in the Night!

Not so fast cowboy...

OK, that didn't go as planned. While packing my bike for the Chicago trip, I manged to screw up my back (technically, my SI Joint and hips). I ended up in the ER Monday night and with a chiropractor for the next few days. My doctor has helped me stand erect again and I can now move without groaning audibly. While I could not ride the bike that far, I was given permission to drive there. I will be cheerng on the walkers in Chicago for a few days, then helping with the closing ceremonies traffic control on Sunday. After that, Jackie will come back to San Antonio with me for a visit before returning to Denver.

And so it begins

After spending a wonderful week between San Diego and Las Vegas with friends and family, tomorrow starts my 3-Day travels. I fly back to San Antonio from Southern California, pack my bike and head out Tuesday morning for Chicago. It is about 1300 miles, give or take a U-turn or two, and I plan to arrive Thursday afternoon. There are reports of thunderstorms in central Texas and again later in the week north of Oklahoma City. Rainy days and Tuesdays always get me down.

Chicago? Yes, Chicago

Grey Clouds & Silver linings and such... In 2004, I decided to leave the company where I was working and take a year off. That lead to my ability to train and, eventually, walk in the Boston 3-Day. I was fully able to experience what I had seen thousands of other walkers experience on the 3-Day. But, alas, good intentions of walking again this year failed to materialize when I took a new job and moved to San Antonio, TX. No walk for MotoCrew Michael in 2006. But...

The company I worked for in San Antonion and I have decided to part ways. I am vunce again unbound by zee trappings of zees American kapitalistic society! Ahhhh ha ha ha ha ha!

Guess what, that means I can do more 3-Days! So, after my family vacation in San Diego/Vegas next week, I will be riding from San Antonio up to Chicago where my friend Jackie is walking this year. I get to cheer her and 2,000 of her closest friends on for 3-Days. Of course, that is never enough for me, so I am also the Volunteer Captain for the Traffic and Safety team at holding during Closing Ceremonies. That will make it a clean sweep -- Crew, Walker and Volunteer -- 6 States, 8 Cities and 13 Events. I sure wish they would hire me at Event-360 so I wouldn't have to keep registering every time! :-)

Two weeks and counting

I know, I know. I've ignored you. I am a bad blogger. It has been a long time since I have posted. But...

It's almost here! The first 3-Day event of 2006, Boston, is in two weeks. I should be there, but as many of you know, I will not be. I just could not get myself prepared in time with the new job, house and life in San Antonio. I will still get the honor of being on the fabulous MotoCrew's in Dallas, Phoenix and San Diego, just no walking this year. To all of you walkers in Boston, have an awesome time! You trained hard. You raised money. You increased awareness. You did it. You are ready to celebrate and party with the best of them. So, hoist a sports drink for me this year. Perhaps I will see you all there next year.

MySpace

My son got me turned on to MySpace a year or so ago. As I have watched from inside the industry what is happening with this site (bandwidth, number of users, law suits and school suspensions) I have become more interested in it.

I joined the service a while ago to check it out, then found many of my so-called adult friends had accounts there. No only that, but I found a 3-Day Group out there!

To check out my very basic MySpace site, click here: http://www.myspace.com/3daymotocrew

If you have an account, please consider joining the 3-Day group here: http://groups.myspace.com/the3day

Another circus, another town!

Today I registered for San Antonio Race for the Cure. What was really cool was that there was already a team set up for Rackspace! It reminds me of the years before and just after Sally passed when we would walk the Orange County walk with great co-workers from Exodus and fantastic volleyball friends from ASA! As my Boston-based friends like to say, Wicked Cool.

Speaking of which, it is less than five monts until my Boston 60 miler. Better get training Pig Man!

Deja Vu all over again

And so it begins. Well, actually it began earlier this year when I registered myself to walk in Boston and crew in Dallas, Phoenix and San Diego. Like you expected anything else.

What is really cool about 2006 is that I get to walk in the first event and crew at the closing event!

Yesterday, I did my first training walk. Really, it was more of a test. I have not worked out since I moved to Texas and have done no distance walking since last year's events. So, I strapped on the running shoes, plugged in the iPod NANO and started walking. Four miles plus a small shopping stop went smoothly. Tonight I will try the treadmill at the gym (I knew I was paying that membership for a reason) for another 4-5 miles. My goal right now is to play a little catch up and walk at least four days per week -- 5 miles each outing. I have some nasty hills up behind my new house and will brave them in a little while. Right now, flat track walking is all I hope for.

For the next few months, I will try to revisit this site and update you on my training. If, at any time, you feel compelled to support my efforts, you can
always click on the "Donate Here" link in the top right corner of this blog. If you have wealthy, caring friends, please send them this link: http://www.the3day.org/Boston06/motocrewmichael

Don't be shy, it is only a click away!

Oops, sorry :-(

It is possible that I may be a little late in getting this post on-line. Let's see, my last post was Oct 18, 2005 and I was heading back to Orange County to begin my ride to Phoenix for the final 3-Day event of the season -- the 2005 season, that is. Well, it is now March 2006 and I just wanted to let y'all know that I made it to OC! Then to Phoenix! Then back home to San Antonio!

Brief update -- the ride to Phoenix was without incident. The event went very well, especially the day before Day 1 when I met up with a lovely lady who I had met the prior year. Jackie, it turns out, remembered me, my bike and my pigs. This year, she was crewing with Gear and Tent and I got to spent a lot of time getting to know her better. That was a very good thing. ;-)

So, as you already surmized, the event went off without a hitch. I had an awesome time in 2005 and am already registered to crew the event in 2006 now that I know that a person in a key position in Crew has been changed.

To all of my fellow crew mates in Phoenix, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Y'all make the events worthwhile for the walkers and your team mates.

Hello, I must be going

I'm here in Phoenix, at least for 10 more minutes. Then I jiump on a plane back to Orange County to get my bike and ride back to Phoenix tomorrow. This was so much easier when I was unemployed.

Letters from the MotoCrew

I was just sitting down to tell you how I felt about our crew this year, when I opened my email to see comments from many of them. Many of you have asked what it is like from a MotoCrew perspective (which is how I started this BLOG in 2003). Sit back, relax, and read what the MotoCrew have to say...

---[ From Master Sergeant Jay ]---
Hello All,
I hope this email finds you all in great health and lifted spirits (albeit sore and tired). I pray that the rainy ride home wasn't detrimental to anyone's health or bike. Shari and I happened upon a "little" weather last night ;- ) My thanks to Shari for dragging me through it.

I sincerely appreciate all the help, guidance and friendship that everyone shared with me. You all were right, it was truly a life changing experience. Everyone of you deserve the gratitude and thanks that all the walkers and staff give you, you are all better people than most for doing what you do as long as you've done it. I am extremely appreciative of being associated with all of you, if for only for a weekend. Again, my sincerest thanks and gratitude to you all.

---[From Shari ]---
Too all of you, the greatest CREW on the 3 DAY 2005....My thanks and appreciation for all your help, support, guidance, hugs, kisses, tears, jokes, jabs, smiles and MEMORIES! what a weekend.....

Every year I wonder if it can stir the same emotions, pride and fulfillment, as the last and like the bunny, it just keeps coming on strong!

As all the walkers filed in at closing, I thought it would never end...how incredible. To get them from point A to point B every day, and hope we made it more enjoyable, easier, safer and were helpful, what a reward.

I can only hope everyone made it home safely last night, it was terrific the weather held as long as it did...the light show and dew that greeted Jay and I on the way home became increasingly persistent, Jay and I shared each others wake on a very ugly night, but just having him at my side, knowing he would help, is what it must be like for the walkers, someone who cares and is there if needed....Yep, that is what it's all about!

My love and memories I'll always have for all of you! Thanks again for another year of 4 days that most people could never understand, should you try to explain it. My very best to all.

---[Chris "the Limey" ]---
Once again we have managed to combine experience and enthusiasm to provide a service that was bettered by none.

I am always in awe of the grace under pressure of the people who are by my side in this annual adventure, the walkers adore us but that affection is not given easily. It is earned with selflessness, kindness and apparently the questionable ability to leave the house wearing chaps, or a kilt, or both.

I have a friend who walked this year and she made it clear that we have only the smallest idea of how special we are to the walkers. We are guards and guides, we are milemarkers, we are crossing guards, we are greeters, we are cell phone police and we are there only for them.

I look forward to this event every year because I get to spend time with a group who have surpassed the title of friends and have become an extended family without all that arguing about where to spend Thanksgiving.

Congratulations to Paul and his Asst Captains for a job well done, minimum fuss and maximum efficiency was a great combination. I feel sorry for anyone who has not had this experience, but I don't want too many to know, I would hate to end up on the PortaPotty pump crew next year.

---[ From Greg ]---
I'm at work today and I'm finding it difficult to de-compress from such an impressive 3Day. It's difficult to describe the feelings and emotions to a "civilian". I try to describe the weekend but you can read their eyes...they just don't get it. Not their fault of course, the 3Day must be experienced to be understood.

My fourth 3Day but still amazed and in awe of the human spirit. We are exposed to so many negative things in the news, TV and radio yet for three days, 5000 walkers and crew unify with one single minded cause to make so many selfless act of kindness, too numerous to mention.

It was a privilege and honor to ride with each one of you. From a previous walker's perspective, I always felt that the MotoCrew were the "Rock Stars" of the event. This weekend confirmed that theory! More importantly, I found that the Rock Star status is earned by your hard work, dedication and desire to serve the group.

I was so busy working, laughing and crying that I hardly had time for photos but I hope to edit / compile what I have and will forward accordingly. I wish that I could duplicate the mental pictures and forward them as well.

Thank you for not abusing my rookie status and I hope to ride with you again.

---[ From Kathlene & Terry ]---
Just reading your emails so far has once again opened up the emotions of these past days. Terry and I, well... especially me, can not begin to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you. Your guidance, your laughter and your friendship.

It was all that I thought it would be and then some. As a past walker I remember clearly how much I appreciated the crew. I remember the moment I first saw the crew shirts on the Victory walk and that is when the sobbing like a baby began, lol. I think I sobbed like a baby this time too. My crew here at worked asked why the eyes were all puffy, lol.

Will I ever be able to thank you all enough? I don't think so.

Awesome!

I used that word a lot this weekend -- AWESOME!

The San Diego 3-Day is now in the book, raising over $10.3. Million! Way to go. Walkers, Crew, Family and Friends!

I am currently at 25,000 feet heading back to San Antonio for the night. When I get a chance tonight, I will update again with my 3-Day Small World stories, my thanks and tributes.

I just wanted to say how thankful and appreciative I am to have worked with an amazing MotoCrew (Route Safety for you newbies) team with weekend. 22 of the most talented, energetic, caring folks I could ever hope to meet. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all!

Wait... Did I mention my Sister, Lauren, finished the walk with her entire team of first year walkers? Way to go Pink PANTers! Over $20,000 raised and not one IV or ambulance ride.

Settling in to Texas

Even though I have been traveling extensively since taking on my new job, I am still finding time to settle into the Texas lifestyle. Today I bought a new home which is still under construction. You can see the pix here. So Texas is going well for me as is my new job.

I was very disappointed to hear this week that Howard Sitron is no longer with the NPT nor is he associated with the 3-Day events. I don't know the story (so don't ask) but I will miss him and his energy greatly. While I am sure that the 3-Day will continue to flourish and be an outstanding community event, it will suffer greatly for his loss.

2006 Already!

Yep! It is time to sign up for the 2006 events. You can look for me in Boston wearing Golden Yellow (Men With Heart team colors) and walking the distance, or in Dallas, Phoenix or San Diego doing the MotoCrew/Route Safety thing. I can't wait, and I still have two events in 2005 to do! Whooooooohoooo!

If you want to register for the 2006 events, click here. If you want to sponsor me for 2006 ;-) you can click here. Something new for 2006... you can reach my donation page directly at http://www.the3day.org/Boston06/motocrewmichael. Pretty cool, if you ask me. Go ahead... ask me. I'll tell you, that is pretty darn cool.

ACT Now!

Just got back from the San Diego All Crew Training (ACT). For many of us, this is just a day to rekindle year-old friendships and make a few new ones. So many of us have done this event so many times that learning how to put up a tent or that stretching is as important for us as it is for the walkers is old hat and, unfortunately, a little boring. So, we spend our morning trying to remember where we know these faces from -- which city, which year. It is the best part of ACT. We try to pay attention, but we end up drifting off into small groups and talking about past events, fellow team mates and what we are expecting for this year's monster shin dig.

This year's event in San Diego is humongous (sorry, no other word comes close). We cut off walker registration at 6,000. Last year we registered about half of that. The crew is similarly large and teams have had to cope with twice as many of everything -- gear and tent trucks, sweep vans, medical transport vehicles and, yes, Route Safety motorcycles. Our team is 23 strong this year, compared to 10 last year. We have chosen to break it into 3 smaller teams, one of which I will have the honor of leading.

So, to all my old friends who will crew in San Diego, thank you for returning. To my new friends crewing this year, welcome and look for me at next year's ACT and say "I remember you from 2005! San Diego, right?"

Hey, Y'all

Big news. I have moved to Texas!

I accepted a position as the VP, Infrastructure and Operations with Rackspce Managed Hosting, an Internet hosting company. I am here now, but heading back to So Cal to finish the sale of my house and the shipping of the few things I want to move to San Antonio with me.

I will still be doing the San Diego and Phoenix walks, so y'all won't miss me too much. Maybe next year I can do the Dallas event too.

Eventful Ending to a Great Seattle Trip

Well, I should have known things were going to well on this trip! ;-)

I was thoroughly enjoying my ride home. Took a nice ride down the coast, stopping at a few casinos for a little entertainment. Everything was going great. Then, I hit California.

I stopped for gas and made a few phone calls. At my next stop, some 180 miles later, I reached for my phone (my brand new, Motorola RAZR phone that I bought before I rode to Seattle) and found my velcro pocket on my riding pants open and my phone gone. OK, so I need to call the phone insurance company and get a new one. No big deal.

150 miles later, as I near Solvang, I pulled to the side of the highway to put my jacket on -- Friday night at 5pm. As I downshift my bike, the shifter falls off. This happened once before, oddly enough on the ride home from the All Crew training in Phoenix. This time, I know how to fix it. Two zip ties and 5 minutes later, I am back on the road. Now I have a zip tied motorcycle and no cell phone. Probably shouldn't ride much further tonight. I decided to head over to Lompoc where I know of a bike shop and a hotel.

Saturday morning I head over to the bike shop and they adopt me immediately. For $25 they fix my shift rod ends and I am back to factory standard on the bike. Time to call this ride done and get home. Unfortunately, the traffic on the 101 was terrible the heat challenging. I made it to the top of the Sepulveda Pass on I-405 when I noticed that my Check Engine light was on. Damn. OK, let's get off this hill, out of traffic and down to Bartel's Harley to get it checked out. Then my Volt meter showed zero. Then my Odometer went blank. Oh, how exciting.

I made it do Marina Del Rey and to within 4 blocks of the dealership before the battery ran out. Now, on the side of the road without a cell phone, I start looking for a solution. Hey, look there! Across the street from my breakdown spot is a Cingular Store. They let me call the dealer and the service department went beyond the call of duty by sending a personal truck out to get me and my bike.

Now the bike is in Marina del Rey being repaired and I am home thanks to my son.

The only thing left to do is get my phone replaced. Of course, according to Cingular, I don't have insurance on that phone (apparently they didn't even offer it when they sold me the phone three weeks ago) so I have to buy a new phone now. How exciting again!

Well, folks, that wraps up the Seattle event. Next event on my calendar, San Diego in October.

The Road Less Traveled

This is the value of exploring. Off of a two lane highway between Portland and Lincoln City, I found this restored covered bridge.

Can't Forget our Support Teams

On other events, I have seen bike cops and other city, county or state support staff that are helpful. The walkers usually love them (especially the cute bike cops from San Jose in their little biker shorts). As crew, they are helpful but not really a part of the team.

This event was very different and I really want to thank Tyler Espinoza, the Crew Coordinator here for putting this team together.

The first day, we had the support of Bellevue police at many intersections. They did a great job and were respectful and friendly to the walkers. They were truely a part of our team on Route Safety.

We had city paramedics and fire fighters on bikes running the route also. Those guys were great. Just a cute as the SJ bike cops ;-) but much more active in the support of the walkers. They stepped up to each challenge on the walk and were vigilant in their efforts to support all walkers. They asked us about the status of the walkers and their current locations so they would know where they were needed most. Fantastic.

The ambulance teams were great also. Sending out cheers and encouragement over their loud speakers, talking to the walkers and stopping when they saw folks on the side of the road to see if they could help. They brought water to us in the hot spots while we waited for the very busy sweep vans and even transported three of my walkers who could not continue on and couldn't make it off the trail to a sweep van. Thanks guys!

Lastly, to the firefighters who where there for us and set up sprinkers in spots to cool off the walkers, thanks!

I hope we get to see support like this in all the cities! Thanks to all who come out to support the cause!

Another one in the books

The Seattle event is now over and I have reclaimed enough sleep to update this BLOG. I apologize for the lack of updates, but I think this is proof that the life of a walker and that of a crew member are radically different. As a walker in Boston, I was able to update my posts during the day and in the evening. As a crew member in Seattle and elsewhere, I have no time to write during the day lest I leave walkers hanging in the middle of an intersection. By the time I am off the route, I am too tired to think. Basically, it is eat, clean and sleep, then do it again.

So, the recap for the event. AWESOME! The Route Safety/MotoCrew was amazing. One of the most agreeable, talented, creative and attentive crews I have seen anywhere. Able to think and react on their bikes and in the streets, they were, to the end, consummate professionals. Thank you all for letting me be a part of that.

The walkers were a pure joy. Happy, fun, well trained and willing to let us help them. As we repeated during the walk, WE LOVE YOU, WALKERS!

The route, well it was tough. Days two and three included many hills. Long hills. Many of them. One after another.

The layout was reverse of the pattern I usually see where we walk two long days and end on a short, 15-17 mile day. This time, we started with a short first day which was helpful considering it rained for several hours in the morning, then got cold. Unlike Boston, however, the sun came out in the afternoon and the rest of the day was beautiful. We were able to fully enjoy the camp experience in the warm Seattle evening with daylight until very late. It was just great.

Days two and three were longer at around 20 miles each, but the weather was absolutely amazing. Hot, sunny and beautiful. As you can see by the map below, we were able to enjoy many scenic views of the lakes and mountains in the Puget Sound. Day two definitely had an impact on the walkers feet, knees and backs. I have never seen the medical teams as busy as they were on this event, but I am told Dallas was also a very tough event for them.

From the new Microsoft Virtual Earth website of Aerial views, here is what the route looked like from space!

Day three really took its toll on the walkers. Many made it out of camp with shear determination and strength of spirit, but were unable to make it very far into the day. My sincere respect to the walkers who walked the whole 60 miles. The heat of the day combined with the hills and the pace required to make it into camp in time for closing ceremonies were pretty big obstacles. I respect all of the walkers who tried to make it and could do the distance, but just couldn't make the pace to stay ahead of the closing Pit Stops. I know many got swept due to time rather than physical pain or ability.

So, Seattle 2005 is in the books. The Event-360 team (3-Day employees) are on a 6 week break now before they start their second and final six events in Chicago. Red is heading back to Orange County today and I am staying in Seattle one more day to recover, do laundry and plan my route. Then I head home on a four day journey much the same as my route up. If anything exiting happens that is rated PG, I will share it here. ;-)

To see the wrap up by the 3-Day team, click here.

Let's face it, I'm pooped...

[Extra credit to those who can name the show the song lyric in the title came from]

The first day of the Seattle 3-Day is in the books and I am ready for bed. It was a very short walk day, but a very, very long work day. The route was only 17.5 miles today (very short by 3-Day standards) but with a crew call of 4am and a day filled with rain, I am dog tired. I am not really sure what that phrase means, but I know I am exhausted.

We were soaked to the bone by 8am and it continued raining until mid-day. Then, unlike Boston, the sun came out and dried up all the rain. By the time most walkers got to camp, the ground was nearly dry and the sun had taken the significant chill off. Warm showers and excellent food put everyone back in 3-Day spirits. Someday, I may tell you about the MotoCrew singing the Mickey Mouse Club theme song for Karaoke.

I have arrived

I am in Bellevue, WA now at the hotel the Event-360 staff use. This is also the hotel the walkers and crew members will use on Thursday night before the walk. I am crashing with my son, Red, for the next two nights, then will take over the room during the walk. The good news is that I get to be an official member of the crew now. They are making an exception in Seattle and letting me register late to augment this awesome team. Thank you staff and coordinators!

Now that I have an internet connection and a real keyboard, I am going to go back over the past few days and edit my posts. As you know, those came from my cell phone, not a Blackberry with a keyboard. I was pecking out BLOG entries like TXT messages from the side of the highway most times. Please go back and look at previous posts again as there will be more explanations for the pictures and some totally new entries that I couldn't type on the cell phone. I had to resort to pen and paper each night to record my thoughts. Luckily, I don't have many to write down.

And a major thank you to someone special who called tonight when I was feeling pretty dogged after riding 1,400 miles alone. Thank you, thank you, thank you. ;-)

Sign for a Motocrew Member

First, I apologize for the quality of these shots. I assume I smudged the lense of my new camera phone. That damn thing is so small, it is hard not to with gloves, glasses, helmet and jacket on.

If you can't tell the sign is of an Oregon State Park called "Hug Point". I wanted to steal one and take it with me on all walks so the walkers knew exactly where to stop for their hugs! :-P

Monday in Review

Today I rode from Brookings to Lincoln, OR. I had thought about riding to the Washington border but then I saw a beautiful city, with a great hotel right on the Pacific Ocean. Did I mention it had a casino? And a buffett? And a poker room in the casino? Woohoo!

The ride up to Lincoln took us over fantastic bridges, past huge sand dunes, quaint fishing villages and the largest sea lion cave in the US. It was really an nice day riding and sharing lunch with Brian and Connie who were taking an extended weekend away from work on their bikes.

Making Friends

Lunch stop in Coos Bay, OR with new friends Brian and Connie. We had a nice ride together and stopped to share stories, philosophies and life's goals over an Arby's sandwich.