Motorcycle Riders are on their way to Run For The Wall's starting location.

Here we go.  People are leaving home, packed and ready to ride Run For The Wall.

The web page www.rftw.org has a link called Runs to the Run, groups of riders are meeting up via the net, and the Forum, and riding to California for the organized ride that leaves next Wednesday.

In California next Wednesday hundreds of riders will leave Rancho Cucamonga headed across country in an event that celebrates it's 23rd year.  To ride with this group is such an honor it's hard to put into words.  Just standing back and watching the riders who are joining for the first time integrate into the group, ask questions, pack and repack, and get photos ... knowing how much work and preparation goes into the final project, gives me pause.

I'm praying for safety for all the riders on their way, and for a wonderful trip to THE WALL.

You see everything on America's highways.

Last year at Sturgis, I had to snap this photo.  Sturgis, SD  bike week is one of our annual ministry locations.  We were walking downtown before the huge showing arrived.  We set up about 3-5 days before the event begins, so that we can get in and out with our trailer.

We were walking downtown, waiting to cross at an intersection.  The city only allows motorcycles on the main roads during bike week, but a lot of people come in vehicles before the events get started to gawk and check out the rides.

This man was actually riding his motorcycle dressed like this, (not unusual in this setting) but here he is stopped at an intersection taking a phone call.  So funny, people everywhere getting the shot

OK BACK TO PACKING FOR RUN FOR THE WALL

on the 9th day - RAIN

Stormin!!

I do have a theory.  Thunderstorms build over motorcycle events.  If we stayed in one place long enough we would have them after a day or two.  Every event we attend has a day or two of storms!!  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.  No-o-o-o this isn't my photography it's google images... I wish I had taken this pic, I'd be famous (and retired).

It did storm to day on the riders - in the mountains - but ya know what?  I still haven't heard complaints - we ain't completed the mission till we go to the WALL on Saturday, and nothing is stopping us now.  Who's got time to complain.

Dinner with friends in a a few hours, a good night's sleep, staging for one more day together, greetings in DC by the Southern Route tomorrow afternoon, and Friday Night and All Day Saturday events ... and we all start our goodbyes.

Another year of planning, has worked its way into a safe, memorable, healing mission for our warriors, Veterans of the US Military!  Thank you and Welcome Home soldier.

2nd Day of Registration for Run For The Wall

Today after 11 hours of Registration and meetings, I'll need to re-pack my bike for tomorrow's start of Run For The Wall 2010.

I have gifts for the hard workers around here, but yesterday we were so covered up with people wanting to register and meetings that the gifts were in my room about 100 yards away and one floor above me and I never made it to my room to get them to distribute them.  Today it is my #1 priority, after I eat, have another Board Meeting, get registration started and step into a couple more meetings ... no really, my # 1 priority.

We had an incredible time of reunions yesterday with familiar faces, and Tuesday's registrations and meetings are all about the new guys and gals that show up.  We so look forward to meeting these people and helping them get across the miles to the Wall. 

I have some FNG ladies helping us at registration and several "old hands," that stepped up to the plate for us yesterday, and it could not have gone smoother.  Just seems like every year the process is slicker and makes life easier for all involved.  Couldn't do it without so much support and planning throughout the year.

Tomorrow about 7:15 AM after I'm introduced to the ridership of Run For The Wall, my tasks are complete and all I have on my plate is to ride my bike to D.C.  Russ has the honor of opening in prayer at the general session of the Rider's Meeting tomorrow, also, before the two packs go their separate ways, Central Route heads up to I-40 and Southern Route over to I-10 and we meet again in 10 days in Arlington, VA.

Off to a great start, don't know how many we registered yesterday, went to a late dinner and straight to bed, so I'll get some counts this morning!!

Sugarbear

I think I need a mascot this year.

Russ is going to be a Road Guard on the Central Route, and I will be riding with the pack.

Since Pop Top started giving me little white Teddy Bears with Run For The Wall vests, they've been riding from California to D.C. attached to my luggage.  Last year I put "Sugarbear" inside my bag and kept her clean the entire run.  This year, she has several pins on her vest, and plans to be in a lot of the pictures.

Follow Sugarbear across the miles.

 Here, she's looking at the map on-line on the Run For The Wall web page.

With an American Flag pin, an RFTW 20th Anniversary pin, an HonorBound MM Pin and an Angel on a Motorcycle Pin she's ready for the ride.

Thanks, Pop Top!!

me

The Run For The Wall Guardian Angels

There are several Leadership positions on Run For The Wall.

I suppose the most visible to all the riders as we traverse this great Nation is the Road Guard.  He rolls past the pack to reach the front, points out slacking space in the groups of riders, checks for loose gear on bikes, condition of the bikes and riders and in general ushers the entire pack.  There are several on each route, and they are methodically trained for their cross-country trek.

They wear Yellow Arm Bands that you get used to seeing form a long way off - in your bikes rear view mirror or way ahead alongside the highway exit with a flag directing the pack onto an off ramp.  They zip past checking all riders, then move into a pack of their own awaiting instructions or ride out ahead and move to the next stop.

So many potential misunderstandings come along with the job.  It almost always happens with new RFTW riders.  They are in the wrong place at the wrong time - probably totally innocent, but maybe weren't listening in the morning riders' meeting ... and a Road Guard has to quickly and firmly get their attention.  It happened to me - more than once.  There are so many bikes, and so many instructions and it's hard to know who's lead to follow when you're in the middle of a pack of riders who are all waiting for instructions or guidance, and things get confusing quickly.

The reason I feature the Road Guards is because over the last 8 years, riding, volunteering, preparing for Run For The Wall and in Leadership posiitions, I know Run For The Wall would not be what it is today, a very organized, safe, methodical process of getting nearly 2000 people across this great Nation from California to Washington D.C. each year, if it weren't for the hard work and dedication of the Road Guards while we are on the road.

Russ arriving at a gas stop last year, the pack is coming in all the way to the horizon.

Communities greet us - 

School Kids always doing something very moving to 

let us know they've learned about what we are doing and why.

The behind the scene efforts of community volunteers, the State Coordinators who stake out the routes in their area and plan all stops assigned to them, the Route Coordinators who each oversee more than 100 volunteers per Route, and each of the Team Leaders, Assistants, all the way to the motel clerks and campgrond operators who host us each year, Run For The Wall has thousands of volunteers who get us across country, and being a Board Member, along with my husband being Route Coordinator last year and several other positions in the last several years, has taught me that each position has it's purpose.  Run For The Wall is successful because of the passion our volunteers have for it's completion each year.

This year my hat is off to Road Guards, they play an integral role in getting us from point A to point B, over and over and over and over again, we know they get tired, and sometimes impatient and they also are not respected like they should be, but we love them, obey them and keep the murmuring to a minimum because we appreciate them - our Guardian Angels.

What I Pack for Run For The Wall (along with a few lady-like items)

Well, as best as I can remember - here is what is on my bike in Phoenix, waiting for me to fly back there next weekend. 

My Olympia mesh riding pants, along with my First Gear black mesh (with zip on panel) riding jacket, in a bag strapped to the passenger seat.  I wear all the gear all the time, including a helmet.  Not saying I always have, but now I do - more to conserve I guess.
 
The older we get the less tolerance to pain.

My Gerbings cold weather heated jacket and the cool vest you soak in water and wear over clothes in 110 degree weather.

Long Underwear
6 changes of easy to wash and dry undergarments and boot socks.

Motorcycle Boots are by the bike with socks (I'll be flying to pick up my bike wearing a pair of comfortable sandals (to be used evenings along the way).
Toiletries (my fav. shampoo because I like babying myself a little on the "Run")
Very little make-up (although I like make-up, I've learned that it evaporates in the hot Sun and burns your eyes and tearing while riding your own motorcycle is totally not safe!!)
Sun Screen and chapstick
Gloves
An MP3 player for the trip to CA and the trip home. (charger fits mp3 player and phone)
Tested my CB Radio, GPS and had my oil change

I packed enough tops for 4 days (we do laundry in the room) Under Armour 2 short sleeve, 2 long sleeve and my velour vest and long sleeve pull-over. 

The new sleeveless denim shirt from RFTW Merchandise, and my Run For The Wall Vest.

My treasured army surplus wool scarf - a gift from Gunny 2009.
Rope for clothes line in the room and "All" detergent to hand wash (shampoo works, too) Clothespins
I'll have a pair of jeans with me and my rain suit (Frog Togs) fits over my riding clothes.

In my left saddle bag - just behind me when I get off the bike - I keep my toiletries and overnight items I need, I have a tank bag for the quick cash I need at fuel stops, in my right bag on the other side, I carry my rain suit - on top easy access, my Gerbings when not wearing it and my extra cold weather clothing for standing around inthe cold.

On top of my passenger saddle, strapped down, I carry an extra waterproof bag with lots of extra room so that when I need to shed a layer or buy something new there's room for it.

I have my phone charger, my id, my camera and charger, my insurance card for my bike, all that stuff.

John Gosser, Virginia State Coordinator for RFTW filling me in on 

last minute details.  Note how stacked my bike was last year (on left)!

If I forget anything at all chances are the person on the bike next to me will remember it.  I used to ride Run For The Wall with several bags strapped around, thinking of all those things that I may not be able to live without them, over time I learned - just take the basics.

My helmet is a flip face - full-face helmet.  My first year on Run For The Wall it rained from Kansas to Washington D.C.  I had a half helmet and goggles which failed me every day!!  The full-face you get some wind air circulation to keep the fog down and no water in your eyes.  Love it!

Oops! Didn't pack long underwear - guess I'll have a few last minute items to carry on the plane.

We didn't used to fly part of the way - but our calendar and budget don't have room for the 4 days out, not this year or the last 2 years.  We leave Phoenix early May anyway, head to Indiana for a brief visit and for very cheap tickets fly back, rested and ready to hit the ground running.