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Region 1 MDA Ride
November 2006, Pages 8 and 9
(Pictures with black Dot I didn't take)
It is that
time of year again. The MDA Rides are here and gone. The sheer enjoyment of
getting so many together in one place is unbelievable. The cause is just as
important.
This year I did the ride with a passenger. Rhonda Ablrett and her daughter were
looking for rides (her daughter Breanna has Friedericks Ataxia). The ride was an
interesting one for me, as we talked while traveling for the hour plus about MDA
and Breanna's situation. After being diagnosed four years ago she has just
gotten to the stage where she needs a wheel-chair. Being 14 is a difficult time
for anyone, being 14 in a wheel-chair is even harder. This is only one of the
many stories I heard about over the weekend, but it is good to be able to
actually meet and know the people we are helping.
Of course after the ride it is time for some dinner and music. We had a fair
choice for dinner, Chicken, Brats or Hamburgers. I chose the Chicken, yumm. Onto
the musical entertainment... Moon Travelers were up first. Not bad at all. They
started while the ride was still returning and got the crowds ready for the main
act: Eddie Money.
Eddie Money did the ride justice by his act. Enjoyed hearing the tunes once
again. They kept things going for hours. On a side note, we had such large
crowds that the police were there to "watch" over us. Their biggest problem
wasn't us though - one of their horses got loose and they had to chase it down.
Every MDA Ride has it's moments.
-English Mike
After the long ride and the good music it was time to do the Telethon.
Many of us went to the station for our 6am job: answering phones. I have to
admit that there is more fun to this then you might realize. The most action
happens while we are on the local break - the rest of the time only a few phones
are manned and most everyone else is out for a cigarette and coffee break.
As you can expect, all the antics are played out in front of you. Dean climbing
the fire ladder, the re-arrangements of the set while waiting to go on... then
the Dilly Bars taste real good. Hey, we even let them have the check. $127,153.
Not bad for a bunch of bikers.
-English Mike
Region 4 MDA Ride
November 2006, Pages 16 and 17
(Pictures with black dot I didn't take)
What
a great day for a ride! After putting in a good 100 to get there I decided it
would be fun to actually go ON the ride. Most of the ride was in the country,
but looking in the mirror was kind of cool. Seeing all the bikes lined out
behind you, sometimes I wish I had a camera to take pictures.
After the trip around town the fun really began. Field Events went well. Slow
Ride and the Blind Ride had some excitement. The next game concerned putting
balls in a bucket and was more fun to watch then anything else. There was also
the weenie bite. On that topic, did I mention that the event was held in the
parking lot of the Hooters in Lafayette. Great Fun, looking to see what they
have planned for next year.
-English Mike
Marshall County Summer's End
Party
November 2006, Pages 24 and 25
Like
every good party: it starts with good music and a chance to unwind after a long
day of work. Marshall County does a great job of this each year with their
Summers End Party. Half Track did a wonderful job getting the "Life" into the
party.
Saturday was about as hectic as one could get. The day started with the bike
show and continued with Field Events. These included such things as the Barrel
push, Slow Ride and Weenie Bite. They also had and mini-chopper race a potato
hunt and something called the "Jack -off contest". One that they are very good
at and delight in winning each year.
After some thought I decided to try my hand at the Slow Ride. I was doing well
(for the first time in competition). My opponent caught my attention and with a
sidelong glance it was over and I put my feet down. Better luck for me next
time.
In all, it was a great time I wouldn't have missed for anything. I'll be there
next year.
-English Mike
November 3, 2006
