The Adventures of Bounce and Clyde the Motorcycle

Run for the Wall

2012-01-30T09:14:00.000-08:00

First heard this song in 2005, and I for one will never forget. Thanks Joey, and may God Bless all of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, and Coast Guardsmen. They fight so that we can be free.

Run For The Wall...it is a mission not a party not a rally. You do not have to like it you just have to do it

2012-01-30T09:04:00.000-08:00

In 2004 my younger Brother Bob called me, and he was happy and excited. This was not strange, but simply amazing. We had not really gotten along well for years prior to this for many reasons. He told me that I needed to do a motorcycle ride with him. I did not even have a motorcycle at the time. I got the web address rftw.org from him and took a look.   My wife looked at it too and told me that I should do this. Well I hemmed and hawed for months. I looked at bikes, but had no idea what to get, or if I would even be able to do this trip with my Brother. I told him it sounded like it was for Viet Nam Vets, and I am not one of those, even though he is. He then told me that the guy that was leading the pack in 04 had a hat that read "I wasn't there but I still care."   Well that and finding a bike that I could afford settled it. My Wife had already booked rooms from Colorado to DC, and decided that she and my Dad, aka The Old Marine, would be going along and meet up with us in Mount Vernon Il. Well I showed up in Colorado two days before we, my Brother and I were to meet up with the run. He had arranged for a private one on one Motorcycle Safety Advanced Riders course for the two of us, and then he and I rode around a bit before we met a group and rode out to meet the Run.
I had no idea what I was getting myself into (This ride should have a warning label on it that reads "Caution this is a mission and if you participate in any part of it you will be hooked") I immediately felt welcome as an FNG (Fun New Guy) even though when I was in the Air Force that term was pretty negative, here it felt good.   My Brother had only gone from LA to Colorado the previous year, so we both had no idea what to expect. He knew what the riding would be like, and his advice and help made it easier. There were wild moments, like in Kansas when a Day Rider without a helmet got hit by a construction cone and debris from a concrete saw and went down hard right next to me in a construction zone. Then there was Kansas City, wow what a rush. For my friends that experienced the "Topeka Turn Around" in 2011 Kansas City in 2005 was a lot worse. At leas in 2011 we stayed together as a pack. In 2004 the leader missed an exit because the Road Guard couldn't get posted in the right spot due to construction. The leader kept going, and the pack simply exploded, riders that knew the correct route took it, those of us that didn't simply kept going straight on I-70. My Brother and I could hear the leader on the radio advising his speed and location. We took off at a high rate of speed (sometimes hitting triple digits) to catch him, but got sane quick and slowed down and the pack reformed a little smaller but eventually we all ended up where we needed to be.
After this incident one rider came up to me in Wentzville MO and gave me a hug and told me that he was so happy to see me in front of him cause he knew I had that radio and would know where to go. I never told him that I was as lost as he was, I just smiled and said something about it was a good thing we were there in one piece.
During that first trip I heard a lot of Trucks cussing us, and wondering what we were doing blocking up the highway like that. One of the said something like "Sure wish I was rich like that so I could rally and party like those clowns are."   J.R. Franklin came across the radio with the following answer (it may not be word for word, but it is close and I remember it well because in the last 8 years I have repeated it like a script thousands of times) "Driver we know we are a spectacle, we do not mean to be, most of theses folks would walk across the country if they had to to make people like you aware that not everyone came home from Viet Nam. But this is not a Rally, it is not a Party, hell it is not even a fun ride. It is a mission, and like all missions you do not have to like it, you just have to do it."
Well J.R. was leading the pack so he had to stay on a different channel than 19 most of the time. I took it upon myself to relay that little message to anyone that would listen from Kansas City to D.C.   There were about 5 days left on the 10 day trip at that point, and it took 3 days for the hate and animosity to become praise and admiration for our mission.   I also called in to Claire B. Lang's Dialed in show on XM radio cause I was a regular caller, and Claire actually supported us. The next year she interviewed me for about 15 minutes, and that interview was replayed 4 or 5 times. That really got the word out.
In 2007 I became more than just a guy that talked on the CB radio, I actually had a two man team, Krazy
I got my road name in 2007 too. Riding into Angel Fire New Mexico I got hit by a big truck, and sort of bounced off it. Originally (and I still think it is) my name was to be "Dances with Semi's" and some called me Semi Slayer (it seems the truck I bounced off of pulled over around the next curve to let the bikes by and got stuck in the dirt on the shoulder and was towed away) but Bounce sort of stuck, and Clyde (that is the name I had given my motorcycle in 2005 when I first got him) liked it too. $3200 worth of damage to the bike, and all I did was duct tape the side bag, and straighten out the shifter and crash bar, then rode on to DC and back home to Wisconsin. Say what you want to about Yamahas, they are one tough bike. Oh and I am one lucky rider too.

So any way for those of you that read this remember Run For The Wall is a Mission. It is not a party, it is not a rally, and after the first year it is rewarding but it is a tough ride. You do not have to like it, you just have to do it. If we stop riding across the country to make people aware that 17000 plus folks are still not back from Viet Nam, and thousands more are still in Korea, and the Pacific, and Europe, unaccounted for, our Government will forget those that gave their all for this countries freedoms.

Never Forget. Will I be there this year? It does not look like it. My wife is ill, and my job has changed a lot, and I need to keep it. Will I support the Run, forever. I will call in to the usual truck shows and let the drivers know we have two routes and one mission, and beg them to protect my friends especially the FNG's that have never ridden in a ride like this, absolutely. Formation riding is tough, but in a pack of over 500 bikes it is inherently dangerous, and safe at the same time, as there are safety in the shear numbers.
Will I worry about the folks on the Run, no, I will pray that they are safe, but they have a great leader this year, and he will accomplish his mission of safely getting everyone from LA to DC. Will there be mistakes made, probably, but I pray that no one gets hurt, and that the FNG's get the bug that I did. If there is anyway that I can be there I will be there, but for now it will be only in spirit. Thanks to everyone that has praised me, or thanked me or even just put up with me over the years. I hope someone will step up and take over the job I created. If they do I will gladly send them notes, and the SOP that I wrote and presented to the BOD so many years ago.
Run For The Wall is the largest longest Motorcycle Event in the world (this is recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records). This event, no Mission, involves thousands of volunteers and riders, it costs $20.00 to register for the 10 days of the ride (this fee is the same if you start on day 1 or day 9) and it costs time, and gas money, and hotel costs. If you camp, at least on the Central Route, there is no place that charges a fee. It can be done with a little planning and saving. I sold my truck this July, and the deal I have now will not allow me to do it this year. I will be back, because I promised a few folks that I would do this until everyone came home. The folks I promised have their name carved in black granite, and there are over 50,000 of them. They and the thousands that are still unaccounted for are reason enough to do this run. They are the reason for the Mission, ride safe stay upright and visible my friends.

Bounce

Sorry I have not written much this year

2012-01-19T21:28:00.000-08:00

I was just noticing that there are still folks out there that have been looking at this blog. My Sister-In-Law calls them my rants. Well she is probably right, she has been smart enough to keep my Brother out of trouble. I just have not really had a lot of time lately to write. I rode Clyde last in May, and have not even seen that darn bike since then. He is in really good care and has been getting ridden regularly by a friend of mine. He needs two new tires, and probably an oil change and tune up before this May.
The other day I met a Legion Rider at the Petro Truck Stop outside Kingman Arizona. I mentioned the Run to him, and he told me that he had heard of it. I told him to check out the forum. His Legion Riders Group organizes one of the Over Pass displays we ride under, so he knows about the Run, he stated that he thought he should do it. He was a little surprised when I told him that he could probably do the whole thing for less than a $1000.00 if he planned on camping.

I started thinking about that. The Run doesn't really cost anything but time and a little cash. For me the mission itself if pretty important. Reading and posting on the forum for RFTW.org can be fun, and there are so many new folks posting every day. I look back on the seven years that I have done this run, and actually its eight years cause I did things in 2010 to support them even though I could not make the trip that year. All seven rides were good, and I enjoyed them.

Here is a warning to any and all that participate in Run For The Wall, it is an addicting thing, and if you participate even in one leg, eventually you will be back and do more and more. If you ever join us your life will be changed for the good forever. The folks that do the Run are one big family. Sometimes dysfunctional but a family that loves and cherishes all its members. That is a good thing.
We cannot let our leaders forget the people that have been left behind. This will be the twenty fifth year of Rolling Thunder, and the twenty fourth Run For the Wall. Thank you to all that have served our country, and all that have kept our mission alive all these years. Till they all come home. Never forget Freedom is not Free. Some day we won't have to ride to D.C. anymore because our demand for an accounting and return of the missing will be answered. Until then we ride, and that to is a good thing.

Well its Labor Day weekend and I have only fished once all summer

2011-09-04T13:35:00.000-07:00

I sure wish I could have fished more this summer, but I had to work pretty much every day. I am trying to earn enough to cover all the bills so that when I do the Run For The Wall I won't be in such a deep hole that I cannot recover. Either way I am doing the mission, cause I just have to.

Clyde is safely at a friends house, he needs tires and an oil change, but the wonky transmission problem that kept us out of Rolling Thunder this year is solved, seems he was a little low on oil is all.

Bounce

'

2011 Run for the Wall

2011-07-08T16:57:00.000-07:00

This video is produced by the Jackson County, MO Sheriff's Department. Thanks to them and all the Law Enforcement Officers in Missouri, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and Washington D.C. that helped all of us on the Central Route of Run For The Wall 2011 get our mission done safely. In addition there are a few snow plow drivers in Arizona that have my thanks too.

Patriot Guard Showing up for USMC Sgt. Balduf

2011-07-02T18:56:00.000-07:00

This video goes with the below post. We will not let it happen to our troops, not now, not ever again. You have the right to do and say what you want, but we have the right to support our troops, and believe me when I say they are watching these things.

Seven words, two sentences Heavy thoughts

2011-07-02T18:38:00.000-07:00

They are only seven words. Two sentences. Most soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guardsmen did not hear them when returning from Vietnam. What are these words? They are so simple, and their healing properties are phenomenal. Some Vietnam Veterans have never heard them, but a few that have done Run For The Wall have. In the 6 years that I have done this run I have said them many times. But more importantly I say them almost every day when I am not on the Run. Every time I see someone in Uniform, or someone that is obviously a member of our current military I say them. Think about this, there is no one that is in uniform today that has not volunteered to serve in a time that our nation is at war. These folks are motivated , brave, smart and brave. They are aware that every time they leave the country they may not return home in once piece or alive.

Most of the folks that read this blog know what those seven words are, and proudly use them as I do, for those of you who do not know here they are:

Welcome Home. Thank you for your service.

When I use them I always shake the soldiers hand and I have on occasion bought them lunch or dinner, mostly without them knowing because if they know I am doing this they will not accept it. They are as proud as my generation, and my Father's and Grand Father's generation were. The American fighting man and woman of today are to be congratulated and celebrated. They know that we are at war and the still serve. My generation and some of the people that are a few years younger than I am should be ashamed that so many of the folks that refused to serve during Vietnam. Many many more served, and actually if you check the statistics, many more volunteered than were drafted. Once again the news media does not report this, because they do not understand it.

Thank you for your service. Welcome home. Honestly given praise, that shamefully America did not offer to it's Vietnam Vets. But it is offered now because the Vietnam Vets will not allow our troops to be treated as they were.

Bounce

Run for the Wall 2011 Missouri

2011-06-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

This video is just one Overpass in Missouri, pretty much every one we went under had people lined from end to end. The deputies and motorcycle officers that supported us in this state did a great job. The rolling road block worked well. Traffic kept flowing in front of and behind us. There were very little delays in Missouri this year. Thanks for all the support
t

Home At Last

2011-05-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

Another Mission completed, 6500 plus miles, and my butt is sore. Clyde has been unpacked, and next time I am home I will clean him up and change his oil. He ran like a champ but I am a little worried about his transmission. All that fast down shifting is probably not good for him. But he is not complaining. Total MPG was a little over 45 MPG for the entire run. Not to shabby, and Clyde now has 40,000 miles on him. Not even broken in.
I enjoyed this years Run, and stopped back in at Rainelle for a visit on the way home. I also had dinner with Bones Pouge in Lewisburg on the way back. He is a great guy, and I really respect him and his opinions. Well that is about it. I am guessing that my readership will drop down now that I am not on the Run. That is OK. Just remember this Blog is not dedicated to the Run For The Wall, but the writer is.
Thanks Reed Black, Glen Jones, Joey Holiday, Krazy Karl Haartz, Harry Steelman, Dave Gladwill, and all the folks on all the teams on RFTW 2011. You folks made my Run this year. Jonesy next time I call at midnight it would be nice not to keep me on hold until thirty minutes before the Vtwin Alarm Clock goes off.

Thanks again, especially to the riders, you did great. See you all next year.

Bounce,

Out and standing by on the side

Rainelle, WV a small town that lives for four days a year

2011-05-30T19:09:00.000-07:00

Today I rode back through Rainelle, WV and it was deserted. All the riders left yesterday, and there was almost no one there. LZ rainelle was still there as was a replica of the Wall, and the folks with the Agent Orange quilts were there. I met with the guy that originated LZ Rainelle, and he told me that the town just does not have enough rooms or camping area to sustain the number of folks that participate. Most either go to Lewisburg, and the Run takes up most of those rooms till Friday Morning, or to Somerville, and that is almost an hour and a half away. But they still had a good turn out. They have a church service on Sunday and all the bleachers were full.
I got the rocker for my LZ Rainelle pin.
\I also got some history from one of the residents about the first run. They camped in a field near town, and the Mayor did not exactly want the bikers there. He did later try to run for re election stating he brought them there, but that went no where, as the folks in Rainelle knew he did not like the bikers.

Hot day, and I am tired. I will be home tomorrow.

\Bounce

The Road Home is always long.

2011-05-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

I am on the Road Home. It is always long. Looking at my stats there are a lot of folks looking at my blog, and some of you are active duty. Thank You for reading my writing. I hope you enjoyed the photos. I have a few more.
Today I rode an extra few miles to try to find a better transition for the Run in Virginia. The move from I-64 to I-81 is short, hard for oncoming trucks to see, and tough to get done right. Unfortunately there is no way to get to the easier ramp without stopping traffic at over a dozen lights. So we will be doing it the hard way. I did find that going south a little further will work for talking to trucks. I can contact the trucks sooner, and with the right words they moved this year, and the cars went with them. It went so smooth that I did not see the pack do it, and when I came up the hill they were gone. That was OK, I was almost sure they had already gone by, but when the Chase two truck came up the ramp I new for sure. Of course the trikes and bikes with trailers had gone ahead so the pack was a lot shorter. As our riders get older the seem to need more stuff, or maybe it is just more stable rides. I met a gal that came from Wentzville, MO with us that rides a trike, and she is a little over 70, but she does not look it, and she is a great rider.

This may surprise some of the riders that rode with me, but this was the best run ever for me. I did it on the cash I had allowed myself to use, almost, but did not use credit. I got to camp a lot and meet new friends and talk with old friends. It was a great trip. The weather was challenging, but we all survived it. There is a special patch for the ones that rode into Williams AZ, and it is cool. A snowman riding a bike up hill. It is in black and white, but that is also cool cause we were riding at night so everything was pretty much black, except that snow, it was white, real white.

The Riders are making their way home, I had dinner with Bones tonight, he is a great guy, and a good friend. I would never have known him but for the Run, but we now talk at least once a month, and sometimes more often. He is a busy man as I am but both of us will always take time to talk to friends.
Tonight at Lewisburg, WV Bones and I met one of the Waitresses from Applebees and she got the information for the Run Web page, she stated that she would not mind going to the wall, but she doesn't ride a bike. Little does she know, we told her to join the forum and read up on what we do. Who knows, we may have recruited an new FNG for next year. For those of you who do not know it that is a term of endearment on the Run and it stands for Fun New Guy or Gal.

Bounce

Mission Accomplished

2011-05-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

All riders safely made it to the Wall today, even though we were pelted by hail stones the size of ping pong balls in WV, and rode through a snow storm in AZ, no one was seriously injured, and except for mechanical break downs, no bikes were badly damaged either. All in all it was a good run.

Next year will be better. Thanks to all that have read this, keep following it I will be telling the tale of Clyde and me heading home, and I post lots of good stuff during the year. This Blog is not dedicated to the Run For The Wall, but the writer, and rider is.

Bounce

Day 10 is done, The mission May never be done

2011-05-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

Honored to be favored by the Road Guards, great men great riders and friends all

Tonight I sit in a church dining area in Arlington VA typing this blog. I am tired, and looking forward to going to bed early. In the morning I am going to the Wall, I am going to watch the the Navajo Gourd Dance Society Honor us at dawn. They came here all the way from Gallup NM and I have two friends that have been inducted into this society. The feeling of the Gourd Dance, and the spirit that moves around them is unique and wonderful. They know how to welcome warriors because they are a race of warriors.

Today's ride was great, good weather, at least until tonight it may rain on the few of us that still camp. The transition onto Interstate 81 north from Interstate 64 east went very very smoothly. All the trucks moved into the right lane when I asked them to, and the cars followed them because we had a road guard waving a flag, and we all know that four wheelers think trucks know what is going on. In fact it went so smoothly I missed it. I posted below the hill about 1/2 mile from the interchange and did not see the transition, but this time the trucks heard me and moved, they also thanked me for making it so that they would not be held up, it was Great.

Then something happened that is extremely rare for me, I was left completely speechless. Bill Rocket Rager summoned me to his office (that is what I think of when called to meet him at his bike). Indian Scout, a 76 year old Road Guard ( I hope I can move half as well as he does now when I am 60) told me that Rocket wanted me and he was not real happy. I wanted to duck it but Scout told me it was better to get a butt chewing done quick and while the chewer is hot and doesn't have time to think about it. So I went and I got
something I did not expect. I will let the picture tell the story.

Tomorrow we finalize this years mission and visit the Wall. As I sit here in Arlington VA I can feel that place to my east. It is a scary place for me, and I still struggle to walk the entire wall, but I will do it this year for Chuck Huskey, he died in Strugis SD in 1981 in a helicopter crash, during the Cold War. He was too young to be on that Wall, but I still honor him with my ride, and remember the fun we had. I also will be honoring a friends Uncle that died in a helicopter crash in Vietnam.

One final note then I will post the pictures, thanks to all the folks from Run For The Wall that have read these words in the last month, there are over 1400 of you, and I appreciate it.

Thanks
Dave Bounce Talley

Me with two couples that rode all the way and are FNG's, or were they are now experienced Run riders.

Some of our bikes staged at Lewisburg, WV, with fairly clear skies, some riders put their rain gear on anyway, because we do not stop for rain gear.

A prayer before we ride into Washington DC traffic

The reason we ride

A mobile version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

This man credits me with saving his life in Angel Fire New Mexico in 2008. All I did was get his bike off him as quickly as I could.

Day 8 done 599 motor cycles and one Vespa Scooter

2011-05-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

A lady and her scooter (she has been with us all the way, and so has her scooter.

The designer of the awesome sundial at the Kentucky State Vietnam Veterans Memorial today

Washington DC or bust, no wait that says RFTW 2011 all the way but clyde still thinks the little Vespa is cute

but

Saddle bags? Who needs stinking saddle bags

A friend at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Me at the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Me with a Pearl Harbor Survivor in Mt Sterling KY

The state of Kentucky post office gave Run For the Wall a large framed stamp for the corporate offices, now we just have to build those offices

Bikes in front of a sign welcoming Run For the Wall to Mount Sterling Kentucky. It also says Fast Lane is proud to be our pitstop.

We are done with day 8, tomorrow is the real pay off for me. The Kids at Rainelle WV, and I might head back there for the weekend after I deliver a few items to the Wall Friday, or I may just head home. I have not decided, but I have to get back to work soon. So I have now proved the Vespa Scooter does exist. Night all short day or not I am tired.
Bounce Out and on the side

Day 7 done, goal on raising money with kife reached, all safe

2011-05-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

OK first things first Clyde lived up to his threat yesterday. He tried it in a rest area, where I am sure the truckers would have applauded considering some of my fellow riders antics in the last 6 days, but I actually did an Arty Johnson move at the end of the Corydon IN on ramp yesterday evening. Nothing hurt but my pride, Clyde as usual landed on his crash bars. Pride hurt because there were about 6 road guards and three sheriff's deputies standing there. When good old Clyde started to go over I just jumped off of him and sprawled on the ground and moaned very loudly. When the Sheriff's deputy nearest me got to me and asked if I was OK, I told him yes, but please get the bike up. He and a few of the Run Road Guards picked Clyde up, I then proceeded to jump up, get on the bike, and just then someone yelled (Fuel Crew coming in) I said "I am OK, and road off to the Wal-Mart parking lot. Man I was tired, very tired. I got some stuff to relieve the pain on the bottoms of my feet, and some more batteries and an air mattress pump, mine died, and went down to the camp ground for dinner and a well deserved rest. No post last night because I could not get enough band width to do it. Got my daily check call done though

We visited with some folks at Jefferson Barracks, and the singer of the National anthem (He has done this 6 times for us) was once again great. Talked with a survivor, MIA POW from the Battle of the Bulge. I thanked him for insuring my freedom, and welcomed him home. This man is very lucky because the German Army did not allow many prisoners to survive, they could not ship them to Germany, and they had no food to share with them in Bastogne, they just shot them instead. But War is not pretty, and we won that one any way.

The ride yesterday was pretty good. We had two bikes my little prat fall and one bike went off on a curve onto an on ramp. No real damage to Clyde (I think he may have said he was planning of embarrassing me anyway) The bike that lost it in the curve broke a fog lamp, and a few screws holding windshield on is about all. Rider had a grass stained shirt and some bruises, but that was it. All in all it was a good day. Woke up this morning looking forward to more warm weather, and clear skies. Should be a good day.

Bounce

This a picture of one very tired rider prior to Clyde dumping my butt on the highway with my good friend Joey Holiday. I requested that he sing run for the wall, and he did. He also sang a lot of other great songs. He was there for us, but he was also there for Huck's Truck Stop Driver appreciation day.

More pictures of Joey Holiday and his truck. It is a very nicely painted tractor trailer. It may even be a mobile home for all I know.

This is some of the riders in Holbrook New Mexico some how I got this picture mixed in with Joey's. I am too tired to erase it. OK I cannot figure out how to erase it.

Joey Holiday's tractor. Nice paint job.

Bounce you do that again and I will dump you

2011-05-23T21:14:00.000-07:00

Clyde to Bounce, dropping my shifter into 1st gear at a high enough speed to bump the rev limiter, is Bad real bad. Do it again and I will dump you butt onto the highway.

Clyde has spoken

Kansas City was great, or at least the police support was

2011-05-23T21:12:00.000-07:00

Today we went through Kansas City Kansas. This town always scares me on the Run because of the problems in 05. Today did not go flawlessly, but the pack stayed together, and that is the important part. Tomorrow I will be working trucks again. Big shout out to Reed Black and OOIDA for all their support. I do send Reed an email every day with what little information I have and he does wonders with it. Truck traffic in our path and headed east has been minimal, and truck traffic going west knows who we are and what we are doing. Krazy told me I would not have to talk much, and darn it he was right. I may have worked myself out of a job.

enough for now, bed time for the Bounce cause he is tired....weather was bad but not while we were there, and it looks OK for tomorrow.

Bounce

Day Five Done, tomorrow we are in Injun Country

2011-05-22T20:54:00.000-07:00

Finished Day Five today, Breakfast was awesome, the weather has been great the last two days, just a little rain last night before we left Colorado, and today it was in the80's. We have a little over 300 bikes in the pack. Leadership is OK, but could be firmer but what do I know. Attitude of the trucks is changing, they support what we are doing, but the way some folks are riding the trucks are really scared that someone will get killed. I have relayed this to leadership, they are working it, but if it does not change, I know how to get to DC and will just go there on my own. Enough negative, I do not control the pack I just ride in it, and it will get better. If I have to leave it will be because of time constraints and not any thing any rider, or person other than a rider does. I do what I do for my own reasons.

These first two are a couple who ride with us and they are in their 70's. They have a trike but they still ride with us. I really liked the back of thier vests

This is Johnnie Ryan (hope I spelled that right). He showed me and the gal riding the Vespa Scooter where the camping area was. We thanked him and I figured that would be the end of it. He came back to meet folks. I think he may be on the Run next year. He has a great sense of humor, and retired recently after 23 years in the Army. I told him I would hold him to coming on the Run next year with us. I think he probably will. The mission bug has bitten many of us in the same way. He has a pretty all black Harley and a camera.

This is the Memorial in the middle of Junction City KS. I read all the names on both this wall and a smaller one that lists KIA's from Iraq ande Afgahistan.

These two pictures are taken from the spot in the pack where Clyde was parked. It is a little deceptive because bikes were parked in five rows on the street. Like I said a little over 300 total today. My Brother is going home in the morning, and I may have to head home from Wentzville. Running out of time, not money but time.

Angel Fire to Goodland Day 4 done

2011-05-21T22:13:00.000-07:00

I am tired and have to go to bed, it was a 400 mile day, and although I can drive my big truck 690 plus miles a day, 400 on a motorcycle (even one as coll and comfortable as Clyde) takes its toll. But here are the pictures from yesterday and today:

Some of the bikes from the Run parked at Angel Fire Memorial

More bikes parked at Angel Fire Memorial

Today at Raton, NM awards and thanks given. This town gave all 400 plus bikes, and one Vespa Scooter, free gas today

4Riding getting some special signatures, that story is his and I will be posting it as soon as he finishes his project and sends it to me.Shhhhh can't say more it's a surprise

Road Guard Captian Rocke standing in the street at Raton making sure everyone gets where they are supposed to be.

More thanks and applause for these wonderful folks. They gave us fruit, danish, coffee, FREE GAS and much much more. All we did was disrupt their traffic and parade through town, but they are wonderful to the Run

Two FNG's to this years Run, I have been helping them every chance I get. They are just amazed at the support we are getting, and find it hard to believe that the best is yet to come. They will really be surprised soon.

Some of our bikes parked in La Junta CO, another small town that loves the Run, as much as the Run loves them, more FREE GAS and a great lunch

A road guard that has been giving Clyde a hard time , but he is a very good guy. Clyde actually likes him, or he would spray oil on his shoes.

Another FNG in Goodland KS. Note the red sky and clear sky. Warmer temps prevailed today, and tomorrow should even be better.

Williams and Gallup pictures as promised

2011-05-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Williams at 0800 May 19, 2011

Williams at 0800 May 19, 2011 JR and Hammer

Williams AZ at 0500 May 19, 2011 Skeeters Pick UP

Gallup NM May 19 2011 Tanker and a friend welcome each other home

Gallup, NM May 19, 2011 Patriot Guard Rider witnesses Shore Party and Sage Owl rededicating their Vows

Shore Party, Sage Owl, Jackie Mckinney, Gallup NM May 19 2011 (Sandra McKinney and WWII Navajo MOH holder to the right, Attitude Steelman behind Jackie)

Attitude Steelman, Jackie McKinney, Shore Party and Sage Owl, Gallup NM May 19 2011

Four of the last surviving Navajo Code Talkers from WWII. Very brave very smart men. They are building a museum and the gentleman in the wheel chair gave us a very moving speech on what they did, and what they are doing

Gallup, NM, May 19, 2011 Bagpiper and Navajo Color Guard

Gallup NM, May 19 2011 Fingers and SSgt Walrus (Both very good friends of this writer)
just before the ceremony to induct them into the Navajo Gourd Dancer Society

Gallup NM, May 19, 2011 Navajo Gourd Dancers and some riders Dancing

Gallup to Angel Fire NM (RFTW as a training Aid for protection of the President)

2011-05-20T20:22:00.000-07:00

We left Gallup under partly cloudy skies, and very cool, but not cold air. Bikes were dry for the first time this run, except for a little morning dew. There were almost 500 of us leaving Gallup, and 1 Vespa Scooter. I am not joking there is a gal on the Run riding a Vespa Scooter, the has a spare tire tied to the front end above the headlamp, and she can ride and keep up with us as long as we are not on any real grades, and if the grades slow her down we slow down with her, period. NO ONE gets left behind by this group. She did have to jump off the road today because her rain cover started to come off one of her bags. Admittedly when the wind hits those bags they tend to deploy like the Air Brake on an F-16 but she is keeping up really well.

We had Jackie McKinney, the newly elected Mayor of Gallup riding with us today. Last night I was talking to a businessman (owns a towing company in Gallup) who said that since elected Jackie has done more for the people of Gallup than the last Mayor ever did. That is Cool, Jackie is a good man and a good friend. My Sister-In-Law Sage Owl Talley told me tonight that after redoing their wedding vows some one gave he and Shore Party a free room with a Fire Place for the night. Great thing to have happen, and those two are awesome and deserved it.

I only talked to West Bound Trucks today, because the State Police were running a rolling road block. There was one guy who was upset that the City of Albuquerque and State was spending all that money on us. He state that we were breaking the law and that we should only travel in packs of ten bikes. Not a bad idea, then we would be disrupting traffic in fifty mile stretches instead of 5 mile stretches. All in all though the truckers were supportive of us and our mission. I hardly had a chance to say who we were and where we were going or why because the truckers know. Thanks to Reed Black from the Owner Operators Independent Drivers Association and Land Line Now, and Glenn Jones from Sirius/XM Road Dog Channel,
888-8 Road dog (drop the g if on a cell phone) They have talked extensively about our mission. They are great.
Will post pictures from Williams and Gallup now. Our gas today was provided by Thunder bird Harley, and the Route 66 Casino on I-40 exit 140, awesome restaurant and casino. Lunch was provided by another Casino, I will post the name tomorrow because I cannot remember it right now.
Dinner was at Eagles Nest New Mexico, and it was all home made, every thing from turkey to Lasagna, Chili, and way more food and deserts than the 500 hundred of us could ever eat (But we tried).

Spidey, my fellow blogger who is making a documentary of the Run asked me a few very tough questions today. The first one was why is the Angel Fire memorial so special to me. He has about 115 minutes of a 55 year old man crying. It is a very emotional place, and one of the reasons that I do the Run. I do it because like my oldest Daughter says "It's your mission Dad." and it truly is. I do this because I love the people involved in it. I do it because it is good to see a side of America that the 6 O'clock news will never show, ever.
OK will close this out. Wait almost forgot. No trucks were damaged or injured on Angel Fire Mountain today. I was tempted because one did come at us, but I refrained because Clyde decide it was just not wise.

Thanks to everyone for reading this. Do not forget to read Spideys "The View From Here" the link is below, and the Motorcycle Muse, and Jens Blog. All three of them are much better writers than I am, and all three have different opinions and perspectives on the run than I do.

Bounce

Day Two in the Books

2011-05-19T20:37:00.000-07:00

Today we departed Williams Arizona for Gallup New Mexico. (some of you already know it snowed a little before we arrived at Williams, then after everyone was safely in for the night it snowed a lot). Last night I missed dinner in order to go out with one of the chase trucks to pick up a bike (actually a home made Trike with a VW engine- very heavy and very low ground clearance) off the highway. He actually gave the chase folks a thumbs up so they went on, then he broke down. But we got to him before he got too cold. Once there we found that we could not get his trike on the trailer. So we called AAA to come get him. Any way I did not get back to Clyde until way after midnight, and he was buried under over 6 inches of very wet snow, we could not have gotten him on the trailer either so I left him to guard the street in front of the VFW.

This morning by the time we departed (1 hour delay) all the snow was melted. I was going to have the trailer tow me out to cleaner streets, but by the time I got back to Clyde, the sun and 40 degree air temps had done the job I could not do at 0500.
We added about 100 riders today and almost all of them are FNG's and some are younger vets too. This is good the future of this run is in their hands, all of us are getting older.

The ride to day was OK. There are a few glitches with the Platoons, but fine tuning should solve them, and tomorrow I really do not have a job, we will be under Police Escort for the next two days.
We arrived at Holbrook AZ about an hour late, but lunch was great, as were the young Marines that entertained us with a sort of shouting match. They took turns telling us who was the loudest, and they were pretty good too. Then of course the usual hand out of plaques took place, and everyone was talking, Dave Gladwell stood up and shouted "At Ease", and turned the heads of all those young Marines who had just told us they were the loudest....Well they are in Holbrook, cause Dave only visits there once a year.

Gallup was wonderful, as usual the New Mexico State Police started their escort 25 or so miles inside of Arizona, and Jackie Mckinney, the Mayor of Gallup introduced my brother Shore Party and his wife of 35 years Sage Owl, and then they redid their original wedding vows... I have pictures and will try to get them posted here and on face book either in the morning or tomorrow night. We also heard a speech from a WWII MOH recipient, and from one of four surviving Navajo Code Talkers. Jackie announced that Dinner would not be much, the best he could do was steak. It was great, we love Gallup and Gallup loves the run.
I met two Airmen today in the laundry mat, well a Chief Master Sgt and a MSgt that were doing their laundry, and also to recently honorably discharged Army guys that are on the run with us. They are so young, and have seen so much. One has a purple heart, a bronze star, and has been in both Iraq and Afghanistan. They are enjoying the run immensely, and will be back again.

I know this post is long, but a lot has happened to old Clyde and me in the last two days, and 700 miles. He is running great, the CB is working awesome, the truckers for the most part have been very supportive, and I have taken their concerns on bumper diving, and lane changing to the leadership, and they will be addressed before we roll in the morning.

Pictures tomorrow, it has been a long day and I am tired. Thanks for reading this, and be sure to look at Jen's blog and Spidey's too. They write much better than I do, and they have pictures too cause they unlike me are computer savvy and not lazy either.

Bounce

Tomorrow We Roll for those who Can't

2011-05-17T20:24:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is the day. I am filled with words, attended the Road Guard meeting today, and those guys really appreciate what Krazy and I do. I never realized that the Road Guards even cared about what we do. Then I went to the FNG meeting. First off welcome to all of them, and there were a lot of them. I hope I did not scare folks when I started the first time, but I bet I did. Having so many FNG's this early is good, by the time we get to Kansas we will have a lot of seasoned riders, seems most of the FNG's starting here are going all the way with us.

Tomorrow I get to start talking to trucks again, I hope I do well.
I once posted why I do the run. But my Oldest Daughter is the one who told me "It is a no brainer why you do this Dad, it is your mission." When she was growing up I always talked about riding a motorcycle from Coast to Coast. This will be the 6th time I have fulfilled that dream. I also always talked of growing a pony tail. Glad I only did that one time, and proud to do this ride and live this dream as much as I can. Thanks to the riders that let me ride with them. I really am not a good enough rider to be doing this, but they will help me get through it.

Bounce

Some Pictures from my Run to the Run

2011-05-16T23:16:00.000-07:00

As promised pictures, the blue Harley belongs to a friend that rode out to Rancho from Colorado with Shore Party and me, the last one is me, Stoney and Grizz right after I registered today. Plenty more pictures to come. Lots of friends that I know were there today, most had worked pretty much all day, and all were tired. We arrived in Rancho Cucamunga around 1730 or 5:30 P.M. for you non military, non European, or non truck drivers. We rode for about 9 hours today, and had warm weather, clear skies, and some wind until we arrived in San Bernidino County, then the temp dropped about 20 degrees, and the wind really picked up. I met a couple of riders from the NVAR. (Northern Veterans Awareness Ride) and yes the know what those initials used to represent, that is why they use them. These two guys had ridden almost non stop from Alabama where they attended a burial of the remains of an MIA that had been brought back and identified from Vietnam.

All in all it was a great two days. I have meetings tomorrow and will be taking the camera with me too. Oh last thing the military motorcycle pictured above is from the Military Vehicle Museum in Lexington Nebraska. This is a great place with well over 100 military vehicles on display. The motorcycle is a BSA and does not run, one of only three vehicles in the museum that doesn't run. The other two are a Huey Chopper, and a truck, and the truck will be running as soon as they finish rebuilding the engine. The BSA is hard to find parts for or it would run too.

Thanks for reading. I will be updating this blog with pictures everyday, and information on the Run too.

Now for the technical information, good old Clyde ran wonderfully on this trip, he got an average of about 43 MPG, and an average speed of 63 MPH. High wind, rain, snow, icy spots on the road, none of it even made the old scoot flinch (I was a little nervous in the snow) and he is doing great.

Bounce

Bounce

Day one of second leg is done

2011-05-15T21:42:00.000-07:00

My Brother, Shore Party, and another rider named Mike made it to Richfield UT tonight. It was a long day. We had every sort of weather except thunder storms, and I am not too sure that we did not run through one or two of those. We were snowed on between Denver and Idahoe Springs, then we ran through Fog and rain and the blue skys. It got a lot warmer as we headed west through Colorado. By the time we got to Green River UT the wind was blowing so hard it was almost impossible to keep any speed. But we made it here safely. I will post some pictures tomorrow. Thanks for reading

Bounce

First leg of my Run to the Run is over safely

2011-05-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

Today I rode over 600 miles, and finally made it to my Brothers house in Colorado Springs. Wore my rain gear most of the morning, but never got any rain. Left it on for three fuel stops cause the sky kept threatening to cut loose. I think I left it on after the second stop cause I was keeping warm, in fact I am sure if the clouds would have dumped anything it would have been snow. Clyde must be mad at me, he burned out the brand new head lamp I put in him two days ago. Now I have to take him apart again and install a new one. So much for saying I hope that never happens on the road. Went 7 years without ever burning out, and then two in less than two weeks....makes you wonder just how inanimate that inanimate object is. Well at least he isn't dumping me on the ground this year. Actually averaged about 39 MPG which is pretty good since I was really rolling in Nebraska (speed limit is 75 and I was doing all of that according to my GPS and then some) averaged 69 MPH for 9 and a half hours.
Stopped in at the Lexington Military Vehicles Museum, great place, could have stayed in there for the whole day, but had to get here. Took some pictures and I will be posting them here and on my face book page when I figure out how to get them off my phone (batteries died in camera)
Lastly the poll ends tomorrow and it looks like the compilation of airmen staging aircraft is more popular than the two dancing marines. Thanks to all that voted, more of that kind of thing to come. I may be doing it with pictures from the run. So if you have a suggestion for that sort of thing please leave me a comment and I will moderate and post your comment and try to do the comparison.

Thanks again to everyone that reads this, I will be posting every day of the run, and hopefully will have pictures too. I will post again when I get to Utah, and then again when I get to California. Thanks to both the web administrators for Central and Southern route for linking my blog to those pages.

Dave Bounce Talley

10 hours until I leave for California

2011-05-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

Clyde is clean, fixed, gassed and almost packed ready to roll. I am getting ready to go to bed so I can get up at 0400 to roll west. Weather today was a little wet, but hoping for warmer drier day tomorrow. Clyde is a great bike, but God please do let his headlight burn out on the run, it is pretty much an all day job to get that little item changed.

Tires have been checked, they are good, new oil and filter, tent packed, sleeping bag packed, clothes laid out and ready to be packed. Hopefully it will be a good safe trip. To everyone riding west take care and stay visible.

For my trucking friends please protect those of us that are partaking in this mission, it is important.

Bounce

Bikes are moving west slowly but surely

2011-05-09T11:37:00.000-07:00

Today I am sitting at a receiver in Wisconsin waiting to get my trailer empty so I can go home and pack my bike for this years Run for the Wall. Clyde is having his battery charged and has been cleaned up after his months in storage next to a really fine looking Harley.

The real purpose of this post is to remind my truck driving friends that there are a lot om Bikes headed west this week and next. On Wednesday well over a thousand motorcycles will depart Ontario California heading to Washington D.C. Many of these bikes are traveling alone and in pairs or small groups. As they get further west they will be joining each other. If you folks see them let off some steam and let them know you appreciate their mission. PLEASE do your best to protect them. All of us have jobs, I myself have taken about 12 total days off in the last year and a half in order to get enough cash to do this trip. I will be camping all the way across because it is cheaper, and gas is not cheap. I want to thank the company I am leased to for allowing me to take the time to do this mission. The $500.00 that I got for being second in the Owner Operator of the Year competition helps too.

Run for the Wall

2011-05-06T18:08:00.000-07:00

12 Days till we leave CA, and Joey Holliday will be at Mount Vernon again this year. He does a good job.
Enjoy the video, Oh and I am in some of these pictures too.

Poll Status

2011-05-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

Looks like the Airmen collectively are more popular than the two marines, guess not as many Marines read this. But so far 7 votes, 3 for the Marines, and 4 for the Airmen. I broke the poll down so that if you liked a particular airman you could vote for it. Over 65 folks have looked at this blog this week. Thanks.

Oh and Shore Party has informed me that he is getting letters of thank you from the men and women assigned to the USS Carl Vincent for the tribute he posted on the Central Route Web Page to them. Good Job Bob

Bounce

Three days till I get home, find Clyde and pack him up, and less than 10 days till I am in CA

Update On the Status of the Old Marine

2011-05-06T17:53:00.000-07:00

My Step Dad, aka The Old Marine, a three time participant in Run For The Wall, and twice in Rolling Thunder, went into the VA hospital again yesterday, and is home today. They were going to clean out his arteries and put a stint in his leg, sort of a test for him cause he hates going to the doc, and they want to put a stint into his heart. But unfortunately his artery in his leg is hard, and has a big bend in it that they could not get the scope through. He is OK, just a little disappointed that the procedure did not relieve the pain in his leg. So for my Run friends that read this please pray that they figure out a way to fix the problem, cause if they do he may allow them to put a stint in his heart, and that would prolong and enrich his life.

Eagle Knife to be raffled to raise money for Wounded Warrior Project and Rainelle Elementary School

2011-05-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

This is a better picture of a very nice knife. You do not have to be present to win it, and there will be a very nice photo album that goes with it. Knife will be delivered either at Rainelle, or will be mailed to the winner if they are not at Rainelle.
Bounce

Spidey is Back

2011-05-03T18:13:00.000-07:00

One of the Blogs I follow is called "The View From Here". It is very intelligently written by Chaplain Curtis Hubbels son. His road name is Spidey. I highly recommend reading his words. The Other blog I follow is the Motor Cycle Muse, another Chaplain from the Run, His words and stories are much better than mine, so I also recommend following his blog. Between the three of us I am sure we will cover any and all aspects of this years Run for those of you who cannot go all the way this year. Those of you who are going this year, give the address to this blog to your loved ones and tell them that they can get to the other two from here with ease. I cannot say how often the other two will post, but I will be posting every day. As a truck driver I am used to logging my time and I find that when I am on the Run my days are normally twenty hours long. But I manage to make it. Thanks for reading. One last word I moderate comments on this blog, but all that I do is redact any inappropriate words because a few years ago I was told that the Kids from Rainelle follow the Run here. So please refrain from inappropriate language, but if you use them I will simply cut them out, which means your comments may sound silly if you use them. Take care Ride Safe and stay Visible.

Bounce

Open Road Music Video

2011-05-03T17:53:00.000-07:00

I have posted this before, and will post it again I am sure. I like the song, and the video. To my friends and family from Run For The wall we are family, and if you are an FNG you are about to embark on a mission that will change your life for the good forever. Welcome Home, Thanks for your Service, and if you have never served Thanks for your Support. To those of you who are not going this year please follow my and Clyde's adventures here.

Just a short word of explanation Clyde is the name I have given my 2004 Royal Star Venture, and he seems to like it. At least I have not dropped him since naming him Clyde. In the 7 years that I have ridden this bike I have survived two Arty Johnson incidents, getting clipped by a Tractor Trailer going into Angel Fire in 2007, picked up a really heavy Harley up off a friend that went down on the same corner I got clipped on the next year, and layed Clyde down in Indiana to avoid running broadside into an FNG in 2009 that came to a dead stop at an overpass. I sometimes channel Clyde on this blog, it can be fun, and a short word of warning, he is not very politically correct, and is very blunt. But he is also fun.

Thanks for reading, enjoy the video and I will see you in a couple of weeks in California.

DANCE - watch these great Marines!

2011-05-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

As promised here are the two dancing Marines. They are awesome, not as good as the Brit that marshals air craft in his running out fit, but awesome in their own right. I will get Clyde to set up the poll so you can vote on your favorite clip. That is if I can get him away from that racey looking geezer glide Hog he has been fawning over all winter.

Bounce

Hilarious Aircraft Marshalling Compilation

2011-05-03T16:48:00.000-07:00

Today I am in Texas, and I shared a video clip from a Friend on Face Book that showed two Marines dancing to the song Tequila. They were great, and I will include that link at the end of this post. After watching the Marines, I thought, wait the Air Force can dance too, not better than the Marines, but at least just as good. The above compilation starts with Air Force Air Craft being marshaled but it ends with several British Airmen Marshaling air craft. They are absolutely the best at this. I have seen some of this when I was on Temporary Duty at Incerlik AB Turkey, and sometimes you just have to have fun in a combat zone, or you might lose your patience. So enjoy the compilation. I did not create it, and did not pick the music, but for the most part it is pretty cool. Some of the Lyrics may be adult in nature, just a warning cause some of the kids from Rainelle might be reading this. But it has nothing in it that you cannot hear on commercial radio today. So I think I am safe. I am going to do another post with the two Marines moving and grooving to Tequila then I am going to let you folks vote on which one is best, I am biased towards the Air Force one, but it might be fun, so when I get this all done come back and vote on the poll.

Seven more days until I get home and pack and head west. Sure hope Clyde has not gotten some kind of attitude, I mean he has been parked with some really neat Hogs, two wheeled kind, not four legged kind.

Thanks
Bounce

Some of you may remember the Old Marine

2011-05-02T10:13:00.000-07:00

My Step Dad, Don Smith, AKA The Old Marine, has participated in Run for the Wall three times. The other day I was talking to him on the phone, and he is going in to have the plaque scraped out of his arteries. I am hoping that the Docs will also put the stint in that he needs put in too, but he has assured me that he won't let them do that. Any way just a short update, please pray that everything goes well. As for the Stint thing, well he does not have a computer, so he will never read this, but if the Doc does it, I sure won't be saying anything, cause when the Old Marine gets angry the whole world knows it. So about seven more days till I get home, and get ready to do the Run. I have been waiting for a year for May to get here, and the time went pretty fast, now everything is in slow motion.

Bounce

If you read this please comment

2011-05-02T04:33:00.001-07:00

I need to know what you would like to hear about in relation to the Run For The Wall.
I usually talk about numbers, and people that I meet along the way, but would like to hear from you. Is there any thing you would like to hear about. Comment, I will post the comment, and will add the information that you request into the Blog. The Blog is not dedicated to the Run,. but once again the writer is.

Bounce

Thanks in advance

May already

2011-05-01T12:43:00.001-07:00

It is May already, and I have seen so many bikes out there, hoping all of them are practicing up for the Run, but know for sure yesterday I saw four folks packed and riding in formation with the last guy on the right side waving a 3X5 flag from the back of his bike. I will be home on the 9th of May, will find Clyde, and pack him up and head west. Still not sure of the route I am taking, or if I am riding alone or with others to Colorado. Also not sure what day I am leaving. But I am going. Thanks to a lot of help from friends, and the Company I drive for.

OK enough for now. Will be posting packup pictures, and run to the Run pictures too.

Bounce

Breitbart.tv » Patriot Guard Riders Drown Out Westboro Baptist Church Protesters

2011-04-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

Breitbart.tv » Patriot Guard Riders Drown Out Westboro Baptist Church Protesters

The riders in this video are true patriots. They do not protest against the protestors, they simply attend funerals at the request of the family. But I have never heard a protestor that could shout over the sound of a few Harley's with open pipes.

Bounce

This is what it means to be part of the RFTW Family

2011-04-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

This video is of a delivery of a bike that was shipped by a participant of Run For The Wall.
His son had asked the shop to check the carb out for him. When the shop got the bike and heard that the owner was a Vet who had been fighting cancer for fifteen years they decided to do something great. They completely rebuilt the bike and custom painted things that the owner had magnetically stuck to his tank. This is awesome, and it is one of the reasons this writer is dedicated to Run For The Wall.

No one asked these folks to do this, they just thought it was the right thing to do. America is really a beautiful place if you look

Bounce

Then there are bikes that should not be on the road

2011-04-17T10:03:00.000-07:00

May is getting closer, and my friends are chomping at the bit to get going on our mission

2011-04-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Even though some of them are still getting snowed on a lot of bikes are already packed. Clyde is ready to go, I just have to go find him, then pack everything into him and fill him up and roll. A word to the wise to any and all, but especially FNG's, when packing make sure you are going to use what you pack. Other than clothes I do not bring anything that I am not going to use every day. I do keep a can of fix a flat on Clyde that I hope I never need, but that and a small tool kit are the only two things I pack that I do not use every day. Less is better when packing on a bike. My first year, way back in 2005 I had a full size military duffel that was packed to the gills. You see I read the packing list and packed pretty much every thing suggested. When my wife and Dad showed up with my pickup truck I loaded that big old bag, It was like having a passenger, into the truck. I learned my lesson, and have been passing it along every chance I get. If you are not going to use something everyday, don't take it.
Ride safe and stay visible, there is safety in numbers, but most of us will be doing at least 1000 miles alone until we meet up with various west bound groups. Take care, and for my trucking friends please please remember these folks need to be watched over, a lot of them, especially me have not ridden since last year, so if they make a mistake, forgive them and take care of them.

For the FNG's welcome to the family, this ride will change your life. To the fence sitters, what are you waiting for, get it done.

Bounce

Was theCold War for real

2011-04-17T03:46:00.000-07:00

There is a movement, and a pretty serious one at that, to make up a ribbon for those of us that served during the cold war. There were a lot of shooting matches, and out right battles during the cold war. We lost a lot of troops during that time. It lasted from just after WWII until the early 90's. There is a ribbon designed for it, and a few Congressmen and Senators that have started a bill.

I served during the Cold War. It was a time of training, and getting ready for a real shooting war. Many of my friends were hurt, and I even lost a few during this time. One of the people that I have dedicated this years run too died in a chopper crash in Sturgis South Dakota during the Cold War. His fire team was in support of a Missile movement at F.E. Warren AFB, when the chopper went down. He actually tried to save his fire team, and threw one of his fire team members from the chopper as it was going down. That young lady survived the crash with some pretty bad injuries, but my friend is credited with saving her life.

That is just one of many stories of people that gave their all for the safety and security of the country.
I lost another friend at Langley AFB when the vehicle he was in rolled over. He saved two people's lives and was killed when the hatch he had been using to save folks closed on him.

So my question is "Was the Cold War for real?" Or did these folks that gave their all die for nothing?

I know it was real, and a few of my friends think that groups like the VFW should welcome our generation into their ranks. I just recently found that because of Desert Storm, and Operation Provide Comfort (also know as Northern Watch) I am eligible to join the VFW, in fact the military even considers me a combat veteran, even though I do not.
So let me know what you think

Bounce

Update on clicks for my donation to the Wounded Warrior Project: We are now over $17.00 This is quite a jump seeing as how we were at $3.03 for over a year. Thanks and keep on clicking those ads. Please feel free to comment with suggestions for me to ad to this blog, and ideas for companies that I should put up as advertisers. Right now I am letting google pick the ads, but I can put anything I want on here.

Posted originally on rftw.org discussion forum...stolen and posted here

2011-04-13T08:57:00.000-07:00

I have just copied and pasted a post from the rftw.org general discussion forum. Earlier I posted Toothless's tribute to these folks that died so long ago defending our freedom. I shamelessly copy the following and post it here because people should know, and they do not.
Bounce

http://www.seabee-rvn.com/

By Grygoose from rftw:
I am doing a write up on these six boys/men and will be posting it at http://www.seabee-rvn.com/ on the anniversary of that attack, 3/31. This was the most tragic event in the Seabee's RVN history. Not only were there the 6 Bee's that were killed that night/morning but also 2 Marines coming in for a medevac.

Six sailors and two Marines died in the incident at Phu Loc:
Det Echo, NMCB-9, 3/311/68:

BUL3 George R. De Shurley, Roswell, NM;
BUL3 Allan L. Mair, Park City, UT;
BUL3 John F. Peek, Pontiac, MI;
CN James F. Galati, Philadelphia, PA;
CN Mark E. Hodel, Lodi, CA; and
CN James R. Retzloff, Redding, CA.

UH-34D 148792 aircrew, HMM-362, MAG-36:
Sgt Daniel Pesimer, Salt Rock, WV and
Cpl Kenneth R. Yantis, Philadelphia, PA

It would be good to see your story on the post and if you haven't been to the site I think you'll have a nice surprise. Were trying to get a history of the RVN Seabee's because all the paper work, daily reports and logs never made it back. So now it's up to the Bee's that are still alive to leave the history of our past from there. If you have any pictures from your stay there with 9 and the Team you were on it would be great.

There was another incident on 1/14/68 with a CN Hodges, he was on a 16 man security detail on "Project Beaver" a helicopter repair facility project at Red Beach, DaNang. He was killed when a grenade was thrown into there bunker, he grabbed it and as he was trying to get it out when it exploded. His action directed the blast away from a mate in the bunker and saved his life.
I was wondering if you knew anyone who was on that Security Detail, or about that incident?
Great to find your post, hope to hear from you.
MCB 10 "C" Co. 69-71 BU3

In addition I am including the following information cause some of you who read this do not go to the rftw.org forum pages, and that is OK too. But here is a post from there by Shoreparty (My Brother the Computer Super Genius I can say that cause he just gave me a quick tip that got my Mozilla working again)and I am reposting it here:

Quote shoreparty Quote:

We have 11 Pages of tributes this year Thank you all. We Ride for those who can’t! So if you are running this year and you have a friend, family member of just know someone who served and or is serving and you want to ride for them or carry their memory with you and share their story, I would ask you that you send in a tribute to be posted on the website, It is an honor and privilege to make these posts and read the stories.

http://rftwcr.us/tributes.htm current tributes and tributes from , 2009 and 2010

A picture is nice but not necessary, just your that you riding for someone, there name and a brief bio if you have it. Then while your riding maybe someone will ask you about Paul, Jim, or your son or cousin, and you can share their story and heal also. Their story your story are the tools we all use to heal ourselves and each other. My first run each morning they read a tribute to a MIA from back in the day, we all knew except for the grace of GOD it could have been us. So if you have a tribute to send please do so. Thank you for reading this.

Send tributes to:

Shorepaety@computerguyllc.com or to crwebadmin@rftwcr.us

Shoreparty and Sage Owl

OK now I have to put my sunglasses on Thanks Shoreparty that tribute page thing is great!!!!
Bounce

Krazy Karl won't be with me this year

2011-04-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

Well in about thirty five days I head to California. I wanted to meet Karl Haartz out there, he and I have a job that we sort of created on the run. One of the fuel crew leaders put it quite well (although I do not think he meant this in a nice way, but he was right) Karl and I make nice with the big rigs that the run encounters.

Our standard script is quite simple:" Thanks driver for staying in the center of your lane, and for being patient with us. This is not a rally, it is not a poker run, it is not Kyle Petty's Chick Filet charity ride. This is a POW MIA awareness mission. You do not have to like it you just have to do it."
Karl always adds "God Bless our troops and the Great American Trucker, If this country looses either, we are lost."

So for those of you who are following this to get information about loved ones on the run, they are being watched over, and the trucks love us. Or at least most of them do, and for the one percent that don't the other 99% tend to shut them up pretty fast. I will be looking for some one to take Karl's place, but that person will have big shoes to fill. I sure hope Trike is there, he has been the third member of Karl and My team for at least four years.
This team was not official until 2007, but I did it alone in 2005, and Karl helped me out in 2006. We became official when I notified Tanker of an Oversize rig that was partially blocking the right lane a few miles ahead of us, and in 2007 a truck that had passed us hit a deer that was laying in the center of the left lane. Sheepdog became a true believer when I notified him and he got the pack into the right lane. When Karl went by the deer who had only been sleeping jumped up and ran into the median. That could have been interesting with 500 bikes in the left lane.

I cannot wait till May

SSgt Barry Sadler, Ballad of the green beret

2011-04-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

Less than thirty days till the start of Run For The Wall 2011. One way to get ready for a mission of this magnitude is to remember those who did not come home.
Freedom is not Free, never forget, and SUPPORT our troops all the time no matter what.

April showers bring May flowers.....and Motorcycles are everwhere

2011-04-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Wow it is less than thirty days till I pack Clyde, and ride west to join my extended family.
I apologize for not posting more, but I am working my butt off trying to get enough cash to be able to do the run. I have the money I need to do it, but I have to have two months house payment and two months of everything else set aside. I think I will make it.

It is April and when it is not raining there are a lot of Motorcycles on the road. Please Please if driving watch out for these folks, they are just getting used to riding after a long winter of not doing it, and some are going to make mistakes, so especially to my trucking friends give them room and protect them.

For my friends that ride bikes....go to rftw.org and join us, I promise it will change your life for ever and in a good way. Anyone can ride with us, and you can participate in the run in a cage, or on a bike. Please when riding give big trucks enough room. Never cut in front of a truck until you can see the top of their trailer in you mirrors, and if they flash their lights at you give em a blink from your four way flashers or opposite blinker to thank them for letting you in front of them, they will appreciate it.

For those that can not go I will be posting daily here with pictures too.
I have to ride to Colorado from Wisconsin alone, but then I am meeting my brother and his wife and we are going on to California.

Less than thirty days....I can wait I can wait.

I am getting excited, and so is Clyde. I dreamed last night that he was packed and running down the road.... I of course was chasing him cause he was ready to roll and I wasn't/

Look for Motorcycles they are everywhere...and use signals for lane changes

2011-03-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

I was driving in Iowa today and one of the electronic signs had the title of this post on it. Then the next one just said watch for motorcycles. Then I get online and see that it is only 51 days till the start of this years Run For The Wall. Man I cannot wait, 45 days until I head to Colorado to meet up with Shore Party and Sage Owl for our trip to California. Motorcycles are everywhere. I even saw a robin in Illinois yesterday, so it is spring time. Ride safe everyone, and all my friends that drive trucks remember most of these riders are just getting the feel for riding again after a long winter. If any of you see me and good old Clyde on the road remember that I have not ridden in almost two years so take extra pity on me. By the time I get to California the wheels will feel right I hope, but it has been a long time since I rode.

For those of you getting ready for the run, hydrate, and walk a lot. Man was made to walk, and it gets everything working like it is supposed to.

MOTORCYCLES are everywhere. In the last two weeks I have seen hundreds of bikes, and a lot looked like they were practicing formation riding. Good Good Good. Practice makes perfect, and even though the Run has this down to a science, practice is a good thing.

Bounce

P.S. that using signals for lane changes is a good idea too.

Shout Out to Glen Jones and the All night truckstop on Sirius 147 and XM 171

2011-03-23T12:09:00.000-07:00

Last night I again called in to Glen Jones' radio show. Jonsee as he is known by the Road Dogs is a great guy. He lets me call in now and again and advertise for Run for the Wall. Last night he gave me almost twenty minutes of precious air time. Thanks Glen, I know you do not have to let me talk, but it is important to get the word out and get the trucks to like us. I mean even though we will be over a thousand strong when we leave Rancho Cucamunga, all it takes is one disgruntled trucker and every one has a bad day.

Too the bikers that are heading out to practice riding for the run, and eventually, like in about fifty days, heading to California to join the run remember give the trucks more room when you pass them. A GOOD RULE OF THUMB IS MAKE SURE YOU CAN SEE THE TOP OF THE TRAILER IN YOU MIRRORS BEFORE MOVING IN FRONT OF A TRUCK this gives them room and time to react in case you screw up or your bike quits... bike verses truck accidents, unless you are real lucky always have a bad end. I know that is how I got the road name bounce, I was really lucky, or God wanted me around longer for some reason. Either way if on a bike respect the trucks.

For my trucker friends, remember bikes are quicker and stop faster than you do. Air horns tend to scare us, even if you are just waving, and believe me when I say that when you are passing the pack we know you are there. All you have to do is stay in the center of your lane (as Krazy Karl says that center rumble strip is full of little missiles and even though you think you are giving the bikes more room really you are just throwing things at them to duck, and since quite a few of our riders especially Krazy have at least one purple heart they do not duck well) and keep moving past us. We for the most part are going five miles per hour under the posted speed limit so if you can do the speed limit, do it for the length of the pack and get by us. If you need a hole to get to the shoulder use your blinker, the bikes will give you room to get over. Or break for Krazy or Bounce let us know where the problem is and we will get a road guard to it to help you out as quick as we can.

Drive and ride safe....less than fifty days WOW

Thanks again Glen

Old Fart Makes his last Run For The Wall

2011-03-23T12:03:00.000-07:00

S/SGT VANCE CARLISLE SCOTT AKA Old Fart

RFTW will celebrate Vance’s life on May 15, 2011 at 5:00PM in Rancho

Cucamonga at the Hilton Gardens in the meeting rooms. Please join us and

share your stories & memories of Vance.

Vance will begin his final RFTW Mission to the Wall on May 18, 2011 with

the RFTW family as his Escorts/Road Guards.

Vance had a smile that once you were on the receiving end

of it you never forgot neither it nor that little devilish

twinkle he always had in his eyes.

Ride with the Angels my brother.

Freedom is not Free. I knew Vance as Old Fart, he was a great guy. As a rider on Run for The Wall I probably made him mad more than once, since he was a road guard for this ride. I don't mean to make road guards mad, I just have so much to do I tend to forget that they are there to me and the other riders.
Vance there on tribute page 8. Thanks to my younger Brother, Bob Shoreparty, for posting this tribute. All my heroes are passing. I think that might mean I am getting older just wish it meant I was getting wiser.

2007 Dodge Charger Police Package by Edmunds' Inside Line

2011-03-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

In about 60 or so days I will be encountering many cars like this. No they won't be chasing me, I will be following them. Missouri Police use these chargers a lot, and the escort Run For the Wall for two days across Missouri in a rolling road block. They are a great bunch of guys, and they work hard. I would like to take the time now to thank them all.

Bounce

This post is important for so many reasons

2011-03-11T12:57:00.000-08:00

Normally I have a lot to say, and most of the time it is more for me than anyone else. Today I read something that touched me in a way that I have not been touched for a long time. The last time I felt this way was in 2007 when I rode the Missing Man Formation for Run For The Wall on the leg from Ludlow, CA to Needles, CA. Anyway some of you that read this and follow it already know that Bob Shoreparty Talley is my younger Brother. He is the guy that originally talked me into doing Run For The Wall. He is also a computer Genius, and I of course am not. He makes up the Central Route Specific Web page, and it is pretty much an intense labor of love on his part. Anyway he called me this morning and told me to read one of the tributes on that page. So I went to rftw.org, clicked on route specific web sites, and then clicked on Central Route 2011, then as directed I clicked on page 6 of the tributes posted there. What I read was a story of why one of our riders (I have never met this man, I believe he was a FNG last year, and may even be a Southern Route rider, but that does not matter, I believe as most do in the thought "One Mission, two routes", Any way I copied Toothless' words and am going to post them below. Warning before reading if in a public place get your sunglasses on, or wait until you are alone, because as simple as this man's story is, it will get to you.
To Toothless, thank you again, I cut and pasted your words exactly as you posted them on the forum, and although I did not ask your permission to place them here I hope you understand that this blog,although not dedicated to the Run (once again the writer is) mostly pertains to the Run, and to the readers, in the next 67 days I will be posting more and more about the Run and for my trucking friends I will be giving you heads up on where to watch for riders heading to California. So now with a big thanks I am going to try and click the paste button and make this work. In a later post I will put the link in because the art work Shoreparty added to this is as priceless as the story itself is.

Posted in the General discussion forum on the rftw.org pages is the following story of why Toothless is riding (and I agree with Shoreparty it is also why I and most others do this run every year....till they all come home) Thanks Toothless:

This was something that’s been going through my mind since reading the article
in the post titled “The Things That Carried Him”, it finally came into my thick skull, of just who I was riding for.

I had told myself it was for a school friend that was killed before I graduated from high school. He and I weren't really close but his brother was my age and we were good friends. I had also told myself it was for the guys killed in the Phu Bi area north of Da Nang. These men were killed during the Tet offensive of 1968 when a rocket exploded on their compound.

I was stationed in Da Nang with MCB9 (Mobile Construction Battalion) from Sept 67 until March of 68. I was on my duty site in the shops area one morning, when my company Platoon Chief came up to me and ask me “What have you done now, Middleton?” with a stern look on his face. My mouth dropped a foot and I just stared at him for what seemed like several minutes at the time, but it was just a second or two. The chief, with hands on his hips, said “Well you've gone and done it now!” He finally smiled and said you got a new duty assignment. The reason that this took me by surprise was because I had learned just three days before that I was going to be assigned to Phu Bi with the next detachment that was scheduled to leave in the next couple of days. As I stood there with this deer in the headlights look on my face, the chief told me I needed to report the battalion XO asap.

I cleaned off what oil and grease I could and reported to the X O’s office. I still didn't realize what was going on until he told me that I was to pack my gear and be ready to be on the tarmac at DaNang AFB at 0500 the next morning.

Before I had joined the battalion and while in transit I had put down on a form that they give you while you’re in between duty assignments, called a dream sheet. This sheet lists what types of units you would prefer to be assigned to according to your rating. Of course being as I was assigned to a battalion, that was my last choice. My preference was a smaller scale unit. I was to fly back to the states and take up my new assignment. I had been with the battalion at this time for seven months in country. I followed his orders and spent the rest of
the day turning in gear and packing all my belongings to be shipped home.

The next morning there was a driver to take me to the airstrip. After checking in at the base I was instructed to make my way out on the tarmac to a spot where I was to wait for boarding the C141 that was to be my ride back to the world. There was another Sea Bee from another unit waiting when I got to the area. This guy was sitting on his sea bag and looked up at me and said, “Have a seat. Think it will be a little while before they let us board the plane,” as they where
just starting to load the cargo.

We stared talking just to pass the time and tell each other why we were there. We were far enough away from the plane that we really couldn't tell what they were loading. The only light was from the rear cargo lights and the lights from the forklift being used. As we were sitting there, a Navy lieutenant walked up and was to be the third passenger on the plane. A few minutes after the officer joined us, they were finishing up the loading and the plane’s loadmaster came and said we could board now. We gathered our gear, went to the plane and entered through the ramp. The loadmaster told us to take any of the jump seats we wanted on either side of the plane and as far forward as we could go. The other sailor and I went down one side of the cargo and the Lieutenant went down the opposite side. We finally sat down just a few
feet from the cockpit.

We were visiting and not paying that much attention to our urroundings and by the time we had found a seat and put our gear down the back
ramp was coming up and we were on the move. The pilot made haste and we were in the air in short order. The other sailor and I were still talking as we climbed into the early morning sky.

I sat back in the seat and decided to stretch out and put my legs up on the green nets that are used to strap the cargo down. The next thing I new I was staring into the net, at almost the same time the other guy turned to me and said, “You know what those are?” I turned and nodded.

“They’re caskets.”

Yes they were. Six stacked crisis-crossed on the pallet. There were three pallets making a total of eighteen. We sat for a few moments and didn't say a word. As we sat there looking the lieutenant stepped from around the front of the stack with a look on his face similar to the ones that we must have had. We looked at him and with out being asked both said “Yes Sir. We know.” he turned and went back to his seat.

The other guy and I just sat there for awhile without saying anything. I finally got up to take a closer look under the netting. The standard GI issue caskets with the same cold metal case still used now I would suppose. I noticed the red tags attached to each one. Some had names and some did not. The tags that didn't have names were simply labeled “Unknown for FBI Identification and Verification.” As I recall there were four or five marked with that notation.

The flight was to take us to Japan to where we would change planes to head back to the states and it seemed like an eternity for us to get there.

Once I was back at CBC Hueneme, I joined A Seabee Team and three weeks later was back in VN for another seven months. After arriving back in country we received notice that five of the guys that were sent to Phu Bi were killed in a rocket and mortar attack on the compound. That was to have been my assignment.

Now getting back to the real subject. I was reading the article mentioned earlier, when I came to the section about how up until 2005 the bodies of our fighting men and women were treated like cargo it hit me. Those men on the plane with whom I’d flown out of Da Nang was my real reason, along with the men from my battalion, I was going to ride.

These eighteen men didn't have flag draped caskets or escorts or even a simple ceremony when loaded on to the aircraft. They were treated like just so much cargo and simply shipped home. So I ride for them and all the others that came home this way. May our country never treat it's fallen this way again.

By the Grace of God I missed that transfer to Phu Bi, and I could have been in one of those cold metal boxes.

Joe Middleton

Poster Girl

2011-03-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

1

Thanks Beccy Cole for supporting the efforts towards freedom, and I will put your poster on my wall, because you are on the right side of history. Those who have not had to fight for freedom have no idea what has been sacrificed to give them that freedom. Freedom is not free. THANK YOU for what you have done!

two digit midget again

2011-03-01T08:41:00.000-08:00

Well here it is March (came in like a lamb in Texas, so it will be April till winter is over) and I am planning on doing the 23rd annual Run For The Wall. I have my gas money (provided gas stays below $5.00 a gallon), and hotel money set aside. I have everything ready to pack, and the bike was checked out before last year's run, and I did not get to go, so Clyde should still be ready, but since I have not seen him since May, I may have to check that out before leaving.

I am really looking forward to this run, because my Brother is coming along again this year. It is nice to be with real family when with an extended family. More information on the Run to come later. I will be posting daily here with photo's and videos ( that is if I can figure out how to upload them) I hope everyone that rides to the Run, and rides the Run and rides home has a safe trip.

I am really looking forward to it. Less than 60 days till I go home and start out for Colorado and then California. I cannot wait, feel like a kid waiting for Santa or something.

Dave Bounce Talley

Wisconsin Capitol protesters disrespect the Veterans Memorial

2011-02-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

I must apologize for posting this video here, but I really think the attitude of these young fools should be publicized. They did not remove the signs, or the trash that they placed on the War Memorial. This is not their fault they are there trying to keep teachers from losing any posh benefits, they were taught this disrespect by teachers. Sad but true.

The following is the Governor of Wisconsin's email. I am forwarding this video to him. If you think he should do something about this disgraceful display of disrespect to the men and women that died for our freedoms, tell him. I know I am going to.

Dave Talley

aka Bounce

Feel free to contact us at any time.Gov Walker

Email
govgeneral@wisconsin.gov

Mail
Office of Governor Scott Walker
115 East Capitol
Madison WI 53702

Phone
(608) 266-1212

Open Road Music Video

2011-02-27T14:03:00.000-08:00

Great song. My first year on the Run for The Wall, I asked how to figure out when they were slowing down as no one is supposed to use their brakes. Jr Franklin, aka Cleaner, told me "listen to the pipes and you will know." Well he was right, but there is more to it than that. This song is about more than just riding too. It is about freedom, it is about healing, and so is the Run. I have said this many times, this blog is not dedicated to Run For The Wall, but the writer is. 70 or so days left till the run. Get ready folks. For my friends that drive trucks please realize we do not mean to mess up traffic, or hold you up, but we have got to do this, and we will do it until everyone comes home. To my friends that ride on the awesome mission remember it is a mission, and you have to prepare for it like you would a mission. Start practicing now, start stretching unused muscles, and exercising. Hydrate yourselves, and get ready for the most intense ride of your life, again, or for the first time.

See you in May
Bounce

Ahab The Arab and how and why Clyde is called Clyde

2011-01-30T21:41:00.000-08:00

Clyde requests that you listen to the song as you read...thanks Ray Stevens for a fun song...Clyde would also like you to know that he has the heart of a VMAX so he is pretty fast, and can even sneak up on and catch a Goldwing, but he can't outrun one.
Here is the story of why Clyde is called Clyde:
In 2004 my Brother Shoreparty told me about Run For The Wall, and that I had to get a bike and do this ride. I told him that sounded nice and all, but I was not a Nam Vet. He told me that the guy leading the group in 04 had a patch on his hat that read "I wasn't there but I still care" and that was enough to make me decide to do it. I did not have a motorcycle, and had not had one since 1994 or 95. But I told Judy I wanted to do the Run. So we looked for a bike for a long time. I dragged my Dad the Old Marine to several Bike stores, as I valued his opinion. He kept wanting me to get a Harley, but Judy determined that the seats were not very comfortable. Then one day in Feb of 05 we walked into Donahue Super Sports in Wisconsin Rapids, and on display was a beautiful white and silver Royal Star Venture. I had to go to the bathroom, but told Judy to check the bike out. I had only seen it from the side so I had not noticed the price, it was cheap about a third of the cost of a Harley. When I came out of the bathroom and saw the price I wanted this bike. As I walked over to it the salesman was putting a sold sticker on it. I asked who had bought it, as I Judy and two teenagers were the only customers in the place. He pointed at Judy and said that lady over there bought it. Well I had no way of getting it home,it being winter in Wisconsin and all, so Donahue kept it in storage for me. In April I went home and picked the bike up. It was beautiful, had a CB stock, and was perfect for what I was going to do....I had no idea what the Run was like, but I knew this bike was made for it.
In the next three weeks every time I rode this heavy monster I would drop it. Not hard, just gently onto the crash bars. Sort of like Arty Johnson used to do with his tricycle on Laugh In. During that three weeks the local oldies channel was playing two Ray Stevens songs back to back like a battle of the bands. First the DJ would play the Shriner's Convention, then he would play Ahab the Arab. That song Ahab the Arab was playing on the radio the first three times I dropped this bike. The fourth time I did not drop it, but almost did, the refrain "across the desert sands on his camel Clyde" was playing and for some reason I said, "Don't do this to me Clyde!" It was wild, the bike stopped falling over, and I caught it and kept it upright.
Now we Americans tend to give inanimate objects like vehicles names all the time. This motorcycle wanted to be called Clyde. Most vehicles are girls and get girl names, but not old Clyde. He is definitely a boy bike. I have been calling him Clyde for 7 years now, and he has done everything I need. The seat is cushy, and he has 37,000 miles on him, and except for one ride to Sturgis SD and back all of them are going to coming from and being on the Run For the Wall. So now you know how Clyde got his name and how I Bounce got mine.

Motorcycles are moving already

2011-01-30T00:15:00.000-08:00

In the last couple of days I have seen two Patriot Guard Formations, and a lot of motorcycles on the road. I have a little more than 95 days until I get home and pack Clyde and get ready for my sixth Run For The Wall. I have been reading all the posts and answering some on the rftw.org forum page. I cannot believe some of them, and then I can. Some of the folks that post are serious about their posts, and others are not. But throughout is a common thread of camaraderie friendship and respect. Even the goofy posts are not mean.

I can hardly wait to rejoin this family. This year Krazy and I will be on the Citizens Band radio informing truckers who we (the riders of RFTW) are and what we are doing. It is fun, but a great deal of work too. This year we are going to be checking weigh stations and informing leadership of the ones that are open. We only have three to worry about, one in Arizona, one in Illinois, and one in California. The rest of them we will be under police escort. We, Krazy and I will also take turns running ahead to the transition points that we do not have coverage by police. We will be alerting truck traffic to the fact that we are headed that way, and let them know which lane we will be in. I received emails back from the Central Route Coordinator and his assistant and they are fans of what Karl and I do, so we are official again this year. That is good. All that is left is get Clyde serviced, packed fueled and go. Is it May yet?

Bounce

Why the salute? SSgt Chambers answer to all

2011-01-27T23:43:00.000-08:00

This Marine makes me proud to have participated in Rolling Thunder, and he is a Great American. We need more like him.

Thank you sir for what you have done.

Bounce

RUN FOR THE WALL 2005

2011-01-27T19:34:00.000-08:00

This video and song are very important to me. It was made in 2005 the year that I was an FNG on Run For The Wall. It took me 5 trips to that hallowed place to be able to walk the entire length of it. I have friends on that wall, and have never been able to look up the panels that their names are posted on....maybe this year, maybe not. I want to thank all my friends on the Run for putting up with me all this time, and for allowing me the privilege of riding with these heroes. I was not there but I still care. I served but it was after Viet Nam ended. My war was the Cold war, and Desert Storm, and Operation Provide comfort. Every time I go to the wall I can feel its presence and the power of the place. I do not know what it is, maybe the souls of the names, maybe the bad memories left there, maybe the letting go of things there, but people can feel the Wall from about a half a mile away. I will never be able to put into words how much I owe my younger Brother for convincing me that I needed to do Run For The Wall, all I can say to him is Thanks and Welcome Home.

Bounce

Run for the Wall FNGs

2011-01-27T18:52:00.000-08:00

This is great....I remember 2005 when we all went in...but for the FNG's this is a great honor and they deserve it.

Bounce

This Blog is not dedicated to the Run For The Wall, but the writer is.

2011-01-27T18:17:00.000-08:00

I have said this before, and will say it again and again. This blog site is not dedicated to Run For The Wall, but I am. I did not do the Run last year for many reasons, mostly I could not afford it. Not because I didn't plan for it, things just happened. I was off work and ready to go, when I realized that I was a week ahead of the Run, and had to go back to work. Not to mention that Clyde cost over $500.00 in minor repairs. The timing just did not work out. This year will be different. So if anyone is interested in what Clyde and I do on this Great Mission we are committed to (I can hear Clyde now "You may need committing, but I have never been committed") just cut and paste the link posted here. It is a video that my Brother posted on the Central Route Web Page, and Clyde likes it cause he is in the 2009 one a couple of times.

http://rftwcr.us/central_route_video.htm

More to come, 109 days till the start and less than that till Clyde and I start our annual trek across America together.

Bounce

How Bounce became known as Bounce

2011-01-26T18:21:00.000-08:00

This is a story that really happened to me in 2007. It was my third consecutive Run For the Wall, and the second time that I had gone all the way from LA to DC. By then I had rubbed most of the new guy stuff off me. My Bike (affectionately know as Clyde, and occasionally he will channel through me to put thoughts here) is a white Royal Star Venture with the vanity plate number of FNG05. That year I actually had two jobs on the Run, I was working registration with my Wife, and while riding I was talking to Truckers on the radio.
When we were in Gallup New Mexico one of the members of the Board of Directors told me that he needed me to take his slot behind the assistant route coordinator. I initially declined his offer, but he persisted and talked me into taking this position. We were going into Angel Fire New Mexico from Gallup, and I thought it would be fun, plus through Albuquerque we were to be under State Police escort, and I knew from the year before there would only be questions to answer on the radio, and no truckers really any where near the formation, so I did it. My wife was going to ride down into Angel Fire with me, and had arranged for someone else to drive our truck and my Dad down the mountain. Just as we were getting ready to leave Hammer announced that there was snow in Angel Fire. My wife of course decided to ride in the comfort of the pick up instead of on Clyde.
So after lunch I lined up behind Shooter and next to Bones. Tanker was on Shooters Wing, and Fallow Me, and another veteran rider of the run were behind Bones and me. I sort of felt left out because I really did not have a road name. My CB handle was and is Grabagear, when I am in my truck, but I was not using that on the run.
As we descended into the valley the road was great, a little chilly but no snow, and the sun was out. Bones later said he saw that something was going to happen for miles, he just did not know what it would be. I was keeping pace with Shooter and Tanker, we were in a staggered formation and riding a little fast for what we were doing. The Missing man formation, and Road Guards were already at the Monument, and as we came around the last turn in the road, at the front of a pack of about 500 bikes, I realized something bad was happening. Shooter and Tanker were on their brakes, and neither of them do that unless it is an emergency, tends to cause problems, shooter indicated with a hand signal that he was slowing and pointed to his left. Then my world sort of slowed way down.
There was a big truck coming up the hill at us from Angel Fire. It's trailer was off tracking around the corner and was about 4 or 5 feet into my lane. Clyde's Highway peg caught the front trailer tire and I was being pulled under the truck. I really do not know how I did it but I pushed away from the trailer with my right hand (still have that glove and use it when I ride, even though there is a hole in it from slapping the side of the trailer) and Clyde righted himself, I put on my blinker and moved to the shoulder. My left foot hurt a little, and I could no longer shift, and there was plastic every where but Clyde was still running. When I hit the shoulder my tires sunk in the soft dirt right up to the brake discs. Clyde was standing up all by himself in the dirt, no need for a kickstand there. Bones stopped and made sure I was OK, and later rode down to the Hotel with me. I made sure my wife knew I was OK, and made sure that Shooter and Tanker and Hammer knew I was OK, cause there were those inevitable Rider Down calls on the radio. I never went down though.
Later while fixing my crash bars and shifter, Two Lane came up to me and told me he had the perfect road name for me. I carefully asked him what that was, mostly because most road names after something bad tend to leave you feeling ribbed. He said "Dances with Semi's". I loved it, and still use it, but Bones said it was too long for the radio, he wanted to call me "Semi Slayer" because after I had Bounced off the truck the driver had pulled over up the hill and got stuck so bad they had to call a wrecker to get Her back on the road. I said I could hear it now:
"OK big truck thanks for your patience and professionalism today, you have one more pack of bikes and then our missing man formation to get by and then you are done with Run For the Wall for today." The reply would be "Thanks driver, who am I talking too?" Then I respond, "uh they call me Semi Slayer?" Both Bones and Two Lane agreed that probably would not work well, and then Two Lane said "on the radio we will just call you Bounce!" It worked and it stuck. After minor repairs I rode Clyde all the way to DC and then back home. The Cruise Control did not work, but everything else did. $3200.00 in damage, but my insurance covered that, and I got my name all at the same time. Now think about this how many riders do you know that can get hit at speed by a tractor trailer and not only walk away from it, but finish a very long ride to boot?

Thanks Two Lane and Bones for the handle, I like it, or I would not use it, and it fits me well.

Bounce

Run for the Wall

2011-01-26T18:13:00.000-08:00

I will be posting some videos in the next few days

2011-01-26T18:01:00.000-08:00

I am preparing for Run For The Wall XXIII or 23 for those of you that do not do well with roman Numerals. I will be taking videos as well as posting other information about the run. I apologize ahead of time for a few of the videos that I will be posting, but most are just tests for the run. Some are pretty good. I will be happy take post any and all comments. I am also going to link my blog to the Central Route web page this year. I have been silent too long, and hey some of the folks on the run actually like what I write.

Bounce

And yes I am back

ANGEL FLIGHT - RADNEY FOSTER

2011-01-26T17:55:00.000-08:00

112 days and counting down or Im Going, Im Going

2011-01-25T21:50:00.000-08:00

There are 112 days until the 23rd Run For The Wall. I am really looking forward to doing it this year. I have made my reservations, all that is needed now is convince Clyde to let me ride him another 7000 miles. He is a pretty happy motorcycle, being in a nice heated garage, well cared for, clean,and ridden a little this summer. I have not been on him, but I have only been home twice since May. I ran out of time both times.

There is a lot of stuff on the discussion forum, but at least this year there has not been any crying about side by side riding. More questions like is this a clique?. Why are there so many posts about rides to get ready for the run? Things like that. RFTW is a very large and diverse family, and some of us, including me can get a little stupid now and again. But it is a mission a very important mission. Later this week I will again post the story of how my Brother Shoreparty got me involved in this wonderful mission. I will also recount the story of how I got my road name on the run.
Both are good stories.

Hoping for comments, and there will be pictures, and maybe even videos this year from the run and my run to the run.

Bounce

Caution do not scare the GROUCH!

2010-12-14T10:52:00.000-08:00

Some of you that read this may realize that I train folks to drive big trucks. Those that do not will now. Last week quite by accident I found a new training technique. I had a student from New York City, and he was pretty nervous about driving my truck because it has a 13 speed transmission. I tried everything I could to make him more comfortable. Nothing seemed to work.

I use post-it notes to write the route out so that students stay on the right roads when I go into the sleeper. (I do not sleep much back there, but when I go back there students seem to relax.) I went back there with this guy and he woke me up suddenly. I got up grouchy. He did not say anything about it but I was a little bothered by it. I apologized to him for being grouchy, but then told him that I had been asleep. He seemed surprised. Then he asked if he had scared me. I told him no, he would not like me very much if he had scared me. We had a good laugh about this. Then I wrote on a post it note "CAUTION !!!! DO NOT SCARE THE GROUCH!!!!!", I put this note behind the route, and did not say anything to him about it.

Then next day we we leaving a parking lot and a car almost hit us. He stopped and controlled the situation well. Afterwords he asked me if he had scared me. I then showed him the note, and told him no but he should stop trying to scare me. We laughed but he was much more relaxed after that. So it worked.

As an aside I am planning on doing the entire Run For The Wall this year. More on that later

Old Friends Found

2010-10-08T18:34:00.000-07:00

Some of my readers may remember my account (some what enhanced in my favor) of the battles on the Spangdahlem Speedway between me and Speedy. Well I may have some videos of these events to share soon, that is if Speedy can figure out how to get them on a DVD from the original dusty VHS format that they are currently on. If he does then I have to figure out how to post them here, which I will do. Speedy and I were actually only rivals on the track, we got along pretty well. He currently races shift carts in Louisiana, and I am sure that he is doing very well there. He is and was an excellent tactical driver, I on the other hand was just plain lucky and I mostly just ran into things and other cars and got really lucky that I ever finished a race. The ones that I finished ahead of Speedy were few and far between, but I enjoyed them even when I lost to him.

So any way the purpose of this post is that I have found a couple of old Friends in the last couple of months, and I am really looking forward to meeting with them again and maybe even watching Speedy race a little bit.

Short update on the Old Marine,
He is at home and doing better. He is not 100% yet but he is doing better.

Bounce

The Old Marine is getting better

2010-09-22T18:00:00.001-07:00

My Dad, AKA The Old Marine, is doing better. He actually expects to head home Monday. He still has a feeding tube in his stomach, and may need a visit every now and then from a home care nurse, but he is walking without a walker, and rehab therapy is going well. The VA rehab that he wanted to go to is full, and has a waiting list, so he will be going home. To everyone that prayed for his speedy recovery thanks, it worked.

He is not 100 % yet but at around 85% and getting stronger, and sassier every day.

Bounce

This one is just for fun

2010-09-18T12:43:00.000-07:00

Some of my followers already know that I am a truck driver and that I train new drivers. I thought I would post this story on one of my students, the names will not be posted, but nicknames will be. Here goes the story of Weed Hopper:

A few weeks ago I got a new student sent to me. I met him in Council Bluffs Iowa, and he needed to drive to the North East and North West and he needed to get at least two mountains. These are all required before my company allows a new driver to move on to the next phase of training. This guy was pretty cool to train. He was in construction in Florida, and Georgia, and when the construction jobs dried up he decided to make one last career change and become a truck driver. He gave himself the nick name "Weed Hopper" because he kept saying "Yes my Trainer" when I would correct things he was doing wrong. When I asked him why he said it like that he said he had always been a fan of the T.V. show "Kung Fu" and thought that since grass hopper was already taken he would be a "Weed Hopper". Pretty funny if you think about it. So I started calling him Weed Hopper. We were swapping trailers with another trainer and his student, and Weed Hopper was checking the new trailer out, and really embarrassed the other trainer when he found an expired registration and a flat tire on the trailer we were picking up. Normally I would have had to tell these guys that I was not going to take this trailer, but the load got me to Home, and from previous posts you should know that my Dad is in the hospital, so I took the trailer. We called in the flat tire, and moved across the street to await a tire guy to come out and fix the tire. Two guys showed up, and they has said it would take about an hour for them to get there, they were there in 10 minutes, and watching them change that tire was amazing. Normally this takes almost half an hour, but these two guys went at it like they were a NASCAR pit crew, and were done in about 10 minutes after they arrived. Weed Hopper was just amazed at how fast this was done, and when he commented on how fast they were, the one guy said, yeah I gotta get to Rugby practice, or it would have taken longer.
Later Weed Hopper said, "That guy wanted to go to Rugby practice pretty bad didn't he?"
My response was "Yeah and it takes leather balls to play rugby, so he must really like the pain." We laughed about this for about three days. Weed Hopper has moved on to the next phase of training, and will be a successful driver, which is the goal of the training program, and I will never worry about having a flat in Cedar Falls IA cause the Good Year guys there doe a great job.

Old Marine getting better and on the move

2010-09-18T12:38:00.000-07:00

Well here is another update on the Old Marine...He has moved out of the Madison VA hospital and is back in Milwaukee. He is in a Rehabilitation facility trying to get well enough to head home. But he still has some tubes sticking into him. He is hoping that he can be home in 14 days, but if not he will be signing up for VA Rehab in Milwaukee. He is doing better, but does not like the low fat low cal low salt diet he is on. He will get used to it, but you know how Marines. He wants what he wants and he will get it somehow I am sure. Thanks again to all the well wishers from Run For The Wall that have sent out prayers to him and for him. He really appreciates his extended family, and he even remembers a few folks by name, and mentions them every now and then. He is getting a little stronger every day and is working hard to get better.

Bounce

The Old Marine gets his waffle

2010-09-13T10:20:00.000-07:00

Wow, I guess some one is following this. First let me apologize for not updating my Dad's status sooner. I received a comment requesting an update from some one. I have been a little busy in the last four days, went from Indiana to Indiana by way of New York State and Wells Nevada.

Here goes the update. As of this morning about 07:30 CST he was doing well. He has been walking, he still has a stomach tube, a chest tube, a liver tube and an IV, but he is not attached to the Christmas tree any longer which means he is free to walk as much as he can (He won't admit it but my Uncle Ed said he has probably walked more in the last three weeks than in the last three years.
He sent my Sister to the Slop Shop for more Pogey Bait (direct translation for the Non Marines Grocery store for some stuff he was not supposed to have, in this case Twinkies, I got him a Hershey Bar last week). He is eating regular food and pretty much anything he wants right now. He sounds a lot better on the phone, and I should be able to see him by the end of the week. I am headed to Dallas for business, then home for the weekend I hope.
When I talked to him this morning he was eating a waffle, no strawberries or whipped cream, but plenty of syrup and oleo (margarine for the younger folks).

I think he will get better, he still has some problems, pain from stomach incision and pneumonia, and they think he has a hernia (considering that they opened him up a second time and pulled his insides out to inspect I do not think he should have a hernia, but what do I know, I am just a truck driver and a concerned son.)

He will be in Madison for a few more days yet. Docs are discussing sending him to Milwaukee, but not sure if it will be the VA or the rehab center he has picked out.
Thanks again to all of you that have been praying for him. He also has mentioned more than once that he is thankful to all his Run Buds cause he knows those guys are praying for him and thinking about him.
OK anonymous, that is all I know for now. Except his room mate is headed home for therapy and that he is hoping he at least gets another Marine, cause those Air Force guys are cantankerous. His word not mine, wait was he talking about me?

Bounce

Clyde is Ready to Roll, now that summer is over

2010-09-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

Clyde to Bounce,
Get him Better he rides me better than you do.

Oil changed valves adjusted ready to ride, and now summer is over, but I will be ready for May, question is will bounce be ready

Clyde

Update on the Old Marine

2010-08-19T19:07:00.001-07:00

Today my Dad was moved out of intensive care and into a regular room. He is still receiving great care, and visits from the Marines, The VFW, the Moose Lodge, and several others. This makes it a lot easier on him since he is over 100 miles from home. He has also been walking around which is great cause Saturday he could not get his left leg to move at all.

Thanks to everyone that has prayed for his speedy recovery. Please do not stop, he lived a rock star lifestyle for years, and it is catching up with him. But he is doing better.

Bounce

Not as Lean, Not as Mean but Still a Marine

2010-08-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

This post has been rattling around in my head since last Thursday morning. I just have not had the time, or even the desire to put the words out there. I received a voice mail from my younger Brother, that my Dad (Step Father, but he is my Dad) was in the hospital in Madison Wisconsin. I was of course on the road and about 600 miles away from him. I waited until a reasonable hour and started calling to find out what was up. Turns out my Dad, the Old Marine, who is not as lean, nor as mean but still a Marine, has landed in the Madison VA hospital. He was pretty sick, but it seems that he is still a fighting machine because he is getting better. He spent about seven days in intensive care, but should be moving to a regular room today. He is recovering, and I pray that I am half as tough as he is when I am 60. I will be updating how the Old Marine ( a nickname given to him while participating three times on Run For The Wall) is doing here as he progresses. Thanks to all his friends and mine for all the good words, and prayers.
Note to self do not fall asleep on any more hospital waiting room floors, they are hard and cold. Do get a blanket from the nice intensive care nurse (They keep them in a heater and they are soooooooo warm)
You may notice by the above note that I had a long weekend, but I am back on the road now, will be trying to get back and see my Dad and Mom and the rest of my Family a little more. After all I discovered that a person cannot work all the time no matter what the situation is, things can be replaced, family cannot.

Bounce

Another friend gone

2010-07-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

I have a friend that passed away on Tuesday. His name was Tom Locket. I knew him as Tracker a road guard for Run For The Wall. He was a quiet guy and quite a guy at the same time. The only time I had more than a passing hello from him was a few years ago when I screwed up on the run. The pack was heading into Jefferson Barracks, and it was taking longer than normal to get turned around. We had well over 400 bikes to park and those of us that had been there before knew to be patient and be ready to move into the parking area. There were about twenty new folks in the pack ahead of me and they thought were were done. None of them had radios on their bikes, and they were shutting down and getting off their bikes. We still had almost 100 bikes on the freeway at this point. I had room and I was going to pull out of line and go up and inform them to be ready to move fast cause we still had a way to go before we got off the bikes. Just as I was thinking of doing this bone head move, Tom and Walrus came along, and if I had moved out they would have crashed into me. Later Tom told me to be patient and not make one bone head move worse by doing something that was not my job. He was right, he and Walrus were and are road guards and moving the pack is their job. Thanks Tom, you will be missed. Tom's Funeral is today, in Arkansas. I am in Tennessee so I won't be there, but I will say a prayer for Tom's family and all my friends that remain. I am better for having known Tom.

Bounce

Biker Buds? Or just standing up for what is right?

2010-06-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the chance to visit with my Son in Colorado Springs. He took me to his favorite restaurant (more on that in a later post) and we had a great meal. Just as we were finishing breakfast the young lady that runs the restaurant realized she was out of cooking oil. It was a rush time, so since my Son and I were just killing time we offered to go get some more oil for her. She offered to buy our breakfast, but we told her no, we were heading over to the store anyway. When we parked our car and were walking up to the store entrance we witnessed what could have been a bad accident. A car that looked like it was waiting for the cross walk to clear suddenly backed up just as a motorcycle was pulling out behind the car. Needless to say the bike got smacked and went down. The rider was fortunate in that he did not appear hurt. The lady driving the car was indignant that the motorcycle got in her way. Her statement "I did not back into the motorcycle, I put my car in reverse to turn left and he hit me" was not as bad as her crack "You and your biker buddies can say anything you want, but I am in the right here". My son and I gave our names and phone numbers to the biker, after we helped him pick his bike up. When we came out of the store the lady announced that the police were not interested and were not coming out. The sad part is that she could have just as easily run down a pedestrian, or a child and she really did not care, it was not her fault that the bike got in her way. I think she was really more upset that she had to stay and give the biker her insurance information, this was delaying her important life. After hearing her two comments, I had to stop and tell her that I was sorry that I had witnessed her stupid act, but that backing up against the flow of traffic is illegal. She then told me that she would see me in court. I doubt that this will ever get that far, but if it does I will gladly appear. I just pray that this woman does not get so busy that she forgets she is driving and kills a pedestrian.

Bounce

Another Year of RFTW in the books

2010-05-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

Well Run for the Wall is over again this year. Sadly I could not participate this year, but hope that all who did had a safe run. I also hope that all of them get home safely. There is a parade tomorrow to honor fallen heroes, and to remind a Government, that is mostly out of town, and out of touch, that we will never forget those that gave their all for our freedom. Next year All the Way? I do not know but I hope so. I do know that Dwayne has blogged the entire trip. Any that wish to see what the Run is like should follow the link below to the Motorcycle Muse. He writes better than I do, and he was there too.

More fun stuff to come. I am trying to write a book, and thanks to the efforts of Shoreparty, I have recovered all the data I have been collecting and typing over the years to that end. I reread Garrison Keillor, aka draft dodger, from two years ago, and my comments to that article. I hope those that participate in Rolling Thunder are allowed to parade and for those that think it is about noise pollution, I hope the make as much noise as they can. Being an American, and a Veteran, and a Patriot in this country is right, but being wrong is also allowed.

Bounce

No Run for Bounce this year

2010-05-19T20:57:00.000-07:00

Due to circumstances way beyond my control I will not be participating in Run For the Wall this year. They left California today, and I am in Wisconsin. I intended to ride out to Wentzville, MO this coming Sunday and meet up with the Run on Monday there. But because of things that I cannot control I will not be there. I have posted all the information I can, my friend, Krazy Karl is running the truck communication team, and I think all will be well.

Clyde let me down sort of, he cost a little over $400.00 for maintenance this year, and that plus other problems eliminated any and all funds that I had available for the Run. I will miss my family and friends, but the mission will go on with or without Bounce and Clyde.

I will continue with my daily check calls, and will keep everyone posted on the status of both routes, but my information will be limited to what is available on the internet. I want to be there, but if I do not get back to work things will get really crazy. So I will be back at work when the Run hits Angel fire.

Bounce

Bounce do not worry I will get you to LA next year, honest
I mean I am a great motorcycle, just a little expensive to repair.
Clyde

A wake up and the Run Starts

2010-05-18T14:09:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow Run For The Wall 2010 starts. Central Route will be on I-15 and I-40 and Southern Route will be on I-15 and I-10. There will be about 300 bikes on each route. There will be a lot of cages riding along ahead and behind this year too. We are getting older. We cannot forget the reason for this run. It is for all the troops that did not come home from all wars, and those that need to heal after being placed in harms way. Thanks to all of you who will be standing out in all sorts of weather to cheer the packs on. Every one of you is part of the reason that we do what we do.
23 years ago there were not very many participants, and there are new folks every year. Thanks to all the FNG's that join in this year. Thanks to all the towns that will host and feed the riders on the run. Thanks to all the truckers that will patiently and professionally deal with the packs. For the 1% that won't, well thanks to you to. Thanks to Glen Jones of Sirius Radio for all of his support too.

Bounce

Not all truck drivers just drive

2010-05-17T05:45:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I met a driver that works for the same company I do. He is a truck driver, but he is also a videographer. He made videos for a living before he decided to drive truck. His name is Marcell, and he has some very High Tech equipment. He told me that he has about 75 hours worth of video from on the road and that he wanted to interview some drivers to go with the video that he has filmed. I was not surprised when he told me that he was having trouble getting folks to talk to him, especially if he had his camera with him. I think I surprised him when I told him I would not mind talking to him. Well anyway we arranged a time for an interview, over the phone. I did this last night, and we talked for over an hour and half. He asked some great questions, and I gave him the answers that I had. It was interesting. He is trying to bring out a part of trucking that most people do not ever see. I wish him luck in his endeavor.

Bounce

Runs to the Run have started

2010-05-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

Well it has started again. Actually it started last week. Some of my Run Family have already arrived in CA. Others will get there today. Bones and his wife almost got snowed in in CO, but luckily Bones has a friend with a tow truck that has helped him out. I hope he is out of the snow. Of course I wish I could have caught him on Friday, cause two cents is a great price for a Gold Wing. The amazing part is that Bones mentioned that his wife has not complained. I told him she is just tougher than he is.

Krazy Karl, and Black Hat should be in CA today or early tomorrow. Shutterbug has been there for a week, Trunks lives there, so he just has a day trip to LA.

At any rate I hope the truckers are reading all the signs, and paying attention to the fact that a lot of motorcycles are on the road, heading west in small groups, and larger groups. I also hope that the bikers pay attention and stay upright and visible. As for the four wheelers, or cages, I hope both truckers and bikers stay out of their way and avoid any confrontation with them. A confrontation between a cage and a bike always ends badly, as does a confrontation between a truck and a 4 wheeler.

Be safe everyone. I will be posting what I can about the run here. Also the Motorcycle muse has a blog this year, I will link that here as soon as I can get the address.

Bounce

Video bar

2010-05-14T07:06:00.000-07:00

I had to remove the video bar, it would not hold the videos I wanted it too, and after several attempts I decided it was just easier to pull the darn thing. Sorry, I am just not technically adept enough to do what I want with it. I will be trying again later. Gotta go for now.

Bounce

Home at last

2010-05-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I finally made it home after about four months on the road. Although happy to be here, there is a lot to do. Clyde is in the shop getting ready for my shortened Run For the Wall, and I have to pack, build a fence, get batteries for the big red truck, and on and on. Living at a small dog rescue is OK, but I will be using earplugs a lot. Rescuing puppies is a loud thing, but hopefully they will all be in forever homes soon, HOPEFULLY!

I have changed up the video bar a little, and there is one video about crossing the GW bridge from NJ to NY that has absolutely nothing to do with the Run, but I am just not smart enough to delete it. I sure hope the computer guy fixes my laptop soon, cause I miss writing here, and Clyde can not seem to channel on the home computer, might be he is afraid of all the puppies?

To all my friends on the Run I will see you again at Wentzville.

Ride safe and stay upright and visible. The weather is going to be great (yeah even if it isn't great we are going to do the mission.

It is May and there are a lot of west bound Motorcycles

2010-05-02T06:44:00.000-07:00

Today is May 2nd. In the last week I have seen a lot of motorcycles headed west. Today I am in PA, and yesterday I was in West Virginia. I saw two large groups of Motorcycles headed west. At least thirty bikes in total. I saw five RFTW vests, and quite a few Legion Riders in these packs. I hope they all get where they are going safe. The Run starts in a few days. For my truck driving friends remember not all of these folks on motorcycles are thinking about what happens when they cut a truck off. They are not doing it because they do not like trucks, or because they do not respect trucks, they just do not know.

Krazy Karl will be talking to trucks on I-40 and I-70 for the Central Route. I hope he has some help before Wentzville, but I will be there to help him as much as I can from there on out. Karl if you read this remember sending someone ahead for the tricky transitions (especially the ones not covered by cops) worked well last year. In Arizona where I-17 and I-40 come together is one of those places.

OK enough for today. I still have not fixed my computer, but I have been able to post now and then by borrowing other folks lap tops. It is amazing how many truck drivers are on the net.
I will be trying to post information here about the progress of the Run, but will be limited in my knowledge.

Thanks for reading

Bounce

Lap top dies but bounce keeps writing, sort of

2010-04-10T20:34:00.000-07:00

My lap top is dead. I hope to have it resurrected, or at least fixed soon, but I won't be posting much here until that happens. I am writing on paper (that sounds so last century doesn't it) and will be posting those thoughts as soon as the lap top is fixed or replaced.

I will be participating in Run for the Wall again this May, but cannot go all the way again this year. I hope to join the pack and my extended Family at Wentzville, MO. I will be trying to post information here about the Run and where to look for large groups of motorcycles. But only if the Lap Top is fixed. Amazing that I feel as though I have lost a limb or something because that piece of equipment is not working.

Clyde will be tuned, have his oil changed and all fuses repaired so that he is ready to haul me out and back for the mission again this year.

Bounce

Found by an old friend

2010-02-20T13:30:00.000-08:00

Today I received a message from an Old friend from Germany. A short while ago I got a request from a lovely German girl to be her friend on Face Book. She looked familiar, but I did not recognize her last name. Well I clicked on yes, and today I was rewarded with a message from my friend and mechanic from my days at Spangdahlem Speedway.

It reminded me of the first time I met this man. He had a race car that was pretty well built, and a motor that was just awesome. He had adapted some rims from a Peugeot, or some other french car so that he could have smaller rims on the back of his car. The purpose of this was to make the gear ratios on a Volkswagen transmission much better for a 1/4 mile dirt track. During the heat race he broke a rim. I am not sure how or why but I ended up helping him fix his car for our main event race. He of course beat the pants off me and just about everyone else that day. He and his friend ALF were there every race, and did really well that year. He was running a single port 1500 CC VW engine that was probably hopped up to well over 1800 CC's. But hey there was no way to prove that without tearing the engine down, and that was a costly protest. When I realized I could not beat this guy I joined him. We built a lot of race cars together, and in the process built a great friendship. I have mentioned Lothar before on this page. Rich Tilley will remember him, mostly because he translated for us when a certain President of a Certain Motorcycle Club was planning on killing us because of the Harley Rich sold him. Rich told the guy the thing was junk, but somehow that did not translate as well as "Pan Head" did. Lothar saved our bacon there. He also was responsible for me racing on the German track at Wolfsfeld Germany, and getting me into the Eiffel Meisters race club. All were rewarding times, and very good memories. In fact as I remember Lothar also convinced me to allow the Eiffel Meisters to race as Spangdahlem Speedway. Not really sure how we got that done as it involved getting several thousand local nationals permission to come onto an active Air Base, but hey it worked.
It truly is a small world.

Finally for those who care I am sitting in Wyoming waiting for snow plows to clear the road (not holding my breath) so I can roll on to California for a delivery.

Bounce

Here is a Poll about DC's new Ride

2010-02-09T11:31:00.000-08:00

Please vote frequently and nicely on this question. I will forward the results to DC. You can pick multiple answers too. Speak up and let the man know how you feel about his ride.

Clyde the Motorcycle....

Clyde to Bounce....I need new oil, and a my valves set.....not to mention a bath.

Spring will get here Eventually

2010-02-09T11:11:00.001-08:00

Today I am waiting for roads to clear in Missouri. Boonville, MO to be exact. It is really cold, and there was a 6 inch snow storm last night. But I cannot blame the state as they are working to clean up the roads as much as they can. I just cannot drive on ice. I learned that lesson on Christmas Eve when I got stuck in of all places Fort Worth Texas on ice.

A quick shout out to Velcroe, she does a great job on the RFTW news letters.

I have a friend that does the Run, his nickname is DC. Not sure why but it fits, we call him Day Care, cause he is pretty young. This year he bought a new bike for the run. My first reaction to it was that he had grown up and bought an adult bike. Then of course he modified the darn thing, and now it looks just like his old bike, with hard bags instead of soft ones. He may even put the spikes on it and it will really be a reincarnation of his old bike. He did put Ape Hanger handle bars on it, so it sort of resembles Pato's bike now, minus the googly eyes (but of course that might be coming). DC is the guy that fixed Clyde after he got hit by the truck, and he is really a great guy. Some folks are giving him static over his "Retrofitting, and reverse engineering" of his new bike, but hey it looks pretty good.

We ride for those who Can't

2010-02-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

I have said here many times before that this blog is not dedicated to the Run for The Wall, but the writer certainly is.

The title of this post is the main motto of RFTW.org. We ride for those who Can't. Not just those that cannot make the trip, not just the guys that were left behind in Viet Nam, but for those who are serving now and cannot ride from Coast to Coast and see the support that this Country truly gives its Serving men and women, and its Veterans.

Every year that I ride with the Run, and I have done it five years in a row, I am constantly amazed by the dedication of the Volunteers that organize and keep us safe. The road guards have an amazing job, as does the fuel crew and the staging crew, and the platoon leaders. There are well over 100 Volunteers just with the Run, then there are thousands of folks that organize the overpasses that we ride under (and there are two routes so you have to multiply all numbers by 2) and arrange to feed over 400 folks three times a day. On the Central route we also have Monsoon and his team making sure that no one runs out of water along the way, and Grumpy and the chase team, and No Chute and the sound trailer, the list is just amazing. These people are really dedicated to the Run, and the family that is has become. When riding with the pack at first it can be a little scary. No it is a lot scary. Highway speeds (we run 5mph under the posted speed limit) with trucks and cars passing us and riding in formation is rough.
In 2005 my first year doing this at one of our lunch stops a guy was getting off his bike when a lady asked him "How many bikes do you guys have?" I cannot remember his exact words, but he told her very seriously and truthfully that he knew there was a bike next to him, and one in front of him, so we had at least three bikes counting his. That lady probably thought this guy was a smart mouth. But he was telling the truth. If you do the Run right all you see is the license plate in front of you and your wing man. After a while you do not concentrate on anything but that. You are aware of the traffic around you, but you are not concentrating on it, you are taking care of the folks around you.
In 2007 Straight Arrow asked me to ride in his slot. I was honored, but tried to get out of it because I did not feel that I had paid my dues. This was in Gallup NM the day that we go to Angel Fire NM. I was suddenly in the Gang of 6, or the head shed. These are folks that are called on to get things done for the route coordinator, and they ride in the first platoon right behind the assistant route coordinator.
In 07 the assistant was Shooter, Straight Arrow was pulling road guard duty, and Hammer wanted me there to do whatever Shooter needed I guess. I was OK with it but did not feel that I rode well enough to be up there. Of the six bikes in that group I was the only rider I was worried about going into Angel Fire. I had been on this road once before, and knew it well. Everyone was riding well, and we were probably going a little fast, and running a little tight, but it was fun. Bones later told me that he felt like something was going to happen for miles, but the riding was fun.

Then it happened. We were rounding the last turn on the mountain, and Shooter hit his brakes (my first thought was hey he never does that, this is going to be bad, real bad) I slowed down, and tried to find Bones in my mirror, he was on my right wing, and I had lost him when Shooter hit his brakes. Now normally central route rides side by side, but not in construction zones, or on mountains. As I started to round the corner I saw a Frito Lay eighteen wheeler coming at me. Her trailer was off tracking behind the tractor and was about 6 feet into my 8 foot lane. I moved as far right as I could, but left room for Bones just in case. I did not want to crowd him into the ditch. As the trailer passed me my highway peg on the left side of Clyde (for those who have not read here before Clyde is the motorcycle I ride...long story I will let him tell it) hit the trailer tires and I was being sucked under the truck. I pushed off the trailer with my right hand, and Clyde popped back up onto his wheels, I turned on my blinker and moved off the road. When I dropped off into the dirt next to the road Clyde sunk in the dirt to his axles. I just stood up, and the bike was standing too. Never went down, I think I amazed Bones and the guy behind me cause they both thought I was dead. Two Lane told me that my new road name was "Dances with Semi's" I liked it a great deal. Bones said that I should be called "Semi Slayer" because the truck got towed away (OK when the driver saw the rest of the bikes she pulled off onto the shoulder on her side and got stuck in the same dirt Clyde and I got stuck in). In truth I liked both those new road names, but neither worked on the CB, the first one was too long, and the second one, well Krazy Karl and I talk trucks past the pack. I could just imagine how that conversation would go...."OK big truck you have one more pack of bikes and then a missing man formation to pass and you are done with us...thanks for you patience and professionalism!" and the answer "Thanks, who am I talking to any way?"
"they call me Semi Slayer." It just did not work. Well old Two lane told me no problem, for the radio they would call me Bounce. At first I did not like this one, but it sort of stuck. I did ride in that spot behind Shooter several more times. After one stop Shooter got held up and Tanker and Girlfriend told me that if he was not there when we rolled I had to cover his slot. I did and ti was a parade leg. I was really grateful when Shooter came roaring up and slid into his spot.

Welcome to any and all FNG's and all the rest of the RFTW family that may read this.

Thanks for putting up with me for five years.

Bounce

We ride for those who Can't

P.S. $3200.00 damage to my Yamaha, and it was all cracked plastic, thanks to DC and the maintenance crew at the Angel Fire Resort all bent mechanical parts were fixed and straightened in about ten minutes. I rode Clyde all the way to DC and then home after being hit by a truck. Say what you will about Yamaha, they make a tough Dave proof motorcycle.

Will Winter never end?

2010-01-30T14:42:00.000-08:00

Photo Straight Arrow talking to SR and CR at Arlington Church after Dinner in 2009
I could have started this with a different title, but I am stuck in Oklahoma waiting for roads to clear, so I used the one I did. Clyde needs parts, and an oil change, and a valve job. I have seen a lot of bikes on the road in the last few days, but I was in California.

I have read a lot of the posts on the rftw.org forum, and they are all the same. Guys wishing it was May already, the usual folks that want to change the way we ride, and lots of Fine New Guys and Gals too.

I have done the Run Five times, participated in 2005 (Colorado to DC) all the way in 2006, 2007, and 2008, and participated in 2009 (From New Mexico to DC). All of these trips have been rewarding. Last year was not great for me, but I still fulfilled my mission and a promise to Wizard to get his Brother's Memory to the Wall.

My first Run was in 2005. I do not ride a great deal. I had a new bike, and in truth it was probably more bike than I had ever ridden before. I got to Colorado and did so in pretty good time. I do not think that I would qualify for an "Iron Butt" award, but I did go the roughly 1400 miles from Wisconsin to Colorado in 3 days. I could have done it in two days, but when I got off the bike for fuel the first time in Colorado there was a motel right there at the gas station, so I parked the bike checked in and went to bed. I was excited about doing the Run, but exhausted too.
Then the next day I met my Brother in Castle Rock, and rode down (OK technically it is up) to Colorado Springs with him. He was pretty satisfied with my riding so after a couple of days we went out to meet the Run. That was a real thrill.
We were at the Wal-Mart in La Junta, CO. Seeing that pack of bikes ride in to the Wal-Mart fuel stop was awesome. My brother laughed at me and told me that was just the fuel crew and road guards, and that I had not seen anything yet. About 30 minutes later he was proved right. The pack arrived, there were almost 400 bikes that day. I was amazed at how fast they got fueled and staged. That was some first impression. I kept thinking to myself "Wow what have I been missing out on?"

Then we followed the pack up to Limon, CO. When we registered we were welcomed into the family. People remembered Shore Party from the previous year, and he introduced me as his older Brother. If was pretty awesome. Then we went to dinner at Hugo, CO and I realized for the first time that all the hype, the formation, and flags, and patches had a true purpose. There was a POW/MIA ceremony before dinner, and everyone stood at parade rest and watched. But this was not where I found the purpose of the Run. I discovered that when riding into Hugo. The streets were lined with people, from Little Children, to a few WWII and Korean War Vets. That was pretty impressive, but not what made the mission click for me. There was an older gentleman on a moped that jumped into the formation next to me. I met him later, he is a Viet Nam Vet, and unfortunately he did not come back whole from there. When I asked who he was, someone, it may have been Walrus, or Stoney, told me that he lived in Hugo, and did that every year. I was told that we were riding because he could not. That pointed the mission out to me more than anything else that happened that year.

We were riding for those who can't. Not just the Missing, not just the Dead, but the folks that came back with injuries that do not heal. The mission is to heal all who participate. The mission has become greater than just a pack of old coots on scoots riding across country. The mission is much more important than personal feelings, of even finances. It is truly a mission of love.

When I was in the Air Force, and in some places that were not real friendly, almost everyone talked about riding a motorcycle from Coast to Coast, and growing a pony tail. This last was because we were not allowed to grow our hair long. I can now say that I have done both. The pony tail I grew for myself. The ride from Coast to Coast was done for something greater than myself. The rewards for all that work, and believe me riding in that formation is hard work, were many.

In January of 2006 I was talking to my oldest Daughter, and I remember telling her that I was going to do the Run again that year, but I did not really know why I was doing it. She reminded me of my dream of riding a motorcycle from Coast to Coast, and I told her that sure that was part of it, but I did not really understand why I had to do this thing.
She answered quite wisely (takes after her Mother) "Dad that is a no brainer! It is your mission."
She is a great kid, no great woman and very wise. She is right. It is my mission.

The four years after that first year I knew that I was going to do the Run again and again. I had a conversation with Bones a couple of years ago and we agreed that we would do it until we could not hold the bike up, then it would be time to buy a trike, and when to old to climb on and off a trike, then chase vehicles, or Cages, but we would do it until everyone came home.

We can never forget those that gave their all for or Freedoms, and we can never forget that Freedom is not Free.

Some Gave All, and All Gave Some, is more than just words, more than a motto that is on a decal on my big truck, it is a truth that we can never forget.

In closing I did do something that I highly encourage everyone to do this week. I was in Las Cruces New Mexico and two Reservists were in the Restaurant that was having lunch in. I bought them lunch, and told the waitress to just tell them it was from a Vet that appreciated their sacrifice. I walked up to them and thanked them for their service and welcomed them home. I then found out that one of them has supported the Southern Route several times in Las Cruces. Life is truly on a wheel.

Bounce

Christmas

2009-12-21T18:59:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all who read this blog. I apologize for not posting more here, but I have been busy, and have not had internet access for a while.

Clyde is getting a new battery and a new lower faring for Christmas. He is not speaking to me because I only rode him 4500 miles this year, in fact he has run away from home, but should be back in January.

Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year too.

Dave Bounce Talley

Here is a link to a story that will explain why we ride

2009-11-29T14:48:00.000-08:00

I found this link on the rftw.org forum. I read the entire story by EVO RED. It is great. I am posting the link here so that you too can read it. I am also wondering if anyone thinks I should link this blog to the 2010 central route web page. If you do please post a comment so that I know. I am torn on whether or not to do this small thing.

Enjoy EVO's story it is awesome. It explains why we ride, why we are a family and why we get the rewards we get. So here is the link:

http://www.vietnam6bn31inf.com/special_event.htm

I hope you all enjoy it, and thanks for reading, much more to come I promise.

Bounce

So little time and so many thoughts

2009-11-20T05:25:00.000-08:00

I first must apologize for not posting here in a while. I know that there are some folks that have enjoyed my (To quote my Sister-In-Law) "Rants" and writing. I pulled a lot of the older posts because I wrote something that I knew to be true, but that a lot of others did not either agree with or did not know. Anyway, I have gotten therapy, well I talked to Hammy a lot about it, and I am over it.

Now here is the rest of the story on the previous post. and it is truly important:

Nic Bush is a young Army medic who is stationed at Ft. Hood and arrived for duty just last month in October. Last Thursday he was one of the medics on duty in the Readiness Center during the shootings. While he has physically survived the attack, emotionally he is struggling.

Nic rides every year with myself and ~1,000 other riders across country with Run for the Wall (RFTW) to help raise awareness for the POW/MIA issues and help heal veterans. This group of riders is very close and consider each other family - and thus I consider Nic my family and a brother/son/friend to us all. He had to sell his bike before he came out to Ft. Hood last month and has been saving and planning to buy a new one before next year's Run in May.

I want to help Nic get his bike sooner as he could really use it right now. For those who ride, you know it is good for the soul and certainly would give Nic an outlet for those tough days ahead as he recovers from this tragedy. It certainly won't take away anything from that day, but might bring just a bit of happiness and distraction to his life right now.

If everyone could help pitch in just a bit (even $20 would help), then a little could go a long way and we can help ease at least one soldier get through this difficult time. You can contribute directly from here and see our progress: http://nicbush.chipin.com/nic-bush-ft-hood-soldier If by any chance we collect more than we need, we will put the additional funds together and ask Medic Bush how to direct how to best put the money to use to help other soldiers in need from this incident.

PLEASE PASS THIS ALONG to anyone and everyone in your address book you know who loves this country and who might want to help! Thank you!

If you are interested in helping Paula help Nic Bush copy the link and go to the site and chip in. I requires opening a Pay Pal account, but that is painless, and 100% of the money donated is going to the cause. They have almost $2000.00 now and need $10,000.00. If everyone donates about $10.00 they will make it. I have met this young man and he is a great guy. I chipped in, and will do it again, but I really think this is a good cause. Paula is great for doing this, and this guy was not only a first responder to the Foot Hood tragedy, he was also a target of this attack.
Thanks for reading, more light hearted things to come. I have said this before this blog is not dedicated to Run For The Wall, but the writer is. Hopefully any and all FNGs to the Run will get the answers to their questions, and May is only 6 months from now.

Bounce

This is important

2009-11-17T11:09:00.001-08:00

http://nicbush.chipin.com/nic-bush-ft-hood-soldier

go here and chip in to help this man out. He is a member of the RFTW family and he is a true hero.

ENUFF SAID

Bounce

Dixie The Wander Dog update

2009-10-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have read all my posts, you know about Dixie the Wander Dog. For those of you who do not know the story I will recap it a little. Last year in July I was in Alabama. I stopped at a truck stop there that I really do not like. The restaurant is usually closed and when it is open the service is bad, and the food is worse. The parking lot is so full of holes that you can break a shock or a spring just driving through it, and it is always very hot there. This day it was well over 100 degrees, and the tarmac was melting under the truck tires as I parked. I had to go to the rest room bad, but as I walked towards the main building I noticed another driver trying to feed a little dog. When I asked if she was his he said, no but I think she is sick.
I gave her a quick glance, and she looked like about a four or five month old Doberman puppy. She was clean, but looked like she had been running wild for a few days. I went inside, bought a couple of hot dogs (the restaurant was closed for remodeling) and a bottle of cold water. I walked back to my truck, and for some reason the little dog was walking along the same row of trucks. I offered her a piece of hot dog, and she took it but surprised me when she examined it pretty closely before chewing it up. She then followed me to my truck. I opened the door, and put the hot dogs on the passenger floor, turned my back long enough to find a bowl to give the little dog some water. When I turned around she was gone. I put the water on the ground under the steps of the truck and closed the door and walked around the truck and got in. Then I remembered the hot dogs, I leaned across the seats and picked the paper plate up. The hot dog that I had torn a piece off was gone. Then I looked down and on the floor in front of the sleeper Air Conditioning vent slowly chewing the hot dog was the little dog. She looked at me wagged her tail and that was the start of a great friendship.
Dixie traveled every where I went, I even stopped training drivers for about 9 months. That first day was a little rough, I spent about three hours pulling tics off her neck and back. She drank some water, and I called Judy and told her about the pup, and of course Judy said I had to bring her home. That first night she managed to gnaw through the power cord for my lap top, but once I got her a chew toy she left that alone.
We took her to the Vet when I got home and found out that she was almost a year old, and was indeed sick. $500.00 later I had a truck dog. Dixie is pretty smart, and because of her Judy has started a small dog rescue. Dixie was the first dog adopted out by this rescue, and of course the first time she was brought back. I do not think that will happen this time. She has found a home. I miss her, but am glad that I picked her up and the time I had with her was great. She learned to do high fives, leave food until told to eat it, speak on command (that one she is picky about, no food no talk) and chase anything thrown for her for hours. She alarm barks very loudly, and of course loves riding in a vehicle. Her new family is very happy with her, we will see how long that lasts. The first family that adopted her liked her too, but she can be a real handful. She needs to be exercised a lot and given something to do so that she does not get bored.
So Dixie the Wander dog Wanders no more, again. Same deal as last time, if it does not work out she will always have a home in Wisconsin, and on my truck. At least I know now why I pulled off at that truck stop that day. It was because this little dog needed help and because I needed a truck dog. It all worked out well for both of us. Judy is right saving even one dog is worth the effort.

Bounce

TX,OK,MO,IL,IN,OH,PA,NJ,PA,MD,WV,VA,TN,AR,TX,NM,AZ,CA,AZ,NM,TX

2009-08-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

Those are the states I have been in in the order that I was in them in the last 14 days. Almost 8,000 miles. It was a fun two weeks. I had a student with me. This guy was pretty interesting. He was about ten years older than me, and he was and is a pilot. He told me that a 747 has 18 wheels and ten brakes, so driving a truck should be a snap for him. He was right. I really enjoyed the two weeks I had with this student. He did a great job, and I think he will be an asset to the company I drive for, or any company he decides to drive for.

Bounce.

There are still some honest folks out there

2009-07-26T23:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while starting my big truck and pulling away from a loading dock I heard a loud snap. Then I noticed that my electrical system was discharging. I parked the truck out of the way and opened the hood. What I saw was pretty ugly. The main Serpentine belt that drives my Air Conditioning and alternator had busted. On further examination I noticed that my Air Conditioning compressor pulley was a little crooked, and of course it would not turn either. The Alternator, and other pulley that the belt goes around turned just fine. I called my company Road Rescue, and good old Elvis said he had a guy in the area that could fix it for me. This was good as a big truck will not go very far without an alternator. Well the guy came out, and did not have a belt that would fit. This in itself was amazing as he must have had at least sixty different belts with him. He made some measurements and said he would be back. He was gone for almost five hours, but when he came back he had the right size belt. When I asked him where he went, he told me that he had driven about 200 miles round trip looking for that belt. He then told me not to worry he takes care of the Owner Operators that let him work on their trucks. I was expecting a really big bill for this repair, but he charged me the minimum, and cut the miles that he drove down to what they were from his home to my truck. In short I was expecting it to cost about three times what he charged me. He told me that he wanted to be fair about it, and he wanted to keep my business. Well believe me I will be keeping his card, and if anyone in his area breaks down and asks I will give them his number. Elvis from our shop told me that this guy was great, and he was right. I do not have any Air Conditioning, but the truck runs great. This man could have charged over $500.00 and got it, but he charged less than half of that.
So what could have been a miserable day turned out to be a pretty good day.

Bounce