I blasted off from Springfield MO almost 1 week ago.  I made it through Kansas when the wind was taken from my sails almost all at once.  I received 3 phone calls almost right in a row from certain contacts in very key locations that I was relying on to swing this tour around the West coast and back to the Midwest.  I was leveraging my own money against the risk to grasp success with all my confidence in these3 locations.  They dropped the ball and even though they all had different excuses the outcomes were the same…I would just end up passing through; no riders, no promotions, no media exposure, no donations, NO GOOD.  To say the least…The Patriot Tour is over.

 

I had previously come up against this in previous travels; in fact one place forgot I was coming all together.  I arrived at his placed and asked for him as usual, but I could tell in the voice of the receptionist that there was a bit of confusion.  He came down to the sales floor where after introducing myself I could plainly see this “confusion” plastered on his face.  After a very uncomfortable silence it struck him and the memories of the previous 5-6 times on the phone and a dozen or so emails came rushing back to him.  Then the apologies, then the flustered “What do we do now” conversation.  By the end of this transaction I was back on my bike with nothing but a sticker with his dealerships name on it.  Thanks buddy.

 

That was the worst and most embarrassing “oops” we had out there, but there were a few others that dropped the ball as well.  I’m not going to name any names, but I will tell you who helped me and who showed me extreme hospitality, and also who instilled the confidence I needed to get back on my bike and head for more of the unknown.  I would like to also thank these individuals and the staff and people from their areas that were involved in any way.  You guys were awesome and I hope to see you again

 

In order as is on the tour page of this website – Marcia from Jim Bailey’s HD Fort Wayne IN, Richard Perry from Perry’s HD – Kalamazoo MI, Pat Daniels and his crew from the Vietnam Veterans of America that showed up at Detroit HD even though my contact never did, Scott Shepard from Signature HD – Perrysburg OH, Rocky and Lori from Hot Metal HD – Pittsburgh PA, John and Josh from Wilkins HD for the new jacket and the lunch provided – Barre VT, Peter at Big Moose HD – Portland ME, Steve Irons for the support – Manchester NH, All the folks from Precision HD – Providence RI, Chelsea at Gengras HD - Hartford CT, George Dennis and everyone else I met at New York City HD – NYC, A huge thank you to Jennifer and all the people in her HOG chapter at HD of DC, Erik at Man O War HD – Lexington KY, another huge thank you to Missy and all of her staff at Adamec HD – Jacksonville FL, Gary at Landers HD - Little Rock AK, and Milt from Alef’s HD – Wichita KS.

 

There were also some people I met along the way that helped me when I needed it most like Officer First and Officer Gonia and many people that just gave me good company when I was far far from home.  Thank You.

 

I received a lot of support from home so I would like to thank all of you that checked in from time to time and all the encouraging emails from.  Your support went further than you think. 

 

I have realized my own mistakes, I have found contacts who only care about their Pay Check, the weather screwed me every chance it got, and the economy sealed up too many wallets.  At the end of the day The Patriot Traveled through a total of 40 states, but only entered into 32 individual states (I hit some states twice).  I traveled for 5 weeks and over 7,000 miles; and, despite the hang ups, weather and traffic…I was on schedule!

 

We did raise a little money so all is not lost; we’ll be giving it away at the end of this year (check the website for more info on this).  I learned very much about the rights and wrongs and do’s and don’ts for next year.  What did you think???  This is over??  No, it’s not.  This is just the beginning of a very long story.  The Nation of Patriots is still a very real and very functioning entity on a federal and state level.  It was brought to life to be used as a vehicle to help those that have sacrificed for this country and I will not let it fade away.  The footprint is now visible.  We are on the scene and people are talking. 

We will go back to the drawing board and figure out our next move. 

 

As for me…I will never forget my summer of 2009.  It is the summer I chased a dream half way around the continental United States!  In my mind I have accomplished something big and have opened a door for something bigger.  The things I saw and people I met will never be forgotten.      

 

I will ride the great 48 someday, but for now it remains a challenge in waiting.  An ever provoking and always motivating spark that I’m happy to indulge.

 This chapter is over, thank you for riding with me…………