Compilation of Days 1-10

Hello,

Sorry it has been a few days since my last post. Mike has been great about keeping the blog up to date and Alex is a hell of a writer so this surely will pale, by comparison.

My overall experience thus far after 10 days or so in the driver’s seat of the motorhome has been unbelievable and just what I had hoped it would be. I knew that this opportunity to participate in the Ride For 9-11 was the gift of a lifetime. The gift and opportunity met it’s expectations.

Occasionally, I tend to lose faith that we are all are just in the rat race for ourselves. The electronic age has made us all a little less friendly, conversational, or something like that. Then I got to spend 10 days driving some 900 miles or so through areas of the Country I’ve never seen or even heard of, frankly. My faith in humanity has been somewhat restored.

The overwhelming selfless, kind, and generous support that the Ride For 9-11 has received has been amazing:

On Day 1, after being on the road for 13 hours and 142 miles, we were greeted by an LED Marquis in the City of Yucca Valley welcoming the riders. The City of Yucca Valley opened their arms and treated us all like family. The San Bernardino County Fire Station, in town, gave us hot showers, ice, and good advice on how to get medical treatment for any of our riders who might be injured on the highways in the middle of the desert.

On Day 2, after 130 miles across 120 degree freshly paved asphalt and 111 degrees air temps, including one rider needing an IV, we were greeted by the Parker, AZ volunteer Fire Department. They gave us our first inkling of what to expect the rest of our days from firemen. No matter where you go, firefighters are firefighters and they will go above and beyond to assist their brothers. The Parker, AZ fire department allowed us to stay in their fire station, use their showers, take their ice, and turn their AC down really low. It was a much needed rest and shelter from the sweltering heat.

On Day 3, the riders headed for Wickenburg, AZ, stopped at a 9-11 Tribute Monument in Salome, AZ, and finished a 110 mile, mostly uphill, day. We were again greeted by another fire department. Wickenburg Fire gave us water, handshakes, and a smiling welcome before escorting us to the City’s old jail. It had been converted into a Firefighter’s Gym with AC, hot showers, and padded floors. Again, Firefighters are the same no matter where they work.

On Day 4, an early start to a relatively short day, the riders headed downhill into the City of Scottsdale, AZ. We arrived at Fire Station 611 and were greeted by the on duty crew, a few chiefs, the media, and LAFD Retired Captain John Moede, who now is second in command of Scottsdale’s EMD. Again, water, handshakes, and a smiling welcome. It was here, after conferring with the Captain at Station 611, that we learned that the route for the next few days was suspect. The maps were layed out, discussions were had, and eventually a vote took place amongst the full-time riders as to their two options. One option was to eventually end up on Intersate 40 for an unknown amount of miles, which sounded a little dangerous. The second option was to head up into the mountains, climb to between 7500-8100 feet and take that route into New Mexico. After a good discussion, it was decided that the mountain climb was the option chosen. The 2 days of rest in Scottsdale did the riders good and the Fairfield Inn, North was very very accommodating. There were hiccups in Scottsdale. On the way to the hotel, one trailer tire literally shredded apart and tore the fender from the trailer. A trip to the Discount Tire Store on Shea St. proved to be another example of humanity and goodwill in the works. The manager at the store was an avid cyclist and he not only gave us a discount on the tire purchases but also pulled out $50 of his own cash as a donation to the ride and gave us 4 cases of water. A fundraising event was held at the Saddle Ranch Restaurant and the guys from Station 611 came out and visiting with us for a couple hours. Thanks to the generosity of John Moede and his family, the fundraising effort was good.

On Day 6, the mountain climbing began. Our destination was Payson, AZ. I had made contact with Mayor Kenny Evans of Payson on the way up the hill and asked if they had a community center or something like that for us to bed down in. He said he’d have to call me back. Mayor Evans called back and said that they were going to take care of the Ride for 9-11 “royally” and boy did they ever. On the way into town, after riding through a monsoon of rain and wind, the riders were greeted by the Payson Fire Department’s Chief Fife and Assistant City Manager LaRon. What followed was a full bore Fire and Police escort through the streets of Payson in a driving thunderstorm. The destination was a brand new Fire Station, Number 13. This state of the art, 2 million dollar station, had it’s first inhabitants on Day 6 and the inhabitants were the Ride For 9-11 riders and support crew. No one had yet been assigned to the station and they opened it’s door for us, and let us park the motorhome on the Apparatus Floor. It was a truly amazing show of goodwill, support, and kindness. Thank you Mayor Evan, Chief Fife, LaRon, Payson Fire and PD, and Hellsgate Fire for all of your help and support. Again, firefighters are the same whereever you go.

On Day 7, the riders got a taste of the parts of Arizona that don’t involve sand, socorro cactus, rattlesnakes, and heat. The ride across the top of the Mogollon Rim was some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. Tall pine trees, antelope, elk, and other animals call this area home. The weather was cool, being at an elevation of 7500 feel, and the riders seemed to enjoy the climate change. The elevation was a little challenging but nothing that you’d notice. A few stops were made along the highway to take in the breathtaking beauty and views that abounded on this journey towards Show Low, AZ. Along the route to Show Low, just outside of Heber, AZ we were met by the Heber/Overgaard Fire Department who gave us an emergency escort to their fire station. Upon arrival, water, ice, handshakes and storytelling was provided while the riders ate lunch. Thank you Heber Fire for your warm welcome, brotherhood, and camaraderie. The riders left Heber, after lunch, and rode straight into a monsoonal thunderstorm. They encountered rain, hail, and strong winds. I, on the other hand, stayed dry until it started raining in the motorhome. The caulk that sealed the motorhome roof had dried and cracked and water cascaded down the inside the front windshield. Luckily, a True Value hardware store was right there and I was able to Henry’s the roof. Anyway, another fire department was waiting along the side of the road enroute to Show Low. The Linden Fire Department greeted us on the side of the highway and chatted for a few minutes, bought some Ride For 9-11 shirts and escorted us out of their town with lights and sirens. Finally, we arrived in Show Low, AZ. We arrived at their main fire station and were greeted by the 3 person crew who staffed their station. They offered to put us up for the night, in their station, and allowed us to shower, gave us an air conditioned room, and offered any assistance including all of their ice. A neighborhood woman, who was an avid runner, brought by homemade power bars which were truly amazing. The riders had gotten their fill of other brand name bars at this point, at these bars with a homemade touch really hit the spot. A great team dinner was had by all prior to getting to bed.

On Day 8, the riders departed for Quemado, NM. The highway was two lanes, sparsely traveled and had beautiful countryside to see. Scott Hambly found a coffeeshop called Java Blues in Springerville, AZ and the food was fantastic. This place was the kind you’d find in Westwood, Hollywood, or Newport Beach. While the riders pushed on, a stop at the local pharmacy was necessary because Randy Wright had crashed earlier in the day. Randy and I performed “surgery” on Randy’s ankle to make sure he didn’t need any sutures and then we caught up to the riders. Ominous thunder clouds were seen in the distance but we thought we’d make it into Quemado, NM well before the rain. Nope! As we came down into the valley, you could actually see the road surface changing colors as the rain marched towards us and we marched towards it. 2 miles out from Quemado, the riders were dumped on. They were all a little annoyed, but that annoyance was short lived. The thunderstorm that followed was some of the loudest thunder and hardest rain I’ve seen. The riders were stoked that they at least missed that part of it on their bikes. Quemado, NM is a very small town and had 2 or 3 motels, a volunteer FD, and one small cafe at the Largo Motel. We ate dinner at the cafe. As we sat down to eat, there was a US Flag on the wall. It was called the Flag Of Honor and it had all of the names of the people killed in the 9-11 Attacks. It was pretty ironic to be in such a small town and have that flag hanging up right behind us all while we ate, it was pretty cool.

On Day 9, the riders left for their next destination in the dark. An hour time change after crossing into New Mexico made it an hour later. Again, a beautiful ride across some hilly areas and then eventually dropping down into some drier areas again. A double rainbow was seen as the riders woke up their legs; some wore jackets that day because of the colder morning temps. Jim had been telling me the entire trip that I was going to get out of the motorhome and ride a bike for at least 10 miles. Up to this point I hadn’t really left the driver’s seat. I decided that although I could never do what these riders were doing that I might be able to honor the FDNY Fallen by riding 343 miles over the course of the 45 day ride. It was either that or 34.3 miles or 343 kilometers but I really want to try and do miles. Today, I thought, would be an ideal day because it was mostly downhill! So, in the town of Datil I donned the Ride For 9-11 rider’s kit and Jimmy graciously let me use his bike. I ride a mountain bike at home, I don’t even own a road bike. I decided to head out ahead of the riders while they snacked in Datil because I knew they’d catch me. I also was a little embarrassed while I learned how to shift, brake, etc. I have to admit, it was pretty awesome to ride with these guys and Alex. We stayed together and rode in single file, drafted off of Scott Hambly who “pulled” us. It wasn’t the downhill I expected and their was a headwind that slowed us down. As I passed the 10 mile point, I wanted to stay on the bike. I kept thinking that the burn in my legs and shoulders was nothing at all compared to what the Firefighters in the World Trade Center endured before they sacrificed their lives. It’s sounds clicheish, maybe, but it is what drove me to ride further. At the next break, the small town of Magdalena, I had ridden 35 miles. I thought I could do more, but was strongly suggested not to if I wanted to walk again the next day, lol. I thanked Jim for the use of his red, white, and blue bike and took my place back in the motorhome. The brief exposure to riding in the ‘saddle’ only increased the awe I have for what these riders are going to accomplish. My ass, quads, thighs, shoulders, and back ached from doing just 1/100th of what these guys are doing. It is truly amazing, and gives me all the reasons in the world to do a good job supporting them. As we rode into Socorro, NM the terrain was definitely more desert like and the temps matched the terrain. It was hot. We arrived at the Socorro Fire Department where they had offered to put us up in one of their ‘unused’ fire stations. The Chief escorted us over to a two story station which had four beds, three couches, air conditioning, and full kitchen. The goodwill of firefighters was showing itself again. We ate well at a local brewery (Socorro Springs), showered, and bedded down for the night. It will be an early morning tomorrow.

On Day 10, my last day for a couple weeks, we departed Socorro for Albuquerque. The team has definitely jelled together and strong bonds are forming. Matt and Derek, who are documenting the entire ride on film for their Film School portfolio, have become integral parts of the team as well. A routine has developed where the morning is started out with a “Plans” briefing every morning. I do this briefing because it’s actually one thing I think I’m good at, lol. Each day, the riders are told about the expected weather, safety concerns, an overview of the route, and a huddle is brought together with a cheer. The cheers have been different every day, “airborne”, “semper fi”, “tomato”(to rhyme with Quemado), “Payson”, “bomberos”, “honor”. Today, before we left, we dedicated the day’s ride to a Las Cruces Hotshot Firefighter who had died the week before battling a wildfire in Arizona. I should have chosen this cheer in Arizona but I guess better late than never. The cheer that we headed out on this day was “Dino” which was the nickname of the fallen hotshot. It was a way to honor him and a somber reminder that we have the most dangerous job in the nation. Today, technology failed us. The Map My Ride program had let us down, yet again. The riders were following the route set forth by Map My Ride and were let to another dirt road and this time they were chased by 5 mangy dogs. I gotta say this trip has not been a great commercial or endorsement for Map My Ride. This is at least the 3rd or 4th time that is has routed us on dirt trails. Anyway, the riders decided that is was early enough to get on the freeway and they did. They traveled for about 20 miles on Highway 25 before Alex was able to find them a better, safer route. The new route actually cut five miles off of their initial one. Our arrival into Albuquerque was at Fire Station 13. Chief Sanchez and the crew of 11 met us at their doors. They brought us in and offered fresh fruit, waters, and an air conditioned kitchen. (Firefighters are the same everywhere). Jorge did an interview with a Spanish newsstation and Scott Hambly was interviewed by ABC. After 45 minutes of storytelling and sharing info about each other’s department’s, the riders headed to the hotel for 2 1/2 days of rest. Before we left, the members of Fire Station 13 asked the riders to return for dinner which they accepted. (I didn’t go, but I heard the food was fantastic). I was off to the airport with Jim and Alex. My flights were short and I made it home to my beautiful wife in time to have dinner with her. I will be home for about 2 1/2 weeks and will return to the Ride to help finish it off.

My experiences, in my capacity on the ride, have been fantastic. Not without challenges, no doubt, but as a whole I know this experience will be one of the best and most memorable of my life. It is my greatest honor to be a part of this endeavor and I’m glad that it is happening.

That’s all for now, but I will post my pictures and videos so that you can put images to the words above.

I’d like to personally thank Alex for being an awesome co-pilot and navigator. I, like most firemen, am a type A personality who is a bit of a control freak. Alex was surrounded by 10 of those types for the first 10 days of the trip. She did a great job and was truly an asset to the effort.

I’d like to thank Mike Ketaily, as well. I think I spoke to him more each day than I did my wife. He was able to work on things from home that I couldn’t do because I was behind the wheel. Mike and Doak will do a great job for the next two legs of the trip.

Rob