The Video Guys - AKA Matt the Drafting Truck Driver and Derek the Tailgate Hanger

I think it's safe to say these guys are the crux of the trip (see above title). I mean, of course the Ride for 9-11 would not be happening without those 6 core guys that are in the saddle, practically every day, using nothing but pedal power to propel themselves across the United States of America. But, without our courageous and steadfast video crew, people might not actually believe our story if it wasn't documented on camera. That's where Matt and Derek come in.

If Rob tells you the story, he would probably be telling you about two fellows named Brett and Matt. And this Matt would actually be Derek. Brett would be the other Matt. If you follow. It took us all a while to get to know one another. I don't think I saw Matt for more than 90 seconds total for the first 3 days of the ride; he would immediately retreat to his motel room in whatever small city in whatever part of the California/Arizona desert we happened to be in to start "downloading the footage". Unbeknownst to me, he was making magic. I mean, have you see the videos these two have created? Derek, on the other hand, I saw constantly, legs swinging from the back of a pickup truck, strapped in to some sort of semi official looking harness. I guess they were trying to keep a low profile until we left California, since riding in the back of trucks is totally illegal here. Arizona, New Mexico, basically the rest of the US? They could care less what you chose to do in the back of a moving pickup.

I don't think any of the riders (or their families, for that matter) can or will be able to thank these guys enough for what they're doing. Most of us that are involved in the ride have people as the reasons for their involvement - either they're fellow firefighters, significant others of riders, etc. But these video guys are documenting the ride, sweating it out like everyone else, up at 4 am (when it's really 3 am California time, but they left that behind days ago) to get the good shots. The footage they're collecting will be a record of what these riders (and drivers) are living for 6 weeks. And they are putting it all into darn stylish vignettes for the world to see (if you've been living in a hole and haven't seen the latest tearjerker, check out the Facebook page).

I am constantly in awe of the mental, physical and emotional sacrifice these riders are making, cycling their way across the country. But our video guys are there every step of the way too. Without them, those of us stuck at home wouldn't be able to see the amazing progress this ride makes every day. And for that, I think I speak on behalf of everyone watching this experience unfold for our loved ones and I say thanks for all that you do. It's gonna be one hell of a portfolio when you're through with this one.