Longhaulpaul's Chasing the Cure

Just  last evening while sitting at the bar waiting for a table to open up on the deck, my wife and I tried to order a second round of Sam Adams Summer Ale when we were informed the tap had been switched to Octoberfest. Now either service was really slow at the restaurant or summer is quickly drawing to a close.

I am pleased to announce I have begun sharing my story about living with MS as well as continuing my presentation of “Having MS is Like Riding A Russian Ural in the Iron Butt Rally.” I have been on the new oral medication Tecfidera for three months without any issues, and now  have a bucket of old syringes to donate if anybody wants them. I’m trying hard to be green and I think these would be great for a recycling project. I was thinking necklaces or earrings.  I also have 41,376 alcohol swabs that may or may not have been involved in last years giant recall.

After a meeting in New York City, I rode down to the start of the 2013 Iron Butt Rally in Pittsburgh.  The humorous part is that for two or three weeks I had planned my time and routes thinking the start was in Philadelphia, just a short distance from NYC. Not sure how I screwed that one up. At least it’s reassuring to know I would never be able to compete in rallies again because with my MS inspired cognitive issues, I couldn’t even find the start!

As I watched the riders leave, heading out for 11 grueling days that will indeed change their lives, I must admit a little part of me wished I had saddled up as well.

And then the skies opened up and it POURED,     completely drowning any such though.

 All of my 2013 Iron Butt Rally Start pictures are located HERE.

The Photographer Tobie Stevens met up with me after the start for some photos for an upcoming magazine article, and we had a bit of fun in the parking lot.

He did get some amazing shots though…….

The ride home was wet, but a rare opportunity to travel with some old rally friends.

I rode out to the AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, and despite the rain, it was an excellent time. I was able to present three times over the weekend.

 I spent some time with Former Senator David Zein and his wife who gave a great presentation and I did happen to let it slip that I had been threatening to break his world record of riding 31,000 miles in 31 days. He sincerely wished me luck.

I also got a chance to see some of the other presenters, Fred Hayes who developed the Diesel motorcycle for the military,

as well as Eric Trow from Staying Safe.

Because of excessive Farkling, my bike was quarantined off at the seminar section!

The AMA is a great organization and are indeed looking out for the rights of motorcyclists across the country, and I appreciated the invitation to give my presentation at their event.

While I was there, I bumped into the Two Wheel Thunder TV crew, and they ended up doing an interview with me and my bike. Not sure where that will show up, but looking forward to it!

At the end of July I was able to have a mini vacation with my wife and our granddaughter. We Stayed in Lincoln, NH and spent a couple of days at  Clark’s Trading Post and Storyland.

Unfortunately, the most memorable moment of the vacation might just be The following photo.

We always attempt to try new foods while on vacation……………

My wife was trying to get our granddaughter to eat salmon, when I finally said if she would try just one bite I would eat a crayon and she could pick the color.

I lost twice, She like the salmon,

and I didn’t get to try anything new.

We had a great time! If you have ever been to Clarks Trading Post in Lincoln, NH, you know they are famous for two things, trained bears that play basketball and ride Segways, and  the Wolfman who never fails to chase the train with all the passengers  yelling, “Scram You Old Goat.”

Providing someone bails us out, I am heading out this week to do another presentation at Aerostich’s  30th Anniversary and Very Boring Rally in Duluth Minnesota.  I can’t wait!

Any day you can ride is a good day!

Longhaulpaul