We had a welcome home for Sgt Nicholas Busse, were to meet at Oakland airport and escort to Petaluma. I don't normally do the long rides up north, but my friend Rich Martin was RC and I was afraid there would be a minimal turnout for such a long ride.
I had planned on the Pleasonton Vet parade, but felt this young man needed another flag and hug! For those that went to the parade, hope it was as great as usual!
Well, I can't call 'um! This is a shot of a few of the bikes... we had - 32 - bikes show up!!
I was amazed, so was Rich! MANY came from up north and more were going to meet the other side of the San Rafael bridge and join the line... Outstanding! Thank you!
More bikes and more came in after the pics.....
Here is our parking allocation at OAK and PGR thanks the security folks at the local airports for their help in letting us park free at easy to access spots during these missions!
I hold my head in shame, my pics bombed.. but this is what I have! When he got into the line, dad gave him a great big hug!!!! It was great, then he walked the line to claps and cheers!!
More blur.... %&!)(%&!_$)&%!*#)(
Here is why I wanted to post this blog after my terrible pics.
I didn't get this heroes name, but he was a Korean vet and wanted to join our line, and was welcomed with open arms!!! He said, I never got a welcome home, we all said WELCOME HOME!!!! He got hugs and I took one of my Mission Complete metals off my vest and Rich gave it to him! He was pleased and so were we!
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OK, don't go any further - graphic pics... They had soooooo many bikes, and the family had a dozen pounds of pulled pork cooked for sandwiches,, and that to me is 100 to 1 in weight, so I told Rich that I'd do the line and head south.
----------------- horrible pic follows!! -----------------------------
11/1 and I was cranking in 80 deg weather, I cranked 19 miles and took a 1.5 mile route up to 12% grade that took about 25 minutes. 1.5 miles at 5 mph is 18 minutes so I was running 3 - 4 mph cranking up the hill, and it was gorgeous!!!
The risers are "special" they are long and I can sit up straight and comfortable, the pump under the frame has been used many time over the past couple decades. the carry bag behind the seat has a full set of tools, patch kit, trail mix, glasses, spare tube - I've seen them not repairable, asthma inhaler... and MUCH more!
And I've use most for other riders. I've stopped by folks with flats and long faces... said, Hey! would you like to fix that!? It made their day and hope they learned and are still cranking! Yes, I've even given my tube to folks that needed it. One time the lady had a 26" wheel and said, it wont fit.. I said watch.... put it in folded it over a bit and pumped it up, it got her home... you get resourceful in a bind!
If you look close at my left eye, there is a little round dot, it's a review mirror called third eye at any bike shop, would not ride without it!!!
Great day and great ride hope it was the same for all! God Bless!
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