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At the age of seventy five and still riding I find my thoughts quite often returning to the "old" days.

Last July I decided to do something a bit different. Many members of my family were struck down by cancer through the years while others fought the brave fight and won a victory. I decided to make a 7,500 mile trip around the USA to bring a greater awareness to cancer (breast cancer in particular) since we have finally reached a point where it is reasonable to expect that if caught early enough most cancers can be defeated.

Over the years I have ridden just about every make and model of motorcycle so picking the bike to ride was not an easy decision. Since, at one time, I had been a rider for the East Bay Yamaha Road Racing team I looked for a good reason to make Yamaha my choice. Two things made the decision for me.

1. Yamaha had just marketed a 1300cc, fuel injected, liquid cooled cruiser (a model I had never rode).
2. A local Yamaha dealer committed to come aboard as a sponsor.

I put the wheels ( no pun intended ) in motion and soon had the local Star Riders Group #163 offering to come alongside and assist me in my efforts.

I left on the 26th of July and was escorted from Visalia, CA to Sacramento, CA by riders from the Star Chapter. From there I continued on to Cool, CA where I met my nephew, his wife and my youngest sister who had flown out from Connecticut. She had purchased a second bike out here, an 1100cc V Star and was going to ride with me to Reno where she would meet a friend and I would go on my way. I continued on to my overnight stay courtesy of the Star chapter in Reno and spent the night with two wonderful couples.

The following morning I had a leisurely breakfast and then got back on the road with the intention of driving straight through to Wyoming.

Soon after getting back in the rhythm it started to rain and I rode as long as it was light enough to make the riding possible. When it started to come down in torrents I found shelter in a park and waited till I felt it was safe enough to ride again. I had not taken any rain gear which will give you some idea of how well equipped I was for the trip. As I rode along in the moderate rain I was having a great time when I realized that I was close to out of gas.
A mile or two down the highway I was forced to pull over and try to get help. No cell phone and no emergency flares but still the mercy of God and a good Samaritan were on the way. Actually three motorcycles pulled up in front of me and one gentlemen

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