Steven Goode love to ride. In 2018, he rode his BMW R 1200 GS Adventure to all 47 national parks in the contiguous United States, covering 17,335 miles in 67 days. Goode also like to support charitable causes. In 2021, he rode his Honda Gold Wing Tour around the country to visit the best Jewish deli in nearly every state, covering 15,000 miles in 75 days on what became known as The Great American Deli Schlep, and he did it to support MAZON, a Jewish nonprofit that fights hunger in America.Starting May 9, Goode will embark on The Great American Scenic Byway Tour, where he will ride the best scenic byway in all 48 contiguous states to raise awareness and funds for the Parkinson’s Foundation. Learn more in the official press release below, and please make a donation to support Goode’s efforts.
Steven Goode will ride the best scenic byway in all 48 contiguous states to benefit the Parkinson’s Foundation.
The Great American Scenic Byway Tour
Steven Goode and the Parkinson’s Foundation (Parkinsons.org) have partnered in a creative way to raise funds to fight Parkinson’s disease (PD). Steven will be riding his motorcycle 15,000 miles over 60 days starting on May 9, 2023. He will be riding to the best scenic byway in every state within the contiguous (lower 48) United States. Along the route he will be meeting with representatives of the Parkinson’s Foundation in order to bring attention to this devastating disease and their efforts to find a cure. Steve’s mother lost her life to the disease in 2001 and he feels this is a good way to pay tribute to her struggle.
The route will depart from the Chicago area and crisscross the country from north to south, then up along the east coast, across Canada into the upper peninsula of Michigan. From there he will head southwest ending up riding thru Death Valley NP, Yosemite NP, and then up the Oregon coast into Seattle area. The route will take him to Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier NP and Beartooth Pass in Montana. Finally winding his way back to the Chicago area sometime in early July.
Steven Goode on one of the stops during The Great American Deli Schlep in 2021.
“During this trip I will be visiting the most scenic byways in every state and writing about the experience. My goal is to raise money and national awareness of PD in addition for the reader to ride along with me and experience the thrill of riding a motorcycle throughout this magnificent country.”
For more information or to donate, visit bit.ly/GreatAmericanTour or scan the QR code below. You can follow Steven’s progress on the tour via Facebook at https://bit.ly/GASBTJourney. Steven has been graciously sponsored by Klim (Klim.com), a global leader in motorcycle gear.
About the Parkinson’s Foundation
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. For more information, visit parkinson.org or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).
About Parkinson’s Disease
Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and nearly 90,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
Kyle Petty is known for four wheels, but he’s been riding motorcycles since he was a boy and loves putting on the miles. Since 1995 he has organized the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, an annual motorcycle ride that raises money to support Victory Junction and other causes for children with chronic illnesses and conditions. Earlier today, Rider‘s Editor-in-Chief Greg Drevenstedt interviewed Petty for the Rider Magazine Insider Podcast, and the episode will launch on Friday, March 17.
The following is the official press release for the 27th anniversary ride. We encourage folks to visit the KPRC website and make a donation. You can follow the ride on social media, and if you’re in the area, you can meet up with the group at one of their stops.
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
All eyes will be on Nevada and Utah from April 29 – May 5, 2023, as former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty celebrates the 27th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America with a scenic journey through the Sagebrush and Beehive states. As one of the most popular charity rides in the country, Petty will lead more than 125 motorcycles on a seven-day trek, covering over 1,500 miles in an effort to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious and chronic medical conditions.
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
Presented by Cox Automotive, the Ride will kick-off in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday, April 29 and will return to Salt Lake City on Friday, May 5 – marking the second time the Ride has started and ended in the same city. Cox Automotive is the world’s largest automotive services and solutions provider and is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. The company’s brands include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book and Manheim, which will host breakfast for the Ride at Manheim Utah on Saturday, April 29, and at Manheim Nevada on Wednesday, May 3.
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
“Our team at Manheim Utah is excited to kick off this inspirational event and cheer on the riders as they begin their journey,” said Cade Rindfleisch, general manager at Manheim Utah. “We look forward to sponsoring the Kyle Petty Charity Ride, especially seeing the joy it brings to the children at Victory Junction.”
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
Petty’s mile-long motor brigade features 225 participants, including 30 new riders, who will enjoy many indescribable views, bucket list items and unforgettable points of interest along this year’s route. Some of the highlights include visiting the Bonneville Salt Flats, lapping the track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, riding scenic Highway 12, Highway 14 and Highway 50, passing through Capitol Reef National Park, exploring Legends Motorcycle Museum, and so much more.
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
Spectators along the 2023 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s seven overnight stops or daily pit stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia, and make donations.
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
27th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:
Day 1, Saturday, April 29 – Salt Lake City, Utah to Ely, Nevada
Day 2, Sunday, April 30 – Ely, Nevada to Tonopah, Nevada
Day 3, Monday, May 1 – “Free Day” in Tonopah, Nevada
Day 4, Tuesday, May 2 – Tonopah, Nevada to Las Vegas, Nevada
Day 5, Wednesday, May 3 – Las Vegas, Nevada to Cedar City, Utah
Day 6, Thursday, May 4 – Cedar City, Utah to Moab, Utah
Day 7, Friday, May 5 – Moab, Utah to Salt Lake City, Utah
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
“Nevada and Utah are two of my favorite states to ride motorcycles in,” said Petty. “The vast changes in the landscape – from the desert to the red rocks to mountain terrain – paint the most vivid and breathtaking scenes, which I believe are best experienced on a motorcycle. Our riders are in for a picturesque treat along every road we travel, especially on Highway 50 (the loneliest road in America), which we pick up in Ely, Nevada – one of my favorite towns in America. I consider myself extremely blessed to be able to ride this incredible route while also raising money to send kids to Victory Junction. The Ride allows me to combine my passion for helping others with my love of motorcycles and it is such a special gift.”
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam. Since it first began in 1995, the Ride has raised more than $20 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities. As a result, the Ride has helped Victory Junction mobilize resources to provide over 115,000 camp experiences for children of all levels of abilities who are living with complex medical conditions at no cost to their families.
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
Among the celebrities participating in the 2023 Ride are NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty; NASCAR legends Ken Schrader and Kenny Wallace; former Formula 1, Champ Car, and NASCAR driver Max Papis; former NFL great and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker; and NBC Sports NASCAR personality Rick Allen.
“Any chance I get to spend a week out West, I’m taking it,” said Kyle’s father, Richard Petty. “Add in riding motorcycles and you think, ‘It can’t get better than this.’ Then, you throw in helping the kids at Victory Junction and it’s just the cherry on top. That’s why I always look forward to Kyle’s Ride every year.”
Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America (Kevin Kane Photography)
The 2023 Ride is made possible by presenting sponsor Cox Automotive, as well as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Dodge Law, Racing Electronics, WinCraft Racing, FLUIDYNE Racing Products, Petty Family Foundation, Headbands of Hope, Piedmont Moving Systems, Fuel Me, Wiley X, Blue Emu and Goody’s.
Keep up with Petty and the Ride on social media at the following accounts:
Led by former NASCAR driver and racing analyst Kyle Petty, the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America is an annual cross-country motorcycle trek that raises funds and awareness for Victory Junction. The Ride is one of the most successful and popular charity events in the country. Since its inception in 1995, more than 8,875 riders have logged nearly 12.6 million cumulative motorcycle miles and raised more than $20 million for Victory Junction and other children’s charities.
About Victory Junction
Victory Junction is a year-round camping facility for children with serious illnesses and chronic medical conditions. Co-founded by Kyle Petty and his family in honor of his son Adam, Victory Junction provides life-changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun and empowering, in a medically-safe environment, always free of charge. In addition to traditional camp sessions, Victory Junction’s REACH program takes camp experiences to children and their families at hospitals, clinics, and in Ronald McDonald Houses throughout North and South Carolina.
Since opening in 2004, Victory Junction has delivered more than 115,000 camp experiences and has served children from all fifty states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as four countries. Victory Junction is a member of the SeriousFun Children’s Network of Camps founded by Paul Newman, and is accredited by the American Camp Association. To learn more, please visit victoryjunction.org.
About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive is the world’s largest automotive services and technology provider. Fueled by the largest breadth of first-party data fed by 2.3 billion online interactions a year, Cox Automotive tailors leading solutions for car shoppers, automakers, dealers, retailers, lenders and fleet owners. The company has 25,000+ employees on five continents and a family of trusted brands that includes Autotrader, Dealertrack, Kelley Blue Book, Manheim, NextGear Capital and vAuto. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with $21 billion in revenue. Visit coxautoinc.com or connect via @CoxAutomotive on Twitter, CoxAutoInc on Facebook or Cox-Automotive-Inc on LinkedIn.
Gary LaPlante, during a 2-day MotoVentures dirtbike training camp in 2008. Photo by Rick Moore.
In 2008, when I was a greenhorn editor during my first year at Rider, I attended the MotoVentures dirtbike school run by Gary LaPlante, along with my brother Paul and our friend Eric, to learn some off-road riding skills. Gary was patient with us. We were street riders and had never ridden off-road, and we were in our late 30s/early 40s. Teaching old dogs new tricks is never easy. He laid the foundation, and since then I’ve ridden thousands of miles off-road on dual-sports and adventure bikes.
Gary LaPlante is a motorcycle industry legend, and he needs our help. Please make a donation, and while you’re at it, buy Gary’s book How to Ride Off-Road Motorcycles. (Read our review here.) The following message was sent by his son, Andre. — Greg Drevenstedt, Editor-in-Chief
Many people in the motorcycle world know Gary LaPlante — lifelong rider … trials champion … key employee at Kawasaki, Honda, and others … founder of the MotoVentures dirtbike training center … and, of course, an original member of the infamous Southern California Professional Bench Racers Association (SCPBRA).
Many of you also know that Gary’s been hit with brain cancer. Even with health insurance, his medical bills are substantial. Now you can help and get yourself a first-class piece of art directly from the legendary Hector Cademartori.
Share this with anyone who appreciates great riding and great art:
A donation of at least $150 gets you a large full-color print, delivered to your door.
A donation of $50 gets you a black-and-white print, also delivered.
To receive your print, contact us (MotoVentures.com) after completing a donation. Let us know your mailing address and which print you prefer (options below). Hector will be happy to sign each print as you request.
Whichever one you choose, you’ll be doing a true good deed for the day, and will be able to enjoy Hector’s world-class art for a lifetime.
Go for it. Remember, the red line is the right line.
Color Prints (20 x 15”).
Message from the artist; Hector Cademartori:
I did these paintings for the February 1985 issue of Cycle World magazine. They ran four articles about four champions of the 1984 season: Eddie Lawson, 500 cc FIM World Champion (written by Ken Vreeke), Ricky Graham Camel-PRO Grand National Champion (by Dave Despain), David Bailey, Motocross Grand National Champion (by David Edwards), and Johnny O’Mara Supercross Champion (by Dale Brown).
Ricky Graham signed with Honda at the end of 1983. After 33 races of the 1984 Camel PRO Series, Ricky Graham won the title by only one point over his teammate, Bubba Shobert, in the last race of the season at Springfield.
Johnny O’Mara lost the 125 Outdoor championship in 1984 to Kawasaki’s Jeff Ward, but he won the Supercross title by a big margin against all the top riders. He was also part of the winning teams of the Motocross des Nations that year (and in ’81, ’82 and ’86).
American Eddie Lawson (Marlboro Team Agostini-Yamaha) in pursuit of Freddie Spencer (HRC Honda) and Randy Mamola (RM Promotions Honda) during the 1984 Austrian GP at the Salzburgring. Eddie would win the race on his way to the first of his four 500 cc FIM World Championships.
In 1983, David Bailey won titles in every motocross series he entered: 250 Outdoor, Supercross, and the Motocross Grand National Championship (which combined points from the stadium and outdoor championships). In 1984, his first year in the Open class, he clinched the title before the last race of the season.
B&W Prints (8.5 x 11”):
Note from Hector:
Cycle World asked me to produce black-and-white illustrations for two of their sections, Letter to the Editor and Service. Some were straight illustrations, but then I started doing funny cartoons for the sections. I’d work with Paul Dean for these — and I enjoyed working with him for over 25 years. In fact, I met him when he was Editor of Cycle Guide before going to CW. I learned a lot from Paul. Great guy.
I developed a character, Bubba, owner of Bubba’s Moor’sicles — a clueless mechanic who would come up with the most outrageous ”fixes” for his customers’ problems. The cartoons by themselves sometimes don’t make a lot of sense since they illustrate a specific letter, but it’s fun to see the details and the characters around Bubba’s shop. A lot of fun.
In 2021, All Kids Bike, the nationwide movement on a mission to teach every child in America how to ride a bicycle in kindergarten PE class, received a $30,000 grant from Yamaha Motor Corp, USA’s Outdoor Access Initiative. The goal of the grant was to get the All Kids Bike program into six schools near Yamaha’s corporate offices, including four in Georgia and two in California.
Fast forward to this spring, with Yamaha volunteers and All Kids Bike ambassadors delivering the final of the six school programs to the Cara J. King Elementary School in Cypress, California, completing this past year’s grant, and setting the stage for more funding in 2022.
“We’re grateful for Yamaha’s support of All Kids Bike, for the funding required to land the program in six schools, for the volunteer efforts Yamaha employees and partners contributed to delivering bikes to schools, and mostly for the opportunity to get more kids on bikes,” said Ryan McFarland, All Kids Bike Founder, who attended the first Yamaha-funded school delivery in Cypress last fall.
Volunteers from Yamaha Motor Corp., USA’s offices in Marietta, Georgia, and Cypress, California, and from Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America in Newnan, Georgia, helped deliver the All Kids Bike programs to the schools over the past year.
The six schools receiving the program from Yamaha’s Outdoor Access Initiative grant include:
Elm Street Elementary in Newnan, Georgia
Western Elementary in Newnan, Georgia
A.L. Burruss Elementary School in Marietta, Georgia
Lockheed Elementary in Marietta, Georgia
Juliet Morris Elementary School in Cypress, California
Clara J. King Elementary in Cypress, California
“The Yamaha Outdoor Access initiative is an inclusive program that supports and promotes outdoor recreation, and we provided this grant to get more kids outside learning valuable skills they can build on for the rest of their lives,” said Steve Nessl, Yamaha’s Motorsports marketing manager. “The All Kids Bike program offers the only chance some of these kids will get to develop the confidence and experience the freedom that comes from riding on two wheels.”
All Kids Bike programs include 24 balance bikes, pedal conversion kits, helmets, and a teacher’s bike. It is a plug-and-play program for public schools that aligns with SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards and also includes an eight-lesson Kindergarten PE Learn-To-Ride Curriculum, teacher training and certification, and a five-year support plan.
To date, nearly 550 elementary schools in all 50 states have received and implemented the All Kids Bike program with an estimated 380,000 students benefiting from this program over the next five years.
Bike Riding Benefits for Kids
Childhood development never stops. By continuing to expand the All Kids Bike program this year, more children across the country are learning life skills and getting much needed exercise while getting away from their computer screens and spending more time outdoors.
The Kindergarten PE Program supports critical health and safety needs, including:
Spatial awareness: Teaches the concept and understanding of “safe distancing” to a child.
Limited touch points: Specifically-designated hand placement limits cross-class touch points.
Learning to ride a bike at a young age increases confidence while developing balance, mobility, safety, environmental awareness, and facilitating exercise. The bikes used in the All Kids Bike program allow children and teachers to progress through the riding process void of fear and full of encouragement. Kids develop their skills with each session, first learning to balance, then learning to pedal, all on the same bicycle.
The All Kids Bike school funding and waiting lists are online at allkidsbike.org/give.
About the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative
For more than a decade, the Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative has led the Powersports industry in guaranteeing responsible access to our nation’s land for outdoor enthusiasts. Through this program, Yamaha has directly and indirectly supported thousands of miles of motorized recreation trails, maintained and rehabilitated riding and hunting areas, improved staging areas, supplied agricultural organizations with essential OHV safety education, built bridges over fish-bearing streams and partnered with local outdoor enthusiast communities across the country to improve access to public lands. Updated guidelines, application form, information and news about the Outdoor Access Initiative are available at YamahaOAI.com.
About All Kids Bike
ALL KIDS BIKE® is a national movement led by the Strider Education Foundation to place Kindergarten P.E. Learn-To-Ride Programs into public schools using donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. The Strider Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was formed in 2017. The Strider Education Foundation believes that learning to ride can help everyone lead a happier and healthier life. For more information, visit allkidsbike.org.
Kyle Petty Charity Ride, Inc. announced it will finally complete its 26th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America after being sidelined for more than two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From April 30 – May 6, 2022, former NASCAR driver and NBC Sports racing analyst Kyle Petty will take 125 motorcycles on a Southwestern adventure, fulfilling one of the most scenic routes in the Ride’s history. Considered one of the most successful and popular charity rides in the country, the Ride will travel through picturesque scenes across Arizona and Utah.
Presented by Cox Automotive, the Ride will begin in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 30 and return to Phoenix on May 6 – making this the first time ever the Ride has started and ended in the same city. Cox Automotive makes buying, selling, owning, and using vehicles easier for everyone and is one of the world’s largest automotive services providers. The company’s brands include Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Manheim, which will host the Ride for a kick-off breakfast at Manheim Phoenix on April 30.
“Leaving the world better than we found it and fostering a culture of giving back is at the very core of who we are,” said Gus Jones, general manager, Manheim Phoenix. “The Manheim Phoenix team is incredibly excited to host the riders and celebrate the start of another great journey to raise money and awareness for Victory Junction.”
Petty will cover more than 1,500 miles on a seven-day trek along with approximately 225 participants, including nearly 40 new Riders, all to raise funds and awareness for Victory Junction – a camp dedicated to providing life-changing camping experiences for children with serious medical illnesses. Some of the highlights on the 2022 route include lapping the track at Phoenix Raceway, riding historic Route 66, visiting Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, seeing the Grand Staircase and Humphries Peak, and so much more.
Spectators along the 2022 route are encouraged to attend one of the Ride’s seven overnight stops or daily fuel stops to greet Petty and the riders, purchase memorabilia, and make donations.
26th Anniversary Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America Schedule:
Day 1, Saturday, April 30 – Phoenix, Arizona to Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Day 2, Sunday, May 1 – Lake Havasu City, Arizona to Flagstaff, Arizona
Day 3, Monday, May 2 – Flagstaff, Arizona to Bryce Canyon City, Utah
Day 4, Tuesday, May 3 – Free Day
Day 5, Wednesday, May 4 – Bryce Canyon City, Utah to Monument Valley, Utah
Day 6, Thursday, May 5 – Monument Valley, Utah to Sedona, Arizona
Day 7, Friday, May 6 – Sedona, Arizona to Phoenix, Arizona
“We’ve been planning this 26th Anniversary Ride since the end of our 2019 event, and patiently waiting for the right time to gather again amidst the coronavirus pandemic. So now, nearly three years in the making, I’m beyond thrilled to finally get our Riders back together for an exciting adventure in Arizona and Utah,” said Petty. “This year’s Ride is all about stopping to see some of the beautiful places we’ve ridden by in the past, mixed with a few new places for our Riders to explore. Together, we will create memories to last a lifetime. And it’s all for the kids at Victory Junction! We ride so that deserving kids get to experience the magic of Camp.”
Because of the Ride, more than 8,210 children have attended Victory Junction at no cost to their families. On its 25th Anniversary in 2019, the Ride raised $1.7 million and sent 128 children to Camp. Victory Junction has served as the Ride’s primary beneficiary since its establishment by Petty and his family in 2004 in honor of his late son, Adam.
Among the celebrities participating in this year’s Ride are NASCAR Hall of Famer and seven-time champion Richard Petty; NASCAR legends Harry Gant, Hershel McGriff, Donnie Allison, and Ken Schrader; and NBC Sports NASCAR personality Rick Allen.
“I used to spend a lot of time in the Southwest with my late wife, Lynda, and we were always blown away by the beautiful places we saw,” said Kyle’s father, Richard Petty. “I’ve cleared my whole schedule to participate in the full duration of this year’s Ride because I’m so excited to see some of those places again and, this time, share them with Kyle and his family.”
The 2022 Ride is made possible by presenting sponsor Cox Automotive, as well as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Dodge Law, Racing Electronics, WinCraft Racing, FLUIDYNE Racing Products, Petty Family Foundation, Headbands of Hope, Piedmont Moving Systems, Wiley X, Blue Emu, and Goody’s.
Keep up with Petty and the Ride on social media at the following accounts:
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s second annual national Ride for Kids Day is scheduled for September 18, 2022. Taking place in the heart of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, national Ride for Kids Day gives motorcyclists and powersports enthusiasts across the nation an opportunity to take a stand against pediatric brain tumors – the deadliest childhood cancer. Whether participating in one of the dozens of organized rides, riding as a group, or as an individual, everyone can take part in the day.
As the nation’s longest running charitable motorcycle ride, Ride for Kids has raised tens of millions of dollars to fund research and family support programs for children battling brain tumors. In 2021, thousands of riders participated in the inaugural Ride for Kids Day. With the support of PBTF’s valued corporate partners and donors, over $1.4 million was raised last year for the cause. Mission programs like PBTF’s emergency financial assistance Butterfly Fund and Early Career Development research grants would not be possible without the support of the motorcycle community’s involvement in Ride for Kids.
“National Ride for Kids Day is an opportunity for riders across the nation to hit the road in support of kids battling brain tumors,” says Bob McNamara, PBTF’s National Director of Fundraising and Community Engagement. “Any rider anywhere can contribute to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation by simply doing what they love, riding. We’re excited to continue mobilizing the motorcycling community through National Ride for Kids Day in support of families who need us now more than ever.”
Ride for Kids Day is made possible in part through the generous support of corporate partners like American Honda, the Comoto Family of Brands, and GEICO Motorcycle, along with dozens of other local event sponsors. Throughout the 2022 riding season, PBTF will release information on ways each of these national brands will be supporting the mission to end pediatric brain tumors.
“It is an honor to be part of the Ride for Kids community,” said Ken Murphy, President and CEO of the Comoto Family of Brands and member of PBTF’s Board of Directors. “The Comoto Family of Brands is committed to helping the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation create new avenues to engage powersports enthusiasts across the country in the fight to end childhood brain cancer.”
PBTF is proud to host over 20 in-person Ride for Kids events across the nation, but motorcyclists don’t need to attend an event to participate in Ride for Kids. PBTF’s “Ride Anywhere” model allows riders to turn any ride into a fundraiser for the largest patient advocacy funder of pediatric brain tumor research. Whether it is a day trip to your favorite state park, a group ride with friends, or a cross-country journey, any trip can help children battling brain tumors and every mile gets us closer to a cure.
Registration for Ride for Kids is open, and motorcyclists are already fundraising. Registrants and fundraisers can win Honda motorcycles, along with other fundraising incentives. National and local corporate sponsorship opportunities are also available. Visit rideforkids.org to learn more and take part in this year’s Ride for Kids.
Taking a short break on U.S. Route 89A in Arizona at the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Temps reached 103 degrees with nothing in sight for miles!
What could possibly be better than a 75-day, 15,000-mile motorcycle ride around America? How about visiting the best Jewish deli in almost every state along the way? My journey, which took place last summer, gave a whole new meaning to that popular motorcycling motto, “Ride to eat, eat to ride.” It echoed in my head as I threw a leg over the seat of my Honda Gold Wing each morning for two and a half months.
With fellow JMA members at Protzel’s Delicatessen in St. Louis.
It all started with a suggestion by a fellow riding buddy of mine, Roger Burton. He knew that I love long-distance riding, and he forwarded me an article published on The Nosher website with a map listing the top Jewish deli in nearly every state. On previous rides, I had ridden to the four corners of the U.S. (14,000 miles), to all of the lower 48 states (11,500 miles), and to nearly all of America’s national parks (17,000 miles; read “One Ride, 47 National Parks”). This new challenge was right up my alley.
Roger Burton (the instigator for this ride) with his daughter, son-in-law, and Rabbi Jacobson, the owner of Maccabee’s Kosher Deli in Des Moines, Iowa.
When I discussed the trip with my wife, Judi, she suggested contacting MAZON, a Jewish nonprofit that fights hunger in America through advocacy and public policy change. The idea was to partner with MAZON and use the ride to raise awareness and funds to help alleviate hunger. When I called someone at MAZON, they loved the idea … right after having a few laughs because they had never heard of a Jewish biker before.
With my wife, Judi, on June 1, the first day of the 75-day tour. She helped me maintain a daily blog during the trip and prepare this story.
We decided to call the ride the Great American Deli Schlep, since “schlep” is a Yiddish word for carrying something heavy or awkward, or a difficult journey. And we split up the responsibilities. I created the route, did the ride, visited the delis (and ate the food!), took photos, and wrote a blog (with editing assistance from Judi). MAZON did the behind-the-scenes work, such as creating a logo and donation webpage, printing up materials, contacting the delis, promoting the ride on social media, and contacting print and media outlets for interviews.
Jewish delis aren’t known for low-calorie fare. Before the trip, my friends said I would gain 40 pounds and my cholesterol would skyrocket. I got lab work done before and after the trip, and I share the results at the end of this article.
My journey started on June 1, at Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen in Chicago, near where I live. It was a picture-perfect day: 75 degrees, abundant sunshine, and 35 to 40 family members and close friends to see me off. Fox News and ABC came to cover the event, which added to the festivities. I realized that one of my goals – getting the word out about hunger – would merit TV news airtime during the deli visits.
Opening day at Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen in Chicago.
This was the most structured and time-sensitive of my long-distance motorcycle trips. I had to stick to a schedule because of the specific dates and times set up for meeting deli owners, doing media interviews, and meeting fellow club members of the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance (JMA). I belong to the Chicago-area Chaiway Riders chapter – “chai” (pronounced high) is a Hebrew word that means “life.” Other chapters include Hillel’s Angels, Shalom n’ Chrome, Kosher Hogs, Golf Riders New Jersey, and King David Bikers of South Florida.
Matzo ball soup.
My strict schedule required long days. I was up by 6 a.m. and riding, visiting delis, and managing details of the trip until 10 p.m. As much as I enjoyed visiting delis and meeting people, I had to leave each deli no later than 2 p.m. to allow time to ride to my next destination. Although the logistics were tricky, after visits to the first few delis I got into a rhythm similar to what I have experienced on other long-distance trips. I felt like a politician on the campaign trail. At each deli, I’d introduce myself to the owner or manager, explain why I was there and what MAZON does, do a photo op, sit for an interview with the local media, and finally eat too much deli food.
With the MAZON team at Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles.
Going into this trip, I knew there were going to be logistical and riding challenges. I mentally prepared myself that not every day was going to go as planned. Being flexible and going with the flow helped me tackle the most difficult motorcycle trip I’ve ever done. My planned route took me on backroads most of the time, but when I got within 50 miles of a major city (which is where most of the delis are located), I’d jump on the freeway to avoid stop-and-go traffic.
JMA members and grammar school friends at Rosenberg’s Bagels & Delicatessen in Denver.
Fellow JMA members met me at delis along the way, and a few of them joined me for three or four, but I rode solo for most of my 75-day journey. MAZON got the word out to the Jewish community in each city, which led to some funny encounters. In Westport, Connecticut, an older couple and another woman arrived early at Gold’s Delicatessen because they were afraid of not being able to find parking for the event. When they arrived, they asked me, “Where are all the people?” I replied, “You’re it.” We ended up having a lovely quiet lunch together.
Hanging out with my “fan club” at Gold’s Delicatessen in Westport, Connecticut.
Throughout my trip, I heard incredible stories of survival and tenacity. When I met the owner of Hershel’s East Side Deli in Philadelphia, he told me he named the deli after his father’s older brother. During WWII, his father and uncle lived in a small town in Poland. When the Nazis rolled into town, Hershel ran home and got his little brother and escaped into the woods. They survived by living in a camp for six years in Russia. The brothers eventually made their way to New York, where they started working in a deli.
Meeting with the owner of Herschel’s East Side Deli at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia.
I was the very first customer at Bubbie’s Market & Deli in Providence, Rhode Island. They weren’t planning to open for another week, but they let me be their “test” customer. On the other end of the spectrum was Attman’s Delicatessen in Baltimore, Maryland, which was celebrating its 105th anniversary. Every deli had a story about how it began and how it survived over the years.
Celebrating the opening of Bubbie’s Market & Deli in Providence, Rhode Island.
At each interview, I was asked, “What is your favorite deli?” My response was always the same. I compared this trip to my national park tour. Just as each national park has its own story and personality that makes it special, so does each deli. And like national parks, delis reflect their geographic location. Rose Foods in Portland, Maine, serves a Fisherman’s Feast that includes bagels, cream cheese, rose lox, nova, and whitefish salad. The General Muir in Atlanta, Georgia, serves deviled eggs and pecan-crusted French toast.
Meeting up with Josh from MAZON at Rose Foods in Portland, Maine.
Posing with the Sabra Riders at The General Muir in Atlanta.
Even though I visited 42 delis, I never got the same sandwich twice. There was always something that made each one unique, such as how the pastrami or corned beef was prepared, or the particular type of bread or toppings that were used. Since I was often busy meeting new people and doing interviews, I rarely finished my entire sandwich. The other half went into my saddlebag and served as dinner in my hotel room.
Every sandwich at every deli was delicious, especially when paired with Dr. Brown’s soda.
Traveling for weeks on end by motorcycle opens you up to interesting experiences. I chalked up a few memorable “tales of the road,” such as my encounter with a lone tire on the highway. While riding down the New Jersey Turnpike at 70 mph on a sunny afternoon, I saw a tire rolling along in front of me. I backed off my highway pegs and watched it meander off into the emergency lane, where it disappeared in the grass. Then I saw a huge splash, and figured the tire ended up in a pond.
Stein’s Market & Deli in New Orleans, unlike any deli you’ll ever visit.
As I passed by, I glanced over to see if I could spot the tire. When I looked back at the road, that same tire was 50 feet in front of me and about to cross my path of travel. Before I knew it, the tire rolled behind my bike, or at least I thought it did. I pulled over about a mile down the road to check on things and found that the tire had hit my rear pannier, though I never felt the impact.
Playing tourist at the boyhood home of Butch Cassidy, near Circleville, Utah, on U.S. Route 89.
Although my trip began on a beautiful summer day in Chicago, the next day rainstorms hit Indianapolis and followed me around the country. Riding through heavy rain in Texas, I went through a puddle so deep that I lost control of my bike. When I rolled into Phoenix, I encountered monsoon rains for four days straight. My fellow JMA bikers told me they hadn’t seen that much rain in more than a decade, and they nicknamed me “Rain Man.”
As I also found out, scorpions leave their nests during Arizona’s monsoon rains to avoid the water in the soil. The night before leaving for Los Angeles, I was packing up and reached into my bag, only to narrowly miss a scorpion that had taken up residency there. I don’t scare easily, but I looked under my bed 20 times before going to sleep that night. Once I got to California, the rain was replaced with dryness and heat, and I had to navigate around enormous wildfires that filled the skies with smoke.
At the geographic center of the United States near Lebanon, Kansas, with fellow JMA member Bruce Ente.
After 40 years of long-distance touring, I have learned several tricks that were helpful on this trip. As I approached Red Bluff, California, the day before riding the famous State Route 36 (140 miles of curves known as the Serpent to the Sea that was on my bucket list), the temperature was 108 degrees. As I usually do, I used a cooling vest, water-soaked bandanas, and a 3-liter hydration pack filled with ice water to stay cool. I also carried a half-gallon, wide-mouth container of water that I could reach into while riding. Every 20-30 minutes I soaked my lightweight leather gloves in the water, which cooled the blood in my hands and felt like the opposite of heated grips.
Connecting the dots between delis was a delight. I rode the Natchez Trace Parkway through Mississippi, and visited the boyhood home of Elvis Presley in Tupelo. Near Circleville, Utah, I visited the boyhood home of Butch Cassidy. In Lebanon, Kansas, I visited the geographic center of the United States. I rode the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado, and I visited Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California.
Enjoying some rest and relaxation somewhere on the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Meeting new people was one of the best parts of this trip. From the deli owners, employees, and customers to random people who just came up to me to ask what I was doing, special connections were made based on our shared love of Jewish food, fascination with travel, or just plain curiosity. It only took two or three questions to find out if someone was from Chicago, or if we knew someone in common, or if their best friend knows my brother. Six degrees of separation played itself out over and over.
Party time at Dingfelder’s Delicatessen in Seattle.
When I was in Seattle visiting Dingfelder’s Delicatessen, I did an interview with a young woman from the local Jewish newspaper. When she asked if my friends had strong feelings about which deli I should visit in each town, I mentioned a grammar school friend of mine who lives in the Boston area and has a very strong opinion about the “best deli.” As soon as I mentioned his name, she said, “I know him. I went to college with his daughter, and I stayed at their home.” She went on to describe his house and backyard – 3,000 miles away – that I’ve visited many times.
Checking out the bike with Ziggy Gruber, owner of Kenny & Ziggy’s in Houston.
As with my previous trips, I felt fortunate to travel by motorcycle and experience many parts of America. I had the opportunity to meet a variety of people, from cosmopolitan hipsters to farmers, from children to centenarians – a true cross section of individuals. When talking about this trip with my wife, she coined the phrase “new friends, old food,” which is exactly what I took away from this experience.
After two and a half months on the road, I had a wonderful reunion with Judi in Chicago. She and members of the Chaiway Riders joined me the next day, on August 14, for a ride up to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to visit Jake’s Deli – the 42nd and final deli on my list.
The final stop at Jake’s Delicatessen in Milwaukee.
By visiting Jewish delis, which are typically located in large cities, and wanting to cover most of my miles on backroads between those cities, I rode through the full spectrum of America – urban areas, rural areas, and everything in between. You could plan this sort of motorcycle trip around any kind of food, whether it be varieties of ethnic food such as Italian, Mexican, Greek, or Chinese, or specific types of food such as BBQ, hamburgers, pie, you name it. Or, as I did with national parks, you could visit baseball parks or other landmarks in every state. Think of something you love, do some research, design a route, and hit the road.
So, after visiting 42 Jewish delis, did my health deteriorate? No. My blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose went up, but I lost two pounds. And since returning home things have returned to normal. But I’ve developed a serious itch, one that can only be cured by another long-distance motorcycle adventure.
The Great American Deli Schlep raised more than $18,000 for MAZON, a nonprofit organization that is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people have access to the resources they need to put food on the table. Even though Steven Goode’s trip is over, MAZON’s mission is not. Please consider making a donation by visiting mazon.org/events/delischlep.
Getting to know the granddaughters of the original owner of Attman’s Delicatessen in Baltimore.Getting to know Joe, Ellen, and their daughter at Jo-El’s in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Our on Episode 27 of the Rider Magazine Insider podcast is Steven Goode, a lifelong motorcyclist who has a has completed impressive long-distance motorcycle tours. In recent years, Steven rode 14,000 miles to the four corners of the U.S., 11,500 miles to visit all the lower 48 states, and 17,000 miles to visit nearly every national park America (read his story “One Ride, 47 National Parks” in the July 2021 issue of Rider). This past summer, Steven embarked on a 75-day, 15,000-mile ride around the country to visit the best Jewish deli in nearly every state. His journey became known as the “Great American Deli Schlep” and he raised nearly $20,000 for MAZON, a nonprofit organization that fights hunger. You can read about Steven’s deli tour in the December 2021 issue of Rider and on his blog (greatamericandelischlep.medium.com). Even though Steven’s trip is over, MAZON’s mission is not. Please consider making a donation at mazon.org/delischlep.
You can listen to Episode 27 on iTunes, Spotify, and SoundCloud, or via the Rider Magazine Insider webpage. Please subscribe, leave us a 5-star rating, and tell your friends! Scroll down for a list of previous episodes.
Riding For Warriors 7th annual tour riders. From left: Michael Nehlsen, Jim Kessler, James McQueen, Jim McQueen, Sr., Tom Stein, and Joey Mac Dizon.
The seventh annual Riding For Warriors event recently completed its six-day motorcycle ride to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11, raising over $100,000 for Hope For The Warriors and its Warrior’s Wish program. Air Force veteran Michael Nehlsen led six of his fellow riders from his home state of New Jersey on a 900-mile journey ending in New York, visiting 9/11 memorials and related locations to remember and honor the victims of the attacks.
Hope For The Warriors is a 15-year-old nonprofit serving the warrior community — active-duty, veterans, military families, caregivers, and families of the fallen. Through one of its first established programs, Warrior’s Wish, Hope For The Warriors fulfills a desire for a better quality of life and works to provide rewarding experiences for those who have sacrificed their physical and psychological health in the line of duty.
Front row behind flag: Jim Kessler, Matt Smith, Michael Nehlsen, James McQueen. Second row: Jim McQueen, Sr., Debbie Kessler, Rebecca Nehlsen, Frank Prigmore. Back row: Tom Stein, Anna Hillmann, Joey Mac Dizon
“Being the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 and being able to support our veteran community with Hope For The Warriors through the Warriors Wish program has been an honor and a privilege over the past seven years,” said Nehlsen. “The team of riders and support staff that accompanied me this year made the importance and impact of the journey from the NYC Ground Zero Memorial to the Flight 93 Memorial and finally to the Pentagon memorial a lifetime memory of brotherhood and sisterhood. We also met a lot of wonderful people along the way that have made a lifetime impact on me and I am sure all the others on the ride. 2021 solidified the very reason I started this journey seven years ago and will continue in the future. God Bless America and all our brothers and sisters who have served our great nation’s military past and present.”
This was the seventh year Nehlsen has led the tour and given his time to the charity, traveling over 30,000 miles on his motorcycle and raising over $253,000 for Warrior’s Wish, providing wounded veterans with woodworking and farm equipment, family trips, a horse trailer, a bass boat, bicycles and more.
“Every day we are reminded why Hope For The Warriors was born from the tragedies that took place on 9/11.” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and president of Hope For The Warriors “The need to care for military families has not waned in the 20 years since the 9/11 attacks and it is with deep appreciation of Michael, Hillmann Consulting and the many supporters for sharing HOPE’s mission along the ride and raising critical funds to support our clients that need assistance”
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.
About Hope For The Warriors: Founded in 2006, Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family, and hope for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families. Since its inception, Hope For The Warriors has served over 36,000 through a variety of support programs focused on clinical health and wellness, sports and recreation, and transition. One of the nonprofit’s first programs, Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarships, has awarded over 170 scholarships to caregivers and families of the fallen.
For more information and to make a donation to Hope For The Warriors or its Warriors Wish program, visit: hopeforthewarriors.org
The Ride for Kids is fast approaching, and Honda continued its long-running support of the charity as presenting sponsor. It’s going a step further by donating of three Repsol CBR1000RR sportbikes to an auction to raise funds to support the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. Read the press release below for more information.
To celebrate its 30th year as presenting sponsor of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Ride for Kids, American Honda is donating three Repsol-edition CBR1000RR sportbikes from its private collection, to be auctioned through Iconic Motorbikes. The auction will run September 3-10, with all proceeds going to the PBTF. The amount raised will be announced during Ride for Kids, which takes place September 12.
In selected model years, American Honda has imported the CBR1000RR in special Repsol graphics as a tribute to the factory Honda MotoGP team, for whom the global multi-energy company has been the title sponsor since 1994. That relationship has produced 15 MotoGP Rider World Championships, via Mick Doohan, Alex Criville, Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Casey Stoner, and Marc Marquez.
The CBR1000RR was initially offered in 2004, replacing the CBR954RR, and the inaugural special-edition Repsol version came the following year. The 2007 Repsol Honda CBR1000RR came just after Nicky Hayden’s 2006 MotoGP title. The 2009 special edition of the CBR1000RR is the only generation 2 version, following the model’s 2008 overhaul.
All three motorcycles being auctioned have 0 miles, and while the trio would make for an incredible collection, the units will be auctioned individually. Bids may be placed through Iconic Motorbikes:
“Partnering with the PBTF on Ride for Kids is an honor, and we’re pleased to celebrate the relationship by offering these special-edition Repsol Honda CBR1000RR sport bikes for auction,” said Bill Savino, Senior Manager of Customer Engagement at American Honda. “For the past 30 years, the American motorcycling community has always come through to help PBTF families, and we know we can once again count on riders to bid on these beautiful bikes and participate in a local Ride for Kids.”
As the nation’s longest running charitable motorcycle ride, Ride for Kids has raised millions of dollars to support research and family programs for children battling brain tumors. Since 1991, Ride for Kids supporters and Honda have provided a thriving community of support to tens of thousands of kids across the United States and helped the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation fund nearly $50 million in research, accelerating the path to a cure.
“American Honda has been an incredible partner of the Ride for Kids for 30 years, helping the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation empower motorcyclists to change the outcome for kids with brain tumors by doing what they love most – riding,” said Bob McNamara, PBTF’s National Director of Fundraising and Community Engagement. “Finding a cure is an ongoing battle, one we’ll win through collaboration. We’re grateful for Honda continuing to lead the way through this auction with Iconic Motorbikes, and we can’t wait to celebrate the auction results and the anniversary of Honda’s partnership on National Ride for Kids Day this September 12.”
On September 12, riders across the nation will join forces on a single day to support the 28,000 children and teens living in the United States with a brain tumor or central nervous system tumor. Across the country, local ride communities can rally together and fundraise for lifesaving research and family support programs. This year, some rides are in person and some virtual, through a national partnership with the Rever motorcycle app. The event offers special incentives for top fundraisers. For the full list of rides, and to register, visit rideforkids.org.
About American Honda American Honda Motor Co., Inc., is the sole distributor of Honda motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and Side-by-Sides in the United States. American Honda’s Powersports Division conducts the sales, marketing and operational activities for these products through independent authorized Honda retail dealers. For more information on Honda products, go to powersports.honda.com.
About the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Every day, 13 children and teens are diagnosed with a brain tumor, the deadliest and most common form of childhood cancer in kids under 15. Every day after, they’re in a fight for their life. It’s a fight the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation is here to help families win. A leader in the brain tumor and childhood cancer communities, PBTF’s mission of Care. Cure. Thrive. reflects its commitment to curing all pediatric brain tumors and transforming how children and their families are cared for. Since 1991, PBTF has provided strategic leadership and funding to accelerate the number of targeted therapies for children battling brain tumors today, while equipping families with the patient family education, financial relief, and emotional support they need to navigate their child’s journey. A world without childhood brain tumors is possible when we work together to put kids first. Learn more at curethekids.org.
About Iconic Motorbikes Located in Santa Monica, California, Iconic Motorbikes believes that every bike is Iconic to someone. We are a full service auction house that offers service, restorations, film rentals, a photo studio, event space rentals, weekly rides, private track days, and a museum. Iconic offers individual motorcycles, large collections, apparel, memorabilia, and anything else that fuels our passion for motorcycling and the wonderful community surrounding it. Come see us at Corporate Hangar 1 of the Santa Monica Airport (appointments required) or learn more at iconicmotorbikeauctions.com.
