Kyle Petty Cross-Country Charity Ride Daily Update—Day 3

Kyle Petty Charity RIde
Don Tilley leads the pack during the 2014 Kyle Petty Charity RIde.

Rider magazine asked our two good friends David Andreas and John Puerner, who are participating in the 20th Anniversary of the Kyle Petty Charity Ride Across America, to keep us posted on the ride’s progress with a daily blog. Each entry will cover the previous day’s events (or perhaps the two previous days). Here’s their report from the third ride day on Monday, May 5.

Yesterday started in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and ended in Midland, Texas. Today we ride southwest to Austin, which is about 344 miles.

Kyle Petty Charity RIdeThis post will describe how 125 motorcycles plus support vehicles move down the road as one group.

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The “pack” is lead by motor marshals, some of who are retired or off-duty North Carolina Highway Patrol Officers. They set the pace (in accordance with the speed limit), help mark key turns and hold traffic entering and exiting highways. Our lead rider, Don Tilley is the first rider in the big group. Don has ridden the route in advance and plays a big role in the planning. He is often referred to as a “human GPS.”

Behind Don, we fall into a staggered formation that often stretches over a mile long. Importantly, and as Kyle Petty reminds us constantly, we share the road with everyone and do our best to help cars and trucks merge and travel with our group.

Often times, when we come into towns the local police or sheriffs will help with intersection control, so we can move through smoothly. We are extremely grateful for all of the help we get from law enforcement along the way.

Kyle Petty Charity RIde
Kyle Petty Charity RIde

Directly behind the group of Charity Riders is the medical team which stands by ready to assist in anyway possible. Trailing the pack is a support truck with mechanics in case of a breakdown, and trailers to transport bikes if necessary.

As long time participants in the Ride, we are always impressed by the courtesy and skill of the riders, the emphasis on safety and the unbelievable planning and coordination that makes this ride so special.

That’s why folks come back year after year.

Until tomorrow,
David Andreas and John Puerner

For real time updates and route information, follow us live on Facebook www.facebook.com/KPCharityRide or on Twitter www.twitter.com/kpcharityride.

Previous Blog Entries:
The Kickoff
Day 1
Day 2
Next Blog Entries:
Day 4
Day 5
Days 6 & 7
Day 8 and Final Thoughts

1 COMMENT

  1. God bless the riders taking time from their careers, having fun riding their bikes and meeeting new friends for a worthy cause. Our children, grandchildren are the precious gifts from god. When illness occurs, we all pray for healing for these little angels. Recreation summer camps give these kids days of fun escaping the routines of therapy, and hospital confinement. I encourage everyone to donate to this worthy cause. If we are blessed with healthy children , give thanks to god. If not theirs faith for healing , and maybe a chance to give a child a laugh or two at victory junction camp. I have a friend participating named scott klepper, and I’am humbled to donate for his ride for a special cause ! God bless ! And I pray all riders stay safe, ed

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