By JB “Papa” Brostrom – We have fallen into a “start of the day” rhythm. First out rotates between Lone Star, Paco and Papa. Loan Start tends to do a team bike check while Papa makes sure everyone has a clean windshield. Bert is a quick study as he will never be last. It doesn’t matter if you’re early or late but DO NOT be last.

As we were quietly readying our steeds we noticed a smiling gentleman wearing a hotel smock walking toward the group. He seemed a bit tentative but we smiled welcomingly and he immediately approached. His English was poor but better than our Spanish. Paco knew enough Spanish to ask the gent’s name. He identified himself as a Cuban immigrant. His smile was from ear to ear. He pulled out his phone and accessed a translation app. The bikes and all the guys with matching vests enthralled him. He made some comment about seeing the movie and laughed. Wild Hogs we asked. Yes yes very funny! He asked for a photo. W all lined up with him in the middle and took a few shots with his phone. He joyously brandished a thumbs up and exclaimed” America America! What a wonderful way to start the day. He wished us well and we mounted up.

Mr. James D’Emidio arrived in style from his greater H hotel. The Patriots Pack was staying in the lesser H. He was planning on following us to our first stop, Cobb Technologies. Papa went to the Cobb website and plugged the address into GPS. Verifying on his phone he realized it was a different site from last year’s visit. Papa inquired to GQ, as they are one of his best clients, about a recent move. He was sure they had not moved. Papa made the same inquiry to Gordito. He waved Papa off and assured him Cobb had not moved. Off we roared the less than 10 minute ride to Cobb.

We proceeded through our last light, rounded the corner, and made our way into the parking lot to an empty abandoned facility. Oops! Gordito blamed GQ. Papa was never a boy scout but he did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once so the true address was already entered into his GPS. We sheepishly meowed out of the parking lot and headed down the block to perform a tight u-turn at the light.

Getting 7 bikes and a Dodge Charger through a u-turn maneuver is a sight to behold. The green was turning yellow and red by the end. Mr. James D’Emidio just about clipped Paco as he was bringing up the rear and was in a hurry to beat the light. No harm, no foul.

10 minutes later we finally roared into Cobb’s brand new facility. The entire parking lot was filled with folks adorned in Jillian Fund gear and welcoming smiles. We had cheers and claps and a videographer. You may find the wonderfully edited video on our Facebook pages as well as on the Industry Analysts website and twitter.

Click here to view all Ride for Jillian Photos

We had a fantastic spread and we inundated interest by our gracious hosts. Cobb gave us another $9.00 tour and, best of all, presented us with another humbling donation to the Jillian Fund. We were on a bit of a schedule today as we had another Richmond stop and then, oddly enough, Gordito had a date with the service department of the Richmond Harley Davidson. That squawking Eagle still isn’t running right.

We headed back south the Stone’s Office Equipment. We navigated the interstates around Richmond and finally through the neighborhoods and proceeded directly into the Stone’s parking lot. Waiting for us was another clapping, cheering group. This kinds of gets addicting. It is like being rock stars for a few minutes. It is truly humbling as we should be doing the cheering. All we are doing is riding the country collecting checks! Stone’s had another of the big… literally big checks. Sam Stone had invited a couple of troopers from the Virginia State Patrol to welcome us. One find get was in full uniform and ready for his patrol. The other gent who must have played linebacker at UVA was the president of the Virginia Troopers association. Even they thanked us for what we are doing. Well… we must thank them because none of us are getting shot at for pulling over speeders… true story.

We have had many an emotional moment on our journey and the Stone’s visit provided two more. The active trooper opened his trunk and pulled out a Jillian purple stuffed elephant. Many of you have seen how the dealers along the way have put the elephant all over their facilities and had fun with the symbol. Turns out the state troopers carry stuffed animals with them. When they come up on accidents, or defuse a hostage situation, or come into contact with a scared child they immediately grab a stuffed animal and give it to them. To a child they grab on and calm down allowing the troopers to attend to them or their family.

Stone’s donated all their Jillys and the Patriots Pack is sending 80 more. I cannot think of anything better to do with this symbolic elephant. Sam Stone told a personal story of coming up on an accident with an injured mother and a toddler strapped into the car seat. When the trooper arrived he reached into his trunk and gave the child the stuffed animal. Sam witnessed an immediate reduction in the child’s anxiety.

While all the festivities were happening Paco and Slaw were greeted by Larry Coco. Larry is a well known and respected training consultant in our industry. Larry happened to be at Stone’s and joined in our reception. He told Paco and Slaw an emotional and heartfelt story about losing a daughter at the tender age of 17. He talked about his appreciation for our cause and presented the Jillian Fund with a generous personal donation. Amazing!

It was time to leave but the Stone’s team directed us to simply move the bikes into a better formation for photo opp. Several of the ladies requested to be photographed biker only… Just them and the Patriots Pack. Some even climbed on for their photo opp. It was fun and funny! Finally we had to leave as Paco was obligated to an 11:00 am phone call.

We decided to make our way to the Harley store and take care of the phone call and the ailing Eagle. This would be an easy trip as all dealerships are pre-programmed into the onboard GPS. We found out last year and were reminded this morning, not all were pre-programmed correctly. As we rounded the familiar corner and came upon the Ford Dealership GQ and Papa recalled we had just missed an unmarked and uncontrolled intersection.

Gordito grumbled but followed and 90 seconds later we arrived at the Harley store. Gordito pulled into the shop while Paco headed to the riders lounge for his call. Lone Star checked everyone’s oil and we wondered around the impressive store. An hour or so later Gordito was informed that his bike indeed had an issue with the “compensator”. This was the doohickey that was fixed in Atlanta.

Turns out the Atlanta tech, though quite confident, wasn’t quite competent. Atlanta had removed the compensator and reinstalled deciding the ailing Eagle needed a rebuilt transmission.

The problem is he reinstalled the compensator backwards. BACKWARDS!

Richmond Harley properly reinstalled the device with an added “shim” and Gordito would be on his way. This was taking a bit too long so the 6 Pack headed to get fuel, nail clippers, allergy medication and pizza. Gordito would meet us at Pizza. The Walgreen’s shopping list just reinforces we are baaaaad men!

Gordito came into the Pizza parlor ready to inhale two slices so we could immediately get on our way. I 95 north for 90 miles in holiday traffic. Papa takes the lead and we make great time for 60 miles. Soon Gordito is chirping about an accident a few exits ahead. Take a detour. Papa: No we’re fine. After about 4 minutes of bikerbicker at 70 mph in holiday traffic Papa decided we should exit and switch leaders. Gordito took the helm and proceeded onto Hwy 1 for two exits before reentering I 95 north to… heavy traffic.

After the I 95/295 split traffic became a bit lighter and we moved efficiently. As we entered the Pentagon City / Arlington area the directions became intricate. We missed a slight left and ended up at the Arlington National Cemetery entrance.

We proceeded to bear right to the traffic circle putting you on across the Potomac or back on to GW Parkway. Papa was back into the lead. The traffic circle was a cluster! W slowed/stopped to navigate our way through. Papa followed GPS instructions and proceeded forward and left to get into Arlington to our hotel. He looked into his rear view to notice nothing… no bikes no recognizable Patriots Pack-ers. He proceed to follow instructions to the Hotel. While parking Papa was greeted by Mr. James D’Emidio who inquired about the Pack. Moved his bike into the hotel ramp, parked, and dismounted. Upon exiting the elevator into the lobby he heard the familiar voices. Gordito decided to take the Pack on an unscheduled visit West on the GW parkway to show the sites of DC many never get to see. The made their u-turn and found the hotel.

Be in the lobby at 6:30 for transportation to a dinner hosted by Mr. D’Emidio and Muratec.

6:30 and the lobby was filling up with a few additions. GQ was joined by Mrs. Q. Paco was joined by the Contessa. Gordito was joined by Gordita. Chip and Paul Miceli had arrived to join the fray. The allegedly future Mrs. Slaw would join us at the restaurant. Billy Glos aka Forest Gump… run Forest run showed up after starting his day running 8 miles around DC and his afternoon at a Georgetown pub craw. We should have a full headcount in tomorrow’s blog. The last tidbit of note; if you are ever walking the streets of the DC metro area late at night and you have to void your bladder, just call Forest and he can give you tips on where.