Tour de USA®

We've Moved to Wordpress!

2010-10-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

http://tourdeusa2010.wordpress.com

We've recently moved Tour de USA 2010 and all of our other blogs to the Wordpress platform.

To follow the Tour de USA posts, please take a minute and visit us at http://tourdeusa2010.wordpress.com.

Warm regards, Robert

Tour de USA has a Facebook Page

2010-06-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

How Best to Use Social Media for Prostate Cancer Awareness
I’ve been struggling with the best way to publicize this year’s Tour de USA for prostate cancer awareness. I migrated our blog from Blogger to Wordpress for ease of management. We also created Twitter accounts for 29000 Men and for Tour de USA.

Facebook / Tour de USA 2010
We’ve decided to focus on our Facebook page and see how much functionality we can master. I’ll be posting photos and videos of the ride preparation over the next month. Once the ride begins, I’ll be making daily updates with photos, interview videos, and the route for the following day.

Route Map
You can download a map of the route at the Tour de USA website. I hope to see some of you along the way.

How to Track Our Daily Progress
I’m using a Spot Satellite Messenger GPS tracker Spot to provide real time updates on my progress. You can see my progress in near real time at my Spot Internet page - Tour de USA tracking page. [This is a great device and it’s too bad that I wasn’t convincing enough to get them to be a sponsor!)

Next Report Topic
The installation of a Garmin system on my Dyna Low Rider.

Keep the rubber side down and check and track your PSA!

The Cancer That Companies Fear?

2010-04-27T18:34:00.000-07:00

Hi All:

Well, it’s been over a month since I’ve posted to the blog and I have nothing to report, expect nothing to report!

One Lone Sponsor
We’ve been working on the sponsorship program for the past four months and I can honestly say that I am terrible at this. Even Harley-Davidson turned me down, as well as my own insurance company where I’ve been a client for 42 years. Ouch!

Blood Tests at Home
We’re working out the sponsorship arrangements with this great little company and I should have some to report in the near future that will be of major benefit to prostate cancer awareness.

The Cause Brands are Afraid to Touch!
I’m not really certain yet, but I’m beginning to develop an intuition that prostate cancer is simply too sensitive an issue for companies outside of the medical industry to deal with. Most men avoid the subject like the plague unless they have been personally touched by the disease - a father, for example. But even that close a relationship often isn’t enough.

So, stay in touch and follow my saga.

By the way, I just found a great website for motorcyclists - www.motozania.com. Check it out.

Keep the rubber side down and check your PSA!

Launch Party at Bartels' Harley-Davidson In Marina del Rey, California

2010-03-09T11:47:00.000-08:00

It’s official. Bill and Ron Bartels at Bartels Harley-Davidson in Marina del Rey will host the official launch party for inaugural Tour de USA®. Check the event website for details.

Patriot Harley Davidson, Fairfax, Virginia

2010-02-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

Just met Keith Brooks, the Sales Manager at Patriot Harley-Davidson in Fairfax, Virginia. A great guy and a huge store. He tells me that their HOG club is over 800 strong. Now that’s big! I stopped by to drop off some Tour de USA cards for this summer’s run through Virginia. I would love to hook up with this group. Northern Virginia has about 2 + feet of snow, so I’m really going forward to returning to sunny Los Angeles this weekend. If you live in Northern Virginia, this dealership is worth a visit.

My Name is Fred!

2010-02-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

Hey all you fellow male motorcyclists, read on for a laugh. . .

A cop stops a Harley for traveling faster than the posted speed limit, so he asks the biker his name.'Fred,' he replies. 'Fred what?' the officer asks.' Just Fred,' the man responds.

The officer is in a good mood and thinks he might just give the biker a break and write him out a warning instead of a ticket. The officer then presses him for the last name. The man tells him that he used to have a last name but lost it.

The officer thinks that he has a nut case on his hands but plays along with it. 'Tell me, Fred, how did you lose your last name?' The biker replies, 'It's a long story, so stay with me.'

I was born Fred Johnson. I studied hard and got good grades. When I got older, I realized that I wanted to be a doctor. I went through college, medical school, internship, residency, and finally got my degree, so I was Fred Johnson, MD.

After a while I got bored being a doctor, so I decided to go back to school. Dentistry was my dream! Got all the way through School, got my degree, so then I was Fred Johnson, MD, DDS. Got bored doing dentistry, so I started fooling around with my assistant and she gave me VD, so now I was Fred Johnson, MD, DDS, with VD.

Well, the ADA found out about the VD, so they took away my DDS. Then I was Fred Johnson, MD, with VD. Then the AMA found out about the ADA taking away my DDS because of the VD, so they took away my MD leaving me as Fred Johnson with VD. Then the VD took away my Johnson, so now I am Just Fred.'

The officer walked away in tears, laughing.

29000 Men Comment
If there’s a moral to this story, it’s to make certain to check your equipment, and that includes checking your PSA annually to make sure you don’t lose the powder for your Johnson.

Joke compliments of the da. . .King!

Prostate Cancer Survivor Documentary

2010-01-30T17:53:00.000-08:00

I’m going to be making a documentary about prostate cancer survivors and their families during this summer’s Tour de USA. The city schedule (46 cities) is posted on the event site. If you would like to be interviewed and tell your story, just visit the website, join the mailing list and send us email. This is a story that really needs to be told.

Rock Store Training Ride

2010-01-18T07:28:00.000-08:00

Riding “Dave” is always fun; the challenge is finding the time. I need to get with it, though, as I am only a bit over six months away from riding the Tour de USA 2010 for prostate cancer awareness. The ride covers 7,667.9 miles, Los Angeles to Washington, DC and back, by way of the annual gathering at Sturgis, SD in early August.

My weekend’s training ride went from Manhattan Beach to the famous Rock Store on Mullholland Highway, Cornell, California. It was a fairly short ride of just over a hundred miles, but we rode there via Pacific Coast Highway and up Decker and Encinal Canyons. Great ride, and a few thrills when you hit a 180 degree turn just a bit too fast and hear your foot peg talking to you.

My riding partner, Hog-nut Mike, was kind enough to take a few pictures while I was busy handing out information on this summer’s Tour de USA® for prostate cancer, which we believe will be the longest motorcycle charity rally in history. Details at http://www.tourdeusa.org.

Finding Sponsors is Really Hard!

2010-01-13T20:33:00.001-08:00

The gals are just most clever than I am. I've been trying for six months now to find sponsors for the Tour de USA to gain some attention for prostate cancer and, nada, rein, nichts, zip, nothin'. Either I'm terrible at this, or no one really cares about prostate cancer unless they personally get tagged with it. In the meantime, the gals come up with the "What Color is Your Bra" campaign that sweeps Facebook in a week. A British friend suggested we counter with a "How Large is Your Wanker," but I'm not sure that would have the same effect. Men are a natural constituency for breasts, we pretty much venerate and cherish them. Is our manly equipment just too prosaic and functional to get this kind of any attention? Maybe it's time to get a few more "Full Monty" teams in action. After all, Michelangelo's David (a copy) stands in the Palazzo Vecchio baring all.

Official Tour Slogan for the Tour de USA

2010-01-13T20:28:00.000-08:00

Hi All:

I’ve been looking for a way to capture guys attention about the Tour de USA. Here’s our spokesperson; shall we give her a name?

Keep that rubber side down.

Sacramento HOG Chapter Joins Tour de USA

2009-12-15T08:43:00.001-08:00

Sacramento HOG Chapter #295 is the first HOG Chapter to officially join the 2010 Tour de USA for Prostate Cancer. The Tour de USA is the longest motorcycle charity rally in history. Visit the Tour de USA website for ride and registration information. Go HOGs!

CKYRPSA is Live!

2009-11-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

I now have my license plate for the Tour de USA 2010 - CKYRPSA (Check Your PSA). Watch for me riding in the Los Angeles area and give me a shout. Better yet, a flick of the headlights. Anyone else feel inclined to use CKYRPSA on their state license plate?

2010 Tour de USA Official Route Posted

2009-11-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

The route is finished and posted on the event website, Tour de USA. The next task is to finish the online event registration process and begin contacting sponsors. I’ll be going out to my various alumni groups, Virginia Military Institute, the American University, and the Anderson School at UCLA to see if anyone wants to take on the “challenge of their lives,” helping men focus on prostate cancer. Allez!

Route Map - Tour de USA 2010

2009-11-02T16:33:00.000-08:00

It’s been a few days since I posted. I had arthroscopic knee surgery two weeks ago and that derailed me for a bit, but the knee feels great. The surgery was done at Kerlan-Jobe in Los Angeles and these guys are fantastic! I rode Dave for the first time today. Nice to be back in the saddle.

Here’s the map of the Tour de USA 2010 for prostate cancer awareness. More details will be following shortly, including a detailed day-by-day route listing, including stops. The Tour de USA 2010 registration site on the web will go live in December. Pass the word to your riding colleagues. I’m hoping to see every kind of motorcycle ever made (and still running) on this ride.

Go to http://www.tourdeusa.org and get on the mailing list for details.

Remember to test and track your PSA annually. Watch for the coming campaign to name our spokeswoman!

Making Progress on the Route

2009-10-17T17:58:00.000-07:00

Hi All: It looks like I’ll be riding across the Texas panhandle at the end of August next year on my way back from Washington, DC. I’m timing the beginning of the trip so that I can dedicate a paver in the main street at Sturgis to the men who have died from prostate cancer. That date means that I’ll likely be crossing the panhandle the very last week of August, which should not be all that bad since the average high in August is 90 degrees. I now have someone helping me plan the project, a fellow UCLA Anderson alumus, so things should get better pretty quickly:-) I’ve had a number of people sign up for information about the trip. Please pass the word to your riding colleagues. I’m riding my Harley, but the ride is open to everyone. Watch the website for event participation signup information. I had my knee surgery this past week and the surgeon said I should be better than new in three months. Looking forward to it. I hope to see you along the Tour de USA® route!

Hog-Nuts, Diapers, and Parking Tickets

2009-09-26T14:25:00.000-07:00

This weekend’s little Harley breakfast jaunt wound up at the Sidewalk Cafe in Venice , California, for coffee and brunch. Not much of a training ride, I’m afraid, but fun nonetheless. We collectively missed the parking restriction and individually received a $50 parking ticket. One parking space; three Hogs; three tickets. But the guy in diaper got away clean. Where’s the justice in that?:-) Life is Wonderful.

Ford a Possible Sponsor?

2009-09-25T07:02:00.000-07:00

I’m just finishing three days in Las Vegas at the annual bicycling industry Interbike 2009 trade show, developing support for our bicycling prostate cancer awareness events and getting the word out about our new iPhone Application, MyBikeInfo. I had an opportunity to talk with the very gracious brand manager for the new Ford Transit Connect. This is great little vehicle that is perfect for the bicycling world and would be just the thing to serve as the chase vehicle for next summer’s Tour de USA transAmerica (and back) motorcycle tour. Ford supports a number of charity efforts and we’re hoping that we make the cut for our 2010 project. Visit our main website and join our mailing list for Tour de USA information.

Where's that Pesky Shifting Peg? It was Here Just a Moment Ago.

2009-09-20T15:24:00.000-07:00

Just completed a skills training ride with my local HOG chapter, LA#1 HOG, to the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, California. It was another beautiful southern California day and everyone was zipping along the freeway. Imagine my surprise as I moved the toe of my boot to upshift to fifth gear and my boot went through thin air. I looked down and there was the shift lever with no shift peg! So, just a bit of practice and I was able to shift down by pushing down with the heel of my boot on the top of the lever. Upshifting was doable, but took a bit more contortion to get the toe of my boot under the lever. We stopped for a break and, amazingly, one of the guys had a spare peg in his saddlebag. I stopped at Bartel’s Harley in Venice on the way home and I now have two spare pegs in my saddlebags. My experience as an Army helicopter pilot should have reminded me that unless the bolts on vibrating things are secured with cotter pins or loctite and slippage marks, they will come loose at some point. So, my “pre-flgiht” will be more complete and loctite is now in my bags. 11 months before I launch on the Tour de USA for prostate cancer awareness. Check out our website at TourdeUSA.org.

Join the Tour de USA Email Information List Now

2009-09-14T21:22:00.000-07:00

The route is published. We have eleven months to go. Click the following link to subscribe to the email list and be part of the Woodstock of motorcycle charity rides!

Visit the Tour de USA website for additional details.

MyBikeInfo iPhone/iPod Touch Application

2009-09-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

If you are a cyclist and use MyBikeInfo for iPhone/iPod Touch, just click the link below to receive infrequent updates about improvements and new functionality to MyBikeInfo iPhone/iPod Touch application. You may unsubscribe at any time. By the way, you can use MyBikeInfo to track information on your motorcycle, as well. Plus, with MyBikeInfo’s RSS functionality, you can have real-time feeds from all of your favorite websites in one handy place on your iPhone. Proceeds go to prostate cancer awareness and prevention.

http://29000men.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=95aaf73102f9fd5323096e57f&id=819e716571

Hot Waitresses and the Tour de USA 2010

2009-09-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone:

I just came across the “Hot Waitress” index and thought I would pass it along, since no one seems to know where we are in the current economic world. If you are watching the Gallup polls on consumer confidence, you will note that a majority of consumers (57%) believe the economy is continuing to worsen. This means that you still have an window of opportunity to improve the internal functioning of your business to be optimally structured to compete when the recovery comes.

OK, So Just What Does “Hot Waitress Economic Index” Mean?

 Hot Waitresses is an index that indicates the state of the economy by measuring the number of attractive people working as waiters/waitresses. According to the hot waitress index, the higher the number of good looking servers, the weaker the current state of the economy. It is assumed that attractive individuals do not tend to have trouble finding high-paying jobs during good economics times. During poor economic times, these jobs will be more difficult to find and therefore more attractive people will be forced to work in lower paying jobs such as being waiters/waitresses.

How Many Will We See?

We have just 11 months before we depart Manhattan Beach, California on the inaugural Tour de USA for prostate cancer awareness. This will be the “Woodstock” of Harley rides - just over 7,200 miles in 30 days. Follow us at http://www.tourdeusa.org and at http://www.twitter.com/tourdeusa.

Outfitting my Dyna Low Rider

2009-09-09T11:11:00.000-07:00

I’m in the process of evaluating the equipment I need for the trip, which will take about 30 days and cover 7,200 miles. Saddlebags are item number one. I’m reviewing what is available at Harley-Davidson and other vendors. It seems to me that the degree of waterproofing may be more important than capacity.

Help Coordinating the Tour de USA 2010

2009-09-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

We now have the general route plan for the trip. It will include two days at the 2010 Sturgis event. We are looking for a work-from-home Mom or someone who is retired to help with event coordination. Contact us at TourdeUSA2010@29000men.org.

Motorcyclists can use MyBikeInfo iPhone App

2009-08-26T06:23:00.001-07:00

In these difficult economic times, it’s especially difficult for non-profit entities to raise funds to support their charitable missions. As a result, Robert Hess, Founder and President of the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project (PCaAP) and founding partner of TSG, Inc. embarked on a program to create a self-funding mechanism for the PCaAP.

Because the PCaAP uses bicycling events to disseminate it’s “Early Detection, Early Treatment” message and to drive healthy lifestyle activities, the logical choice was something related to cycling. The result, after 9 months of technical development led by TSG founding partner Prem Sundaram, is the MyBikeInfo iPhone application.

The application stores all of the information necessary for a proper positioning fit for an unlimited number of bicycles and includes the ability to create RSS feeds within the application. But you also can store lots of useful information about your motorcycle in the app. Robert has full information on his 4 bicycles and his 2004 Dyna Lowrider in his!

MyBikeInfo is available now in the iTunes application store. Full details are at http://www.mybikeinfo.com. Proceeds go to create prostate cancer awareness events and annual testing for men without medical insurance.

TSG, Inc. is pleased to pleased to support the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project in its mission of ensuring that no man is ever faced with a metatastic prostate cancer diagnosis. You can learn more about the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project and support its programs at its websites, Prostate Cancer Awareness Project and 29000Men.

Mira Costa High School Students Support Tour de USA

2009-06-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

The graduating seniors of The Gentleman's Club at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach recently presented the PCaAP with a check for $1,000 to support the 2010 Prostate Cancer Tour de USA. Eight graduating seniors, led by club president and
founder Lance Jung, presented the check to PCaAP President Robert Hess and PCaAP Board Member Melissa Lanfre, CFO of Beach Business Bank in Manhattan Beach, a founding sponsor of the PCaAP.

From Left to Right
Simon Peters, Collin Grant, Geneseth Santos, James Roberts, Nate Gong, Gentleman’s Club founder and President Lance Jung, Levi Stiffel, Prostate Cancer Awareness Project (PCaAP) President Robert Hess, PCaAP Board Member and Beach Business Bank CFO Melissa Lanfre, and Chad Kojouri.

Walker Cafe, Point Fermin, California

2009-06-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

Prostate cancer is highly curable if caught early. Remember to establish a baseline PSA test at age 40 (35 if you are at high risk) and track your PSA value year-over-year. See your doctor right away if the number is rising. Visit the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project for more information.

My wife, Melissa, and I took Dave III out for an initial brunch run down to beautiful Point Fermin in San Pedro, California. On the south side of the park you'll find the Walker Cafe. A quaint little sandwich shop that caters to park visitors and Harley riders. The sun is wonderful and the bikes are quite the site. If you live in the LA area, company is always welcome on these brunch ride.

Remember: Test. Track. Treat. and Live.

Here's Dave lll!

2009-06-05T11:26:00.001-07:00

With me, everything gets a name. So, my new Harley-Davidson Lowrider becomes "Dave III." Dave is short for Davidson and III because he is the third Harley-Davidson I have owned.

I will ride Dave III from Sacramento, CA to Washington, DC and back next summer (2010) to raise awareness about prostate cancer and funds for prostate cancer testing for men without insurance - currently, only 52% of men have this critical test each year.

We're working on the route and the timing, but it definitely will include the 70th annual Harley gathering at Sturgis, South Dakota in early August, 2010. Follow this blog and visit our website at TourdeUSA.org for details.

Iron Horse Hotel

2009-04-30T16:57:00.000-07:00

I haven't yet finalized a lot of the details about the 2010 Prostate Cancer Tour de USA, but I do know that I will be staying at the Iron Horse Hotel as I pass through Milwaukee. I discovered this unique venue as I passed through the online pages of Ultimate Motorcycling. If you are in Milwaukee in June 2010, let's meet for a beer at the Iron Horse Hotel.

Motorcycle Instead of Bicycle

2009-04-30T16:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official. I will be having arthroscopic surgery on my knee in the fall to repair that torn meniscus. I'm delaying the surgery so that I can ride the first annual Alpe d'Huez prostate cancer awareness ride on July 12th, 2009. Combined with our prostate cancer awareness Tour de Skyline Drive at the end of August - and my business - it looks like surgery in October. So, I've officially decided to do the Tour de USA 2010 by motorcycle. Anyone out there who would like to join me on any of these events, just send contact me at Robert.Hess@29000men.org and I'll send you the details. Remember our moto: Test. Track. Treat. Live.

Ben Serotta or Harley-Davidson?

2009-04-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

I just received some unfortunate news. It seems that I have managed to tear the meniscus in my left knee while running. So, I'm now in the process of trying to sequence arthroscopic surgery and the rehabilitation period into my schedule in time to do the Tour de USA next year. It could be that the first Tour de USA will be by Harley-Davidson and the second by bicycle - my trusty Serotta Davis Phinney. The important aspect of the trip, however, is creating a bit of buzz and getting men thinking about the importance of testing for prostate cancer. For information about prostate cancer and my personal journey, visit my blog at www.29000men.blogpsot.com. Send me an email if you would like to be part of the Tour de USA 2010 for prostate cancer awareness.

Serotta or Harley-Davidson Dyna Lowrider

2009-04-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

I just received some unfortunate news. It seems that I have managed to teat the meniscus in my left knee while running. I'm now in the process of trying to sequence arthroscopic surgery and the rehabilitation period into my schedule in time to do the Tour de USA next year. It could be that the first Tour de USA will be by Harley-Davidson and the second by bicycle. The important aspect of the trip, however, is creating a bit of buzz and getting men thinking about the importance of testing for prostate cancer. For information about prostate cancer and my personal journey, visit www.29000men.blogpsot.com. Send me an email if you would like to be part of the Tour de USA 2010 for prostate cancer awareness.

Adventure Cycling Becomes a Sponsor

2009-03-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

We are very pleased to report that the Adventure Cycling Association has joined the sponsor team. I met Jim Sayer, Adventure Cycling Executive Director, at Interbike 2008, where we talked about the trip and our objectives. Two weeks later Jim called and offered to help. We look forward to working with this wonderful organization as we plan the route. I'm working on getting more distance into my training program, moving from track training at the ADT velodrome in Los Angeles to climbing hills on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. This past weekend I rode the 45 mile course of the inaugural Gran Fondo Colnago of San Diego. It was great fun. Over 1,000 riders participated in ride, quite an accomplishment for an event's first year. Ernesto Colnago flew in from Italy for the event. He greeted each wave of riders with a cheery "Ciao" and sent them on their way. The Prostate Cancer Awareness Project was in the Expo area talking with guys about checking that pesky PSA number. Score for the day: one live saved!

Track Your Training Program Online

2008-09-08T19:36:00.000-07:00

The President's Challenge, a program of the President's Council on Physical Fitness, has a great little Internet tool for tracking all sorts of physical fitness activity.

Just go to http://www.PresidentsChallenge.com, create an account and you are on your way. If you want to see how I'm preparing for the Tour de USA in 2010, just become part of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Project group, and you will be track your program against everyone else.

The Prostate Cancer Awareness (Prevention) Project is an official advocate organization for The President's Challenge. It took me just over a year to reach the Gold level of 160,000 points. The top level, Platinum, requires 1,000,000, Yes, one (1) million points! But, that's exactly the number of points each participant should have when the Tour de USA finishes at Yorktown, Virginia in August 2010. I am looking for 19 prostate cancer survivors who want to make the trip of a lifetime. To put your hat in the ring, send me an email at Robert.Hess@ProstateCancerPreventionProject.org.

Visit Us at Interbike 2009 in Las Vegas

2008-09-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

The format for the 2010 transAmerican ride is beginning to gel. There will be a core of 4-6 riders who will do the entire ride and local rides in each of the states that we will traverse. The total distance will be approximately 4,100 miles, averaging approximately 60 miles daily. There will be participation opportunities for bicycle shops and bicycle clubs all along the route. Check out the website at www.tourdeusa.org for more details.

If you are a prostate cancer survivor and would like to participate, send a short resume of your riding experience along with a summary of your prostate cancer story to Robert.Hess@29000men.org.

We will be at Interbike 2009 in Las Vegas this September, Booth 3308. We would love to see you in person!