Originally Posted by mollydog

This Ride was posted over on ADVrider a couple weeks back.

I'm not sure I quite get the connection of a cross continent ride and the dedication to Pat Tillman. (NFL player who was fragged in Iraq by his own guys.... the Army kept this minor detail secret for a while)

Did Tillman always dream of riding from AK to Usuhaia? Did he even ride?
Don't think so....The explanation and justification offered by the organizer is intellectually weak, IMO.

I haven't read in detail what the guy's underlying motives might be. I hope its not some lame attempt to justify Bush's war, or to show Tillman somehow "didn't die in vain" (he did) or some other pro-war, pro-Bush war on terror political hogwash. This crap won't fly in most of Latin America. (maybe Panama?)

This will simply rub salt into the wounds of those who have suffered as a result of Bush's illegal misadventure and will continue to foment hatred towards American's world wide and spread it all the way to Argentina. Like we really need even more enemies ???

Flag waving patriots for "Victory in Iraq" we don't need at the moment, IMO and I can assure you, most of the folks south of the border have more pressing problems of their own to be concerned with 3 rich guys on a joy ride.

I'd say if things go well they'll make it to maybe Panama before time runs out. I've driven (van) from LA to Guatemala in 11 days so theoretically it could be done. What will slow them up will be the rainy season, border crossings and 700 mile days.

I'm not much of a fan of RTW record breakers. Whats the point? In this case an "outsider" (someone who doesn't ride and doesn't give a Rat's Ass about motorcycling and probably will never ride again after the event) steps in to exploit the perceived "Adventure" associated with riding a motorcycle across
two continents, exploiting this Hero mythology for personal gain (book, movie?) and leaving many negative unintended consequences in their wake for the rest of us to plow through in our travels which won't be over in thirty days but rather several years.

I would much rather support real riders doing something useful along the way to support local communities they pass through. Those who are willing to take time and energy to actually benefit people in real need. This region doesn't need record setting Heroes. It needs folks dedicated doing what needs to be done without preaching religion, politics or cultural superiority. Real riders don't need book deals, movies or thousands of dedicated "fans". They need no recognition at all.

Patrick