Hi there Catherine-

I just wanted to write and thank you for writing such a fun article about the MDA Tub Run. It was really neat to get your perspective.

I have had the privilege of working on this event with the Tub Run planning committee and Kutter Harley-Davidson for the last ten years. They are an amazing group of people and each year I am inspired and thankful for the tremendous support we receive from the community. From the corporate sponsors, volunteers, local law enforcement to those folks who find themselves sitting in lawn chairs waiting for the ride to pass by-it is a huge network of people who come together to make a real difference in the lives of families in Southwestern Wisconsin who count on our services. It’s also an amazing testament to the character and strength of the greater Janesville area community.

While I haven’t had the chance to ride the ride because I’m working behind the scenes I have definitely embraced my inner biker and gone through my own “transformation.” I went to my first HOG chapter meeting in a sweater set and pearls, now my closet is full of Harley gear. I love checking out the impressive chrome and color that makes a bike unique and I’ve also come to welcome the sound of that distinctive rumble of a Harley-Davidson. I hear it and smile and usually turn my head to see if it happens to be one of the many friends I’ve met along the way.

Harley-Davidson has been supporting MDA since 1980 and in that time so many of the individuals and families we serve have also embraced their inner biker because they’ve learned a lesson that comes quick when you start to hang out with Harley riders. You learn that Harley enthusiasts are some of the most kind-hearted, giving and caring individuals you’ll ever know. You’re welcomed in an instant and you become part of this amazing family of people with a common thread.

People that come out to ride in the Tub Run come out because they share a passion for experiencing the open road, taking in an amazing ride and sharing time with friends. That passion over the years has been extended into their hearts with a desire to make a difference in the lives of those affected by neuromuscular disease and we are truly grateful for this.

Your article reminds us all to remember to have fun and as you alluded to, even better if you get to help a worthwhile cause while doing it.

Thanks so much to you and the entire staff at the Janesville Gazette for helping share the story of the ride and raising awareness about MDA and the services we provide. Thanks also to everyone who supported the event, it is greatly appreciated.

Cathy Stagmer
MDA Regional Field Representative

Maybe she pushed it in the river instead.

;~)

Loved your story! Great animation, laughed through your whole ride and I wasn`t even there!

I always enjoy watching the bikes go by, and feel the sadness that we are watching, not participating. Maybe next year. But I have to say, I was very perturbed at the cheap A$$s who watched the parade next to us, and as soon as the end was starting to come up, they joined the parade on their bikes. Too cheap to donate to the charity, but wanted the fun of the event.

great story...but PLEASE ms idzerda...dont push that car off the cliff;)

Did anyone know there was an accident on Sat. @ this run my son and ex were riding in and one of the other bikes @ the end of the tale as I hear it wasnt paying attention and went between my ex and one of their friends bikes and took them both out on hwy 67, we had 3 ambulence come into Beloit hosp. the young couple flew into a cornfield and were not seriouly hurt but ex and his g/f were, she has 3 broken fingers,wrist and elbow along w/road rash and ex has 6 broken ribs, both lungs bruised and bad road rash to face and head,he will recover they said but will take 3mos or so. Thank God everyone will be ok. I haven't seen anything on this in the news. Don't get me wrong I love to watch the bikes but people need to pay attention when on them as while as in a car.

Hee-hee, crafty! Those tiny little "Smart Cars" look like old fashioned roller skates to me!

When the news seems to be doom and gloom it's always nice to read great stories like this. Hats off.

www.spend-local.com

Great story. Good job Cathy.
The "deathtrap" is what we will soon call Obamas new fuel efficient fleet of clone cars.

Oh and I smoke bad me

I love the ride it goes by my house and my grandchildren love it we plan my grandsons birthday party around it. I enjoy riding and I guess I must live dangerously because if I died on a bike I would die happy so what my choice Thank you Harley group and Kutter for this wonderful event.

HEADSTONE: she wore an orange bandana!

do i need glasses?

Bandana = Cool
Helmet = NOT Cool
.
It is, afterall, all about the image.

Uh-oh ... never thought this would happen ... but, Cathy, your article is reawakening the younger, wilder SarahB1! I am envious of the fun you had on this ride. Thanks for a fun article. And, thanks, to all the riders who took part to help MDA.

TINA R.... prayers to your family, I admire your ability to keep your soul in check and not be a bitter person....our world is in need of more people like you! You give credit where credit is due, and ask for none, which you are also due credit as well, and I give you that! Stay strong and healthy!

After my husbands motorcycle accident on May 4, 09 I began to read the blogs posted. I said at that time I would not waste my positive energy on blogging as I didn't feel it was worth my time and energy. I wanted to share the positive energy with the "brotherhood" of bikers that took it upon themselves to go to our house while my husband & I spent 40 days at UW Hospital in Madison. He recovering from the accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down, and me learning how to take care of his many needs. This accident was due to a car running him off the road. Our daughters were/are very upset the driver didn't stop...me (defending the other driver) said "perhaps he/she didn't know they ran Dad off the road". Well, the point I want to make to bikersrights is...we don't need an organization to give $$$ to a family for the loss of a life/lives or limbs, etc. With all the LOVE, SWEAT & TEARS that went into the building of a ramp, a wheelchair accessible deck and a roll in shower...there really isn't enough $$$ in the world to take the place of the compassion my husband, children and I felt. The manpower was one thing...but the power of thoughts and prayers was absolutely amazing. Jeff and I want to thank Pegasus Motorcycle Club and our AWESOME circle of friends and family that helped us and have continued to help us through this very trying journey. For the rest of you...until you're a "biker" you'll never know. I myself am a MDA Tub Run committee member and I don't know how many years I've been doing this as you can't measure the awesome feeling I get before, during and after this ride in time. I'm responsible to organize the hot dog stands at Kutter before the ride. Then pack up the wagon and head to the park to prepare 700 steak dinners that are served after the ride at the park. Many HOG Chapter voluteers, family and friends have always been there to help make the event the success that it is. We the committee stay behind the scenes as this is not about us...Like Gary Sinks said "It's about the kids". This is truly how we feel!!!!

Cathy,your dairy and livestock man should invest in a HOG! It would be SO economical in the summer! And you could do weekend jaunts and get lots of fresh air... does the orange bandanna come with the Harley? If so...you've got a start!

Cathy, I absolutely adored your interpretation of a day on the road! How fun your words were to read! And to make my smile wider, the whole purpose of this event....children, and to read that there were enough participants to rumble through the start for more than twenty minutes makes me very optimistic that the goal may very well have been met! Thank you all who were involved in this, and for those with the patience and desire to watch! And again, Cathy, thank you for such a fun story! Too many people assume that things in life aren't for them, but until you try it, you just never know! :) Most of the time we say we can't, way to easily, when what we are really saying is "we won't".

anotherdoor I know alot of bikers and I know none who weave in and out of traffic they follow the laws of the road just like someone who drives a car or a truck most of the time it isn't the biker it is the person driving the car or truck not watching for someone riding a motorcycle.

Bikersrights, Why don't you find something else to complain about. No one tells these bikers who to ride for or what charity. The bikers choose who they want to ride for. If they don't want to ride for this charity then they choose not to. It is not that hard to try and do a fundraiser for your cause. Instead of complaining then do something about it and plan your own. I am sure there are others out there that probably support your thoughts but unless you do something about it then stop complaining.

Great article! It's nice to see some people still can take the time out of ther lives to help other people and not think just of themselves. Keep up the good work Hog group. Thanks again Gazette

I hate those death-traps. I do admit that most of the riders have gotten better than they used to be, but I still hate them. Weaving in & out of traffic, cutting off bigger vehicles. The laws don't apply to them, but they're awfully vocal when one of them gets hurt or killed! As one comic said, "Anyone who's dumb enough to get on a motorcycle in the first place doesn't need a helmet. There's not enough there to protect anyway."

Cathy, Thank you for the beautifully written article that gives the reader another "view" from a motorcycle! You were so cute at the dealership and a joy to work with! The South Central WI HOG Chapter is so deserving of such wonderful words...Thank You so much to you and the Janesville Gazette!
Lucy - Marketing Director/Kutter H-D

Nice to see a positive write up on this wonderful event for charity, that has not recieved proper coverage for years.
You finally got it right Gazette!!!
Congrats............
How about a follow up on the funds raised and a write up on the organizers who have been donating their time on this great event for many many years...........not only Kutter, but the local HOG chapter.
Cheers!!