Trapped In Colombia.... Need Forum's Help....

[Chiefblueman]

What motivates one to participate in charitable causes is very personal, whether on the the giving or receiving end. No right or wrong IMHO unless you have no charity in your heart.

TD reminded me of my best buddy in high school. We rode together, were on the wrestling team and were nearly inseparable. He had a wanderlust that I didn't have. I met a girl and took the road most travelled while Jim hitched through Mexico or worked in Kodiak canneries to fund Alaskan adventures. I haven't seen my friend in over 30 years but Tony's thread reminded me of my longlost pal.

So, as I brave the harsh environment of an Oregon coast state park in the summer, venturing forth from my primitive RV in search of a good restaurant, I salute you Tony. Ride on, walk on, do what you do. Even if it's just a story it is worth my participation. Paypal coming your way.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I'm going to step back into this and try again.

1) I am NOT trying to argue with any of you. I am not debating with any of you. Your decisions are already made. My decision is final as well.

2) As always I am very proud of all of you for your generosity and willingness to give to a "worthy" motorcycle related cause. The members of this forum have repeatedly stepped up and gave support, money, and time. I cannot fully express how much I respect, admire, and like each and every one of you for this. In spite of all the minor bickering here, when there is a need, the FJR forum gets it done. Again, I am proud to be associated with such a wonderful group of people.

3) I like to SEE the results of my donation. I like to know absolutely, positively that my money and my time went to a worthy cause. FWIW, I have a little issue with United Way as well. When the representative that visits my plant is telling us how generous we need to be but is carrying a Louis Vuitton handbag... However, donating to them does do some good. I get an extra day of paid vacation each year!

4) I applaud the spirit of each of you who donated to this young man. That leap of faith, that love of the adventurous heart is something most true motorcyclists can relate to. Well done all of you.

5) Just because I am not joining you in this does not mean I don't still care for each of you or that I think you are "Wrong" for not agreeing with me. We will have these times when we don't all think alike. I still hope that one day I will have dinner with Tyler and drink beers with FredW and Majicmaker. I hope that they feel the same way. This is a difference of opinion, not a cause for anger.

6) If I were stranded in a Foreign Country and running out of funds I know for certain that I could call on friends and family to bail me out and get me back home. I would not have to solicit the generosity of strangers. Unless I had already bled all of them dry and they were beyond tired of supporting my laziness. That is what has happened here. I am not giving anything to someone who thrives by living off the generosity of others. I think he is a parasite. I think he has already preyed on friends and family until they are tired of it. He sure seems to be living pretty well and be well organized for someone with no job.

Again my friends, this is not a fight. It is a difference of opinion. We have those all of the time.

For my money, I would rather donate to Tyler, GeorgiaRoller, Earthrooster, and a few others whose photography skills are just as good, who freely share them with us here and who actually WORK for a living.

Seriously, Hugs and kisses to (most of) you.

 

[majicmaker]

That is sooo true Chief. Everyone of us has a different motive that makes us charitable. None of them are bad from my point of view.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Hey guys, I want to take a few years to ride around the world but I don't have enogh money to do it, can you all chip in and send me your hard earned money??

My take on it.

You don't have enough money to take that vacation? You don't take it.

 

[Spud]

If anyone happens to run into trouble on a ride in my area, I've got some pull-off tires you are welcome too, access to a trailer that can handle an FJR, and a place to stay if needed. I'll work out my schedule to give you a hand (time off work is money lost, but that's OK). I've done it before.

You'll probably offer to buy me dinner while you're stuck here, and I'll take you up on it. I won't take any $$ from you (you'll probably offer), and you sure as hell won't ask me for any $$.

This is my idea of rewarding charity. But, again, just one person's opinion.

 

[beemerdons]

That is sooo true Chief. Everyone of us has a different motive that makes us charitable. None of them are bad from my point of view.

+1, Gunny; Victor and Papa Chuy have a special scholarship fund for young Puerto Rican ladies, we give each of these "wholesome applicants" for our monies a very careful and intensive screening! These lovely Senoritas were the latest winners of the majicmaker/beemerdons Scholarship!

 

[juniorfjr]

Hey guys, I want to take a few years to ride around the world but I don't have enogh money to do it, can you all chip in and send me your hard earned money??
My take on it.

You don't have enough money to take that vacation? You don't take it.

I've been reading this whole thread with interest and the reasons to give or not to give are all admirable. But this puts into words my thoughts perfectly.

 

[Johnny_dk]

i hope someone will help me if i come in trouble no matter how i get in trouble, no question asked..like i did

I look forward to coming to the United States and visit you all

got this mail from tony..

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Johnny,

Good Morning Johnny. I hope your Sunday is going well, and you can watch an NFL game for me... one of the things I miss from the states, as well as sour patch kids. Thank you for all the support. Although i dont know your forum name I know many people wrote amazing words that encompassed a large spectrum of our emotion. I am going to leave Bogota today and im crossing my fingers there are no blocks. When I get back to the states I will get your address and send out a print as soon as im able to.

ALl the best.

TOny.

 

[Abercrombie FJR]

If anyone happens to run into trouble on a ride in my area, I've got some pull-off tires you are welcome too, access to a trailer that can handle an FJR, and a place to stay if needed. I'll work out my schedule to give you a hand (time off work is money lost, but that's OK). I've done it before.
You'll probably offer to buy me dinner while you're stuck here, and I'll take you up on it. I won't take any $$ from you (you'll probably offer), and you sure as hell won't ask me for any $$.

This is my idea of rewarding charity. But, again, just one person's opinion.

Same help offer comes from me Spud, but there is little chance of anyone riding their FJR through North Dakota and having trouble. But the offer still stands.

 

[Bugnatr]

If anyone happens to run into trouble on a ride in my area, I've got some pull-off tires you are welcome too, access to a trailer that can handle an FJR, and a place to stay if needed. I'll work out my schedule to give you a hand (time off work is money lost, but that's OK). I've done it before.
You'll probably offer to buy me dinner while you're stuck here, and I'll take you up on it. I won't take any $$ from you (you'll probably offer), and you sure as hell won't ask me for any $$.

This is my idea of rewarding charity. But, again, just one person's opinion.

Same help offer comes from me Spud, but there is little chance of anyone riding their FJR through North Dakota and having trouble. But the offer still stands.

Same offer of help from me but then again the FJR assistance list is full of good people who would help in a moments notice - awesome isn't it!

I have met the some of best people here.

To those of you who donated good on you, it's your choice. I view Tony's request as ... nope, I'll keep my internet mouth shut.

To Fred and others who don't trust organized charity's may I suggest you give money to a fire/rescue dept.

The smaller the town the better, we all like to ride in rural areas. These guys and gals are the first responders who save lives everyday, at home and on the road.

 

[Tyler]

To Fred and others who don't trust organized charity's may I suggest you give money to a fire/rescue dept.The smaller the town the better, we all like to ride in rural areas. These guys and gals are the first responders who save lives everyday, at home and on the road.

Gunny to that... I have been the direct recipient from those folks and they started the cycle of keeping me around...

 

[dcarver]

I received a very nice and thoughtful note from our stranded one.

Apparently the new battery is called dCarver!

As I originally posted.

Hugs n' Kisses

 

[puppychow]

Ran out of 'likes' but as far as reasoning is concerned I find myself landing on the side of Spud and Redfish Hunter.

I have no doubts about the generosity of this forum and know a couple people who have benefited from it. I also understand a cause worthy for one is not so for another.

I wish Tony good luck in his journeys and if he finds himself in my neck of the woods, sometime in the future, I would offer him my hospitality, a bed to sleep on and a garage to park his bike etc. Needless to say I would do this for anyone from the forum, probably do a lot more of it were a friend, but doesn't mean I would skimp for someone-else, we never know who is going to become a good friend.

Anyhow, I will stop the pontificating because this is not about me. Good luck to you Tony and safe travels!

 

[beemerdons]

I received a very nice and thoughtful note from our stranded one.Apparently the new battery is called dCarver!

As I originally posted.

Hugs n' Kisses

You're a Good Man dcarver, I don't care what Bust, RadioHowie and odot say about you! See you in 10 days mi Amigo, I'll buy you un Cerveza ese!

 

[mikebike]

I am primarily a bicyclist who also rides motorcycles.... my wife and I tour the country via a tandem (bicycle built for 2) so I understand the love of "life on the road" it really is a neat experience to pull into new states, towns etc and meet all kinds of folks along the way. We plan and fund our own adventures and chronicle them online -- Google - Tourdemiller3 or tourdemiller7 or actually any number from 2 -11 after the word tourdemiller.

That said.... I get both sides of this discussion:

• I am by profession a financial planner and have always had a "pay for your own way mentality" -- ask my now adult sons ---lots of opportunities afforded but they also had to have skin in the game
• On the other hand --I feel incredibly blessed and like to share and encourage others
• We are on a website for touring cyclist and frequently host people who are on the road (a shower, meal, laundry and a bed for the night)
• We have been the recipient of hospitality while on the road-- (unsolicited i might add) -- https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1&page_id=127173&v=64
  

I think we all get to decide how and what we want to and are able to share and from my thousands of miles traveled by bicycle I can tell you there are a lot of people ready to share out there.

Also .. if you are traveling by FJR and need a place to stay for a night -- send me a msg. I am not just partial to bicyclists-- we all share the same wind in our faces

mike

 

[Bustanut joker]

I would offer him my hospitality, a bed to sleep on and a garage to park his bike etc. Needless to say I would do this for anyone from the forum,

Even me Sam? Sweet!

Don't worry I'll bring my own livestock!

 

[beemerdons]

Thank You All Again….
I wanted to write everyone who donated to thank you again for your support and share with you my status. I had some computer/internet issues and some of my thank you's did not go through in a timely manner, or possibly not at all.

I am writing you from Huachaco Peru, which means I have made it safely into Ecuador and Beyond. I think about your generosity often and it has helped out tremendously.

I have a new blog post and I share a story about the crossing. Not sure if it's interesting, but when I write it helps me remember.

www.intotheblueagain.com

Gracias Por Todo,

Ojala concernos pronto.

Anthony Santoloci.

 

[FJR-Pilot]

This is an amazing story of a fellow motorcyclist. A man with the smarts to follow his heart against significant odds. And what incredible talent Tony has in photography and as a journalist.

I know my $50 donation to Tony will most certainly come back to society many times over. Our collective investment in him will reward the people he will care for during his career in hospice. I have seen first hand how important caregivers are during that critical transition point in life.

Travel safe Tony.

 

[Larry33319]

Curious as to whether anyone has heard from Tony since this thread.

 

[majicmaker]

I hear from him all the time on Facebook. He's doing fine. He wrecked his FJR and now has a Chinese scooter to get around. He accomplished what he went there for and is sticking around down there for a while.