No turning back

<img alt="No turning back" class="img-responsive" src="/images/5/0/d/f/0/50df04fdaead74db1e133ba587b5b3e0afd287e3-img20181201162739.jpg" />

<p>Nearly a year ago, December 22 to be exact, I received an email from Dave O'Malley who said he thought of me when he saw a website for Rally For Rangers Foundation. I checked it out and thought why not? Raise some money and buy and deliver a motorcycle to a park ranger in the Patagonia. Nearly a y...</p>

The bike that YOU bought for a Patagonia Park Ranger

<img alt="The bike that YOU bought for a Patagonia Park Ranger" class="img-responsive" src="/images/1/9/9/6/1/19961fe4d2b783d8f58fbb1b25d95e54e7b758d8-01moto-beta-tr-200.jpg" />

<p>Only four more sleeps! On Saturday I will be boarding a plane bound for Buenos Aires. I will arrive on Sunday and on Monday I will board a flight to Rio Gallegos where our motorcycle adventure begins. The motorcycles that we will be riding are the "Beta TR 2.0", a dual purpose, 200cc, air-cooled,...</p>

Meet some Rangers and see how we are making a difference

<img alt="Meet some Rangers and see how we are making a difference" class="img-responsive" src="/images/3/8/f/8/9/38f892799348a6e1326296c71f90abe764994b4f-01-rangers.jpg" />

<p>Dozens of park rangers in Mongolia have been the recipients of new motorcycles courtesy of donors like you who have contributed to Rally for Rangers Foundation. In just a few short weeks, 15 park rangers in the Patagonia will also find new and safer ways to protect the world's special places.</p> <h3>Mee</h3>...

Riding dirt bikes at the Centre of the Universe

<img alt="Riding dirt bikes at the Centre of the Universe" class="img-responsive" src="/images/6/d/b/e/d/6dbedc01eebd13297d727d4a16fb581ee13af1f8-01-map.jpg" />

<h2>Chapter 1: the backstory.</h2> <p>In the Spring of the this year I found myself with a minor crisis of conscience. I had three motocross bikes that all did the same thing and I actually felt kind of silly for having such overlap. I have the 1984 Vintage RM 250 that works great but I don't want to wear i...</p>

Patagonia - The stops along the way

<img alt="Patagonia - The stops along the way" class="img-responsive" src="/images/7/a/f/0/5/7af05781cec3755e8eb5ab745d76985e0c961ee5-01-tierra-del.jpg" />

<p>It has been a long haul. During the fundraising stage of my Rally for Rangers Foundation Patagonia efforts, I suppose the whole notion seemed unbelievable so I did not spend a lot of time looking at the maps and photos. Now that the flights are booked, motorcycles are purchased and dues are paid, i...</p>

Meet the riders - Patagonia 2018

<img alt="Meet the riders - Patagonia 2018" class="img-responsive" src="/images/0/b/a/b/f/0babf395dd661e755755052d217d95a9c3e89391-01patagonia.jpg" />

<h4>With the rally getting underway in just over a month, more details are emerging so I thought it would be a good time to introduce all the riders for the 2018 Rally for Rangers Patagonia ride.</h4> <h3>Tom Medema</h3> <p><img alt="Tom Medema" class="img-responsive" src="/images/a/4/c/0/c/a4c0c52090c47aabdb3b07e960231776aca29d8e-tommedema.jpg"><br> <strong>Tom Medema</strong> developed a passion for national parks at a young age on family vacations throu...</p>

Final donation for Patagonia Rally

<img alt="Final donation for Patagonia Rally" class="img-responsive" src="/images/b/3/8/9/b/b389bbb4d87f8eee1dc497a666ab9ca4bde7b0f7-00mongolia-2018-riders.jpg" />

<p>Today I made my final donation for the Rally for Rangers Patagonia Ride. I have also booked some of the filghts, when December rolls around I will be ready. I am very proud of to have received support from so many people- family, friends and strangers alike. Your generosity toward this great cause...</p>

The Burnt River vintage moto invasion

<img alt="The Burnt River vintage moto invasion" class="img-responsive" src="/images/3/0/a/c/8/30ac8ed35cb040320a6722a4247cd647e2ec5ba7-01the-team.jpg" />

<h4>The back-story</h4> <p>In September of 2017, I attended a vintage motocross race at <a href="http://www.mx101life.com/">SandDelLee in Ottawa</a>. The event was organized by John Lebrecht, a Canadian motocross legend from the early 60s, and Johnny Grant of <a href="http://www.mx101life.com/">MX101</a>. The event was well attended. We had about 25 bikes on display and 10 or 12 r...</p>

The progress of man - Let's get heavy!

<img alt="The progress of man - Let&#039;s get heavy!" class="img-responsive" src="/images/6/0/e/7/2/60e726e33c983e3dd71fa7003ded5433368972b7-01-bikes.jpg" />

<p>I remember fondly my 1982 YZ250. It was really heavy compared to the competition. Riding that bike is what made me move to the 125cc class in 1983. I went from riding a bike that weighed 240 pounds to one that weighed 190 - or so the manufacturers say in their specifications. Every year, there i...</p>

2001 RM 250 Project

<img alt="2001 RM 250 Project" class="img-responsive" src="/images/f/b/8/9/6/fb89623a2956409b99a98069bc3d27117b2bfa8e-01-rm-250.jpg" />

<p>I found this 2001 Suzuki RM250 on Kijiji. The guy was asking $1300 and the ad said it needed a clutch and a pipe. The title said "Need Gone!" I offered $600 based on the age of the bike and the fact that just to get it running it would need a clutch, a pipe and a seat assuming everything else was...</p>

Overwhelmed by enthusiasm and generosity.

<img alt="Overwhelmed by enthusiasm and generosity." class="img-responsive" src="/images/4/d/7/c/0/4d7c0d2f50fa37db51c52e3b56b038e7d68b732c-01-tip-of-iceberg.jpg" />

<p>I have been fortunate in life to be surrounded by generous people and I have often been the benefactor of other's generosity. My father would tell me that in this life you get back ten-fold what you give. He was always generous, especially with his time- and his diverse skillset was always in dema...</p>

Stepping up - Getting in shape

<img alt="Stepping up - Getting in shape" class="img-responsive" src="/images/8/4/0/d/a/840da08fe05ca60e29100ac4612f74b8de96f57d-01-rob-dave1.jpg" />

<p>In December of this year, myself and a group of like-minded individuals are going to be <a href="http://rallyforrangers.org">riding motorcycles some 1500 km through Patagonia in Chile and Argentina</a> to deliver much needed motorcycles to park rangers. Just the thought of it makes me tired. I know I am going to have to "step up" and g...</p>

Friendships forged in the fires of adventure

<img alt="Friendships forged in the fires of adventure" class="img-responsive" src="/images/3/b/5/4/5/3b5458aa941366acb8897d7d9bc3ead20141d8bd-01-hero.jpg" />

<p>In reflecting on the benefits gleaned through a life of passionate dirt biking, many formative experiences leap to mind. But I would have to state, without reservation, that the most significant blessings are the lasting personal friendships forged in the fires of adventure. Or sometimes misadventu...</p>

Bob Chabluk a picture and a quick story

<img alt="Bob Chabluk a picture and a quick story" class="img-responsive" src="/images/2/c/5/4/2/2c5425dbebb8e736ed09a5d348cc74e900d63065-01-bob-chabluk.jpg" />

<p>Murrillo race track 1979. Finished 1st overall that day 250 senior/ expert. Great battle with Ron Doiron all 3 races . Was late lining up this race and just threw my shoulder pads over my jersey lol . Oh and that was the day my Husky broke down and a fellow rider (Dickie) lent me his Husqvarna to r...</p>

Radio Interview - In town and out

<img alt="Radio Interview - In town and out" class="img-responsive" src="/images/5/2/c/1/5/52c1512bd9a8238aa73a83b41d770ad30a856f78-01-cbc-radio-canada-181-queen-street-ottawa-ontario-tuesday-july-30-2013.jpg" />

<p>On Saturday March 3rd, I had the great honour of being interviewed for my role efforts with <a href="http://rally.vintagemoto.ca">Rally for Rangers</a>. My friend Tasha Bridgen suggested the story to Teri Loretto who is currently hosting the CBC Ottawa current affairs morning show In Town and Out. Teri was very enthusiastic about the in...</p>