News Release – 12/21/08 - NationalGuzziRelay.com
The first ever National Guzzi Relay had some stumbles along the way. However, outside of bringing fellow riders together, the Relay spawned the idea to raise funds as the baton traveled across the U.S. and back; Hence, the National (Guzzi) Injured Rider’s Fund (I.R.F.) was born. On April 10th, 2008, MGNOC SoCal Rep Todd Eagan and local rider Chris Hastert launched the baton from the home of the 37th Annual MGNOC National Rally at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu, CA, and at $50 each, put the first $100 in the I.R.F.
The thought was to award the fund to a U.S. Guzzi Rider who sustained an unfortunate loss and/or luck regarding an accident. No one would ever imagine that close to two weeks later, someone who was an actual Relay participant would be in dire need. Those who donated were given the honor of nominating and voting for the rider most in need. Without anyone knowing his full story, almost everyone unanimously voted for Mike Bui of Houston, TX. This is the story behind his accident;
“The plan was to leave from my house in Houston, TX on April 19, 2008 to meet Tom Hansen at his house in Carlsbad, NM to pick up the Relay Baton the next morning, and then head to Abilene, TX to meet Sam Baker at noon time. This was all part of my weekend trek to do the Iron Butt Association’s SaddleSore & Bunburner (1k miles in 24hr & 1.5k miles in 36 hrs.) at the same time.
Unfortunately, 12 hrs. into the ride, and right after my 700 mile break in Lajitas, TX, I headed West towards Presidio, TX on River Rd (Ranch Rd 170), towards the Sunset. As I came up a hill, the evening sun blinded me such that I couldn’t see the road, and the last thing I remember was the road turning left… I couldn’t turn in time, so I went straight into the dry dirt field just beyond. The last thing I remember was the front wheel tank slap, and then I was quickly on the ground. I cried out inside of my helmet, feeling the pain in my back as I came to a stop in a dry ditch. I was able to get to my cell phone in hopes of having a signal, but there was none. The clock showed 7:10 p.m. and the surroundings were eerily quiet… I knew I had only an hour or so before dark arrived. There was nothing left to do but lay there and hope/wait for help. From where I lay, I could see my bike 20 feet or so away from where I was… stuff from my top and side bags were scattered everywhere.
Suddenly, I heard a group of bikers that went by and they slowly turned around and parked. I could hear footsteps closing in. I yelled out for help, and they all looked down and saw me! A few came down to help, and some went back into town to call the Medic. I laid there for another hour and half waiting for the medics to arrive, and it took another hour and half to get to Alpine hospital.
That same night, they flew me out to Lubbock Medical Hospital, after learning I had a fracture at the L1 vertebrae in my back. My wife drove down two days later in time for my surgery, where they performed a kyphoplasty (balloon/cement fill-in) at the L1 vertebrae and released me for home.”
If this wasn’t bad enough for Mike…
“A few weeks later as I tried to get around, I realized I couldn’t walk without having what felt like multiple electric shock sensations going down my left leg. So I went to see my neurosurgeon in Houston and he explained to me that Lubbock Hospital only stabilized the fracture, but they didn’t decompress the L1 vertebrae and the spinal cord. That’s where the electric shock sensations were coming from. To stabilize my back they want to do another surgery; fuse T10-T11-T12 & L1-L2-L3. After many second opinions with other Doctors, I seem to have no choice to move forward with a second surgery.
Today, I cannot express my feeling about having a second chance to do things that I love to do and with people that know and care for, and you’all are one of those people. My insurance would not cover this accident, so even after selling my EV as well, we are still receiving bills from the hospitals, don’t know when it will end but with the National Guzzi Relay IRF, the amount, while not big, is big enough for us to pay some of it. Thank you all for all your support, and please do ride with ATGATT. Hopefully I will see you all at the next National.
God bless
Mike B.”
On behalf of the contributors to the I.R.F. and all of those who participated in the National Guzzi Relay, we are proud and honored to award Mike the total sum of $2639.00, which took place on 15th December, 2008.
For more information on how to sign up or donate for '09, keep an eye on the NGR Journal Page. For ’09, we’re requesting that donations be collected in advance, prior to your leg of the relay, as well as a small contribution from each person that comes in contact with the baton (every bit counts!), though we will be collecting donations through Dec. 1, 2009 online via the website link above starting early next year.
As of discussions right now, we’re scheduling the Relay Kick-off at the conclusion of Daytona Bike Week in March ‘09, ending at the 38th Annual MGNOC National Rally in Salidas, CO, end of June.
Our hope is to more then double the I.R.F. in 2009.
We wish you the best for your Holiday Season, and have a great New Year!
Alex M./Todd E.
Relay Founders
The first ever National Guzzi Relay had some stumbles along the way. However, outside of bringing fellow riders together, the Relay spawned the idea to raise funds as the baton traveled across the U.S. and back; Hence, the National (Guzzi) Injured Rider’s Fund (I.R.F.) was born. On April 10th, 2008, MGNOC SoCal Rep Todd Eagan and local rider Chris Hastert launched the baton from the home of the 37th Annual MGNOC National Rally at Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu, CA, and at $50 each, put the first $100 in the I.R.F.
The thought was to award the fund to a U.S. Guzzi Rider who sustained an unfortunate loss and/or luck regarding an accident. No one would ever imagine that close to two weeks later, someone who was an actual Relay participant would be in dire need. Those who donated were given the honor of nominating and voting for the rider most in need. Without anyone knowing his full story, almost everyone unanimously voted for Mike Bui of Houston, TX. This is the story behind his accident;
“The plan was to leave from my house in Houston, TX on April 19, 2008 to meet Tom Hansen at his house in Carlsbad, NM to pick up the Relay Baton the next morning, and then head to Abilene, TX to meet Sam Baker at noon time. This was all part of my weekend trek to do the Iron Butt Association’s SaddleSore & Bunburner (1k miles in 24hr & 1.5k miles in 36 hrs.) at the same time.
Unfortunately, 12 hrs. into the ride, and right after my 700 mile break in Lajitas, TX, I headed West towards Presidio, TX on River Rd (Ranch Rd 170), towards the Sunset. As I came up a hill, the evening sun blinded me such that I couldn’t see the road, and the last thing I remember was the road turning left… I couldn’t turn in time, so I went straight into the dry dirt field just beyond. The last thing I remember was the front wheel tank slap, and then I was quickly on the ground. I cried out inside of my helmet, feeling the pain in my back as I came to a stop in a dry ditch. I was able to get to my cell phone in hopes of having a signal, but there was none. The clock showed 7:10 p.m. and the surroundings were eerily quiet… I knew I had only an hour or so before dark arrived. There was nothing left to do but lay there and hope/wait for help. From where I lay, I could see my bike 20 feet or so away from where I was… stuff from my top and side bags were scattered everywhere.
Suddenly, I heard a group of bikers that went by and they slowly turned around and parked. I could hear footsteps closing in. I yelled out for help, and they all looked down and saw me! A few came down to help, and some went back into town to call the Medic. I laid there for another hour and half waiting for the medics to arrive, and it took another hour and half to get to Alpine hospital.
That same night, they flew me out to Lubbock Medical Hospital, after learning I had a fracture at the L1 vertebrae in my back. My wife drove down two days later in time for my surgery, where they performed a kyphoplasty (balloon/cement fill-in) at the L1 vertebrae and released me for home.”
If this wasn’t bad enough for Mike…
“A few weeks later as I tried to get around, I realized I couldn’t walk without having what felt like multiple electric shock sensations going down my left leg. So I went to see my neurosurgeon in Houston and he explained to me that Lubbock Hospital only stabilized the fracture, but they didn’t decompress the L1 vertebrae and the spinal cord. That’s where the electric shock sensations were coming from. To stabilize my back they want to do another surgery; fuse T10-T11-T12 & L1-L2-L3. After many second opinions with other Doctors, I seem to have no choice to move forward with a second surgery.
Today, I cannot express my feeling about having a second chance to do things that I love to do and with people that know and care for, and you’all are one of those people. My insurance would not cover this accident, so even after selling my EV as well, we are still receiving bills from the hospitals, don’t know when it will end but with the National Guzzi Relay IRF, the amount, while not big, is big enough for us to pay some of it. Thank you all for all your support, and please do ride with ATGATT. Hopefully I will see you all at the next National.
God bless
Mike B.”
On behalf of the contributors to the I.R.F. and all of those who participated in the National Guzzi Relay, we are proud and honored to award Mike the total sum of $2639.00, which took place on 15th December, 2008.
For more information on how to sign up or donate for '09, keep an eye on the NGR Journal Page. For ’09, we’re requesting that donations be collected in advance, prior to your leg of the relay, as well as a small contribution from each person that comes in contact with the baton (every bit counts!), though we will be collecting donations through Dec. 1, 2009 online via the website link above starting early next year.
As of discussions right now, we’re scheduling the Relay Kick-off at the conclusion of Daytona Bike Week in March ‘09, ending at the 38th Annual MGNOC National Rally in Salidas, CO, end of June.
Our hope is to more then double the I.R.F. in 2009.
We wish you the best for your Holiday Season, and have a great New Year!
Alex M./Todd E.
Relay Founders
