Ride For Diabetes

Takes a determined man to drive across the Great White North in January . . . loooooong distances, challenging geography, many roads needing improvement and unpredictable weather. Even if you have a four wheel drive vehicle & good snow tires.

Takes a determined and brave man to do it on a motorcycle.

Good luck, man

I might try this on a KTM Dakar bike with two wheel drive, but a Harley? Bonkers.

Stupidest. Idea. Ever.
I hope he has those wheels with the big spikes coming out of them for when he comes thru Winnipeg because he'll need them to navigate some of the ice ruts in town here.

Don't know, there used to be a guy in Regina many years ago that rode a Harley in the summer and a Honda 50 in the winter. Used his feet as outriggers. I just about ran him down one night as at that time no one was on 2 wheels in the winter at night in a snowstorm. Granola hadn't been invented yet, it was still bird feed.

I don't think he'll get very far. Why wouldn't he have done it by snowmobile?

I used to ride in winter, because I was a kid (and therefore invulnerable) and I had no other wheels. You do what you gotta do.

BUT, I didn't ride in snow storms because that's frickin' suicide, and I didn't ride when the temperature was below 30F, because black ice = you crash. Wet pavement with the odd snowy patch, that's survivable. Stay off the main drag, you can do it.

Plus I wasn't riding a Harley, which is like riding a refrigerator. Usually a dirt bike, biggest was a 650 Yamaha twin, their clone of the Triumph. Dirt bikes weren't all that bad, but the 650 Yammer was amazingly unsafe I have to say. Anyway, I lived. See ET, there ARE miracles. ~:D

Kate can probably tell us about the RD350 on snow: ZING! crash! I had an RZ500, the RD's bigger meaner brother. That one never went in the snow. 90hp all at once, at 7000 rpm, or nothing. Two stroke rockets don't get good grip, know what I mean? ZING!

So, KTM 2x with tire chains or ice racing tires available, I'd have a go. It'd be a giggle. Make the Dakar look like a Sunday picnic, though.

Harley? NFW.

We had freezing rain with snow on top here in Hamiltonstan yesterday. Up around Barry, lets just say if you don't have a 4x4 truck you're going to have a heck of a drive to work. Buddy is going to have BIG fun when he gets to here.

Say, is trailering a motorcycle across Canada as cool as riding it? For media purposes I mean.

I'm diabetic but I don't see any point in these cross-country rides, walks or whatever for diabetics, cancer, peace or who-knows-what.
People have died or caused traffic accidents doing this kind of stuff. Let's just make donations directly for our favourite charities.

Herman, its just an excuse for an adventure. Plus if you do it for charity, you get to write off your gas and hotel bills. Awesome, eh? ~:D

Me, I think we should have a Paris to Delisle Off Road Motorcycle Rally, in like February. Invite all the French and Belgian Dakar guys to come and race in the -real- weather.

Profits go to the Free Speech Legal Defense Fund, Canadian Warplane Heritage and any other conservative registered charity we can get a tax slip from.

Survivors win a frozen prairie dog. First into Kate's driveway gets their's signed by Kate.

Are today's "storys" in ascending/descending order of "DUMBNESS"?

weblog award excluded of course.

Well as we all know...each and everyone of us is entitled to our own opinion...but Michael is not doing this ride across Canada on his Harley for an adventure or because he is Bonkers or sucidal or for tax write offs... as The Phantom stated...And Jethro Michael is fully aware of the dangers and the road conditions in Winnipeg and every other area of Canada...and Herman...you being a diabetic should be aware of the FACT...that there is not enough noise about diabetes...and the LIFE ALTERING things that can take place...tell me seriously when was the last time you heard of someone dying of Diabetes...or was it...heart disease...or stroke...or kidney failure...did you hear they died of one of the above becasue of Diabetes...complications..
Again you are entitled to your opinion as is Michael Cole...
He is doing this to be a voice...to raise awareness...and if he gets hurt or God forbid dies...then he will have done so being 100% aware before hand of those consequences...knowing in his heart...he did make a difference...

So...if you remember what Mama used to say...If you Have Nothing Nice to say..."Don't Say Anything at All"...

Have a great day
Play Safe

Kim...Michael's CoConspirator

P.S...

It's a crazy venture, very risky and yet...so is living with Diabetes.

P.S....
As Belt Drive Betty said in her Blog....
It's a crazy venture, awful risky and yet...so is living with Diabetes.

"He is doing this to be a voice..."

Yes, Harley, it's all about the sound. They should patent it. Never actually heard one at 30 below though.

Living with diabetes is not under my control; riding a motor cycle across Canada is. Raising awareness is a much overused excuse for holding up traffic on the TCH. I know, I use the TCH a lot.

Sorry Kim, didn't know you guys would be reading this thread. Not trying to be a buzzkill or anything, just think there are better bikes for this kind of thing than a Harley. I'm a chauvinist that way. Biker props to Michael, he is hard freakin' core. But he did pick the worst possible bike to do this on.

Kidding about the tax write off thing, you can tell by the emoticon. ~:D Means my head's on fire.

Wear your fur-lined boot laces, eh?

Well Glasnost...maybe you should look outside the box...this has nothing to do with a "HARLEY" he just happens to own one...so what would you have to say if it was a Kawasaki or a Honda...oh and by the way...the "HOG" sounds awesome in -30 weather...Thank you for your interest and concern in this ride..
Play Safe

And Phantom...I was looking for something else when I Googled Michael Cole Diabetes and this link came up.....as I said...everyone is entitled to their opinion...no one is right..and no one is wrong...and again...a Harley is what he happens to own...it is not like he went out and bought it just for the ride...
No hard feelings and thank you
Play Safe

And Herman ‹^›(•¿•)‹^› You must be an arithmetic man -- you add trouble, subtract pleasure, divide attention, and multiply ignorance. ‹^›(•¿•)‹^›
and
I am sorry to disappoint you...but someone else doing something...is not within your control...just as you said having diabetes is not within you control...and as for holdng up traffic...were you or anyone you have heard of directly affected in a negative way because of Michael doing this ride...if so I will apoligize for him now...if not...then stop complaining...

And...when they find a cure for diabetes...I certainly hope it will not be too late for your mouth...for I have just learned that people who randomly or consistenly shoot off at the mouth.... often end up with a sock in it...and quite often...it is not a empty one...
And thank you for your interest in this ride...

Have a Fantastic Weekend...
Play Safe

Kim

Well all I have to say is I feel sorry for the people that don't have the guys to stand up and make a difference in some one else's life My Harley loves the cold and yes it sounds good too I'm not crazy I'm determined I have been a truck driver all my life I know these roads like the back of my hand I have more miles going backwards then most do forward and If I'm holding up Traffic Your speeding buddy I have maintained 100 to 110 when posted the only thing that has happened is idiots cutting me off Get some balls and make a difference in some ones life instead of sitting on your ass and doing nothing Mike Cole AKA Radicalmike

Simply voluteering your time to raise awareness for diabetes is admirable. Michael Coles' effort commands respect. I had no idea that 240,000 kids in Canada had Type 1 Diabetes? Michael Cole is making a difference, ride safe ...

Kim & Michael:

Even though I find your remarks offensive, I do hope you raise a lot of money and have a safe ride. In the meantime I'll support diabetics in my own way.

Well Herman thank you again...and if you choose to perceive what I wrote as offensive that is up to you...Just like what you wrote I found offensive..and negative behaviour breeds feedback...

And good luck on supporting your causes how ever you see fit...
May God Bless you and be with you always...

Play Safe

I rode bike(s) for 35 years and have only one thing to say about this

STUPID

no matter how you cut it

BTW; yes I'v had a life threatening affliction, and there are far better ways to spread the word, like coming on here as you GOOD folks did

Hey GYM, I suppose you thought Terry Fox was STUPID???

For diabetes? Better he rides for brain injury awareness.

How many people already driving in less than optimal conditions is this fool going to put at risk?

Hey, djb, you are not helping your cause (brain injury awareness), but we understand. You are not still driving, are you? There are special buses out there that resolve your special needs...

Wow that Kim is a firecracker, no?

Good luck with the ride!!!!!

My Vmax comes out of the garage +10C…………

Cheers

Maybe the ride will bring truth and resonance to the otherwise bogus claim: LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES.

Nice idea, but he's obviously never been in the prairies or the mountains in winter.

He can't possibly realize what he's up against.

Never mind the -20 plus the windchill factor, I doubt that he'll be able to maintain staying on the pavement in places. One mistake in the mountains, and I hope he can fly cuz he'll be over the guardrail in an instant.

Also mechanically, I seriously doubt that with the low temps the engine will hold up. Even if it does, his gas consumption will be way, way up..

Good luck to him, he'll need it......

It's funny you know, people are always sitting back, arms crossed, complaining that no one ever does anything to help people when they need it...yet...when you get someone like Mike, who has struggled his whole life with this dreaded disease, who has given up so much of himself, wanting no personal recognition for what he's doing, etc.. doing something that may very well benefit hundreds of thousands of people...who may very well be one of you complainers on here...you all seem to think that you have the right to condemn him for his passion about the disease. Did any of you take the time to go to any of the websites and read all of the information that Mike has spent hours and hours and hours putting together so that people will begin to understand the immense importance of curing diabetes?? Why are all of you so intent on condemning him for riding his Harley?? Who cares how he does it or what he rides to do it....you should all be greatful that someone out there has chosen to take a stand and push for something that is killing people we love. Personally, I have nothing but an immeasurable amount of respect for Mike. His only purpose is to open the eyes of our society to see that something NEEDS to be done to find a cure for diabetes. I'll lay my bets that when new procedures and new testing shows that there is hope for a cure one day...all of you that are dissing him for what he's doing would want to be the first person in the line up, if you had diabetes, wanting to receive the cure that Mike has worked so hard and given up so much for. And as far as putting others in danger on the road?? Watch the videos of his ride, all I've seen is people speeding past him and paying no attention to the fact that they've just thrown buckets of slush, snow and ice at him as they go by. Shame on all of you for not being able to see past the ends of your noses....it's not the Harley that's important here, it's the cause!!! I say RIDE ON AND RIDE HARD MIKE!!!!! You'll make it....I know you will!!

Posted by: Carol at January 9, 2009 12:47 AM>

“Why are all of you so intent on condemning him for riding his Harley??”

Not me, I think it’s great! All the power to you and your ride Mike!

I also think your being a little defensive with the others. They sounded like they were having a little crack at whatever issue was up for a thread. I believe I read heartfelt apologies and honestly wouldn’t take it personally at all.

You’ll notice as a regular visitor to SDA that allot of the rhetoric escalates in the evening hours. Hmmm just a few cold one’s to blow off some of the days steam me thinks…………Have fun.

My son was diagnosed in September long weekend with Type One diabetes. Since then he has had almost 400 insuline injections. He was deeply inspired to hear that somebody would ride across Canada to help children like himself. Thank you for giving hope to our family and the children around the world who still die from Type 1 diabetes.

We met Micheal and Peter in Moncton at the Bike Klub. They are very sincere people. It takes an iron horse to carry an iron man. He will make it. He is not crazy, but passionate about the cause and determined. He knows his limits and his abilities. This world would be a better place if more people were like these guys. Go Mike and Peter!

I just got off the phone with Michael, and, the ride is going great. The ride is about public awareness for a great cause. Public awareness for diabetes makes our world a better place. Not just here in Canada, but also worldwide.

I just got off the phone with Michael, and, the ride is going great. The ride is about public awareness for a great cause. Public awareness for diabetes makes our world a better place. Not just here in Canada, but also worldwide.