1 00:00:01,444 --> 00:00:03,946 [bright music] 2 00:00:05,948 --> 00:00:08,451 - [Male Announcer] "Shadow of a Wheel" is made possible 3 00:00:08,451 --> 00:00:11,354 in part by Explore Asheville. 4 00:00:12,622 --> 00:00:13,856 - [Female Announcer] Here in Asheville, 5 00:00:13,856 --> 00:00:16,692 we're a mix of genres, a hybrid of styles, 6 00:00:16,692 --> 00:00:19,695 settling for nothing, hungry for everything. 7 00:00:19,695 --> 00:00:22,799 All drawn together to stand out. 8 00:00:22,799 --> 00:00:23,933 You are welcome. 9 00:00:24,967 --> 00:00:27,303 Always Asheville. 10 00:00:28,037 --> 00:00:30,540 - [Male Announcer] Additional support is made possible 11 00:00:30,540 --> 00:00:32,975 by The Charles Engelhard Foundation 12 00:00:35,044 --> 00:00:38,047 and by these contributors: 13 00:00:43,486 --> 00:00:46,989 - [Narrator] The Great Plains and headwinds challenged the 35 riders 14 00:00:46,989 --> 00:00:48,658 as they crossed the Midwest, 15 00:00:48,658 --> 00:00:51,461 eating and sleeping in fast food restaurants. 16 00:00:51,461 --> 00:00:52,962 Homesickness hit hard. 17 00:00:52,962 --> 00:00:54,530 - You might as well do what you said you're gonna do. 18 00:00:54,530 --> 00:00:56,966 - [Narrator] There is mayhem on the highways of Missouri. 19 00:00:56,966 --> 00:00:58,201 - All you can do is laugh. 20 00:00:58,201 --> 00:01:00,103 - [Narrator] And St. Louis is a needed rest 21 00:01:00,103 --> 00:01:02,638 with Mike Simone making a visit to a hospital 22 00:01:03,606 --> 00:01:07,176 and another writer's posthumous story is told, 23 00:01:07,176 --> 00:01:10,480 a heroic battle with AIDS in the early 1990s. 24 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:14,917 - He came here to help change us. 25 00:01:14,917 --> 00:01:17,787 ♪ Bright lights, the music gets faster ♪ 26 00:01:20,523 --> 00:01:23,192 [waves crash] 27 00:01:26,229 --> 00:01:29,298 ["Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac plays] 28 00:01:29,298 --> 00:01:38,641 ♪ 29 00:01:38,641 --> 00:01:41,544 - [Paul] I have to give Chuck so much credit 30 00:01:41,544 --> 00:01:46,682 because he started this whole thing for all of us kids. 31 00:01:47,750 --> 00:01:51,921 He had the vision, he had done it, he knew the value of it. 32 00:01:52,755 --> 00:01:56,259 He wanted us to share in that, and he made it happen. 33 00:01:58,261 --> 00:02:00,796 Looking at it from an adult perspective, 34 00:02:00,796 --> 00:02:03,432 the responsibility he took on, 35 00:02:03,432 --> 00:02:07,703 31 kids on bikes for two months across the country 36 00:02:07,703 --> 00:02:09,939 ♪ 37 00:02:09,939 --> 00:02:13,843 and the fact that it ended the way it ended for Chuck 38 00:02:15,011 --> 00:02:17,013 is a tragedy. 39 00:02:17,013 --> 00:02:22,518 ♪ 40 00:02:24,787 --> 00:02:28,291 ["Jesus Is Just Alright with Me" by The Doobie Brothers plays] 41 00:02:28,291 --> 00:02:32,228 ♪ 42 00:02:32,228 --> 00:02:34,163 ♪ Do do do do do do ♪ 43 00:02:34,163 --> 00:02:35,831 - [Paul] What was your word? 44 00:02:36,666 --> 00:02:38,334 - Fantastic. 45 00:02:38,334 --> 00:02:40,403 [John laughs] 46 00:02:40,403 --> 00:02:44,473 - John Patterson loved the word "fantastic." 47 00:02:44,473 --> 00:02:45,942 - That was fantastic! 48 00:02:45,942 --> 00:02:47,376 - Fantastic! 49 00:02:47,376 --> 00:02:48,711 - Wow! Fantastic. 50 00:02:48,711 --> 00:02:49,712 [Randall laughs] 51 00:02:49,712 --> 00:02:52,048 I think that's fantastic! 52 00:02:52,048 --> 00:02:54,517 [John laughs] 53 00:02:54,517 --> 00:02:56,352 - It describes my feelings very well. 54 00:02:56,352 --> 00:03:00,022 ♪ Jesus is just all right with me ♪ 55 00:03:00,022 --> 00:03:01,190 - I was having an amazing experience 56 00:03:01,190 --> 00:03:03,659 that few people get to have. 57 00:03:05,094 --> 00:03:07,129 So yeah, I used that word quite a bit. 58 00:03:07,129 --> 00:03:09,365 ♪ Jesus is just all right ♪ 59 00:03:09,365 --> 00:03:12,768 - [Paul] Yes, most of the time the trip was fantastic, 60 00:03:13,769 --> 00:03:15,738 but each day was a struggle to get everyone 61 00:03:15,738 --> 00:03:17,106 to the next town. 62 00:03:17,106 --> 00:03:18,341 ♪ What they may do ♪ 63 00:03:18,341 --> 00:03:20,209 - [Paul] Chuck had promised congressman, 64 00:03:20,209 --> 00:03:22,778 senators and the like that we would be in Washington 65 00:03:22,778 --> 00:03:23,679 on August 9th, 66 00:03:23,679 --> 00:03:24,413 ♪ All right ♪ 67 00:03:24,413 --> 00:03:26,549 ♪ Oh yeah ♪ 68 00:03:26,549 --> 00:03:27,683 - [Paul] And Chuck was stressing about it. 69 00:03:27,683 --> 00:03:30,319 [music fades] 70 00:03:30,319 --> 00:03:32,154 [indistinct] 71 00:03:32,154 --> 00:03:33,289 - [Chuck] Time-wise it wouldn't be. 72 00:03:33,289 --> 00:03:35,258 - Time-wise- - Judy's positive energy 73 00:03:35,258 --> 00:03:36,525 faded at times. 74 00:03:36,525 --> 00:03:37,560 - And I'm not ready to. 75 00:03:37,560 --> 00:03:39,262 I want some time to myself. 76 00:03:39,262 --> 00:03:40,596 - Sure. - You know? 77 00:03:40,596 --> 00:03:42,498 Is that too much to ask? 78 00:03:42,498 --> 00:03:44,066 - [Chuck] I will [indistinct] 79 00:03:44,066 --> 00:03:46,235 - [Paul] But like he'd been doing with the riders, 80 00:03:46,235 --> 00:03:48,704 Chuck wanted to know from Judy 81 00:03:48,704 --> 00:03:50,506 whether the trip was changing her. 82 00:03:50,506 --> 00:03:52,842 - [Chuck] What has it meant to you? 83 00:03:52,842 --> 00:03:55,244 [upbeat music] 84 00:03:55,244 --> 00:03:56,212 - Fantastic! 85 00:03:57,480 --> 00:03:59,181 - [Chuck] How's it feel to be single and saddling 86 00:03:59,181 --> 00:04:00,416 with 29 guys? 87 00:04:00,416 --> 00:04:01,550 ♪ [indistinct] ♪ 88 00:04:01,550 --> 00:04:02,551 - Fun. 89 00:04:02,551 --> 00:04:03,853 [upbeat music] 90 00:04:03,853 --> 00:04:06,389 - [Chuck] Has it altered the course of your life? 91 00:04:07,823 --> 00:04:10,159 - I said before the trip that it would change my life 92 00:04:10,159 --> 00:04:12,261 and I think that it will. 93 00:04:12,261 --> 00:04:13,362 Definitely. 94 00:04:13,362 --> 00:04:17,099 ♪ What have you got to lose ♪ 95 00:04:17,099 --> 00:04:19,735 - Things were happening in my personal life. 96 00:04:20,803 --> 00:04:24,340 The script that I saw for a woman, 97 00:04:26,208 --> 00:04:27,310 and a married woman, 98 00:04:27,310 --> 00:04:30,346 this was not it. 99 00:04:30,346 --> 00:04:34,517 It was probably unprecedented for a woman. 100 00:04:34,517 --> 00:04:37,720 I'm sure my parents thought I'd lost my mind. 101 00:04:37,720 --> 00:04:40,189 [Judy laughs] 102 00:04:40,189 --> 00:04:43,125 This wasn't a very conservative thing to do, 103 00:04:43,125 --> 00:04:46,128 and as I come from Mobile, Alabama. 104 00:04:46,128 --> 00:04:47,530 I'm not conservative now. 105 00:04:47,530 --> 00:04:48,631 I can tell you that. 106 00:04:48,631 --> 00:04:50,399 [gentle music] 107 00:04:50,399 --> 00:04:52,335 And it really changed my life a lot. 108 00:04:53,402 --> 00:04:57,707 How I viewed what I wanted to be a part of, 109 00:04:57,707 --> 00:04:59,775 how I wanted to live my life. 110 00:04:59,775 --> 00:05:02,311 I started changing my script a little bit. 111 00:05:05,514 --> 00:05:07,350 [wind] 112 00:05:07,350 --> 00:05:10,353 ["Eminence Front" by The Who plays] 113 00:05:10,353 --> 00:05:13,923 ♪ 114 00:05:13,923 --> 00:05:16,559 - [Paul] As we hit the east, 115 00:05:16,559 --> 00:05:19,161 we were just capable of stupid distances. 116 00:05:19,161 --> 00:05:21,163 ♪ 117 00:05:21,163 --> 00:05:22,298 I was looking at my journal 118 00:05:22,298 --> 00:05:25,334 and it's like, three days in a row, 97 miles, 119 00:05:25,334 --> 00:05:28,704 103, 105, or something like that. 120 00:05:28,704 --> 00:05:29,772 That's just insane! 121 00:05:31,574 --> 00:05:33,175 We were just bulletproof. 122 00:05:33,175 --> 00:05:35,578 ♪ 123 00:05:35,578 --> 00:05:38,547 - Do you remember the first time you ever drafted 124 00:05:38,547 --> 00:05:39,548 off of a car? 125 00:05:39,548 --> 00:05:40,783 [video game sound effects] 126 00:05:40,783 --> 00:05:41,784 Like, I didn't know anything about that, 127 00:05:41,784 --> 00:05:43,018 going into that trip, 128 00:05:43,018 --> 00:05:46,288 that experience of drafting off of semis. 129 00:05:47,757 --> 00:05:50,559 Like, semis on these stupid bikes 130 00:05:50,559 --> 00:05:51,994 as close as we were together, 131 00:05:51,994 --> 00:05:54,730 we could have wiped out into the truck and the tires. 132 00:05:54,730 --> 00:05:57,600 We did this through mountains, thunderstorms. 133 00:05:57,600 --> 00:05:58,901 I mean, West Virginia, I think, 134 00:05:58,901 --> 00:06:01,837 we were all pros at that point, riding our bikes, 135 00:06:01,837 --> 00:06:03,606 and I think more of us wiped out in West Virginia 136 00:06:03,606 --> 00:06:07,977 than any other place going down those jackknife turns. 137 00:06:07,977 --> 00:06:12,581 ♪ 138 00:06:12,581 --> 00:06:14,617 - Going through West Virginia and we're asking the locals 139 00:06:14,617 --> 00:06:16,252 and we're like, "How far is," 140 00:06:16,252 --> 00:06:18,521 I don't even remember the name of the place. 141 00:06:18,521 --> 00:06:19,422 Was it Romney? 142 00:06:19,422 --> 00:06:20,456 - Romney. - Oh, okay. 143 00:06:20,456 --> 00:06:21,891 Yep. 144 00:06:21,891 --> 00:06:23,325 And they said, "Oh yeah, it's three mountains away." 145 00:06:23,325 --> 00:06:25,895 ♪ 146 00:06:25,895 --> 00:06:27,496 - We had accomplished Colorado, 147 00:06:27,496 --> 00:06:28,364 we had accomplished the desert. 148 00:06:28,364 --> 00:06:31,233 ♪ 149 00:06:31,233 --> 00:06:34,370 What are three little mountains in West Virginia, really? 150 00:06:34,370 --> 00:06:35,805 I mean, is that gonna bother anybody? 151 00:06:35,805 --> 00:06:37,306 ♪ 152 00:06:37,306 --> 00:06:38,908 That was a long ride! 153 00:06:38,908 --> 00:06:40,409 That was a long, long ride! 154 00:06:40,409 --> 00:06:44,480 ♪ The sun shines ♪ 155 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:46,382 ♪ And people forget ♪ 156 00:06:46,382 --> 00:06:47,683 [paper rustles] 157 00:06:47,683 --> 00:06:49,051 - August 7th. 158 00:06:49,051 --> 00:06:50,853 "Well, I made it 110 miles over the hardest part 159 00:06:50,853 --> 00:06:52,888 of the Appalachian. 160 00:06:52,888 --> 00:06:53,789 We'll see. 161 00:06:53,789 --> 00:06:56,358 I'm in Romney, West Virginia 162 00:06:56,358 --> 00:06:57,660 and nobody's here but four people. 163 00:06:57,660 --> 00:07:01,297 It was one of the hardest rides of the trip, 164 00:07:01,297 --> 00:07:04,800 but also one of the most beautiful, cool, and fun. 165 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:06,635 There were some bad hills going up, 166 00:07:06,635 --> 00:07:09,638 but a lot of great ones going down." 167 00:07:09,638 --> 00:07:12,374 ♪ The snow packs as the skier ♪ 168 00:07:12,374 --> 00:07:15,277 - I just remember seeing signs that said, "Brake," 169 00:07:15,277 --> 00:07:16,846 and then it said, "Brake hard." 170 00:07:16,846 --> 00:07:19,548 Literally, traffic signs that say this, you know? 171 00:07:19,548 --> 00:07:21,484 And then it's like, if you keep going, 172 00:07:21,484 --> 00:07:23,052 the road curved 173 00:07:23,052 --> 00:07:25,621 and it disappeared and then it showed up 174 00:07:25,621 --> 00:07:27,957 over on the other side of a ravine. 175 00:07:27,957 --> 00:07:29,959 Another time Bobby whizzed by us, by the way. 176 00:07:29,959 --> 00:07:31,594 ♪ It's an eminence front ♪ 177 00:07:31,594 --> 00:07:34,396 - We had just gotten on the downside 178 00:07:35,464 --> 00:07:36,699 and there was a curve in the road 179 00:07:36,699 --> 00:07:37,967 and I was going fast enough 180 00:07:37,967 --> 00:07:39,335 that I couldn't control the bike 181 00:07:39,335 --> 00:07:41,770 and I went off the road and down into a ravine. 182 00:07:41,770 --> 00:07:45,708 - We're hitting our brakes, screeching just, you know, 183 00:07:45,708 --> 00:07:46,842 like praying our brakes don't fail, 184 00:07:46,842 --> 00:07:49,512 and then zip, here comes Bobby right by us. 185 00:07:49,512 --> 00:07:51,514 [video game sound effects] 186 00:07:51,514 --> 00:07:52,314 Yep. 187 00:07:52,314 --> 00:07:53,983 Into the guardrail. 188 00:07:53,983 --> 00:07:56,051 I think he landed in a tree, didn't he? 189 00:07:57,319 --> 00:07:58,954 - There was a family that had called 9-1-1. 190 00:07:58,954 --> 00:08:00,789 They come and pulled me out on a stretcher 191 00:08:00,789 --> 00:08:02,758 ♪ 192 00:08:02,758 --> 00:08:03,392 - I don't know. 193 00:08:03,392 --> 00:08:04,660 He coulda gotten 194 00:08:05,761 --> 00:08:06,562 [Craig exhales] 195 00:08:06,562 --> 00:08:07,596 Could got really hurt. 196 00:08:08,531 --> 00:08:09,899 - I think it was Brian. 197 00:08:09,899 --> 00:08:11,400 He had lost control at the same spot 198 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:12,735 and he hit the gravel driveway. 199 00:08:12,735 --> 00:08:16,338 - He came to a a turn and kept going straight 200 00:08:16,338 --> 00:08:18,774 onto a gravel road. 201 00:08:18,774 --> 00:08:20,009 - Oh my gosh! 202 00:08:20,009 --> 00:08:20,509 He had abrasions all up and down his body 203 00:08:20,509 --> 00:08:22,745 ♪ 204 00:08:22,745 --> 00:08:24,747 and he just looked like a piece of hamburger. 205 00:08:24,747 --> 00:08:29,385 - Which made for I think some sticky evenings in the sheets. 206 00:08:29,385 --> 00:08:31,787 ♪ 207 00:08:31,787 --> 00:08:32,922 ♪ Drinks flow ♪ 208 00:08:37,726 --> 00:08:40,996 - "Well, I'm in Bridgeport, West Virginia, 209 00:08:40,996 --> 00:08:42,598 just outside of Clarksburg. 210 00:08:42,598 --> 00:08:45,801 We rode 85 miles today and it was hilly. 211 00:08:45,801 --> 00:08:49,371 Chuck gave us $10 for lunch and dinner and I was on my way." 212 00:08:49,371 --> 00:08:51,106 ♪ 213 00:08:51,106 --> 00:08:53,542 ♪ The news slows ♪ 214 00:08:53,542 --> 00:08:55,644 - [Paul] And somewhere in West Virginia, 215 00:08:55,644 --> 00:08:57,746 Amy Hurka took a wrong turn. 216 00:08:58,914 --> 00:09:00,482 ♪ Dress yourself to kill ♪ 217 00:09:00,482 --> 00:09:02,718 - I just remember riding around and thinking, 218 00:09:02,718 --> 00:09:05,721 "I don't know what to do, where to go." 219 00:09:05,721 --> 00:09:07,957 I wasn't sure if this road went this way or that way. 220 00:09:07,957 --> 00:09:09,491 I wasn't paying attention. 221 00:09:09,491 --> 00:09:10,593 I don't know. 222 00:09:10,593 --> 00:09:12,461 But I was totally lost. 223 00:09:12,461 --> 00:09:14,964 ["You Got Lucky" by Tom Petty plays] 224 00:09:14,964 --> 00:09:17,466 And so I drove to a Baskin Robbins 225 00:09:17,466 --> 00:09:19,935 and said, "Can you please find these people?" 226 00:09:19,935 --> 00:09:22,071 And then, them taking me to the police station, 227 00:09:22,071 --> 00:09:23,272 putting me on a bench, 228 00:09:23,272 --> 00:09:24,940 and saying I could sit there and wait, 229 00:09:24,940 --> 00:09:26,976 and falling asleep on that bench. 230 00:09:26,976 --> 00:09:28,711 [upbeat music continues] 231 00:09:28,711 --> 00:09:29,645 I was there a while. 232 00:09:29,645 --> 00:09:31,647 It was like two in the morning. 233 00:09:31,647 --> 00:09:32,948 I remember I woke up, I was like, [gasps] you know? 234 00:09:32,948 --> 00:09:35,551 And I saw Rick. 235 00:09:35,551 --> 00:09:37,086 Rick was kind of kneeling down, 236 00:09:37,086 --> 00:09:39,088 maybe bending down and looking at my face. 237 00:09:39,088 --> 00:09:40,990 ♪ Carried away ♪ 238 00:09:40,990 --> 00:09:43,058 ♪ 239 00:09:43,058 --> 00:09:45,494 - [Paul] Do you remember that day? 240 00:09:45,494 --> 00:09:47,029 Where were and what was going on? 241 00:09:48,797 --> 00:09:50,833 - I do remember that day. 242 00:09:50,833 --> 00:09:55,804 - Well, we just saw that huge, dark storm coming our way 243 00:09:55,804 --> 00:09:57,573 and we knew we were in for it. 244 00:09:57,573 --> 00:09:59,708 - And then he whipped out the tripod 245 00:09:59,708 --> 00:10:02,044 and I was like, "Oh my gosh! 246 00:10:02,044 --> 00:10:03,178 What are you doing? 247 00:10:03,178 --> 00:10:05,214 We're gonna get hit by lightning!" 248 00:10:05,214 --> 00:10:10,486 - We were trying to outrun it and it was catching up quickly 249 00:10:10,486 --> 00:10:12,688 and we are going by this farmhouse. 250 00:10:12,688 --> 00:10:16,492 Folks are sitting out on the porch and- 251 00:10:16,492 --> 00:10:19,728 - Offered us shelter from the storm, literally. 252 00:10:19,728 --> 00:10:22,164 ♪ 253 00:10:22,164 --> 00:10:22,931 They fed us. 254 00:10:22,931 --> 00:10:24,933 - We got fed 255 00:10:26,402 --> 00:10:30,005 the best dinner that I can remember on that trip. 256 00:10:30,005 --> 00:10:32,041 Everything was fresh out of the garden 257 00:10:32,041 --> 00:10:33,042 and just the friendliest people in the world, 258 00:10:33,042 --> 00:10:35,144 looking out for us. 259 00:10:35,144 --> 00:10:37,680 We stayed there until the storm passed. 260 00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:39,682 - We just sat there for, I don't know, 261 00:10:40,783 --> 00:10:42,017 hour, maybe two? 262 00:10:42,017 --> 00:10:45,487 - A good example of some of the wonderful people 263 00:10:45,487 --> 00:10:46,922 we met along the way. 264 00:10:46,922 --> 00:10:48,223 ♪ Is hard to find ♪ 265 00:10:48,223 --> 00:10:51,460 - And we were about a mile from that house, 266 00:10:51,460 --> 00:10:54,863 not realizing that that we had other riders up there. 267 00:10:54,863 --> 00:10:56,432 But we come across this little construction site 268 00:10:56,432 --> 00:10:59,768 and there was some lumber and drainage tiles 269 00:10:59,768 --> 00:11:02,171 and different things laying on the inside of the road. 270 00:11:02,171 --> 00:11:03,105 We actually crawled inside one of the drainage tiles 271 00:11:03,105 --> 00:11:05,774 to get out the rain. 272 00:11:05,774 --> 00:11:07,242 We're hearing stories how they've sat out on the front porch 273 00:11:07,242 --> 00:11:10,079 and became best friends over the last two couple hours. 274 00:11:10,079 --> 00:11:12,181 Wish somebody'd fed me. 275 00:11:12,181 --> 00:11:15,017 I was down in drainage hole. [laughs] 276 00:11:15,017 --> 00:11:16,518 - The rain would just pop up outta nowhere 277 00:11:16,518 --> 00:11:18,787 and you'd try to outrun the storm 278 00:11:18,787 --> 00:11:20,222 and it would just overtake you, 279 00:11:20,222 --> 00:11:22,157 and it was an incredible. 280 00:11:23,258 --> 00:11:26,695 We didn't have North Face and Patagonia. 281 00:11:26,695 --> 00:11:29,665 We just had these Kmart raincoats, just blowing in the wind. 282 00:11:29,665 --> 00:11:31,934 It was pretty [indistinct] ponchos. 283 00:11:31,934 --> 00:11:34,870 ♪ Good love is hard to find ♪ 284 00:11:34,870 --> 00:11:38,674 ♪ You got lucky, babe ♪ 285 00:11:38,674 --> 00:11:39,975 ♪ You got lucky ♪ 286 00:11:39,975 --> 00:11:41,276 - [Paul] Well, so much for being bulletproof 287 00:11:41,276 --> 00:11:42,845 in West Virginia. 288 00:11:42,845 --> 00:11:45,848 ♪ When I found you ♪ 289 00:11:45,848 --> 00:11:48,884 - [Paul] And Michael Simone, after visiting another hospital 290 00:11:48,884 --> 00:11:52,254 in Cincinnati for his cystic fibrosis, 291 00:11:52,254 --> 00:11:54,556 continued to push his way through the mountains. 292 00:11:54,556 --> 00:11:57,926 [gentle plucky music] 293 00:11:57,926 --> 00:12:00,162 But in his journal, he was more concerned 294 00:12:00,162 --> 00:12:02,331 about the other riders, saying, 295 00:12:02,331 --> 00:12:05,000 "I want to be able to change the emotional state 296 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:05,968 of the riders." 297 00:12:07,636 --> 00:12:09,338 And he wished the leaders would show more availability 298 00:12:09,338 --> 00:12:11,240 for emotional support. 299 00:12:11,240 --> 00:12:16,311 ♪ 300 00:12:17,312 --> 00:12:19,248 - I think some people had a hard time 301 00:12:19,248 --> 00:12:21,984 really getting to know Michael, 302 00:12:25,254 --> 00:12:27,356 but if they did get to know him, 303 00:12:27,356 --> 00:12:29,792 I think they'd be impressed 304 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:34,296 because he would do anything for people. 305 00:12:35,264 --> 00:12:37,866 - I was amazed at him. 306 00:12:37,866 --> 00:12:41,136 I was sincerely amazed at Mike Simone. 307 00:12:41,136 --> 00:12:44,206 I didn't know anything about his physicality 308 00:12:44,206 --> 00:12:48,277 and what it took for him to get up and do what he did. 309 00:12:48,277 --> 00:12:50,846 I remember hearing him working through it in the morning 310 00:12:50,846 --> 00:12:55,317 and thinking, "I have absolutely zero 311 00:12:55,317 --> 00:12:58,353 to complain about ever." 312 00:12:58,353 --> 00:12:59,788 I was deeply impressed with that. 313 00:13:01,290 --> 00:13:03,692 He was a pretty quirky guy. 314 00:13:03,692 --> 00:13:07,830 I recall on his green bike with the silver fenders. 315 00:13:10,098 --> 00:13:13,902 He made me think of old country cyclists in Italy 316 00:13:16,038 --> 00:13:19,308 and he was riding for all the right reasons 317 00:13:20,409 --> 00:13:22,911 and he's doing this and he's kicking ass 318 00:13:22,911 --> 00:13:24,746 and that's what's happening. 319 00:13:24,746 --> 00:13:27,316 And that made me so inspired. 320 00:13:27,316 --> 00:13:29,685 That was amazing to me, for sure. 321 00:13:29,685 --> 00:13:34,723 [gentle plucky music concludes] 322 00:13:37,326 --> 00:13:40,028 - [Chuck] [indistinct] 323 00:13:40,028 --> 00:13:41,430 Anytime. 324 00:13:41,430 --> 00:13:43,799 - Hi, my name is Judy Beaird 325 00:13:43,799 --> 00:13:44,933 and I'm with the Greater Carolinas chapter 326 00:13:44,933 --> 00:13:47,669 of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 327 00:13:47,669 --> 00:13:49,171 Welcome to Washington DC! 328 00:13:49,171 --> 00:13:52,674 [chorus vocalizes "The Star Spangled Banner"] 329 00:13:52,674 --> 00:13:55,310 ♪ 330 00:13:55,310 --> 00:13:58,847 - [Judy] It was really neat riding into DC. 331 00:13:58,847 --> 00:14:01,884 ♪ 332 00:14:01,884 --> 00:14:03,418 - That was really cool. 333 00:14:03,418 --> 00:14:05,220 ♪ 334 00:14:06,822 --> 00:14:09,491 - [Paul] I think we rode through three states that day, 335 00:14:09,491 --> 00:14:11,827 riding into Washington DC. 336 00:14:11,827 --> 00:14:13,795 ♪ 337 00:14:13,795 --> 00:14:14,763 - [Paul] Seeing all that stuff 338 00:14:14,763 --> 00:14:17,099 for the first time in real life 339 00:14:17,099 --> 00:14:18,901 ♪ 340 00:14:18,901 --> 00:14:20,369 - And all of a sudden we're on our bikes 341 00:14:20,369 --> 00:14:22,704 in the nation's capitol. 342 00:14:22,704 --> 00:14:29,144 ♪ 343 00:14:29,144 --> 00:14:30,345 - [Peter] That was a special moment, 344 00:14:30,345 --> 00:14:31,713 and we'd come a long way at that point. 345 00:14:31,713 --> 00:14:33,849 We were almost at the coast. 346 00:14:33,849 --> 00:14:36,184 ♪ 347 00:14:36,184 --> 00:14:40,923 - [Mike M] And we were on the steps of the Capitol Building. 348 00:14:40,923 --> 00:14:43,825 Jesse Helms had been our senator for some time 349 00:14:43,825 --> 00:14:47,129 and he met us right there on the steps. 350 00:14:47,129 --> 00:14:49,264 ♪ 351 00:14:49,264 --> 00:14:52,000 - [Mike U] The larger than life Jesse Helms. 352 00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:55,003 We all got to shake his hand, film crew there. 353 00:14:55,003 --> 00:15:01,376 ♪ 354 00:15:01,376 --> 00:15:03,278 - And lo and behold, 355 00:15:03,278 --> 00:15:08,116 Strom Thurmond is walking up the steps, I believe, 356 00:15:08,116 --> 00:15:10,819 and Jesse Helm says, "Hey, Strom. 357 00:15:10,819 --> 00:15:12,554 Come over here and meet these nice young folks 358 00:15:12,554 --> 00:15:14,990 from North Carolina." 359 00:15:14,990 --> 00:15:16,358 ♪ 360 00:15:16,358 --> 00:15:20,128 - There was two political icons from that era. 361 00:15:20,128 --> 00:15:23,165 ♪ 362 00:15:23,165 --> 00:15:26,234 - [John] Gave us a tour of the Capitol building. 363 00:15:26,234 --> 00:15:28,670 - [Mike U] And there was a little speech in his office. 364 00:15:28,670 --> 00:15:31,006 It was quite a big thing. 365 00:15:31,006 --> 00:15:34,009 ♪ 366 00:15:34,009 --> 00:15:35,243 - It was political theater 367 00:15:35,243 --> 00:15:37,346 and I found it completely amusing 368 00:15:37,346 --> 00:15:42,017 that Jesse Helms, patting me on the back, 369 00:15:42,017 --> 00:15:44,987 and showing me the desk where the Emancipation Proclamation 370 00:15:44,987 --> 00:15:47,189 was signed was probably the most ironic thing 371 00:15:47,189 --> 00:15:48,657 I've ever experienced. 372 00:15:48,657 --> 00:15:50,692 - At the time, I didn't know who Jesse Helms was. 373 00:15:50,692 --> 00:15:51,660 I had no idea, you know? 374 00:15:51,660 --> 00:15:52,894 But later on, people say, 375 00:15:52,894 --> 00:15:54,896 "Oh, you got a picture with Jesse Helms! 376 00:15:54,896 --> 00:15:56,965 What the hell's that all about?" [laughs] 377 00:15:56,965 --> 00:15:59,735 [stately brass music plays] 378 00:16:03,105 --> 00:16:06,842 ♪ 379 00:16:06,842 --> 00:16:08,877 - [Paul] The trip through the halls of Congress 380 00:16:08,877 --> 00:16:10,879 made us feel important, 381 00:16:10,879 --> 00:16:13,015 [gentle fanfare continues] 382 00:16:13,015 --> 00:16:14,950 but we had earned something 383 00:16:14,950 --> 00:16:15,784 and we had come a long way. 384 00:16:15,784 --> 00:16:18,220 ♪ 385 00:16:18,220 --> 00:16:20,188 Was really meaningful to most of us. 386 00:16:20,188 --> 00:16:22,357 ♪ 387 00:16:22,357 --> 00:16:24,693 And for Chuck, this was huge 388 00:16:24,693 --> 00:16:24,793 and a big relief. 389 00:16:26,228 --> 00:16:29,731 He had ridden a bike to DC when he was in high school, 390 00:16:29,731 --> 00:16:31,833 again for multiple sclerosis, 391 00:16:31,833 --> 00:16:33,835 and met his congressman. 392 00:16:33,835 --> 00:16:34,836 So he had come full circle 393 00:16:36,872 --> 00:16:38,407 and just the fact that we were there 394 00:16:38,407 --> 00:16:39,808 and the photo operation, 395 00:16:41,009 --> 00:16:45,147 we all knew were really important for his future rides. 396 00:16:45,147 --> 00:16:47,849 [fanfare builds] 397 00:16:51,987 --> 00:16:53,855 - [Bobby] We'd had the photo ops, 398 00:16:53,855 --> 00:16:56,391 we had toured the building with Jesse Helms 399 00:16:56,391 --> 00:16:57,392 and we just all looked like a bunch 400 00:16:57,392 --> 00:16:58,727 of little angels out there. 401 00:16:58,727 --> 00:17:01,263 ["Love Plus One" by Haircut 100 plays] 402 00:17:01,263 --> 00:17:03,465 That night, when we get back to the room, 403 00:17:03,465 --> 00:17:05,233 Randall still has his fireworks. 404 00:17:05,233 --> 00:17:07,369 [upbeat music continues] 405 00:17:07,369 --> 00:17:08,837 [Randall laughs] 406 00:17:08,837 --> 00:17:12,374 - We started setting them off in the hotel room 407 00:17:12,374 --> 00:17:14,176 and just outside the hotel room, throwing them. 408 00:17:14,176 --> 00:17:17,145 - And we're shooting 'em off in anything that we can find. 409 00:17:17,145 --> 00:17:22,818 We put a firecracker around tube of toothpaste, lit that, 410 00:17:22,818 --> 00:17:24,052 we didn't have the sense to set that outside the room 411 00:17:24,052 --> 00:17:27,756 on the window ledge, not inside the room. 412 00:17:27,756 --> 00:17:29,024 - And we were like three or four stories up 413 00:17:29,024 --> 00:17:31,760 and we were out in there throwing- 414 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:33,462 - Toothpaste all over the side of the building. 415 00:17:33,462 --> 00:17:35,497 - It escalated rather quickly. [laughs] 416 00:17:35,497 --> 00:17:37,966 Yeah, I'd like to say Bobby started that. 417 00:17:37,966 --> 00:17:39,801 - Bobby was always in the mix, man! 418 00:17:39,801 --> 00:17:41,336 - Little TV Guides. 419 00:17:41,336 --> 00:17:43,805 We tented one of those, put fireworks under those. 420 00:17:43,805 --> 00:17:45,474 It looked like confetti going off. 421 00:17:45,474 --> 00:17:46,475 - Bobby's like your, 422 00:17:46,475 --> 00:17:48,176 he's like the little sneaky guy 423 00:17:48,176 --> 00:17:48,910 that comes up around behind. 424 00:17:48,910 --> 00:17:50,445 He's like, "Not me!" 425 00:17:50,445 --> 00:17:51,680 - It's definitely Bobby. 426 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:54,182 - We lit firecrackers in the trash cans, 427 00:17:54,182 --> 00:17:55,450 anything we could find. 428 00:17:55,450 --> 00:17:57,919 George was rooming with us that night, 429 00:17:57,919 --> 00:18:00,021 but he had gone out to dinner with a family member. 430 00:18:00,021 --> 00:18:02,991 - I had gone out to dinner with my cousins 431 00:18:03,859 --> 00:18:05,360 and I came back to the room, 432 00:18:06,862 --> 00:18:07,996 opened the door, 433 00:18:07,996 --> 00:18:09,531 it was full of smoke. 434 00:18:09,531 --> 00:18:11,133 - The smoke in the room was so dense 435 00:18:11,133 --> 00:18:12,634 you can't see across the room 436 00:18:12,634 --> 00:18:14,870 and he just looks, like, "What the is going on in here?" 437 00:18:14,870 --> 00:18:18,140 - We've been shooting our fireworks. 438 00:18:18,140 --> 00:18:20,041 I'm over in the corner by the window, 439 00:18:20,041 --> 00:18:23,044 packing my pannier for the next day. 440 00:18:23,044 --> 00:18:25,380 - [Randall] Like, knocking on the door. 441 00:18:25,380 --> 00:18:26,882 [hand knocks] 442 00:18:26,882 --> 00:18:28,083 - [George] Big knock at the door. 443 00:18:28,083 --> 00:18:29,251 Yeah, when the cops came, it got real. 444 00:18:29,251 --> 00:18:31,219 - [Bobby] He was banging on the door. 445 00:18:31,219 --> 00:18:32,687 - [George] Bobby opens the door 446 00:18:32,687 --> 00:18:35,991 and there's this big DC police officer standing there. 447 00:18:35,991 --> 00:18:37,492 We are very sheepish, that's for sure. 448 00:18:37,492 --> 00:18:38,527 - [Randall] Uh... 449 00:18:39,828 --> 00:18:41,163 Blowing the smoke out of the room. 450 00:18:41,163 --> 00:18:42,564 - [Bobby] They looked right at George. 451 00:18:42,564 --> 00:18:44,199 - Points right at me 452 00:18:44,199 --> 00:18:46,368 'cause I was right next to the window 453 00:18:46,368 --> 00:18:47,969 where the fireworks have been going off. 454 00:18:47,969 --> 00:18:49,004 - You're all going to jail tonight. 455 00:18:49,004 --> 00:18:50,272 ♪ 456 00:18:50,272 --> 00:18:51,573 - I don't know what you're talking about. 457 00:18:51,573 --> 00:18:52,340 I haven't been here. 458 00:18:52,340 --> 00:18:54,109 - I don't care. 459 00:18:54,109 --> 00:18:55,143 - You've been shooting off fireworks in this room and- 460 00:18:55,143 --> 00:18:56,144 - Totally innocent. 461 00:18:56,144 --> 00:18:57,312 ♪ Ay ay ay ay ay ah ♪ 462 00:18:57,312 --> 00:18:58,547 - So of course, we got a good lecture 463 00:18:58,547 --> 00:19:02,584 from the police officer, 464 00:19:02,584 --> 00:19:05,320 and then the next morning, we got it from Chuck. 465 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:06,588 ♪ 466 00:19:06,588 --> 00:19:07,789 He was pretty clear about it, you know? 467 00:19:07,789 --> 00:19:09,691 If we weren't so close to the end of the strip, 468 00:19:09,691 --> 00:19:11,459 I'd send every one of you home. 469 00:19:11,459 --> 00:19:12,928 - But it was fun. 470 00:19:13,495 --> 00:19:16,998 ["Carolina In My Mind" by James Taylor plays] 471 00:19:16,998 --> 00:19:20,969 ♪ 472 00:19:20,969 --> 00:19:22,270 ♪ In my mind, I'm going to Carolina ♪ 473 00:19:22,270 --> 00:19:24,472 - [Paul] The North Carolina state line 474 00:19:24,472 --> 00:19:26,441 was a big deal for us. 475 00:19:26,441 --> 00:19:27,475 It meant we were home. 476 00:19:27,475 --> 00:19:29,344 ♪ Can't you see the sunshine ♪ 477 00:19:29,344 --> 00:19:32,447 - [Paul] And looking at the video and some of the pictures, 478 00:19:33,181 --> 00:19:35,317 it was camaraderie. 479 00:19:35,317 --> 00:19:36,618 We had bonded together. 480 00:19:36,618 --> 00:19:38,153 ♪ It hit me from behind ♪ 481 00:19:38,153 --> 00:19:42,190 ♪ Yes, I'm going to Carolina in my mind ♪ 482 00:19:42,190 --> 00:19:44,159 - [Chuck] Welcome to North Carolina. 483 00:19:44,159 --> 00:19:44,826 What do you think? 484 00:19:44,826 --> 00:19:46,494 - Hallelujah! 485 00:19:46,494 --> 00:19:47,596 ♪ Karen she's the silver sun ♪ 486 00:19:47,596 --> 00:19:49,130 - Cross country, 3600 miles. 487 00:19:49,130 --> 00:19:51,499 ♪ You best walk her way and watch it shine ♪ 488 00:19:51,499 --> 00:19:52,467 - Yes. 489 00:19:56,471 --> 00:19:57,906 - I'm coming! 490 00:19:58,940 --> 00:20:01,076 ♪ A silver tear appearing ♪ 491 00:20:01,076 --> 00:20:02,277 - [Paul] It was a great moment. 492 00:20:02,277 --> 00:20:05,480 A state line had never looked so good. 493 00:20:05,480 --> 00:20:09,317 ♪ I'm going to Carolina in my mind ♪ 494 00:20:11,686 --> 00:20:12,621 - [Paul] We rode from Norfolk to Nags Head, 495 00:20:12,621 --> 00:20:15,156 almost 100 miles. 496 00:20:15,156 --> 00:20:18,026 ["Take It Away" by Paul McCartney plays] 497 00:20:18,026 --> 00:20:20,128 We stayed at the Carolinian Inn 498 00:20:20,128 --> 00:20:20,862 and ate seafood that night. 499 00:20:20,862 --> 00:20:24,332 ♪ 500 00:20:24,332 --> 00:20:26,968 - [Paul] Pete Josselyn was one of Chuck's best friends 501 00:20:26,968 --> 00:20:28,637 from college and Chuck was pushing Pete 502 00:20:28,637 --> 00:20:31,973 to get involved with the company 503 00:20:31,973 --> 00:20:33,475 and the next year's ride. 504 00:20:33,475 --> 00:20:35,010 ♪ Wanna hear you play ♪ 505 00:20:35,010 --> 00:20:36,645 - I showed up that evening and that's the first time 506 00:20:36,645 --> 00:20:38,380 I really saw most of the kids. 507 00:20:38,380 --> 00:20:40,515 ♪ Take it away ♪ 508 00:20:40,515 --> 00:20:42,517 - I was just impressed to see all the kids 509 00:20:42,517 --> 00:20:44,152 looked like they're in great shape. 510 00:20:44,152 --> 00:20:45,553 You know, it looked like Chuck turned 511 00:20:45,553 --> 00:20:47,522 a bunch just run of the mill kids into real athletes 512 00:20:47,522 --> 00:20:50,659 at that point 513 00:20:50,659 --> 00:20:52,227 and he gave me a video camera 514 00:20:52,227 --> 00:20:55,430 and he said, "Get in the shaggin' wagon with Judy 515 00:20:55,430 --> 00:20:57,032 and film these kids." 516 00:20:57,032 --> 00:21:01,569 ♪ Don't you wanna stay 'til there's no one else around ♪ 517 00:21:01,569 --> 00:21:04,572 - [Craig C] Everybody was ready to get to Cape Hatteras. 518 00:21:05,640 --> 00:21:07,075 - [Peter] That was the easiest day. 519 00:21:07,075 --> 00:21:09,377 So we all had tons of energy 520 00:21:09,377 --> 00:21:10,578 and it was a joy ride. 521 00:21:11,980 --> 00:21:14,449 No. 522 00:21:14,449 --> 00:21:17,752 - Then comes the worst crash of the whole trip. 523 00:21:19,287 --> 00:21:21,156 - [Peter] Chuck wanted us to ride all together. 524 00:21:22,490 --> 00:21:26,695 - [Chuck] We'll all go in the lighthouse together. 525 00:21:26,695 --> 00:21:29,497 The last seven miles will be on the sheriff's escort. 526 00:21:30,398 --> 00:21:31,366 Be safe. 527 00:21:32,467 --> 00:21:34,569 - We were not used to doing. [laughs] 528 00:21:34,569 --> 00:21:36,037 ♪ 'Til the lights go down ♪ 529 00:21:36,037 --> 00:21:37,639 - Somebody said that we were gonna draft the rest of the way 530 00:21:37,639 --> 00:21:39,107 'cause it's flat 531 00:21:39,107 --> 00:21:42,010 and I was in the middle of that draft 532 00:21:43,044 --> 00:21:44,446 and I can't remember what happened. 533 00:21:44,446 --> 00:21:45,647 ♪ 534 00:21:45,647 --> 00:21:47,015 ♪ Mm ♪ 535 00:21:47,015 --> 00:21:48,616 ♪ Take it away. ♪ 536 00:21:48,616 --> 00:21:49,784 - Somebody stopped short 537 00:21:49,784 --> 00:21:51,553 and somebody wasn't paying attention 538 00:21:51,553 --> 00:21:54,155 and three or four bikes just crashed into each other. 539 00:21:54,155 --> 00:21:56,057 - We were riding pretty quick. 540 00:21:56,057 --> 00:21:58,326 A couple bikes went down in front of me 541 00:21:59,260 --> 00:22:01,129 and I went over the top of them 542 00:22:01,129 --> 00:22:02,397 and bent the front rim. 543 00:22:03,765 --> 00:22:06,835 That's. the only accident I had on the trip. 544 00:22:06,835 --> 00:22:09,104 ♪ Watching the show ♪ 545 00:22:09,104 --> 00:22:10,171 - [Judy] Scott! 546 00:22:10,171 --> 00:22:11,773 Let me see your ankle. 547 00:22:18,179 --> 00:22:19,414 - I remember how bad it was 548 00:22:19,414 --> 00:22:21,316 and them being so worried 549 00:22:21,316 --> 00:22:25,153 that I wouldn't be able to ride my bike. 550 00:22:25,153 --> 00:22:26,321 ♪ As a message ♪ 551 00:22:26,321 --> 00:22:27,355 - [Paul] Someone's wheel had to be replaced, 552 00:22:27,355 --> 00:22:29,391 a couple of tires had to get fixed. 553 00:22:29,391 --> 00:22:31,726 I think someone even rode one of the spare bikes 554 00:22:31,726 --> 00:22:34,162 the rest of the way in. 555 00:22:34,162 --> 00:22:35,797 ♪ Hear you play 'til the lights go down ♪ 556 00:22:35,797 --> 00:22:38,533 - [Paul] This was a mess. 557 00:22:38,533 --> 00:22:40,368 ♪ Take it away ♪ 558 00:22:40,368 --> 00:22:42,337 - Would've been heartbreaking to go all this way 559 00:22:42,337 --> 00:22:45,407 and not be able to have that moment. 560 00:22:45,407 --> 00:22:47,542 [upbeat music continues] 561 00:22:47,542 --> 00:22:50,712 But I had to get on that bicycle. 562 00:22:50,712 --> 00:22:58,319 ♪ You never know who may be listening to you ♪ 563 00:23:00,822 --> 00:23:05,627 ♪ Take it away ♪ 564 00:23:05,627 --> 00:23:08,196 [calm music] 565 00:23:17,639 --> 00:23:19,507 - [Paul] The last day from Nags Head, 566 00:23:19,507 --> 00:23:20,275 yeah, I had mixed emotions. 567 00:23:22,544 --> 00:23:24,145 I didn't want it to end. 568 00:23:24,145 --> 00:23:26,114 I was having so much fun. 569 00:23:26,114 --> 00:23:29,250 [calm music continues] 570 00:23:29,250 --> 00:23:33,254 - [Paul] You're feeling the excitement, 571 00:23:33,254 --> 00:23:34,522 but also being sad, 572 00:23:34,522 --> 00:23:35,790 realizing that this was about to be over. 573 00:23:35,790 --> 00:23:40,295 ♪ 574 00:23:40,295 --> 00:23:42,230 - This adventure was coming to an end 575 00:23:43,298 --> 00:23:47,235 and this has been the most fun I've ever had. 576 00:23:48,136 --> 00:23:51,272 I was not ready to go home. 577 00:23:51,272 --> 00:23:53,408 ♪ 578 00:23:53,408 --> 00:23:56,578 - [Amy] We just rode our bikes 3,600 miles. 579 00:23:56,578 --> 00:23:58,279 [calm music continues] 580 00:23:58,279 --> 00:23:59,481 It was bittersweet. 581 00:24:01,349 --> 00:24:03,518 - [Craig W] That day, we wanted it to last longer. 582 00:24:03,518 --> 00:24:05,587 [upbeat music] 583 00:24:05,587 --> 00:24:07,422 Mixed emotions, really. 584 00:24:07,422 --> 00:24:09,958 Gonna miss being together. 585 00:24:09,958 --> 00:24:11,226 That bond. 586 00:24:11,226 --> 00:24:12,994 [upbeat music continues] 587 00:24:12,994 --> 00:24:14,462 - [Paul] It felt just crazy, 588 00:24:14,462 --> 00:24:18,299 the things we could do by the end of the ride. 589 00:24:18,299 --> 00:24:19,400 Nothing scared us. 590 00:24:19,400 --> 00:24:22,437 Our job was to ride and have fun. 591 00:24:22,437 --> 00:24:23,938 [upbeat music continues] 592 00:24:23,938 --> 00:24:27,242 - [Craig C] Everybody was gonna finish this all the way. 593 00:24:27,242 --> 00:24:30,578 [upbeat music dwindles] 594 00:24:32,447 --> 00:24:35,183 [people chatter] 595 00:24:35,183 --> 00:24:38,386 - [Paul] All of our parents were there, lining the entrance. 596 00:24:39,687 --> 00:24:41,556 - [Amy] I mean, they hadn't seen their kids for two months 597 00:24:41,556 --> 00:24:43,424 and here they are, coming back in. 598 00:24:43,424 --> 00:24:46,594 - [Mike M] The excitement was building up. 599 00:24:46,594 --> 00:24:49,631 - [Paul] And queue up for a dramatic entrance. 600 00:24:49,631 --> 00:24:53,601 [calm music continues] 601 00:24:53,601 --> 00:24:55,203 - We made it 602 00:24:55,203 --> 00:24:58,873 and we did something pretty awesome, together. 603 00:24:58,873 --> 00:25:01,409 [inspirational music] 604 00:25:01,409 --> 00:25:11,486 ♪ 605 00:25:11,486 --> 00:25:12,287 - [Mike M] We did it, 606 00:25:12,287 --> 00:25:13,288 we accomplished it, 607 00:25:13,288 --> 00:25:15,056 and it's kind of hard to believe. 608 00:25:15,056 --> 00:25:17,425 [siren wails] 609 00:25:17,425 --> 00:25:19,327 - [Paul] It was just one of those moments 610 00:25:19,327 --> 00:25:22,530 that you do really, really remember. 611 00:25:22,530 --> 00:25:23,831 [crowd applauds] 612 00:25:23,831 --> 00:25:25,767 - [Craig W] The excitement of everybody that, 613 00:25:25,767 --> 00:25:26,701 when we showed up, 614 00:25:26,701 --> 00:25:29,537 I just got chills seeing that. 615 00:25:29,537 --> 00:25:30,772 ♪ 616 00:25:30,772 --> 00:25:34,242 - [Paul] All the parents were wanting to get hugs 617 00:25:34,242 --> 00:25:35,944 and we just rode right by them. 618 00:25:37,345 --> 00:25:40,381 - [Amy] That feeling of when it was over, 619 00:25:40,381 --> 00:25:41,516 it felt wonderful. 620 00:25:42,517 --> 00:25:44,652 - [Paul] I'd forgotten about how fast 621 00:25:44,652 --> 00:25:45,987 we all ran into the ocean. - Oh, I know. 622 00:25:45,987 --> 00:25:47,255 Totally. 623 00:25:47,255 --> 00:25:48,690 All I was thinking about was getting a picture 624 00:25:48,690 --> 00:25:50,558 'cause I knew somebody was gonna go in the ocean. 625 00:25:50,558 --> 00:25:52,393 ♪ 626 00:25:52,393 --> 00:25:54,295 - [Randall] Everybody running to the beach. 627 00:25:54,295 --> 00:25:56,264 ♪ 628 00:25:56,264 --> 00:25:58,566 - [Craig W] It was a really great feeling. 629 00:25:58,566 --> 00:26:00,501 It is as tough as it sounds 630 00:26:00,501 --> 00:26:02,337 ♪ 631 00:26:02,337 --> 00:26:03,705 and we are relishing that, 632 00:26:03,705 --> 00:26:05,807 "Hey, we really accomplished something here." 633 00:26:05,807 --> 00:26:07,675 ♪ 634 00:26:07,675 --> 00:26:09,010 - [Judy] It was like nothing I'd ever been a part of, 635 00:26:09,010 --> 00:26:12,347 but this was the big deal 636 00:26:12,347 --> 00:26:14,749 and I'm so happy for the kids. 637 00:26:14,749 --> 00:26:16,851 ♪ 638 00:26:16,851 --> 00:26:18,052 - [Randall] It was exciting! 639 00:26:18,052 --> 00:26:19,287 It was a wonderful sense of accomplishment. 640 00:26:19,287 --> 00:26:21,456 ♪ 641 00:26:21,456 --> 00:26:23,658 - [Mike U] I was very proud of myself 642 00:26:23,658 --> 00:26:25,493 and I know I had built some friendships. 643 00:26:25,493 --> 00:26:27,295 ♪ 644 00:26:27,295 --> 00:26:28,596 - [Mike M] It was a life-changing thing 645 00:26:28,596 --> 00:26:31,899 and it was something that we have all reflected on. 646 00:26:32,934 --> 00:26:34,335 - [Mike U] It was almost a little surreal 647 00:26:34,335 --> 00:26:35,703 to think that it's over. 648 00:26:35,703 --> 00:26:38,706 ♪ 649 00:26:38,706 --> 00:26:41,976 - [Judy] The relief of, I guess, 650 00:26:41,976 --> 00:26:44,612 the two of us were the drivers. 651 00:26:44,612 --> 00:26:45,780 ♪ 652 00:26:45,780 --> 00:26:49,550 The responsibility was just so huge. 653 00:26:49,550 --> 00:26:51,085 ♪ 654 00:26:51,085 --> 00:26:54,489 But it was successful and I'm sure the board of directors 655 00:26:54,489 --> 00:26:57,992 of the Multiple Sclerosis Society were thrilled as well. 656 00:26:57,992 --> 00:27:03,731 ♪ 657 00:27:03,731 --> 00:27:06,067 - [Amy] We did the announcements, we got the pictures. 658 00:27:06,067 --> 00:27:08,136 [upbeat music] 659 00:27:08,136 --> 00:27:10,938 - Chuck presents us all with a trophy. 660 00:27:10,938 --> 00:27:12,106 ♪ 661 00:27:12,106 --> 00:27:14,575 We all kind of laughed at it. 662 00:27:14,575 --> 00:27:17,812 [upbeat music continues] 663 00:27:17,812 --> 00:27:19,614 - So it says, "Coast to coast in '82," 664 00:27:19,614 --> 00:27:23,651 and it's got a picture of somebody popping a wheelie on a- 665 00:27:23,651 --> 00:27:24,485 - What was it? 666 00:27:24,485 --> 00:27:25,520 - [Paul] A BMX bike. 667 00:27:25,520 --> 00:27:26,621 - [Randall] BMX bike! 668 00:27:26,621 --> 00:27:28,056 [upbeat music continues] 669 00:27:28,056 --> 00:27:30,958 And I was like, "Ew." 670 00:27:30,958 --> 00:27:33,094 [Randall laughs] 671 00:27:33,094 --> 00:27:34,062 Okay. 672 00:27:34,796 --> 00:27:36,764 - Okay, thank you. 673 00:27:36,764 --> 00:27:37,432 - And I still have that. 674 00:27:37,432 --> 00:27:38,900 [John laughs] 675 00:27:38,900 --> 00:27:40,601 ♪ 676 00:27:40,601 --> 00:27:42,036 - [Bobby] And when the celebration was over, 677 00:27:42,036 --> 00:27:43,037 I was ready to go home. 678 00:27:43,037 --> 00:27:44,672 - We hugged and we said goodbye. 679 00:27:44,672 --> 00:27:47,041 Now it's time to go home, go to school. 680 00:27:47,041 --> 00:27:48,776 - Take a nice hot shower, 681 00:27:48,776 --> 00:27:50,978 not live sweaty and salty 682 00:27:50,978 --> 00:27:53,147 and road dirt all over us all day long. 683 00:27:53,147 --> 00:27:54,949 - [Amy] And then having to drive back in the car 684 00:27:54,949 --> 00:27:55,683 with my parents. 685 00:27:55,683 --> 00:27:56,984 ♪ 686 00:27:56,984 --> 00:27:59,921 - [Peter] I didn't want to put my bike on the car 687 00:27:59,921 --> 00:28:04,025 and go home and start college. 688 00:28:04,025 --> 00:28:06,194 ♪ 689 00:28:06,194 --> 00:28:08,162 I wanted to turn around and go back. 690 00:28:08,162 --> 00:28:12,200 - You know, it was tough for me that it was over 691 00:28:12,200 --> 00:28:15,603 and the next day I had to go to school. 692 00:28:16,671 --> 00:28:18,539 That was rough, not knowing anyone 693 00:28:19,540 --> 00:28:21,409 and I really missed everybody. 694 00:28:21,409 --> 00:28:23,945 - Had a lot going on personally. 695 00:28:23,945 --> 00:28:26,481 You know, my father just been remarried 696 00:28:26,481 --> 00:28:28,549 and I had three new little sisters 697 00:28:28,549 --> 00:28:31,753 and my world was getting ready to be rocky. 698 00:28:32,787 --> 00:28:34,155 - [Randall] In retrospect as well, 699 00:28:34,155 --> 00:28:36,624 it was kind of melancholy because, you know, 700 00:28:36,624 --> 00:28:38,726 we didn't really keep in touch after that. 701 00:28:38,726 --> 00:28:42,163 ♪ 702 00:28:43,197 --> 00:28:45,433 Most of us would never see Chuck again. 703 00:28:45,433 --> 00:28:48,736 [music fades] 704 00:28:50,805 --> 00:28:52,106 - [Announcer] A trail of debris told the story. 705 00:28:52,106 --> 00:28:55,543 [tense music] 706 00:28:57,645 --> 00:29:00,114 A badly bent propeller lay in the grass, 707 00:29:01,149 --> 00:29:03,918 completely separated from the plane, 708 00:29:03,918 --> 00:29:07,588 ♪ 709 00:29:07,588 --> 00:29:10,057 broken limbs in the trees and on the ground. 710 00:29:10,057 --> 00:29:12,794 ♪ 711 00:29:12,794 --> 00:29:14,662 Flying too close to this mountain ridge, 712 00:29:14,662 --> 00:29:16,130 the plane struck a tall pine, 713 00:29:16,130 --> 00:29:18,800 upended, and came crashing through the trees, 714 00:29:18,800 --> 00:29:21,769 ♪ 715 00:29:21,769 --> 00:29:23,037 and it could have been avoided 716 00:29:23,037 --> 00:29:25,239 ♪ 717 00:29:25,239 --> 00:29:27,041 if Charlie Williford had decided 718 00:29:27,041 --> 00:29:29,477 not to leave Georgia Saturday night. 719 00:29:29,477 --> 00:29:32,780 ♪ 720 00:29:38,653 --> 00:29:40,822 - The news happened to be on 721 00:29:40,822 --> 00:29:41,656 and I saw it 722 00:29:43,925 --> 00:29:44,725 and I lost it. 723 00:29:46,027 --> 00:29:48,830 - I just remember being in shock. 724 00:29:48,830 --> 00:29:50,832 Just, "Oh my gosh!" 725 00:29:50,832 --> 00:29:54,502 ♪ 726 00:29:54,502 --> 00:29:55,703 - [Paul] How did you hear about his death? 727 00:29:57,939 --> 00:30:00,908 - My dad called. Yeah. 728 00:30:00,908 --> 00:30:03,945 I remember just it took the breath away from me. 729 00:30:03,945 --> 00:30:05,613 Sorry. [laughs] 730 00:30:05,613 --> 00:30:07,615 ["Fire and Rain" by James Taylor plays] 731 00:30:07,615 --> 00:30:09,483 - Sunday, members of the Hickory Squadron 732 00:30:09,483 --> 00:30:12,186 Civil Air Patrol were guarding the rubble of the plane 733 00:30:12,186 --> 00:30:13,788 Chuck Williford died in Saturday night. 734 00:30:13,788 --> 00:30:17,124 - [Judy] I remember just being mad at him. 735 00:30:17,124 --> 00:30:19,594 How do you crash your plane into the side of a mountain? 736 00:30:19,594 --> 00:30:21,529 - They were waiting for federal aviation 737 00:30:21,529 --> 00:30:23,764 administration officials to arrive. 738 00:30:23,764 --> 00:30:25,032 - I understand. 739 00:30:25,032 --> 00:30:27,568 I understand how he got in that situation. 740 00:30:27,568 --> 00:30:29,637 - You know, he took some risks. 741 00:30:29,637 --> 00:30:32,506 Took a big risk that night that he was flying home. 742 00:30:32,506 --> 00:30:33,908 - You know, I couldn't get it out of my head 743 00:30:33,908 --> 00:30:35,076 and still can't, 744 00:30:35,076 --> 00:30:38,779 the things he said about himself as a pilot, 745 00:30:38,779 --> 00:30:41,048 about his instrument rating 746 00:30:41,048 --> 00:30:43,551 and how good he was as a pilot. 747 00:30:43,551 --> 00:30:46,888 - [Announcer] The reason for the accident seemed clear. 748 00:30:46,888 --> 00:30:49,757 - And he died because he didn't do what he said he could do. 749 00:30:49,757 --> 00:30:50,625 - Understand that the weather 750 00:30:50,625 --> 00:30:53,227 was about like it was today, 751 00:30:53,227 --> 00:30:56,264 very, very low clouds, fog and rain. 752 00:30:56,264 --> 00:30:59,800 He was what we call a VFR pilot, 753 00:30:59,800 --> 00:31:00,968 was not trained to fly on instruments. 754 00:31:00,968 --> 00:31:05,206 - It was really what you see so often 755 00:31:05,206 --> 00:31:07,808 in private pilot-type accidents. 756 00:31:07,808 --> 00:31:08,976 - [Sheriff] In a case like that, if it's cloudy, 757 00:31:08,976 --> 00:31:10,878 you have to stay under the clouds. 758 00:31:10,878 --> 00:31:12,813 - It really hit home to me later on, 759 00:31:12,813 --> 00:31:14,815 seeing how fragile and delicate the Cessna is. 760 00:31:14,815 --> 00:31:17,285 ♪ 761 00:31:17,285 --> 00:31:18,819 - [Sheriff] His problem apparently was 762 00:31:18,819 --> 00:31:21,756 the clouds just got lower and lower as he flew along 763 00:31:21,756 --> 00:31:23,758 and he got lower and lower until the clouds came down 764 00:31:23,758 --> 00:31:25,059 to the treetop level 765 00:31:25,059 --> 00:31:26,894 and then he just flew right into the trees. 766 00:31:26,894 --> 00:31:29,263 - It does seem crazy to go up in the weather conditions 767 00:31:29,263 --> 00:31:31,599 and just do that. 768 00:31:31,599 --> 00:31:32,934 - [Announcer] The FAA service station 769 00:31:32,934 --> 00:31:34,101 Charlie Williford was talking to on the radio 770 00:31:34,101 --> 00:31:37,138 didn't know he was in trouble either. 771 00:31:37,138 --> 00:31:39,106 - No, sir, there was no indication to us 772 00:31:39,106 --> 00:31:41,976 that he was in any kind of difficulty at that time. 773 00:31:41,976 --> 00:31:47,114 ♪ Seen sunny days that I thought would never end ♪ 774 00:31:47,882 --> 00:31:50,117 - And so he died 775 00:31:50,117 --> 00:31:53,120 and the trip the next year died 776 00:31:53,120 --> 00:31:54,889 and they would never do it again. 777 00:31:54,889 --> 00:31:59,794 ♪ But I always thought that I'd see you again ♪ 778 00:32:01,629 --> 00:32:03,998 - [Pete] Chuck really cared about kids. 779 00:32:03,998 --> 00:32:05,333 That was part of his makeup. 780 00:32:05,333 --> 00:32:07,134 ♪ Been walking my mind to an easy time ♪ 781 00:32:07,134 --> 00:32:08,736 - I remember him saying, 782 00:32:08,736 --> 00:32:10,271 "My ultimate goal, 783 00:32:10,271 --> 00:32:13,240 I want to start and run a boys' home. 784 00:32:13,240 --> 00:32:17,345 ♪ The cold wind blows, it'll turn your head around ♪ 785 00:32:17,345 --> 00:32:19,246 - [Pete] That was right before he died. 786 00:32:19,246 --> 00:32:23,284 ♪ On the telephone to talk about things to come ♪ 787 00:32:23,284 --> 00:32:25,753 ♪ Sweet dreams ♪ 788 00:32:25,753 --> 00:32:27,421 - [Paul] He was so instrumental in putting this together 789 00:32:27,421 --> 00:32:30,658 and we raised a lot of money for multiple sclerosis. 790 00:32:30,658 --> 00:32:32,293 ♪ Oh, I've seen fire ♪ 791 00:32:32,293 --> 00:32:34,662 - [Paul] Who's gonna pick up those pieces, 792 00:32:34,662 --> 00:32:36,330 ♪ 793 00:32:36,330 --> 00:32:38,232 be able to do what he did? 794 00:32:38,232 --> 00:32:40,334 ♪ Thought would never end ♪ 795 00:32:40,334 --> 00:32:41,936 ♪ 796 00:32:41,936 --> 00:32:45,072 - I know I had dreams of maybe doing it again 797 00:32:45,072 --> 00:32:47,708 or I could actually be one of the counselors, 798 00:32:47,708 --> 00:32:49,677 hoping that this was something we could do year after year. 799 00:32:49,677 --> 00:32:51,779 ♪ That I'd see you, baby ♪ 800 00:32:51,779 --> 00:32:53,080 - [George] He wanted to build on it 801 00:32:53,080 --> 00:32:53,948 ♪ One more time again ♪ 802 00:32:53,948 --> 00:32:54,682 - [George] To do this again. 803 00:32:54,682 --> 00:32:56,951 ♪ 804 00:32:56,951 --> 00:32:59,320 - [Paul] And he had been planning the next year's trip. 805 00:32:59,320 --> 00:33:01,088 ♪ You one more time again ♪ 806 00:33:01,088 --> 00:33:03,290 - He called me and said, "Hey, would you be interested 807 00:33:03,290 --> 00:33:04,792 in helping with the trip?" 808 00:33:04,792 --> 00:33:06,961 I said, "100%! Absolutely!" 809 00:33:06,961 --> 00:33:08,796 ♪ This time around ♪ 810 00:33:08,796 --> 00:33:13,768 - Part of my dream was being involved with Chuck 811 00:33:14,468 --> 00:33:17,171 and going on a trip again. 812 00:33:17,171 --> 00:33:19,073 - You're thinking, "Well this, is gonna happen again 813 00:33:19,073 --> 00:33:21,409 next year, until it didn't. 814 00:33:21,409 --> 00:33:24,145 [somber music] 815 00:33:25,379 --> 00:33:28,082 - To think that he conceived of it and presented it 816 00:33:28,082 --> 00:33:32,019 and was able to pull it off at that age, 817 00:33:32,019 --> 00:33:34,422 I can only imagine, if he were alive today, 818 00:33:34,422 --> 00:33:36,924 what he would've accomplished. 819 00:33:36,924 --> 00:33:50,504 ♪ 820 00:33:50,504 --> 00:33:52,840 - If he'd have lived, I mean, all kinds of things 821 00:33:52,840 --> 00:33:53,741 could have happened, 822 00:33:53,741 --> 00:33:55,209 but the most important for me 823 00:33:55,209 --> 00:33:59,080 is that I would've been able to come to him and say, 824 00:33:59,080 --> 00:33:59,880 "Hey, Chuck. 825 00:34:02,149 --> 00:34:04,418 I'm sorry we didn't get along that summer that well, 826 00:34:04,418 --> 00:34:06,020 but it was amazing, 827 00:34:08,956 --> 00:34:10,124 and thank you." 828 00:34:10,124 --> 00:34:24,171 ♪ 829 00:34:24,171 --> 00:34:26,373 - [Craig W] He definitely made a mark on all of us. 830 00:34:26,373 --> 00:34:28,042 [somber music continues] 831 00:34:28,042 --> 00:34:30,778 He died, but he's lived through us. 832 00:34:30,778 --> 00:34:32,513 ♪ 833 00:34:32,513 --> 00:34:46,393 It's a pretty amazing gift he gave all of us. 834 00:34:46,393 --> 00:34:50,297 ♪ 835 00:34:50,297 --> 00:34:51,465 - [Paul] There's one face 836 00:34:51,465 --> 00:34:53,567 that is not in the final group photo 837 00:34:53,567 --> 00:34:55,503 who did not ride the final day, 838 00:34:55,503 --> 00:34:57,404 ♪ 839 00:34:57,404 --> 00:34:58,472 and that was George. 840 00:34:58,472 --> 00:35:00,541 ♪ 841 00:35:00,541 --> 00:35:03,010 From early in the trip, 842 00:35:03,010 --> 00:35:05,146 when he considered quitting, 843 00:35:05,146 --> 00:35:08,149 George and Chuck had lost faith in each other. 844 00:35:08,149 --> 00:35:10,184 ♪ 845 00:35:10,184 --> 00:35:12,887 Do you remember the last time you spoke to Chuck? 846 00:35:12,887 --> 00:35:16,190 ♪ 847 00:35:21,562 --> 00:35:23,564 - Wherever we stayed the night before we rode 848 00:35:23,564 --> 00:35:24,865 to the lighthouse, 849 00:35:26,100 --> 00:35:28,836 that's the last time I spoke to Chuck, 850 00:35:28,836 --> 00:35:29,603 and I probably wouldn't have spoke to him that night, 851 00:35:29,603 --> 00:35:31,405 except for the fact that 852 00:35:31,405 --> 00:35:37,144 ♪ 853 00:35:37,144 --> 00:35:38,379 I wanted to leave. 854 00:35:38,379 --> 00:35:40,447 ♪ 855 00:35:40,447 --> 00:35:43,884 Chuck talked to me and I said, "No, I don't wanna be here." 856 00:35:43,884 --> 00:35:45,853 ♪ 857 00:35:45,853 --> 00:35:49,156 I didn't care what he thought 858 00:35:49,156 --> 00:35:50,991 'cause he didn't care about me. 859 00:35:50,991 --> 00:35:54,128 ♪ 860 00:35:54,128 --> 00:35:59,099 I have ridden from the Pacific to the Atlantic. 861 00:35:59,099 --> 00:36:00,935 I just didn't do the last day. 862 00:36:00,935 --> 00:36:06,006 ♪ 863 00:36:07,074 --> 00:36:08,442 - He did tell me about one young man, 864 00:36:08,442 --> 00:36:11,946 he decided to, his parents saw him that day, 865 00:36:11,946 --> 00:36:13,314 as they got in an accident 866 00:36:13,314 --> 00:36:14,582 and he decided to go home with them 867 00:36:14,582 --> 00:36:16,584 and that disappointed Chuck because, you know, 868 00:36:16,584 --> 00:36:19,887 how can you give up when you only have one last day to go? 869 00:36:19,887 --> 00:36:22,056 ♪ 870 00:36:22,056 --> 00:36:24,158 - Biggest regret I have is not finishing. 871 00:36:24,158 --> 00:36:26,193 ♪ 872 00:36:26,193 --> 00:36:29,129 I had no idea of the celebration that went on 873 00:36:29,129 --> 00:36:31,365 ♪ 874 00:36:31,365 --> 00:36:34,301 until our reunion in Cape Hatteras, 875 00:36:35,135 --> 00:36:39,039 and that has bothered me. 876 00:36:39,039 --> 00:36:42,042 [tense music] 877 00:36:47,348 --> 00:36:48,082 Part of me was thinking, 878 00:36:48,082 --> 00:36:51,085 ♪ 879 00:36:51,085 --> 00:36:52,953 "I can't believe I'm actually here doing this 880 00:36:52,953 --> 00:36:55,289 ♪ 881 00:36:55,289 --> 00:36:56,557 40 years later on the same bicycle 882 00:36:56,557 --> 00:36:58,592 ♪ 883 00:36:58,592 --> 00:37:01,195 to ride to the lighthouse." 884 00:37:01,195 --> 00:37:04,498 ♪ 885 00:37:04,498 --> 00:37:07,134 I hadn't done what I set out to do. 886 00:37:07,134 --> 00:37:08,068 I hadn't completed it, 887 00:37:08,068 --> 00:37:10,070 ♪ 888 00:37:10,070 --> 00:37:11,071 and I needed to. 889 00:37:11,071 --> 00:37:14,408 ♪ 890 00:37:17,678 --> 00:37:20,114 - I felt like George didn't want to be there. 891 00:37:20,114 --> 00:37:21,515 ♪ 892 00:37:21,515 --> 00:37:24,618 I wish he had had the same experience that a lot of us had, 893 00:37:24,618 --> 00:37:28,489 that we loved being there, being a part of it, 894 00:37:28,489 --> 00:37:29,990 wanting to get on the bicycle every day, 895 00:37:29,990 --> 00:37:33,093 wanting to experience it. 896 00:37:33,093 --> 00:37:34,295 - [George] And I thought about for years, 897 00:37:34,295 --> 00:37:35,629 for coming out here and just riding, 898 00:37:35,629 --> 00:37:38,532 ♪ 899 00:37:38,532 --> 00:37:39,700 but I never did it. 900 00:37:39,700 --> 00:37:43,137 ["Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who plays] 901 00:37:43,137 --> 00:37:47,007 ♪ 902 00:37:47,007 --> 00:37:48,442 My parents tried to talk me into staying. 903 00:37:48,442 --> 00:37:51,011 ♪ 904 00:37:51,011 --> 00:37:53,280 Bobby tried to talk me into staying. 905 00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:55,149 - You've been with me for 3,600 miles 906 00:37:55,149 --> 00:37:58,252 and you're going to bow out on the last 60 miles? 907 00:37:58,252 --> 00:37:59,186 Are you kidding me? 908 00:37:59,186 --> 00:38:00,754 - I think a lot of people did. 909 00:38:00,754 --> 00:38:02,723 George, you should keep going. 910 00:38:02,723 --> 00:38:06,593 [upbeat rock music continues] 911 00:38:06,593 --> 00:38:08,228 You're this close. Why quit now? 912 00:38:09,763 --> 00:38:12,333 And I probably said, "Because I can and I'm going to," 913 00:38:12,333 --> 00:38:15,669 being a snot-nosed 16 year old brat. 914 00:38:15,669 --> 00:38:19,006 ♪ 915 00:38:20,174 --> 00:38:22,276 I would say I had confidence, 916 00:38:23,444 --> 00:38:24,712 but not a lot of it. 917 00:38:24,712 --> 00:38:27,014 ♪ We'll be fighting in the streets ♪ 918 00:38:27,014 --> 00:38:31,218 - [George] I realized, I wish I'd done this back then 919 00:38:31,218 --> 00:38:34,021 with everybody and celebrated with everybody 920 00:38:34,021 --> 00:38:35,022 at the end of the ride. 921 00:38:35,022 --> 00:38:36,423 ♪ Will be gone ♪ 922 00:38:36,423 --> 00:38:39,560 ♪ 923 00:38:39,560 --> 00:38:43,130 ♪ I tip my hat to the new Constitution ♪ 924 00:38:43,130 --> 00:38:46,567 ♪ Take a bow for the new revolution ♪ 925 00:38:46,567 --> 00:38:47,768 ♪ Smile and grin at the change ♪ 926 00:38:47,768 --> 00:38:50,170 ♪ All around ♪ - Congratulations! 927 00:38:50,170 --> 00:38:51,772 What the hell took you so long? 928 00:38:51,772 --> 00:38:54,274 ♪ 929 00:38:54,274 --> 00:38:55,576 - No idea. 930 00:38:55,576 --> 00:38:57,044 - Good to see you, man! 931 00:38:57,044 --> 00:38:57,778 - Good to see you! ♪ And I'll get on my knees ♪ 932 00:38:57,778 --> 00:39:00,080 ♪ And pray ♪ 933 00:39:00,080 --> 00:39:01,448 - So good to see you! 934 00:39:01,448 --> 00:39:03,817 [waves lap] 935 00:39:04,818 --> 00:39:06,487 - I should have done it then, 936 00:39:07,788 --> 00:39:08,756 but I did it. 937 00:39:08,756 --> 00:39:10,891 [waves lap] 938 00:39:10,891 --> 00:39:12,893 Looking back on that, 939 00:39:12,893 --> 00:39:14,895 ♪ 940 00:39:14,895 --> 00:39:17,331 not much has stopped me from that point. 941 00:39:17,331 --> 00:39:20,367 ♪ 942 00:39:20,367 --> 00:39:22,603 I love riding bicycles to this day. 943 00:39:22,603 --> 00:39:23,771 ♪ 944 00:39:23,771 --> 00:39:24,772 I ride six or seven days a week. 945 00:39:24,772 --> 00:39:31,311 ♪ 946 00:39:31,311 --> 00:39:33,313 ♪ Yeah ♪ 947 00:39:34,782 --> 00:39:37,284 ["Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" by Elton John plays] 948 00:39:37,284 --> 00:39:39,286 ♪ What happened here ♪ 949 00:39:39,286 --> 00:39:44,391 ♪ As the New York sunset disappears ♪ 950 00:39:44,391 --> 00:39:46,160 ♪ I found an empty heart ♪ 951 00:39:46,160 --> 00:39:48,262 - Mike Simone finished the ride and went home to his high school, 952 00:39:48,262 --> 00:39:50,864 determined to stay healthy and keep riding, 953 00:39:50,864 --> 00:39:52,499 even competing in a number of triathlons. 954 00:39:52,499 --> 00:39:55,436 ♪ 955 00:39:55,436 --> 00:39:57,671 - [Paul] He became an honor student in nursing 956 00:39:57,671 --> 00:39:59,239 at UNC Chapel Hill 957 00:40:00,340 --> 00:40:02,676 and was only a few weeks away from graduating 958 00:40:04,111 --> 00:40:06,380 when he would finally succumb to cystic fibrosis. 959 00:40:06,380 --> 00:40:09,183 ♪ Now it all looks strange ♪ 960 00:40:09,183 --> 00:40:12,853 ♪ It's funny how one insect ♪ 961 00:40:12,853 --> 00:40:15,489 - He was 24. 962 00:40:16,457 --> 00:40:18,492 He'd just gotten back from spring break 963 00:40:20,561 --> 00:40:24,198 and he started having a lot of bleeding in the lungs, 964 00:40:24,198 --> 00:40:27,768 which is one of the things that happens, 965 00:40:27,768 --> 00:40:29,570 and ended up in the hospital 966 00:40:31,605 --> 00:40:33,140 and he died. 967 00:40:33,140 --> 00:40:36,076 ♪ And in the cracks along the sidewalk ♪ 968 00:40:36,076 --> 00:40:41,315 ♪ Nothing grows no more ♪ 969 00:40:41,315 --> 00:40:43,350 ♪ Who lived here ♪ 970 00:40:45,219 --> 00:40:47,621 - Nobody wants that to happen, 971 00:40:47,621 --> 00:40:49,790 but sometimes it does. 972 00:40:49,790 --> 00:40:54,394 ♪ And grew a good crop ♪ 973 00:40:54,394 --> 00:40:58,265 ♪ And we are so amazed ♪ 974 00:40:58,265 --> 00:40:59,433 ♪ We're crippled and ♪ 975 00:40:59,433 --> 00:41:00,667 - Just thinking of what he went through 976 00:41:00,667 --> 00:41:05,305 and not really realizing it at our age, you know, 977 00:41:05,305 --> 00:41:07,641 why he coughed all the time, 978 00:41:08,709 --> 00:41:10,844 why he had a funny smell sometimes. 979 00:41:10,844 --> 00:41:11,845 You know? 980 00:41:12,779 --> 00:41:14,648 ♪ And I've been knocking ♪ 981 00:41:14,648 --> 00:41:19,319 - I knew and understood that he had cystic fibrosis, 982 00:41:19,319 --> 00:41:21,755 but I didn't really understand 983 00:41:21,755 --> 00:41:24,324 what that meant 984 00:41:24,324 --> 00:41:27,594 and nor did I think I have an appreciation for 985 00:41:27,594 --> 00:41:32,699 or I think how that led him to choices that he made 986 00:41:33,767 --> 00:41:34,468 and how he chose to approach his life. 987 00:41:37,738 --> 00:41:38,839 [person whistles] 988 00:41:38,839 --> 00:41:40,841 - [Person] Woo! 989 00:41:44,945 --> 00:41:47,814 - Wish I could have those opportunities 990 00:41:47,814 --> 00:41:50,784 to have some deeper conversations with him 991 00:41:50,784 --> 00:41:53,353 that I didn't at the time. 992 00:41:53,353 --> 00:41:56,256 - Mike said he had, if he was lucky, 'til 21, 993 00:41:57,524 --> 00:41:59,426 and that's a hard thing. 994 00:41:59,426 --> 00:42:01,461 That's a hard thing to know. 995 00:42:01,461 --> 00:42:05,032 ♪ The roots grow stronger ♪ 996 00:42:05,032 --> 00:42:09,436 - I couldn't believe it. ♪ If only he could hear ♪ 997 00:42:09,436 --> 00:42:10,704 ♪ Who ♪ 998 00:42:10,704 --> 00:42:12,839 - "When you're out alone on a never-ending climb 999 00:42:12,839 --> 00:42:16,343 up a mountain or stranded by a windstorm in the desert, 1000 00:42:16,343 --> 00:42:18,645 sometimes you feel like getting off your bike and crying. 1001 00:42:18,645 --> 00:42:21,481 I ask a friend on the trip who had cystic fibrosis, 1002 00:42:21,481 --> 00:42:25,352 what he did when he felt this desperation. 1003 00:42:25,352 --> 00:42:26,887 He told me that Sister Mary Theresa once said, 1004 00:42:26,887 --> 00:42:28,922 'Give 'til it hurts.'" 1005 00:42:28,922 --> 00:42:31,825 ♪ 1006 00:42:31,825 --> 00:42:33,627 ♪ Can you come out to play ♪ 1007 00:42:33,627 --> 00:42:34,995 - [Amy] You know, I had heroes on the trip 1008 00:42:34,995 --> 00:42:38,265 ♪ In your empty garden ♪ 1009 00:42:38,265 --> 00:42:39,866 - [Amy] And he was one of them, 1010 00:42:40,601 --> 00:42:42,436 and I truly loved him. 1011 00:42:42,436 --> 00:42:43,604 I adored him. 1012 00:42:43,604 --> 00:42:45,372 ♪ In your empty garden ♪ 1013 00:42:45,372 --> 00:42:47,641 - I hate the way people use the word humble, 1014 00:42:48,742 --> 00:42:51,612 but it was one of those things that, 1015 00:42:51,612 --> 00:42:53,714 traveling with Mike, 1016 00:42:53,714 --> 00:42:56,450 made me feel like. 1017 00:42:56,450 --> 00:42:57,284 ♪ Johnny ♪ 1018 00:42:57,284 --> 00:42:58,785 ♪ Oh ♪ 1019 00:42:58,785 --> 00:43:01,588 ♪ Can you come out to play ♪ 1020 00:43:01,588 --> 00:43:02,823 ♪ In your empty garden ♪ 1021 00:43:02,823 --> 00:43:04,925 - It's worth it. 1022 00:43:04,925 --> 00:43:07,361 ♪ Johnny ♪ 1023 00:43:07,361 --> 00:43:10,063 ♪ Can you come out to play ♪ 1024 00:43:10,063 --> 00:43:13,967 ♪ In your empty garden ♪ 1025 00:43:13,967 --> 00:43:15,802 ♪ Johnny ♪ 1026 00:43:15,802 --> 00:43:19,306 [upbeat string music] 1027 00:43:19,306 --> 00:43:21,475 - [Randall] Yeah, you plan for it, 1028 00:43:21,475 --> 00:43:22,309 you dream about it, 1029 00:43:22,309 --> 00:43:23,877 ♪ 1030 00:43:23,877 --> 00:43:25,078 then you do it. 1031 00:43:25,078 --> 00:43:29,850 ♪ 1032 00:43:29,850 --> 00:43:32,753 I appreciated it at a younger age, 1033 00:43:32,753 --> 00:43:34,721 but as I got older, 1034 00:43:34,721 --> 00:43:36,590 I realized, "Oh my god! 1035 00:43:36,590 --> 00:43:40,761 That was a lot bigger than what I thought it was. 1036 00:43:40,761 --> 00:43:41,995 If I can do that, at that age, 1037 00:43:41,995 --> 00:43:44,631 geez, why can't I do this? 1038 00:43:44,631 --> 00:43:46,700 Why can't I do that? 1039 00:43:46,700 --> 00:43:48,335 ♪ 1040 00:43:48,335 --> 00:43:51,505 It gave me a hell of a foundation for a lot of things 1041 00:43:51,505 --> 00:43:52,639 that I've done in my life. 1042 00:43:52,639 --> 00:43:54,007 ♪ 1043 00:43:54,007 --> 00:43:56,610 It all stems from Coast to Coast in '82. 1044 00:43:56,610 --> 00:43:57,878 ♪ 1045 00:43:57,878 --> 00:43:58,745 There's no doubt about it. 1046 00:43:58,745 --> 00:44:00,614 ♪ 1047 00:44:00,614 --> 00:44:02,683 - Probably for one or two years, 1048 00:44:02,683 --> 00:44:06,186 there wasn't a day where I didn't think about that trip. 1049 00:44:06,186 --> 00:44:09,423 ♪ 1050 00:44:09,423 --> 00:44:11,525 It was just something I carried with me. 1051 00:44:11,525 --> 00:44:14,795 ♪ 1052 00:44:14,795 --> 00:44:16,430 - I think it's invaluable, 1053 00:44:16,430 --> 00:44:17,731 seeing the world and learning about the world. 1054 00:44:17,731 --> 00:44:19,232 ♪ 1055 00:44:19,232 --> 00:44:21,401 Especially for the young people, I think it was really important. 1056 00:44:21,401 --> 00:44:26,373 ♪ 1057 00:44:26,373 --> 00:44:27,874 you learn to understand people's pain, 1058 00:44:27,874 --> 00:44:28,709 people that are suffering. 1059 00:44:29,543 --> 00:44:31,478 - At that time of your life, 1060 00:44:31,478 --> 00:44:32,679 you have your parents telling you what to do, 1061 00:44:32,679 --> 00:44:34,514 your teachers telling you what to do. 1062 00:44:34,514 --> 00:44:38,485 Realizing that I can do things, 1063 00:44:38,485 --> 00:44:41,021 the feeling of possibility in that. 1064 00:44:41,021 --> 00:44:42,255 ♪ 1065 00:44:42,255 --> 00:44:45,092 - I have no idea how it changed my life, 1066 00:44:45,092 --> 00:44:47,160 but I'm sure it did. 1067 00:44:47,160 --> 00:44:49,162 It's one more building block that allows you 1068 00:44:49,162 --> 00:44:50,831 to maybe accomplish things 1069 00:44:50,831 --> 00:44:52,399 that you didn't think were possible. 1070 00:44:52,399 --> 00:44:54,534 ♪ 1071 00:44:54,534 --> 00:44:56,503 - People are always amazed 1072 00:44:56,503 --> 00:44:58,405 that you accomplished something like that. 1073 00:44:58,405 --> 00:44:59,439 ♪ 1074 00:44:59,439 --> 00:45:01,608 It was unbelievable experience 1075 00:45:03,176 --> 00:45:05,011 that I may not have again, 1076 00:45:05,011 --> 00:45:06,880 which is okay. 1077 00:45:06,880 --> 00:45:09,149 ♪ 1078 00:45:09,149 --> 00:45:10,751 - Being part of something bigger than yourself 1079 00:45:10,751 --> 00:45:12,486 and just that challenge, I mean, 1080 00:45:12,486 --> 00:45:15,489 rode my bike across the country, 3,600 miles. 1081 00:45:15,489 --> 00:45:16,156 I mean, it's quite an accomplishment. 1082 00:45:16,156 --> 00:45:17,724 ♪ 1083 00:45:17,724 --> 00:45:21,128 - And you know, Paul, y'all owned that success, 1084 00:45:21,128 --> 00:45:23,697 that you completed that. 1085 00:45:23,697 --> 00:45:25,565 ♪ 1086 00:45:25,565 --> 00:45:27,734 Nobody can take that away from you. 1087 00:45:27,734 --> 00:45:30,537 ♪ 1088 00:45:30,537 --> 00:45:31,438 - A saying that I didn't make up 1089 00:45:31,438 --> 00:45:32,906 that was told me at one point, 1090 00:45:32,906 --> 00:45:36,843 if you're very, very, very, very, very, very careful, 1091 00:45:36,843 --> 00:45:39,713 nothing good or bad will ever happen to you. 1092 00:45:39,713 --> 00:45:40,847 ♪ 1093 00:45:40,847 --> 00:45:44,084 - Over the years there's been a loss of jobs 1094 00:45:44,084 --> 00:45:46,887 and you struggle through the financial aspects. 1095 00:45:46,887 --> 00:45:48,088 How I'm I gonna make the house payment? 1096 00:45:48,088 --> 00:45:49,523 How am I gonna make the car payment? 1097 00:45:49,523 --> 00:45:50,457 How are we gonna put food on the table? 1098 00:45:50,457 --> 00:45:52,793 ♪ 1099 00:45:52,793 --> 00:45:54,127 We survived a summer on the bicycle. 1100 00:45:54,127 --> 00:45:55,562 I could survive this. 1101 00:45:55,562 --> 00:45:57,798 ♪ 1102 00:45:57,798 --> 00:46:00,000 - I went through a period of divorce 1103 00:46:00,000 --> 00:46:02,135 and three itty-bitty little kids, 1104 00:46:02,135 --> 00:46:03,637 no child support, 1105 00:46:03,637 --> 00:46:04,871 ♪ 1106 00:46:04,871 --> 00:46:07,808 but always at peace that I can do this. 1107 00:46:07,808 --> 00:46:10,544 ♪ 1108 00:46:10,544 --> 00:46:11,878 - The longer you do something physical, 1109 00:46:11,878 --> 00:46:13,814 you start to realize that it's more mental 1110 00:46:13,814 --> 00:46:14,681 than it really is physical. 1111 00:46:14,681 --> 00:46:17,851 ♪ 1112 00:46:17,851 --> 00:46:21,021 Your body will do things if you ask it to. 1113 00:46:21,021 --> 00:46:22,522 The question is, can you get your mind to do them? 1114 00:46:22,522 --> 00:46:23,990 ♪ 1115 00:46:23,990 --> 00:46:26,193 - It's just mind boggling that we did it as teenagers. 1116 00:46:26,193 --> 00:46:28,061 ♪ 1117 00:46:28,061 --> 00:46:30,163 You can do it. 1118 00:46:30,163 --> 00:46:31,164 You just kind of go a mile at a time, 1119 00:46:31,164 --> 00:46:33,166 or stuff at a time, 1120 00:46:33,166 --> 00:46:34,201 whatever it may be. 1121 00:46:34,201 --> 00:46:37,971 ♪ 1122 00:46:37,971 --> 00:46:42,175 - It really is just about getting from one place to the next 1123 00:46:42,175 --> 00:46:45,679 each day and, hopefully, getting a bath. 1124 00:46:45,679 --> 00:46:46,913 [Judy laughs] 1125 00:46:46,913 --> 00:46:48,114 ♪ 1126 00:46:48,114 --> 00:46:50,116 - My willingness to just keep pushing through, 1127 00:46:50,116 --> 00:46:52,686 no matter how bad, was the result of that. 1128 00:46:52,686 --> 00:46:55,155 Because, heck, if you can ride through some of that stuff, 1129 00:46:55,155 --> 00:46:56,523 why can't I run 10 miles a day? 1130 00:46:56,523 --> 00:46:57,724 ♪ 1131 00:46:57,724 --> 00:46:59,192 - I do feel like I could get on that bike 1132 00:46:59,192 --> 00:47:01,294 and do that trip right now. 1133 00:47:01,294 --> 00:47:02,529 - Absolutely. 1134 00:47:02,529 --> 00:47:04,631 There's 15 bicycles in my basement. 1135 00:47:04,631 --> 00:47:07,334 ♪ 1136 00:47:07,334 --> 00:47:10,804 - Saddened that I haven't ridden in a long time. 1137 00:47:10,804 --> 00:47:11,771 Yeah. 1138 00:47:11,771 --> 00:47:13,139 ♪ 1139 00:47:13,139 --> 00:47:14,374 I wanna be able to do it and I can't. 1140 00:47:14,374 --> 00:47:19,813 ♪ 1141 00:47:19,813 --> 00:47:21,681 - When I look at that journal now, 1142 00:47:21,681 --> 00:47:24,885 it reminds me of just the passage of time 1143 00:47:24,885 --> 00:47:26,253 and the growing up, 1144 00:47:27,087 --> 00:47:29,556 of life itself. 1145 00:47:29,556 --> 00:47:30,557 - They did that? 1146 00:47:31,191 --> 00:47:32,959 You're damn right we did! 1147 00:47:32,959 --> 00:47:34,895 And we did it successfully! 1148 00:47:34,895 --> 00:47:35,929 We kicked ass! 1149 00:47:35,929 --> 00:47:37,631 ♪ 1150 00:47:37,631 --> 00:47:38,999 - No matter how tired you were, 1151 00:47:38,999 --> 00:47:40,634 no matter how hungry you were, 1152 00:47:40,634 --> 00:47:42,669 no matter how much you missed home, 1153 00:47:42,669 --> 00:47:44,604 this and that, whatever it was, 1154 00:47:44,604 --> 00:47:46,840 every morning you just got on your bike and rode. 1155 00:47:46,840 --> 00:47:48,041 ♪ 1156 00:47:48,041 --> 00:47:49,576 You'd just get on your bike and ride. 1157 00:47:49,576 --> 00:47:53,346 ♪ 1158 00:47:53,346 --> 00:47:54,881 - [Paul] For many, like me, 1159 00:47:55,982 --> 00:47:57,784 the bike remains a way to stay active 1160 00:47:59,853 --> 00:48:00,754 and do some time travel 1161 00:48:00,754 --> 00:48:02,822 because, every time I ride, 1162 00:48:02,822 --> 00:48:07,260 a part of me returns to that summer just a bit. 1163 00:48:07,260 --> 00:48:11,264 [upbeat string music concludes] 1164 00:48:12,432 --> 00:48:16,736 [projector hums and clicks] 1165 00:48:16,736 --> 00:48:18,672 [tripod snaps] 1166 00:48:18,672 --> 00:48:20,874 [gentle, inspirational music] 1167 00:48:20,874 --> 00:48:24,611 After many days of interviews and a deep dive 1168 00:48:24,611 --> 00:48:27,147 back with many of my fellow riders, 1169 00:48:27,147 --> 00:48:30,150 it's pretty clear that these 54 days on a bike 1170 00:48:30,150 --> 00:48:32,118 in the summer of 1982 1171 00:48:32,118 --> 00:48:34,154 had a massive effect on our lives. 1172 00:48:35,322 --> 00:48:37,791 It was many things, of course, 1173 00:48:37,791 --> 00:48:41,761 but the exposure to Chuck and his big dream 1174 00:48:41,761 --> 00:48:44,798 during those influential teenage years was huge. 1175 00:48:44,798 --> 00:48:46,633 ♪ 1176 00:48:46,633 --> 00:48:49,269 It took some time for most of us to realize it, 1177 00:48:50,637 --> 00:48:53,039 but there's no doubt it changed us 1178 00:48:53,039 --> 00:48:54,341 [people laugh] 1179 00:48:54,341 --> 00:48:56,977 and maybe we changed the world a little bit. 1180 00:48:56,977 --> 00:48:58,111 ♪ 1181 00:48:58,111 --> 00:48:59,813 Since the early 1980s, 1182 00:48:59,813 --> 00:49:02,315 the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 1183 00:49:02,315 --> 00:49:04,884 has been connected to cycling events 1184 00:49:04,884 --> 00:49:07,387 for their awareness and fundraising. 1185 00:49:07,387 --> 00:49:08,989 Their program, called Bike MS, 1186 00:49:08,989 --> 00:49:12,359 offers rides in every state of the country 1187 00:49:12,359 --> 00:49:15,395 and has raised more than 1 billion since 1980. 1188 00:49:15,395 --> 00:49:19,699 ♪ 1189 00:49:19,699 --> 00:49:22,435 But Chuck and Judy's Spokesmen of America 1190 00:49:22,435 --> 00:49:23,837 ♪ 1191 00:49:23,837 --> 00:49:26,373 remain the only group of teenagers 1192 00:49:26,373 --> 00:49:29,009 to ride coast to coast for MS. 1193 00:49:29,009 --> 00:49:31,444 ♪ 1194 00:49:34,547 --> 00:49:37,550 ["Keep the Fire Burning'" by REO Speedwagon plays] 1195 00:49:37,550 --> 00:49:40,553 - [Announcer] The top fundraising team, not just this year, 1196 00:49:40,553 --> 00:49:45,325 it is the top fundraising team ever. 1197 00:49:45,325 --> 00:49:49,329 Team Reeb most ever raised by a single team. 1198 00:49:49,329 --> 00:49:51,831 ♪ Let it turn you on ♪ 1199 00:49:51,831 --> 00:49:53,600 - [Paul] George rides more than anyone. 1200 00:49:53,600 --> 00:49:56,536 He and his team, Reeb, 1201 00:49:56,536 --> 00:49:58,405 have raised almost a million dollars 1202 00:49:58,405 --> 00:50:00,673 to contribute to cancer research. 1203 00:50:00,673 --> 00:50:03,143 [crowd cheers] 1204 00:50:03,143 --> 00:50:04,577 - [Announcer] Good luck, everybody. 1205 00:50:04,577 --> 00:50:06,679 Team Reeb, our big fundraisers, good luck! 1206 00:50:06,679 --> 00:50:10,784 - The reason why I ride so much is it kinda keeps me sane. 1207 00:50:10,784 --> 00:50:12,819 I just can't stop riding. 1208 00:50:12,819 --> 00:50:13,820 I love it! 1209 00:50:13,820 --> 00:50:15,155 ♪ 1210 00:50:15,155 --> 00:50:17,524 - [Paul] Michael Uhrich has always kept riding 1211 00:50:17,524 --> 00:50:18,925 ♪ Come and you go ♪ 1212 00:50:18,925 --> 00:50:21,061 - [Paul] Crossing the country a few more times, 1213 00:50:21,061 --> 00:50:22,529 north to south, 1214 00:50:22,529 --> 00:50:23,463 east to west. 1215 00:50:23,463 --> 00:50:25,632 ♪ And I'm living here ♪ 1216 00:50:25,632 --> 00:50:27,467 - [Paul] And after years as a touring musician and producer, 1217 00:50:28,535 --> 00:50:31,805 he now rides every day to a high school 1218 00:50:31,805 --> 00:50:33,073 where he teaches music. 1219 00:50:34,140 --> 00:50:35,742 - And I think that's really what we should do 1220 00:50:35,742 --> 00:50:37,477 with all young people. 1221 00:50:37,477 --> 00:50:38,778 ♪ Keep us warm ♪ 1222 00:50:38,778 --> 00:50:40,547 - That's our job as we get older, 1223 00:50:40,547 --> 00:50:45,485 is to peel away the fears so they can experience life. 1224 00:50:46,553 --> 00:50:48,054 ♪ We can help one another be strong ♪ 1225 00:50:48,054 --> 00:50:49,856 - [Paul] Valerie faced down some tough single mom years, 1226 00:50:49,856 --> 00:50:50,857 but never blinked. 1227 00:50:51,925 --> 00:50:53,426 Starting her own Montessori school, 1228 00:50:53,426 --> 00:50:57,564 it has become an essential part of many people's lives 1229 00:50:57,564 --> 00:50:58,898 in Salem, Virginia. 1230 00:50:58,898 --> 00:51:00,467 ♪ Through this enough ♪ 1231 00:51:00,467 --> 00:51:03,103 - [Paul] Judy Beaird survived the summer of 1982, 1232 00:51:03,103 --> 00:51:07,006 but left multiple sclerosis with her husband's job transfer. 1233 00:51:07,006 --> 00:51:08,241 Now she's back in Charlotte 1234 00:51:08,241 --> 00:51:11,044 and continues to work in a retirement community, 1235 00:51:11,044 --> 00:51:12,612 working with seniors. 1236 00:51:12,612 --> 00:51:14,481 ♪ 1237 00:51:14,481 --> 00:51:18,218 Peter Rumsey logs miles off road on a mountain bike 1238 00:51:18,218 --> 00:51:20,653 and he has worked with Habitat for Humanity 1239 00:51:20,653 --> 00:51:21,221 for more than two decades. 1240 00:51:21,221 --> 00:51:23,990 ♪ 1241 00:51:23,990 --> 00:51:27,160 John Patterson splits his miles on one of his 12 bikes 1242 00:51:27,160 --> 00:51:29,596 between road and trails. 1243 00:51:29,596 --> 00:51:32,065 He was a studio photographer for years 1244 00:51:32,065 --> 00:51:34,634 and now manages a coffee distribution company. 1245 00:51:34,634 --> 00:51:36,503 ♪ 1246 00:51:36,503 --> 00:51:38,671 After living a nomad life, 1247 00:51:38,671 --> 00:51:41,908 Randall can be found cruising on the roadways and trails 1248 00:51:41,908 --> 00:51:45,545 of his adopted homeland of New Zealand and London. 1249 00:51:45,545 --> 00:51:47,647 ♪ We let it keep us warm ♪ 1250 00:51:47,647 --> 00:51:49,949 - [Paul] And John Ballas has made a career 1251 00:51:49,949 --> 00:51:52,819 out of helping people live healthy lives 1252 00:51:52,819 --> 00:51:56,990 one vertebrae at a time at his chiropractic clinic. 1253 00:51:56,990 --> 00:51:59,659 ♪ Let us never lose our yearning ♪ 1254 00:51:59,659 --> 00:52:01,661 ♪ To keep the fire burning ♪ 1255 00:52:01,661 --> 00:52:05,131 - [Paul] Amy Hurka taught English overseas for years 1256 00:52:05,131 --> 00:52:07,600 and now collects sewing machines, 1257 00:52:07,600 --> 00:52:08,968 and rides occasionally. 1258 00:52:08,968 --> 00:52:10,136 ♪ Let it turn you on ♪ 1259 00:52:10,136 --> 00:52:12,872 - [Paul] Diane continues as a teacher 1260 00:52:12,872 --> 00:52:14,707 of special needs kids 1261 00:52:14,707 --> 00:52:16,876 and manages her family's campground 1262 00:52:16,876 --> 00:52:18,211 in the mountains of North Carolina. 1263 00:52:18,211 --> 00:52:20,980 ♪ Keep the fire burning all night long ♪ 1264 00:52:20,980 --> 00:52:23,716 - [Paul] Bobby became an Eagle Scout after the ride, 1265 00:52:24,651 --> 00:52:26,085 and no matter what he did, 1266 00:52:26,085 --> 00:52:27,754 even when he tried not to be, 1267 00:52:27,754 --> 00:52:29,255 he said he always ended up being a leader, 1268 00:52:29,255 --> 00:52:32,559 in his church, in his community, 1269 00:52:32,559 --> 00:52:35,228 and the manufacturing plant he's worked for many years 1270 00:52:35,228 --> 00:52:37,564 ♪ 1271 00:52:37,564 --> 00:52:40,700 And Mike Miller became a realtor after the ride, 1272 00:52:40,700 --> 00:52:42,969 operating his own agency for decades 1273 00:52:42,969 --> 00:52:44,270 with family and friends, 1274 00:52:44,270 --> 00:52:46,706 including rider Chris Herndon. 1275 00:52:46,706 --> 00:52:48,741 ♪ 1276 00:52:48,741 --> 00:52:51,611 Rick continues to fight Parkinson's, 1277 00:52:51,611 --> 00:52:53,112 ♪ 1278 00:52:53,112 --> 00:52:56,249 pushing through and finding a sweet spot 1279 00:52:56,249 --> 00:52:59,018 in his balance when he gets the wheels turning. 1280 00:52:59,018 --> 00:53:00,753 ♪ 1281 00:53:00,753 --> 00:53:03,089 A number of riders besides Tracy 1282 00:53:03,089 --> 00:53:05,091 served in the US military, 1283 00:53:05,091 --> 00:53:06,426 including Scott Drinkard. 1284 00:53:06,426 --> 00:53:08,728 ♪ 1285 00:53:08,728 --> 00:53:09,929 Scott was in the Air Force, 1286 00:53:09,929 --> 00:53:11,898 piloting aircraft in the Middle East, 1287 00:53:13,199 --> 00:53:15,435 and he now flies commercially out of Colorado 1288 00:53:15,435 --> 00:53:16,769 ♪ 1289 00:53:16,769 --> 00:53:18,037 where, when he is on the ground, 1290 00:53:18,037 --> 00:53:20,039 he gets in many miles on his bike. 1291 00:53:20,039 --> 00:53:23,109 ♪ 1292 00:53:23,109 --> 00:53:24,711 Many riders we couldn't find 1293 00:53:24,711 --> 00:53:25,511 until late in the filmmaking process 1294 00:53:25,511 --> 00:53:27,146 and were not interviewed, 1295 00:53:27,146 --> 00:53:29,983 like Gino Nuvo, 1296 00:53:29,983 --> 00:53:32,185 Doug Cornett, Shannon Houston, 1297 00:53:32,185 --> 00:53:36,189 Mike Duffield, Jay Ruar, 1298 00:53:36,189 --> 00:53:38,291 Brian Roberson, Eric Goodwin, 1299 00:53:38,291 --> 00:53:42,028 Carol Enzer, Rodney Harwood, 1300 00:53:42,028 --> 00:53:45,832 Kenneth Page, and another veteran, Tim Troutman. 1301 00:53:45,832 --> 00:53:46,766 ♪ 1302 00:53:46,766 --> 00:53:49,168 Tim's uncle was one of the men 1303 00:53:49,168 --> 00:53:51,771 who took Chuck in and mentored him 1304 00:53:51,771 --> 00:53:54,307 while Chuck was growing up in Florida, 1305 00:53:54,307 --> 00:53:56,676 and his grandparents gave him housing 1306 00:53:56,676 --> 00:53:58,311 while he was in college in North Carolina. 1307 00:53:58,311 --> 00:53:59,345 ♪ 1308 00:53:59,345 --> 00:54:02,715 ♪ Keep the fire burning ♪ 1309 00:54:04,917 --> 00:54:07,320 [wind blows] 1310 00:54:13,026 --> 00:54:15,428 [water laps] 1311 00:54:16,429 --> 00:54:19,132 [gentle music] 1312 00:54:21,768 --> 00:54:26,839 We have led lives with an abundance of highs and lows, 1313 00:54:26,839 --> 00:54:27,940 [wind whooshes] 1314 00:54:27,940 --> 00:54:29,609 [projector whirs and clicks] 1315 00:54:29,609 --> 00:54:32,612 [dramatic music] 1316 00:54:35,214 --> 00:54:37,917 lives filled with accomplishments and joys, 1317 00:54:37,917 --> 00:54:40,286 along with some tragedies and hardship, 1318 00:54:40,286 --> 00:54:42,155 ♪ 1319 00:54:42,155 --> 00:54:44,123 successes and mistakes, 1320 00:54:44,123 --> 00:54:51,397 ♪ 1321 00:54:51,397 --> 00:54:54,233 but either in the forefront or background of our lives 1322 00:54:54,233 --> 00:54:55,335 is a constant. 1323 00:54:55,335 --> 00:54:59,138 ♪ 1324 00:54:59,138 --> 00:55:01,974 We all seem to have a passion for living, 1325 00:55:01,974 --> 00:55:07,413 ♪ 1326 00:55:07,413 --> 00:55:09,015 a concern for others, 1327 00:55:09,015 --> 00:55:12,352 a love for our country and our communities. 1328 00:55:12,352 --> 00:55:23,429 ♪ 1329 00:55:23,429 --> 00:55:25,431 For me, this film, 1330 00:55:25,431 --> 00:55:27,800 this journey back 1331 00:55:28,334 --> 00:55:30,036 in telling this story 1332 00:55:30,837 --> 00:55:34,474 has shown me more clearly than I understood before, 1333 00:55:34,474 --> 00:55:38,244 the importance of how one person's dream to help others 1334 00:55:38,745 --> 00:55:44,384 reverberates through the hearts and lives of others forever. 1335 00:55:44,384 --> 00:55:48,121 ♪ 1336 00:55:51,324 --> 00:55:55,027 That's the shadow of a wheel. 1337 00:55:55,027 --> 00:55:57,797 ♪ 1338 00:55:57,797 --> 00:56:00,800 ["Take the Long Way Home" by Supertramp plays] 1339 00:56:00,800 --> 00:56:13,546 ♪ 1340 00:56:13,546 --> 00:56:16,883 ♪ So you think you're a Romeo ♪ 1341 00:56:16,883 --> 00:56:19,085 ♪ Playing a part in a picture show ♪ 1342 00:56:19,085 --> 00:56:22,088 ♪ Well, take the long way home ♪ 1343 00:56:22,088 --> 00:56:26,092 ♪ Take the long way home ♪ 1344 00:56:26,092 --> 00:56:29,228 ♪ 'Cause you're the joke of the neighborhood ♪ 1345 00:56:29,228 --> 00:56:31,998 ♪ Why should you care if you're feelin' good ♪ 1346 00:56:31,998 --> 00:56:33,099 ♪ Well, take the long way home ♪ 1347 00:56:35,334 --> 00:56:38,004 - [Male Announcer] "Shadow of a Wheel" is made possible 1348 00:56:38,004 --> 00:56:40,907 in part by Explore Asheville. 1349 00:56:42,074 --> 00:56:43,309 - [Female Announcer] Here in Asheville, 1350 00:56:43,309 --> 00:56:46,145 we're a mix of genres, a hybrid of styles, 1351 00:56:46,145 --> 00:56:49,148 settling for nothing, hungry for everything. 1352 00:56:49,148 --> 00:56:52,251 All drawn together to stand out. 1353 00:56:52,251 --> 00:56:53,386 You are welcome. 1354 00:56:54,420 --> 00:56:56,756 Always Asheville. 1355 00:56:57,390 --> 00:56:59,559 - [Male Announcer] Additional support is made possible 1356 00:56:59,559 --> 00:57:02,328 by The Charles Engelhard Foundation 1357 00:57:04,464 --> 00:57:06,966 and by these contributors: