March 17, 2004

By: Dustin Armstrong
Website: http://www.all-motorcycle-helmets.com

Todays' the day

Mr Clausen and four friends have been riding their Harleys for almost 50 days. They left Vancouver Canada, on 30 July 2003, to attend the Harley Davidson 100th birthday bash in Milwaukee. Almost daily, this group of intrepid Kiwis have been travelling on numerous county roads, highways, freeways, through 16 States, on coast to coast ride, across America.

Mr Clausen achieves another dream today too. To raise $30,000 for his local Arohanui Hospice in Palmerston North New Zealand. Much of this total has been realised through community donations in his local Manawatu region. $4,000 dollars has been raised through the generosity of Canadians and Americans whom Mr Clausen came in personal contact with.

Roger Clausen will leave Gardiner just outside New York for the two hour ride to the Big Apple at 9.00am. The 120 minute journey will have the group at their hotel in Times Square New York, well before noon. Terry McGruer of Palmerston North, Larry Robb of Wanganui James Young & Mattie Wall of Auckland, are the riders & pillion passenger who are accompanying him. A large group of 60 earlier left New Zealand with them on 27 July 2003.

Within hours of their arrival, Roger Clausen and his friends will meet with former New York City Fire Commissioner, Thomas Von Essen, and Deputy Commissioner Tom Fitzpatrick. Soon after they will be escorted to an audience with Mr Rudi Giuliani, the former New York City Mayor. Just two weeks ago, Mr Giuliani was in New Zealand, to give a key note address at a charity dinner in Auckland. His visit to New Zealand was highly acclaimed.

At the time of his departure from New Zealand, the speedometer on Roger Clausen’s Harley was recorded at 10,000 kilometres. It is estimated that when the final registration is officially read in New York’s Stuyvescent Park by New Zealand’s Consul General Jane Cunliffe, on Tuesday, the total distance achieved will be nearly 12,000 kilometres. In the past week Mr Clausen has recorded 4,400 kilometres. On Wednesday the bikes will be crated and railed to Los Angeles, then loaded onto a container vessel, for the month long voyage to Auckland.

On Thursday Mr Clausen will represent the New Zealand Fire Service at the 911 second anniversary commemorations in New York. Mr Clausen says he’s humbled by the enormous generosity and support he’s received from people in Palmerston North, and throughout New Zealand, in Canada, and across the United States. In fact everywhere, there has been someone who’s had a close family link or other association with a Hospice in their community.

“My brother is looking after my farm; I have a family at home. There are presently many mixed emotions in my realising these dreams today. It’s certainly been a great ride, across a great country, for a great cause, the Arohanui Hospice, of which I am immensely proud to be a Trustee,” he said.

Author Notes:

Dustin Armstrong contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.all-motorcycle-helmets.com.  A buyers guide to all types of motorcycle helmets plus shields, googles, custom and wired radio helmets.