Although not a regular update, if you'd like to also follow the Globeriders (minus your truly, sniff, sniff) on TV, please click on the link below:04 JUN 2002 - SEATTLE WA, USA

In my previous update, I mentioned the possibility of the Globeriders Tour 2002 getting some air-time on television. In the United States, many of the cable TV companies carry the Speed Channel (which used to be called Speedvision). The Speed Channel broadcasts a weekly motorcycling oriented program called Bike Week - the same "issue" of Bike Week is shown twice on TUE, once on WED, and once on SAT. The show always airs several "mini-segments" during each week's 30 minute broadcast. It looks like Helge Pedersen's Globeriders Tour will be shown each week for the next 10 or 12 weeks - we just saw the first segment air this evening here in Seattle!

I don't know if the Speed Channel is available outside of North America, but, for those in the North Seattle, WA area with AT&T cable, it is Channel 33. Bike Week shows on the days/times below (PLEASE NOTE: The times shown are Pacific Standard Daylight Savings Time - you'll need to adjust accordingly):

Tuesday

4:00 pm
Bike Week
Dave Despain, host

9:00 pm
Bike Week
Dave Despain, host

Wednesday

4:30 am
Bike Week
Dave Despain, host

Saturday

4:00 am
Bike Week
Dave Despain, host

And, it looks like another rider is out! Roy Lee Cox, from Arlington, TX, rolled to a stop somewhere between Irkutsk and Lake Baikal in Russia. His left foot slipped out from under him, resulting in several broken bones in his foot - the one needed for shifting. I have few details, but understand he was hospitalized for X-rays, diagnosis, and has been released on crutches, his left foot in a cast. My heart goes out to Roy, a good rider, and another kind and generous spirit. I know exactly what he must feel like - at least HE made it to Russia!

As for me, I'm excited to announce that I'll be doing "live" Updates again from the road! Working with the fine touring company that helped Helge put the "from China onwards" part of the tour together, MIR Corporation in Seattle (you can see them at: http://www.mircorp.com/), my wife, Aillene, and I, will be flying to Warsaw Poland, taking a train to Krakow, renting a car, and re-joing the group at the Ukraine/Polish border crossing on 02 JUL 2002!

No pictures in this short Update. I promise some in the next one - the remaining 10 riders are pushing on to Munich.