Dan Allemand Celebrates With  .....................SANTA.........

       Santa isn't often seen at Christmas time, much less June 9th. But it isn't often that the jolly old man has such a joyous event to celebrate (next to that day in late December.) But on this day, for this occasion, he just couldn't resist. You see, one of the boys on Santa's good list just got better. Our very own Dan Allemand achieved something that Hannes only Dreams about. That's right....The Heap is at 1000+ miles for the year already on his bike(s). This is a huge accomplishment when you factor in the fact that at this same date last year, Dan had about 0 miles logged in. (He still had more miles than Hannes then too.) So, on behalf of the Drivers Club, & Santa,......WAY TO GO DAN.  May your stocking always be stuffed.  

  

 
During an ordinary chilly windy morning commute the extraordinary occurred. Without warning Team Spiritual Leader Dan Allemand ordered the smaller than usual morning group to pull over into a gravel driveway just off the coast of Lake Michigan.  What was thought to be a typical minor mechanical breakdown or a continuation of the rash of flats which had been plaguing the DC throughout the month turned into an impromptu, touching celebration.  As soon as the bottle of sparkling grape juice and tacky plastic cups came out of Dan's backpack everyone realized this was it.  The day had finally come, Dan had reached the 1000 mile plateau. Before we knocked back the sweet nectar Dan Made a toast, the transcript of which follows below.
"To my fellow DC members, since the inception of this club you all have looked up to me as your leader and inspiration.  But today in this unknown citizens driveway I tip my helmet to all of you.  I have reached 1000 miles, and I did it before Hannes, well before him.  So before this citizen calls the police I have a few people to thank. 

First, I have to thank Jim and Rumme for twisting my arm and convincing me to start riding.  This was less than a year ago and my life has dramatically changed for the better. The three of us have started an (Dan chokes back some tears) amazing club whose dedicated membership grows constantly.  I thank Josh for being cute as a button, and I also should thank his brother HP LVM Matt for not being cute as a button.  Also Mike for reminding me that life is not just about Listings and Closings.  To John D for proving a Gary Fisher can be ridden for more than two days between breakdowns.  To Dave Riley for teaching me courage in the face of a life changing surgery a mans salvation can be his bike.  And Paul Reget for convincing us to become a charitable organization, I now sleep better at night knowing I have helped people.  Also Luv Joey.  He has gotten me out on several (two) rides, without him I would still be somewhere in the area of 972.  Norman reminds me that riding is for everyone.  A hippie with a dirty bike or a metrosexual with a spotless waxed bike, perfect hair and a great wardrobe.  To the Padre.  Red hair, long hair, it doesn't matter we all can ride.  Cornbread showed us all that just because a man can eat crawdads, it doesn't mean he should.

And last but not least, Chris Hannes.  When someone looks up the word Idol in my dictionary they will find his picture.  He........(Dan becomes too emotional to speak) ."

                                                                                                                           Dan Allemand 06/09/2006  06:22.15 am

Realizing the group would be late for work soon they hugged it out, clipped in and began Dan's next thousand miles.
 
 
"Hydrate or Die"
                 Rumme backpack

"The bicycle is a curious vehicle.  It's passenger is its engine."
  J.Howard, U.S. cyclist

"Don't buy upgrades; Ride up grades."
                      Eddy Merckx

The chosen search engine of the 'Drivers Club'!