Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751464
55 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nDecember 2016n picture. We took a backroads run to Western Reserve H-D in Mentor, Ohio, and then to Rock-N- Roll City Harley in Cleveland, our only scheduled stop of the day. Adam received a nice turn- out and donation, and we stopped for lunch. Lake Erie H-D in Avon, Ohio, was next, quickly followed by a stop at Stinger H-D in Medina, Ohio. We were on a roll but then the brakes on the bus locked up. Jack "Action Jackson" Summers, an auto wholesaler from Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the bus driver/site manager for the trip, jumped into action. Within minutes, Egor was up and running and we were back on the road. We pulled into South East H-D in Bedford Heights, Ohio, in the dark. We'd set a record, hitting seven dealers in one day. Adam, concerned for everyone's safety, decided we should call it a day and head to a local campground. We had a great night telling and listening to stories, laughing and just enjoying the com- pany of some great people who had been strangers just a couple days ago. There's something about Adam and ScootinAmerica that seems to bring the best out in people. Next morning the ScootinAmerica crew went right back to work while the rest of us packed up to make our way home to our families and responsibilities. It seemed that every night was a repeat of fi lming, editing, scheduling… The amount of work that constantly goes into keeping this thing moving is exhausting. Anyone think- ing this is a joyride around the country is mistaken. We made tentative plans to meet back up in October for the last stops and made our way home. Over the next few weeks ScootinAmerica kept a steady pace, running long days, sometimes into the night to get to all the dealers. The crowds kept turning out, and through mechanical problems, scheduling issues and deteriorating weather con- ditions they stayed on track to meet the deadline. Then tragedy struck. On the way from Albany, New York, to Woodstock H-D, Tooter Jordan was struck from behind by a tractor trailer. She suffered multiple broken bones and a punctured lung, but will make a full recovery. After some debate, the rest of the crew got back on the road to fi nish what they started. We made our way to Tramontin Harley-Davidson on October 1 to meet back up with the team. Tramontin H-D would be the only dealership visited twice. The place was teeming with activity, and a crowd anticipating ScootinAmerica's arrival. Lost Place had the parking lot alive belting out classic rock, while the Tramontin staff served doughnuts and a lot of coffee on this cool, damp morning. A roar came up from the crowd as the Blue Knights escorted the Warhorse into the lot, and a mad scramble ensued to get a picture and autograph from Adam and Scooter. Gloria Tramontin Struck, the dealership founder's daughter, was introduced, and the two became fast friends during a lively discussion about all things motorcycle, entertaining everyone within earshot. Afterwards Nancy Duthie, Tramontin's GM, handed Adam $2,800 raised by their efforts. Then, in a complete surprise, the Tramontin staff rolled out a 2006 Street Glide they would be donating for a trike rebuild to be given to a local veteran. It was a fan- tastic day. We packed up and hit the road for Pennsylvania to prepare for the next day's events. Saturday we made our fi rst stop at Lancaster H-D and then made our way to Battlefi eld H-D in Gettysburg, the last of 702 stops, where we arrived for one of the largest crowds ever. Outside was packed with fans, vendors, food concessions and a band. Adam rode inside the building, and was speechless for probably the fi rst time in his life. After three hours of autographs and pictures, the journey had been completed: 82,000 miles crossing America six times, two world records, and over $250,000 raised. The only thing left was the homecoming festivities in Fort Myers, Florida. We made our way down I-95 from Gettysburg with one eye on the road and the other on the sky. We were ready to celebrate, but Mother Nature had other plans. As we crossed Georgia, the weather started to deteriorate and Hurricane Matthew got closer. We made a dash for Florida's west coast, and got in by Friday morning. That afternoon was a casual return to Six Bends H-D, where the journey had started over two years before. As always, well-wishers were on hand to cheer the ScootinAmerica team on, and to grab a quick picture with their hero. Saturday was a meet 'n' greet during the day, complete with a cocktail hour and band and the usual full house of fans. Afterwards, Adam and Scooter led a ride of over 200 bikes to Cape Coral Bike Night, a two-block long street festival com- plete with a concert from Skid Row. ScootinAmerica was mobbed from start to fi nish, an appropriate ending to a fantastic journey. I asked Adam about his plans afterward, and learned there's a possi- bility of a movie or documentary. He's also had some people speak to him about endorsement deals. "What I'd really like is to open a campground, maybe with a bar and restaurant on it. I'd have a section where veterans could camp for free. And their fi rst drink in the bar would be on the house. That would be really cool." Adam Sandoval is a hero. He is the real deal. He's not a quitter… he's an American! 4 Relaxing at the campground after a record-setting day Adam's fi rst look at the rebuilt Warhorse Adam and Gloria Tramontin Struck share a laugh at Tramontin Harley-Davidson in Hope, New Jersey