LAB-39-Long Haul Paul’s True Life Story | Paul Pelland Interview

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PODCAST-In this episode we dive into the true life story of a very remarkable Law Abiding Biker.  Paul Pelland, also known as “Long Haul Paul”, has a truly amazing story and he shares everything with me in this interview. You won't want to miss this biker podcast episode of true inspiration and dedication.  I learned that Paul Pelland is an absolute machine and force to be reckoned with in spite of the fact that in 2005 he was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). He didn't let that stop him from being a biker and he made it his life's mission to ride his motorcycle a million miles in his fight to bring awareness to MS.  It is called “Paul Pelland's Endless Road Tour”.  In addition, he is driving efforts to raise money for MS research and to find a cure! The inaugural 2013 MS5000 ride was a great successful fundraiser.  45 riders collectively rode 200,000 miles while raising $23,000 for Multiple Sclerosis.  Anyone can enter the MS5000 event and you ride the miles you can to support the National MS Society.

The reason for this Law Abiding Biker Podcast Episode is because […] of a loyal listener's email.  He made me aware of Paul Pelland and his mission.  I want to thank Quentin Lewis of Leicester, MA for the following email:

“You probably don't know me (except for some dumb comments on FB as one of your podcast listeners), but I wanted to introduce you to Paul Pelland, known as “Long Haul Paul”, because he was an Iron Butt rally guy in a prior life…..I say prior life because that was before he was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Anyways…..he has made it his mission to ride for MS, and he is working on what he calls his “Million Miles for a Cure”. Paul has organized the MS5000, and it is a ride that any of us can make where we will ride 5000 miles in 50 days. (Or for those of us unable to make that distance, a combination of miles and money…..because after all, this is actually a fun way for us riders to raise money for the cause and have a good excuse to ride!) You can learn more about him here: http://www.longhaulpaul.com. I am not connected with Paul, but I did see his talk at last years Americade, and found him to be a real rider who is trying to use his abilities to raise money for a good cause.  Anyways, I suggest you contact him for an interview…..he is a great guy, and I am sure he would love to get people involved with his MS5000 ride.”

INTERVIEW

• About Paul Pelland
  • Where do you live?
    • Raised in Attleboro, Massachusetts, now lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire
  • Where did you grow up?
  • Background in engineering, electronics and mechanics.
• Paul Pelland is an avid motorcycle enthusiast
  • Riding motorcycles for 26 years, has owned  30+ bikes
  • Long distance rally competitor
    • What does that mean? Explained
  • Ridden somewhere near 300,000 miles
  • Top ten finish in the famous Iron butt Rally
• Stopped competing in endurance rallies in 2003
  • Continues to commute and ride every day possible regardless of the weather or season
• Diagnosed in August 2005 with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS)
  • Spasticity, numbness, muscle weakness, fatigue and bladder issues
  • Symptoms are greatly increased in the hot weather, or anytime his body temperature increases
  • Has been on disease modifying medication since diagnosed and it appears to be working by reducing new brain lesions and slowing the disease progression
  • Presentation “Having MS is Like Riding a URAL in the Iron Butt Rally” explained
  • 400,000 people in the USA who have Multiple Sclerosis
• Paul Pelland's Mission
  • Called “Paul Pelland's Endless Road Tour”
    • A man with MS….a motorcycle……a million miles
    • Paul Pelland's motorcycle and gadgets explained
  • To ride the Endless Road Tour, an odyssey of motorcycle adventures including endurance rallies, extreme rides, and attempts at setting a few motorcycle endurance records. To raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis while reaching out to others along the way who also have been dealt tough challenges in life; helping them recalculate their life’s road. The Endless Road Tour will chronicle the ride, the road, the life, a recorded journey of thousands and thousands of miles, at times pushing man and machine to the limits, driven by a passion, bringing the message of “finding your own road” to others with Multiple Sclerosis and other chronic illnesses.  Riding every day possible, with MS, for MS,  travelling and speaking along the way as an MS patient advocate, telling and sharing his story as it continues to evolves in real time.  To document one million motorcycle miles riding with Multiple Sclerosis, for Multiple Sclerosis.
• Paul’s first attempt at setting a world record was successful.  He rode 1000 miles in under 24 hours on 100 different motorcycles
• Iron Butt Association (IBA)
  • International organization dedicated to safe long-distance motorcycle riding
  •  60,000+ members
  • IBA holds and certifies long distance motorcycle rides and rallies
  • IBA hosts the “Worlds Toughest Motorcycle Competition”, an 11 day, 11,000 mile biannual event called The Iron Butt Rally
  • http://www.ironbutt.com/
• Paul Pelland has many sponsors to help with his mission
  • Law Abiding Biker Podcast & Media wants to sponsor Paul Pelland by getting his word and mission out on our podcast and website
• Money to date raised by efforts
• MS5000 Motorcycle Challenge Explained
  • Annual Event
    • 50 day challenge. How many miles can you ride?
    • The inaugural 2013 MS5000 was a great successful fundraiser
    • 45 riders collectively rode 200,000 miles while raising $23,000 for Multiple Sclerosis
  • Registration fee is $30
    • Set up a personal fundraising page on the National MS Society website
      • http://main.nationalmssociety.org/
        • All registered riders need to set up a personal fundraising page from the 2014 MS5000 page.
        • A detailed guide is available on the Riders Only  page.
        • Registered riders outside the United States may collect donations for a MS charity in their own country.
        • Every dollar raised equals 10 points.
        • In order to be considered a finisher, 1000 of the required 5000 points must be from donations.($100).
        • Personalize your page with a story or pictures to help raise donations.
        • Get family and friends to support your attempt by donating to your MS Society page.
        • Donations can be collected as soon as you have registered for the MS5000; anytime after February 1st.
        • Credit card donations are encouraged, but it is also possible to collect cash or checks from your donors.
        • Some riders may want their donors to pledge a dime a mile or such. Feel free to raise funds any way you wish.  Please keep track, and funds must be reported and collected before thedonation deadline of Memorial Day, May 26th.
    • Your registration confirmation email will have the password needed to access to the Rider’s Only page which gives you access to downloadable documents, detailed instructions and help, as well as where you will need to upload your starting and ending fuel receipts, and your final mileage log.
  • All contributions to the National MS Society
    • http://main.nationalmssociety.org/
  • The challenge can be completed at your discretion and the rules are simple
    • Registered riders will document riding as many miles as they can from April 1st  through May 20th while collecting support from family and friends
    • Each 2014 registered rider will get  a MS5000 T-shirt and a decal we hope you place somewhere visible on your bike to let your friends and family know what it is you are attempting and why
    • Get involved, learn about MS and realize how tough every single day might be for someone with Multiple Sclerosis. Do your part to help find a cure
    • Get out of yard work, get your friends to support you, be a hero to your family, all while riding your bike lots of great miles
    • Motorcycles, scooters, or trikes allowed
  • NEW EVENT FORMAT!
    • To be considered a finisher, riders must achieve a minimum of 5000 points by combining miles and donations between April 1st and May 20th, 2014
      • 2014 MS5000 Points Scoring
        • Earn 1 point for every mile ridden
        • Earn 10 points for every dollar raised
        • 5000 points or more  to be a Finisher
        • 10,000 points or more to be a Silver Medalist
        • 15,000  points or more to be a Gold Medalist
        • 20,000 points or more to be a Platinum Medalist
        • Rider earning the most points wins!
        • Minimum of 1000 points must be donations ($100)
        • Minimum of 1000 points must be miles. (1000 miles)
        • After minimum is reached, any combination can be used!
      • The MS5000 can be run during your regular commute, daily rides, weekend trips, or during other long distance rides or events. Any documented miles ridden by the rider during these dates will count
        • REWARDS
          • On or before June 1st, MS5000 Results will be posted! Awards and certificates will be mailed as soon as results are finalized
      • Paul Pelland writes for Ability Magazine
        • http://www.abilitymagazine.com/
      • Paul's Pelland's social media and contact information
        • Paul's Website: http://www.longhaulpaul.com
        • Twitter: https://twitter.com/Longhaulpaul

Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up!