Ride to the Sun

In June 2002, Mark stuck his neck out as the executive sponsor of a motorcycle rally to the Sun Microsystems campus near Denver/Boulder, Colorado.  Any mishaps (unruly behavior, accidents, lawsuits...) and Mark's job was likely  finished, since the Sun risk-management people were doing a lot of last-minute whining and nervous hand-wringing. 

Happily, the weather was sunny and perfect, hundreds of participants showed up, everyone was extra well-behaved, we had a great ride with police escorts blocking intersections so every light was magically green, food and biker item vendors sold their wares, and a band entertained. 

We raised $25,000 in one day for children's charities (Make-a-Wish Foundation and others).  We got good, positive media coverage with front-page stories and photos in local newpapers, video on TV news that night, a live radio broadcast from the event, and a story in "EasyRider" magazine praising Sun for its community outreach even during a tough year economically.  Plus, we had some fun.  

Mark as bikes roll in from all over Colorado...	Lots of charitable bikers came, on a parking lot full of beautiful machines	Nice turn-out	Lined-up for the parade out, then a ride thru the mountains and foothills