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Arrival Day
Denver Sendoff and the Hill Gang Arrival at the Drop Zone
The Hill Gang assembled at the Cedar City drop zone on Tuesday after members of flew in from all over the United States. Representatives of the Alaska and Minnesota chapters of the Hill Gang, assembled in Denver Colorado for the rally kickoff on Monday. Jeff Moore flew in from Big Lake Alaska to join Rick Matthew’s of Milaca, Minnesota for the ride to Cedar City, Utah and the official start of the 2002 Rolling Rally. Rick, this year’s long haul champion, rode his highly modified 1994 Harley from Minnesota to Denver arriving on Sunday.
 Jeff, Rick, and an enthusiastic group of ILD supporters met at “Davey’s Chuckwagon Diner” in Lakewood, Colorado, a Denver landmark since 1957 and a former hangout of Jeff’s. After officially dedicating the ILD Support Vehicle, the Harley’s headed west into the Majestic Rocky Mountains. The rumble of Rick’s exhaust pipes echoed through the Eisenhower tunnel announcing the approach of the Hill Gang to the western slope of the Rockies and Glenwood Springs, where another group of ILD supporters greeted them.
All enjoyed a break from the road and time for renewing old and making new acquaintances. Finally, the group arrived in Grand Junction for a night's rest and a chance for Jeff to show two one-on-ones to prospects who, as if by magic, happened to live there.
 As the riders poured in to Cedar City, everyone prepared for the coming days ride. Tweaking their bikes, ensuring all their gear was properly stowed and last minute checks to ensure all equipment was operational. Many riders took short warm-up rides to ready themselves for the demanding days ahead.
Late in the day, the Hill Gang assembled to award the new members of the Hill Gang their “colors”. Dan Lantis, John Hoglund and Jim Harris were  recognized for their accomplishments and received a warm welcome from their Mentors. It was a powerful experience that these men will remember for the rest of their lives as a “Moment that Matters”.
Afterwards, the Hill gang enjoyed a fine meal at a local restaurant and retired early to rest for the coming days. As always, the talk of the day was how to get more warriors to join them for the ‘Ride of a Lifetime’.
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