Unicycle TN 2000-Day 12

Wednesday Night - 5/3/00

"Citizen Don"

It all began with breakfast...

Don wheeled into a convenience store on the southeast side of Knoxville to buy
breakfast. The woman at the cash register was obviously curious about him. Its
not every day that a huge bumble bee walks into your store. When she heard Don's
"buzz," she asked if the media was aware of this.

Don shrugged his shoulders.

She said, "Well, I'm calling the TV stations about this!"

Within 30 minutes, Don was under hot pursuit by local television stations.

Channel 10 had a good story on Don. They found people at a local restaurant to
be 'extras' during the taping.

Some comments were:

"There's no way I'd ride one of those things!"

A lady said, "You'd have to put a motor on it before I'd even touch it!"

Don later saw the piece on Channel 10 and said it was well-edited and had "good
production value" to it. ("Good production value?") and then I heard about the
camera angles. (Sweetie, lets keep that head size in check so you don't lose
balance off your wheel!").

Most importantly, Don did elaborate about his cause -- RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE OF
MEMPHIS! ! ! Let's fill those pantries folks!

Don met a nice couple this afternoon named Jeff Lansdown and Debbie. Jeff is a
well known balloonist in Morristown. (He's for hire folks! ! ! -- Check out this
web -site: www.smokymtnballoons.com/

Jeff told Don that he books bed and breakfast packages that involve a balloon
ride over the Great Smoky Mountains. Its important to ride when it is 'calm'
like around sunrise or sunset.

As I talked to Don, he petted their cat named "Shotsie." Don't worry, Don. My
lips are sealed! Pooky and Boo will NEVER KNOW! (However, they are suspicious).

Don was interviewed on Channel 6, but, unfortunately, missed that broadcast.

Don, Jeff and Debbie had dinner at Appleby's. Don was not modest! He went for
the STEAK! And, had a couple of beers.

Don plans to ride into Kingsport tomorrow. That will be a long day for him,
because that is over 60 miles. It looks like we kind of (ahem) UNDER estimated
the mileage! Its looking like it will probably be 600+ when this is over.

Again, I will be leave Memphis tomorrow (Thursday) morning. I plan to meet Don
tomorrow evening in Kingsport. I will find a way to get messages through (via my
daughter, Diana -- or Chuck).

As for TV coverage -- You may want to stay tuned to Channel 5 in Bristol (as
well as Channel 5 in MEMPHIS) both NBC affiliates Friday evening. (NOTHING
DEFINITE). Consider this another plug. Also, Fox 13 in Memphis.

God bless you...

See y'all in Bristol ! ! !

Sheree Hudgins

Mileage count:

Don traveled 34 miles today

Add to the 489 yesterday

which makes Don 523 miles from Ronald McDonald House of Memphis!

This made me giggle and reminded me of last years Minnesota ride.... you didn't
have Andy Cotter helping you work the mileage out did you?

[color=blue]> Don plans to ride into Kingsport tomorrow. That will be a long day for[/color]
him,
[color=blue]> because that is over 60 miles. It looks like we kind of (ahem) UNDER estimated[/color]
[color=blue]> the mileage! Its looking like it will probably be 600+ when this[/color]
is
[color=blue]> over.[/color]

Roger
p.s. Love the reports and keep it up.

Unicyclists,

I hope you have been reading and enjoying the reports about Don Hudgins' ride
across Tennessee. I noticed today that there has been little discussion about it
here on the newsgroup.

Though there is only one of him, he has now surpassed the mileage of the great
Unicycle Across Minnesota, which was done by a large group of riders last
summer. He's riding all by himself, with nothing but a fanny pack stuffed with
not enough supplies, and a cell phone. His wife is entertaining us with a day by
day travelogue of the Tennessee countryside.

In case you weren't aware, he's doing this for a charity also, in this case the
Ronald McDonald House of Memphis. Though this particular charity is localized
and may not apply to most of us, that doesn't matter. Any unicyclist making an
effort like Don is more than worthy of our donations. I believe I offered 10
cents a mile before he started (and when the total mileage estimate was
lower...). I'm sticking with that. Please donate something if you can. You can
find out more about the charity at Don's web site: www.unicycler.com.

I've asked Sheree Hudgins for more information on how to donate, which will
hopefully be added to the web site. Please stay tuned, and help Don set a record
for the most money raised by an individual on a long-distance unicycle ride!

Stay on top, John Foss President, Unicycling Society of America Director,
International Unicycling Federation (reply to jfoss@unicycling.com)
http://www.unicycling.com