From Alaska to Argentina
Anthem biker plans intercontinental ride to break record, help foundation
by Jason Stone

ANTHEM – Pat Tillman inspired thousands of Americans when he gave up a professional football career to serve as a U.S. Army Ranger in the Global War on Terrorism. Tillman was tragically killed in Afghanistan by friendly fire and now, one of the people whose life Tillman touched, wants to keep the fallen hero’s spirit alive.

When Anthem’s Donny Closson felt a feeling of accomplishment was missing from his life, the 39‑year‑old Valley native found himself sympathizing with Tillman. The former linebacker was a  player known for his hard work on the field and quickly became a fan favorite while at Arizona State University and with the Arizona Cardinals.

Tillman’s decision in 2002 to leave the National Football League and join the Army shocked the sports world, but it left an impression with Closson, a longtime Cardinals season ticket holder.

“When I heard he died, it just caused me to look at my own life,” said Closson, who grew up in Mesa and attended many Cardinals games after the team moved to Arizona in 1988. “It caused me to look inward and it really changed me.”

Tillman’s story in part helped Closson decide to leave the computer software industry where he had worked in California in the late 1990s. Closson, his wife and three children, then returned to Arizona and moved to Anthem three years ago.

With extra time for philanthropic work, Closson traveled to New Orleans in March to help out with Habitat For Humanity’s work on Hurricane Katrina restoration. It turned out to be just the beginning of Closson’s mission.

Less than a month ago, Closson heard of David Gerluski, an Atlanta biker and former Tillman friend. Gerluski was looking for a second rider to join him on a motorcycle journey from Alaska to Argentina in an effort to break the 35‑day Guinness World Record.

And the best part: the trip would be done for charity–the Pat Tillman Foundation, through the “34 for 40” Organization that Gerluski founded .

Closson contacted Gerlusksi but discovered Gerluski already picked up a second rider, Ryan Reed of Columbia Falls, Mont. But since the duo had already planned to allow other riders to join the caravan at any point of the tour, they brought Closson on board as a third full‑time rider.

“Everything has happened really fast,” said Closson, who rides motorcycles as a hobby. Closson said he’s never attempted a trek such as this, which will cover 13 countries and 17,000 miles. “I talked to my wife, Sarah, about it, and she said, ‘If it’s something I want to do, go for it.’”

The riders have already generated national media attention. CNN plans pre‑ride interviews starting Aug. 25 and is scheduled to track the riders’ progress when they leave Prudhoe Bay, Alaska Sept. 1. All three riders have also been doing their fair share of media interviews as the race nears.

The BMW F‑650 GS bikes will take the riders mostly down the coasts of North America, through Scottsdale (estimated dates are Sept. 4‑6), into Mexico, down through Central America, then a stop at Panama, where the bikes will have to be crated and shipped to Columbia.

After Columbia, the trek will take them through Equador, Peru, Chile and finally in Ushuaia, Argentina. They hope they can beat the world record of 35 days, which was set in 2003.

To break the record, Closson said the group will have to average about 500 miles a day, which would be 10‑ to 15‑hour daily rides. Many of the rides will have to end by 6 p.m., when the borders of most Central and South American countries close.

The group, which is hoping riders join legs of the trip, just like runners who joined the title character in “Forrest Gump,” want to raise at least $1 million for the Pat Tillman Foundation which was created after he was killed on duty in Afghanistan in 2004.

“Pat wasn’t the biggest on the field, but he had a tenacity that stood out,” Closson said. “He was just going all out, all over the place.”

To donate to the foundation, or track the riders’ progress, visit www.34for40.org.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.