I posted a few times on Twitter and I was surprised to be contacted by Aaron Heinrich, the publisher of the motorcycle website Asphalt & Dirt. He somehow found Popp Over America in the vast sea (some might say cesspool) of social media. Aaron called me yesterday for a preliminary interview about my ride and TV show. After a few verbal exchanges, I felt like I was conversing with an old friend rather than an interviewer. We talked about the concept of the show at first, but then we quickly spun into other topics – music, relationships, food and life.

Aaron asked me if I ever considered riding for some type of cause. My girlfriend Jenny also made this suggestion which I dismissed. I told Aaron (as I told Jenny) I didn’t want to appear that I was using a cause to raise money for my trip. I stated the fact about how many charities give little of the money raised to the causes they are supposedly supporting. But Aaron quickly convinced me that the goal should to be raise awareness and not necessarily collect money for donations. This concept is great for all parties involved. Not only would I be doing good for my own soul, but I would be helping others while blasting over the roads of America.

But what cause?

Jenny was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2010. When she suggested that I ride for a cause, she never mentioned her own disease as being that cause. She is such a generous and giving person that the letters “MS” never crossed her lips when I argued with her about the subject. But a light bulb went off in my over-sized melon when Aaron hammered on about having a cause. “MS, my girlfriend has MS. I could ride to raise awareness for that!”

Aaron brainstormed with me for a few more minutes before hanging up the phone. What started as a brief interview turned into a 36 minute inspirational therapy session about a whole new way to view Popp Over America. Motorcyclists are an interesting breed. We are brothers in arms, welded together by the simple commonality of riding in the wind on two wheels. We help each other. Aaron helped me.

I am no longer riding for myself. I’m now riding for Jenny and her brothers and sisters in arms – those who have been affected by MS.