|
Welcome to the Vladimir Page Welcome to our VLADIMIR YARETS Page!
It has been provided to keep people updated about Vladimir Yarets, a 63-year-old deaf and mute motorcyclist from Minsk, Belarus, who got into a bad road accident on October 13, 2003, in Illinois after traveling through Europe, parts of South America, the Caribbean, and riding through all 50 states of the USA.
He was midway through a six-year quest to enter the Guinness Book of Records as the only deaf and mute biker who has gone around the world. He had both legs, arm and pelvis broken, but thanks to the wonderful doctors, nurses and administrators at St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, he is now healed (mostly anyway).
Thanks to the help from many friends from around the world, and especially from the state of Illinois, Vladimir now has a new motorcycle, near gear, and a new chance to complete his ride around the world.
Thank you to all who helped make this possible. At this time, we no longer are collecting donations. One reason is that now he's on the road, it's hard to send him anything.
Vladimir departed the Peoria, Illinois, area in mid May, 2004, and as best we can tell, is heading for Mexico. Eventually he's bound for the bottom of South America, Australia, Asia, Africa and back home. We suspect his route, not to mention his life, is going to take some twists and turns before he gets there.
We'd love to hear about your Vladimir sightings. PLEASE post them in the guestbook section, which you can reach at the bottom of this page.
If you'd like to read the entire story about Vladimir's little detour -- from the fall of 2003 to the spring of 2004 -- you are welcome to read the journal entries that also can be accessed below.
If you do happen to meet Vladimir (I was going to say "run into Vladimir" but we don't want that) tell him hello from his friends in the middle of America. Help him if you can. And be ready for anything. No one is quite the same after meeting this guy.
Journal
Tuesday, May 18, 2004 10:36 AM CDT May the wind be at your back, Vladimir.
OK, so maybe that Irish “may the wind be at your back” saying is getting a little worn, but in the world of motorcycling, you can hardly wish anyone anything better than a tailwind.
Figuratively speaking, our friend Vladimir plumb ran out of tailwinds on the evening of October 13 when the truck tossed him in the air like a rag doll and squashed his beloved Jawa.
His tailwind came in the form of lots and lots of good men and women who scraped this guy up out of a ditch and helped him get back on his feet. Vladimir Yarets will never know how many of you stepped forward to help in so many ways, all the way from Bill Kautz who gave him a new motorcycle to the surgeons who screwed his bones back together to the lady at WalMart in East Peoria who helped Rick Martin and I pick out new underwear for Vladimir on Thanksgiving weekend.
Yes, it has been proven that there is a good place to get run over by a truck, and that place is in Peoria, Illinois, where people don’t just talk about helping others, they really do help others simply because they are good people and it’s the right thing to do.
And now their work with Vladimir is done. His body is healed (mostly) and he has been outfitted with a machine and equipment that is the finest you could find for a journey the likes of which Vladimir still faces in his quest to become the first deaf and mute motorcyclist to circle the globe.
While we had a wonderful, formal send-off party for Vladimir at Tag Sport in Geneva, Illinois, some weeks back, the real end of his unexpected stay in middle America came around dinner time Monday, May 17, nearly eight months after he tangled with that truck.
Rick Martin, a long-distance rider who came to this party early and stayed late, put it this way in an e-mail last night:
“A Vladimir Yarets chapter is ending … for those of us that have virtually spent most of our winter and spring with him anyway.
“This afternoon at 5:40 p.m. CDST, Vladimir decided it was time to resume his adventure. With no farewell party or fanfare he mounted his loaded-down F650GS and rode west on US-24 into the setting sun. The only directions he gave to those in attendance were ‘US-24 to Kansas City.” How he gets from there to San Diego, Calif., is anyone’s guess.
“So if you’re out riding or, heaven forbid, driving, keep an eye out for a yellow BMW with very large panniers, stickers all over it, and ‘MINSK BELARUS’ on the windshield. If you have the pleasure to meet him, write my name on a piece of paper, point to my name, point to your head and then at him, he will understand. The best way I can describe how to communicate with him is practice your best game of charades.
“This has been quite an experience to say the least. We all wish him the best and God speed on his quest. We’ll miss you Vlad.”
Vladimir hobbled and limped his way into the home of Morton, Illinois, motorcyclist Paul Klopfenstein last February. Paul, his friend Betty, their dog Agnes, and Iron Butt vet Kerry Willey were standing in the driveway yesterday afternoon to wave goodbye to Vladimir one last time. Also on hand was another behind-the-scenes hero, Dimitry Volkov, a translator for the huge Caterpillar company, who came to the rescue many times when it was critical to explain complicated but important information to the deaf Belorussian.
Good old Dimitry worked his magic again yesterday afternoon and helped get some matters straightened out before Vladimir rode into the sunset. One of the things he translated was this letter from Paul:
“My good friend Vladimir,
“I am very happy you will be able to continue your journey now. I have enjoyed you being a guest in my home and have tried to do what I felt was best for you while allowing you the freedom to enjoy your stay, to convalesce, and to prepare for the remainder of your record-setting journey.
“ … (I’ve deleted some boring parts about financial matters here) … With all that said, we all wish you God speed and goodwill. Many more will assist your continued journey. Be appreciative of their efforts on your behalf.
“Betty, Agnes, and I will remember your visit, and the good times we had for many years.
“I am proud to say that I know you and believe we will remain good friends for many years. Signed Paul Klopfenstein”
All that’s left now is to pick up a few pieces that Vladimir left behind. His flattened Jawa and some luggage will be crated and shipped back to Minsk, Belarus. There’s no big hurry, as we figure Vladimir won’t get back there himself for another three or four years.
So all you in the rest of the world, be on the alert: Vladimir is coming. As Rick said, if you happen to see him, tell him hi from his friends in the middle of America. And one more thing, if you see him out on the highway, whatever you do, don’t tailgate the guy.
And thank you to all who have become part of Vladimir’s adventure.
Jim Winterer
St. Paul, Minnesota
Read past journal entries
Hospital Information: Patient Room: na
Happy News. No Hospital!
na
na
na
|
|
