November 1, 2007

Superhero in our midst

Blaze Rider declares he is a friend to children and animals

By Jeanne C. Carbone
Staff Writer

“Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive.” No, it isn’t Superman—it’s Blaze Rider, a local superhero who has vowed to protect children and animals.

Blaze Rider is committed to helping children and animals. Photo by Jeanne C. Carbone

Blaze Rider was burned out of the high-tech world earlier this year and yearned to do something creative and help children and animals. He was met with enthusiasm when appearing at the Willow Glen Founder’s Day Parade, a blood drive for Fremont’s Luna Martel and just completed his first Dollar for Mile Challenge on Oct. 26. That 165-mile journey started at the San Jose Animal Care Center and ended at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital with a 100 percent of the proceeds donated to both organizations.

“I’ve been completely blown away by the enormous positive response—the public, the sponsors and the beneficiaries,” said Blaze Rider. “I knew I was on to something when I’d ride my bike around as Blaze Rider and cars full of kids would go nuts as I ride by, people on the street wave and take pictures. It is so much fun to see the reactions.”

Blaze Rider says his real persona is not very noteworthy--single and no kids. He volunteers at the San Jose Animal Care Center where he had his “light-bulb” moment to become a super hero and raise money for children and animals.

He admits to being creative and an inventor at his lair near the Almaden Winery but insists his real identity must remain anonymous. His focus is to raise awareness of children and animals in need and perhaps inspire others to awakening the super hero residing in each person by volunteering themselves or supporting the Blaze Rider Dollar for Mile Challenges.

This year, Blaze Rider joined the American Motorcycle Association as the first super hero to become a member of the organization. His list of sponsors is equally impressive with Pirelli, Cycle Gear, Harley-Davidson, American Sports Bike, Pet Food Express, Leo Vince Exhaust and Electronics and Dudley Perkins Company supporting the super hero. San Jose Animal Care Center also displays his Dollar for Mile Challenges.

While his first Dollar for Mile Challenge is over, it met with great success as Blaze Rider completed that 165-mile journey. He will donate 100 percent of the pledges to Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital and the San Jose Animal Care Center but the super hero remains focused.

“The event is really the capstone to months of preparation work, evangelizing the beneficiaries to the sponsors and building awareness for kids and animals in the community,” said Blaze Rider. “This really is the most meaningful part of the event; the work that goes on behind the scene in preparation for it.”

Spoken like a true super hero.

Blaze Rider will make a public appearance at the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show in San Mateo Nov. 16-18.

For more information on the super hero, visit www.blazerider.com.