Worcester Gazzette article on Cuba
05-23-2005, 09:14 PM
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Worcester Gazzette article on Cuba
Friday, May 20, 2005
Stunt bike riders to take show to Guantanamo Bay
By Mallary Tenore SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
Stunt riders Steve Bachand, Ray Zalneritis and Jeff Howlett will be entertaining the troops in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. (ED COLLIER PHOTOS)
Enlarge photo
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WORCESTER— Street bike stunt riders Ray Zalneritis, Jeff Howlett and Steve Bachand take things to the extreme.
Next week is no exception.
Mr. Zalneritis of Oakham, Mr. Howlett of Worcester and Mr. Bachand of Leicester are heading to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to perform a stunt-riding show for the troops on Memorial Day weekend.
“It’s not often that someone gets to put on a show like this for the troops in Cuba,” Mr. Howlett said. “This is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Before going to Cuba, the three stuntmen, who call themselves the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ, will stop in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to practice their street bike tricks before the actual performance on May 28. Joining them will be three other riders on their team — Tony D’Orsi, Joe Dryden and Chris McNeil — of New Jersey, Maine and New Hampshire, respectively. Many of the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ members grew up riding with each other and competed against one another before deciding to come together and form their own team.
Following their performance, the riders will spend a day deep-sea fishing with the troops on their day off. Mr. Zalneritis said he is looking forward to spending quality time with the troops and hopes the performance can serve as a sign of appreciation for their hard work.
“We all realize that the troops are working hard and all the guys really respect what they do,” he said.
Mr. Howlett agreed, saying that this show has special significance to him, as several of his family members have been in the service.
“I think all of us riders have had at least one family member in the service and it’s something we’ve come to respect,” said Mr. Howlett.
Stunt rider Drew Stone, who creates film documentations of extreme street and motor bike stunts, chose the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ members to perform at Guantanamo from about 35 groups across the U.S., Zalneritis said. Three other stunt-riding groups — Course 6, Tony D. Freestyle and Vertical Outlaws — have also been invited to perform.
The Xclusive group will present an hour-and-a-half show consisting of high-speed wheelies, endos and peelouts — all bicycle tricks. A Polaris 500, a Kawasaki Ninja 636 and a Suzuki GSXR will be among bikes featured in the show.
A show of this caliber generally costs about $10,000, but the riders have decided to perform for free, Mr. Zalneritis said. Argo Cycles and Auto, a motorcycle dealership based in New Hampshire, is sponsoring the team and helping with the trip costs.
Although the members of Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ had to take time off from work for the show, the money factor hardly deterred them.
“I already used my vacation time so I’m working without getting paid,” said Mr. Howlett. “Everybody’s sacrificing something to get over there. … It’s not about the money to us.”
The performance in Cuba will not be the first time the members of Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ have showed off their talent. Throughout the past few years, they have performed at several Massachusetts charity events, including an annual “Riding to Raise Money” fund-raiser to benefit the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton.
Their Memorial Day show however, they said, will be unlike any other.
Stunt bike riders to take show to Guantanamo Bay
By Mallary Tenore SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
Stunt riders Steve Bachand, Ray Zalneritis and Jeff Howlett will be entertaining the troops in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. (ED COLLIER PHOTOS)
Enlarge photo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORCESTER— Street bike stunt riders Ray Zalneritis, Jeff Howlett and Steve Bachand take things to the extreme.
Next week is no exception.
Mr. Zalneritis of Oakham, Mr. Howlett of Worcester and Mr. Bachand of Leicester are heading to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to perform a stunt-riding show for the troops on Memorial Day weekend.
“It’s not often that someone gets to put on a show like this for the troops in Cuba,” Mr. Howlett said. “This is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Before going to Cuba, the three stuntmen, who call themselves the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ, will stop in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to practice their street bike tricks before the actual performance on May 28. Joining them will be three other riders on their team — Tony D’Orsi, Joe Dryden and Chris McNeil — of New Jersey, Maine and New Hampshire, respectively. Many of the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ members grew up riding with each other and competed against one another before deciding to come together and form their own team.
Following their performance, the riders will spend a day deep-sea fishing with the troops on their day off. Mr. Zalneritis said he is looking forward to spending quality time with the troops and hopes the performance can serve as a sign of appreciation for their hard work.
“We all realize that the troops are working hard and all the guys really respect what they do,” he said.
Mr. Howlett agreed, saying that this show has special significance to him, as several of his family members have been in the service.
“I think all of us riders have had at least one family member in the service and it’s something we’ve come to respect,” said Mr. Howlett.
Stunt rider Drew Stone, who creates film documentations of extreme street and motor bike stunts, chose the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ members to perform at Guantanamo from about 35 groups across the U.S., Zalneritis said. Three other stunt-riding groups — Course 6, Tony D. Freestyle and Vertical Outlaws — have also been invited to perform.
The Xclusive group will present an hour-and-a-half show consisting of high-speed wheelies, endos and peelouts — all bicycle tricks. A Polaris 500, a Kawasaki Ninja 636 and a Suzuki GSXR will be among bikes featured in the show.
A show of this caliber generally costs about $10,000, but the riders have decided to perform for free, Mr. Zalneritis said. Argo Cycles and Auto, a motorcycle dealership based in New Hampshire, is sponsoring the team and helping with the trip costs.
Although the members of Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ had to take time off from work for the show, the money factor hardly deterred them.
“I already used my vacation time so I’m working without getting paid,” said Mr. Howlett. “Everybody’s sacrificing something to get over there. … It’s not about the money to us.”
The performance in Cuba will not be the first time the members of Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ have showed off their talent. Throughout the past few years, they have performed at several Massachusetts charity events, including an annual “Riding to Raise Money” fund-raiser to benefit the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton.
Their Memorial Day show however, they said, will be unlike any other.
05-24-2005, 02:32 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: New York City
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Posts: 901
Re: Worcester Gazzette article on Cuba
Originally Posted by TEACH C6
Friday, May 20, 2005
Stunt bike riders to take show to Guantanamo Bay
By Mallary Tenore SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
Stunt riders Steve Bachand, Ray Zalneritis and Jeff Howlett will be entertaining the troops in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. (ED COLLIER PHOTOS)
Enlarge photo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORCESTER— Street bike stunt riders Ray Zalneritis, Jeff Howlett and Steve Bachand take things to the extreme.
Next week is no exception.
Mr. Zalneritis of Oakham, Mr. Howlett of Worcester and Mr. Bachand of Leicester are heading to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to perform a stunt-riding show for the troops on Memorial Day weekend.
“It’s not often that someone gets to put on a show like this for the troops in Cuba,” Mr. Howlett said. “This is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Before going to Cuba, the three stuntmen, who call themselves the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ, will stop in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to practice their street bike tricks before the actual performance on May 28. Joining them will be three other riders on their team — Tony D’Orsi, Joe Dryden and Chris McNeil — of New Jersey, Maine and New Hampshire, respectively. Many of the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ members grew up riding with each other and competed against one another before deciding to come together and form their own team.
Following their performance, the riders will spend a day deep-sea fishing with the troops on their day off. Mr. Zalneritis said he is looking forward to spending quality time with the troops and hopes the performance can serve as a sign of appreciation for their hard work.
“We all realize that the troops are working hard and all the guys really respect what they do,” he said.
Mr. Howlett agreed, saying that this show has special significance to him, as several of his family members have been in the service.
“I think all of us riders have had at least one family member in the service and it’s something we’ve come to respect,” said Mr. Howlett.
Stunt rider Drew Stone, who creates film documentations of extreme street and motor bike stunts, chose the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ members to perform at Guantanamo from about 35 groups across the U.S., Zalneritis said. Three other stunt-riding groups — Course 6, Tony D. Freestyle and Vertical Outlaws — have also been invited to perform.
The Xclusive group will present an hour-and-a-half show consisting of high-speed wheelies, endos and peelouts — all bicycle tricks. A Polaris 500, a Kawasaki Ninja 636 and a Suzuki GSXR will be among bikes featured in the show.
A show of this caliber generally costs about $10,000, but the riders have decided to perform for free, Mr. Zalneritis said. Argo Cycles and Auto, a motorcycle dealership based in New Hampshire, is sponsoring the team and helping with the trip costs.
Although the members of Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ had to take time off from work for the show, the money factor hardly deterred them.
“I already used my vacation time so I’m working without getting paid,” said Mr. Howlett. “Everybody’s sacrificing something to get over there. … It’s not about the money to us.”
The performance in Cuba will not be the first time the members of Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ have showed off their talent. Throughout the past few years, they have performed at several Massachusetts charity events, including an annual “Riding to Raise Money” fund-raiser to benefit the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton.
Their Memorial Day show however, they said, will be unlike any other.
Stunt bike riders to take show to Guantanamo Bay
By Mallary Tenore SPECIAL TO THE TELEGRAM & GAZETTE
Stunt riders Steve Bachand, Ray Zalneritis and Jeff Howlett will be entertaining the troops in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. (ED COLLIER PHOTOS)
Enlarge photo
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WORCESTER— Street bike stunt riders Ray Zalneritis, Jeff Howlett and Steve Bachand take things to the extreme.
Next week is no exception.
Mr. Zalneritis of Oakham, Mr. Howlett of Worcester and Mr. Bachand of Leicester are heading to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba to perform a stunt-riding show for the troops on Memorial Day weekend.
“It’s not often that someone gets to put on a show like this for the troops in Cuba,” Mr. Howlett said. “This is really a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Before going to Cuba, the three stuntmen, who call themselves the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ, will stop in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to practice their street bike tricks before the actual performance on May 28. Joining them will be three other riders on their team — Tony D’Orsi, Joe Dryden and Chris McNeil — of New Jersey, Maine and New Hampshire, respectively. Many of the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ members grew up riding with each other and competed against one another before deciding to come together and form their own team.
Following their performance, the riders will spend a day deep-sea fishing with the troops on their day off. Mr. Zalneritis said he is looking forward to spending quality time with the troops and hopes the performance can serve as a sign of appreciation for their hard work.
“We all realize that the troops are working hard and all the guys really respect what they do,” he said.
Mr. Howlett agreed, saying that this show has special significance to him, as several of his family members have been in the service.
“I think all of us riders have had at least one family member in the service and it’s something we’ve come to respect,” said Mr. Howlett.
Stunt rider Drew Stone, who creates film documentations of extreme street and motor bike stunts, chose the Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ members to perform at Guantanamo from about 35 groups across the U.S., Zalneritis said. Three other stunt-riding groups — Course 6, Tony D. Freestyle and Vertical Outlaws — have also been invited to perform.
The Xclusive group will present an hour-and-a-half show consisting of high-speed wheelies, endos and peelouts — all bicycle tricks. A Polaris 500, a Kawasaki Ninja 636 and a Suzuki GSXR will be among bikes featured in the show.
A show of this caliber generally costs about $10,000, but the riders have decided to perform for free, Mr. Zalneritis said. Argo Cycles and Auto, a motorcycle dealership based in New Hampshire, is sponsoring the team and helping with the trip costs.
Although the members of Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ had to take time off from work for the show, the money factor hardly deterred them.
“I already used my vacation time so I’m working without getting paid,” said Mr. Howlett. “Everybody’s sacrificing something to get over there. … It’s not about the money to us.”
The performance in Cuba will not be the first time the members of Xclusive Freestyle RiderZ have showed off their talent. Throughout the past few years, they have performed at several Massachusetts charity events, including an annual “Riding to Raise Money” fund-raiser to benefit the Michael Carter Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton.
Their Memorial Day show however, they said, will be unlike any other.
This is not a "Charity Event" and I take pride in the fact that not only are we going dwon to Cuba to make history BUT WE ARE BEING PAID FOR IT!!
Tony D Freestyle Film & Urban Three out now at www.stonefilmsnyc.com
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