LANSING | Dr. Wes Molenaar is an optometrist who embarked on the ultimate sightseeing tour.
Last spring and early summer, Molenaar took his Harley-Davidson 1200 cc Sportster out for a spin that encompassed 48 states, 10 Canadian provinces and territories, 26 H-D regional rallies and Mexico.
"I had no problem going into Mexico," said Molenaar, 69, of St. John. "But getting back across the border ... they're a little more strict about that."
In a span of 50 days, Molenaar rode more than 30,000 miles. It was part of the Harley-Davidson Owner's Group "ABC's of Touring" contest where club bikers rack up points while traveling across the United States (as well as other countries) and submitting photos of their bikes adjacent to the sign posts they visit.
"It's kind of like a scavenger hunt," Molenaar said. "And you have to have a copy of 'HOG' magazine in the photo for it to count."
Aside from states, provinces and rallies, lists for the hunt include H-D facilities across the country, national parks and forests, and completing -- or attempting to complete -- A to Z alphabets using cities/villages/towns and counties/parishes/districts.
"I looked all over for a county starting with the letter 'X,' but I couldn't find one," Molenaar said.
Nonetheless, Molenaar placed first among about 1,200 contestants. His 150 points bested runners-up Bob and Nancy Beck of Enid, Okla., and David Brown of Brookville, Md. -- each recorded 133 points.
"I didn't find out that I won until just last month," said Molenaar, who is also participating in this year's "ABC's" contest but not as zealously.
"Last year, I was able to make time to go all out," said Molenaar, who still works at his family business, "The Molenaar Eyecare Practice" in Lansing. "I have my son (Dr. Brant Molenaar) working with me, and he was able to cover for me while I was gone."
The tour doesn't cater to "easy riders."
"It was tough," said Molenaar, who mostly traveled alone and put in as much as 1,100 miles in a single day. "About 30 percent of the time I rode in the rain. It was a wet summer last year."
And then there was the hail storm in New Mexico.
"The wind was blowing so hard that the hail was flying sideways," Molenaar said. "I was just wearing a short-sleeved shirt at the time, and I was getting pelted. Even truck drivers, who usually drive through anything, were pulling over."
In addition to being a "HOG," Molenaar is a member of the Christian Motorcyclist Association, which supports local and foreign missions; and the Patriot Guard Riders, who attend funerals of servicemen killed in action. He also participates in motorcycle rallies to benefit the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and the fight against muscular dystrophy.
"Bikers sometimes get a bad rap," Molenaar said. "But often when I was taking a picture of a sign, another biker would come by and ask if I needed any help, because he saw that I was stopped on the side of the road.
"When you're enclosed in your car, I guess you don't have that same connection with fellow travelers."
