About the Author and Founder of Mike's Bike Tours & Bus Bavaria: although my father's family was A story of an American entrepreneur's not at all wealthy and he never earned a salary that allowed him to do much more than make the successes, failures & good life in payments on his 30-year mortgage by Michael Lasher for a house that cost $11,000 while also providing for his seven kids, on w e e k e n d s i n t h e s u m m e r throughout my entire childhood and youth my family and I greatly appreciated the privilege of enjoying the use of the pool on the gorgeous waterfront property of a fo r m e r t yco o n a n d i co n o f A m e r i c a n e n t e r p r i s e .

(2011) Over the past 21 years I have as practicing Catholics. My father spoken to thousands of our was a Lieutenant at the Merchant Marine Academy guests and they have consistently in Kings Point, NY - which, along asked me about my personal story w i t h G re at N e c k , i s o n t h e more frequently than anything peninsula referred to as West Egg else. Since many of our clientele are (representing old money) in F. Scott curious enough to find this subject Fitzgerald's – The Great Gatsby. He interesting I've chosen to take this died in 2009, known affectionately opportunity to write this article for to senior administration members My parents grew up in Great Neck, those who may enjoy reading it of the Academy as “The Mayor of and my mother's maiden name and, after 22 years, finally provide a King's Point”. was Sherman. We are proud far more thorough version of my My entire family was very decedents of Roger Sherman, the story than I could or would care to fortunate to have been associated only Founding Father to have offer anybody verbally in response with this excellent institution, signed all four of the great state to future inquiries about it. As I which is located on the north Shore d o c u m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g t h e b e g a n t o w r i t e t h i s t e x t I of Long Island where some of the Declaration of Independence and immediately wondered how far w e a l t h i e s t p e o p l e i n back I should go into my own America lived in personal background. For the sake the early 20th of completeness I've decided to go century, includ- all the way back to the beginning ing particularly, (of my life). I figure what the heck, W a l t e r P . y'all have some 3+ hours to kill Chrysler, who while on our coach today anyway, d o n a t e d h i s so why not? Here goes! property to the I was born on Long Island in late federal govern- 1967 and grew up in a town called ment and whose Hicksville, which also happens to mansion is the be where Billy Joel is from, of whom centerpiece of I am a big fan. I'm the youngest of the Academy's seven kids, and yes, we were, raised c a m p u s . S o Roger Sherman stands at the table second from left 41 the Constitution, which was finally possible in the winter. At 15 I (CUNY) from which I graduated in based upon his Great Compromise washed dishes and pans in the 1992 with a B.A. (in International proposition, a.k.a. the Connecticut kitchen of a nearby Italian Business). Had I the chance to do it Plan. We are also related to William restaurant on Friday and Saturday over again I wouldn't spend 5 years Tecumseh Sherman, the famous nights for $3 an hour. At 16 I also of my life going to college to get Union General at the time of the stocked shelves in a local grocery the kind of education that I did, Civil War, best known for his “march store for the legal minimum wage rather would travel and / or study to the sea” (depicted in Gone with at the time, which was $3.35 / hour. independently instead. Today I am the Wind) and the famous quote, At 17 I was a bus boy (cleaning off p e r s o n a l l y o p p o s e d t o t h e “ a l l w a r i s h e l l ” . tables) at another local Italian paradigm which now dominates in restaurant called Cristiano's, in the USA that one must obtain a Syosset, NY - which happens to be college degree in order to increase the restaurant Billy Joel sings the likelihood of becoming about in the Ballad of Brenda and successful. I believe that going to Eddie / “Scenes from an Italian college in the USA these days is the Restaurant” - a fantastic song I right choice for those who need the recommend listening to sometime degree, like those who will become if you're not already familiar with it. doctors, engineers, etc. or really At around the age of 18 I eventually know what they want to study and became a waiter and worked in why, but not necessarily for those several restaurants on Long Island who simply believe they must have as well as in NYC, including the a piece of paper which proves they (excellent) Bryant & Cooper went to college in order to increase steakhouse in Roslyn, which is still their chances of getting a “good open to this day. (If you happen to job”. With so many young people be from Long Island and ever go getting a degree from a college there, please consider asking to institution these days, that piece of William Tecumseh Sherman speak with the owner, George Poll, paper has become worth less and and tell him that I send my best! less while costing more and more, For those of you from the South, He'll remember me if you tell him I and the quality of the education is, particularly , please try not was the kid who let him borrow my in my opinion, very often lessor to hold this against me. At any rate, silver 914) than what one can achieve on their my name is not Sherman, for that As a waiter I often earned pretty own at home with the internet, was my mother's maiden name, good money, but I also was fired books and travel. At any rate, once I but my family's history in America from a number of places. In NY h a d f re e d my s e l f f ro m t h e predates the Revolutionary War, at waiters are a dime a dozen and for a volitional ball and chain that the least on my mother's side. young kid like me it wasn't that goal to achieve a four-year degree I went to a parochial (Catholic) easy to keep a good job for long. had become to me, I immediately school from 5th through the 9th Eventually I decided to work for went on a two-month backpacking grade, after which I switched over myself and started cleaning trip through Europe that summer, to Hicksville High School. In my a p a r t m e n t s a n d o f fi c e s i n 1 9 9 2 . W h i l e i n Z e r m a t t , youth I was talented at sports and Manhattan for $15/hour under the Switzerland, home of the famed played soccer, baseball (shortstop), name Total Apartment Cleaning. I and beautiful Matterhorn, I applied tennis, basketball and was always printed 1,000 business cards and a for a job at the rather casual Hotel the quarterback for our beloved flyer which I taped to a dozen or so Post. Fortunately, I made a good sandlot football games but sadly ATM machines, from which I impression while struggling to gave up playing organized sports at started getting calls right away. In speak only German in my interview, the young age of 15 because I began fact, I never had to advertise like although their entire staff spoke working in addition to going to that again. I still recall the feeling of English fluently and many of school. From about the age of 12 I gratitude I had after my first job whom spoke little to no German at enjoyed earning money however I transforming a filthy studio some all. I spent the fall of 1992 back in NY could. I had a paper-route which young lady had just acquired into a and moved to Zermatt in mid- earned me about $30/week and for spick and span place over the December. The hotel provided me about $10/hour I also mowed course of 4 hours and walking off with an apar tment and my lawns in the spring and summer, with $60. That was 1990, and I was housemate was only 18. It was then raked leaves in peoples' yards in the attending school at Baruch College, that I first began to develop the fall and shoveled snow whenever part of the City University of NY opinion that I had all but wasted 5

42 years going to college. After moving back to NY in the Zermatt is nestled among some of summer of '93 I took a job as an the tallest peaks in the Alps right at agent in the awful business of the border with and offers renting apartments in Manhattan. skiing year-round. It is also a hiker's In September I gave that up for a paradise and an all-round great new life in with my place to visit for a number of girlfriend. Throughout my first reasons. The character of this months here I spent most of my secluded village has changed little days in school or alone, focused on over the past several hundred years mastering the complexities of and as the positively unique and German grammar. The highlight of special place it is, I will always a typical weekday for me was remember it with great fondness. I 1993: an anxiety-filled backflip with the watching Star Trek, The Next re c a l l re fl e c t i n g o n s eve ra l Matterhorn in the background Generation on T.V. at 4:00, which occasions while living there how ation is generally limited to walking was dubbed into German. Little did I genuinely fortunate I considered or biking, although hotels have know at that time, the girl who myself to be, living and working in electric vehicles similar to golf carts w o u l d b e co m e m y a d o p t e d such a stunning resort where to pick up their guests from the daughter was usually also watching visitors spent small fortunes to train station at the end of town. the show at the same time just a experience for a week or so what Additionally, there are also a few mile away. This was also time well- had become for me a second home. I horse-drawn carriages which are on spent as it was an effective and easy was practically a local in one of the sleigh-runners when there is snow way to build my vocabulary. I took most beautiful villages in the entire on the main street. At the Hotel Post notes on words yet unfamiliar to world, and I can tell you that at the I was very pleased to be introduced me that I could clearly distinguish young age of 25, I most certainly to David Gilmore (Pink Floyd) and it and thus easily spell correctly, found that to be pretty awesome. was there that I also met the h av i n g a l re a d y l e a r n e d t h e The valley in which Zermatt is German-Austrian girl I moved to u n va r y i n g ( u n l i k e E n g l i s h ) located is so narrow that no cars are Munich to be with almost a year phonetics of the language. I then allowed in the village.. Transport- later. added those words into my

43 „From that moment onward my life would never be the same again“

44 meet up with my girlfriend for a late lunch, the idea for MBTs suddenly came to me after that young man's question had popped back into my mind. I immediately knew that a very good reply to him would have been to “Get on a bike and see the city!” But alas, he had no bike, nor any idea where to go, much less an entire route, nor information about things and places he would see. From that moment onward my life would never be the same again. I was instantly convinced, enthusiastic and glad to know that I wanted to make it my job, my business, to help people like him full-time and thus to have discovered a project I could passionately delve into; a vision to make into reality, with plans, goals, enthusiasm and motivation. So MBTs was conceived, yet it would be, funny enough, about 9 months later before the first tour would go out, in late May of 1995. At first I thought that I would get started during the remaining months of the 1994 summer and fall, so I shortly purchased 5 bikes from a local supermarket for about $150 apiece, but they wound up going nowhere except onto our balcony until the following summer began. I was thinking that I could do a tour on my days off, one in the late afternoon when I worked the early shift and one in The very first Mike‘s Bike Tour‘s flyer. the morning when I worked the late shift, and that I would favorite German expression which of the management team where I personally convince potential I find to be an excellent motto for was working which presented me guests on and near Marienplatz to life. “Wenn schon, denn schon”, with a very auspicious moment to quite spontaneously join me on a which most often essentially resign with the regional manager's small group tour for a reasonable means if you're going to do approval and without the usual six- price of just DM 25, which was something, do it right, or do it week notice. I walked out of that about $15 (U.S.) back then. This immediately. My girlfriend's father, Mc Donald's that day with a never happened once, due to never a v e r y c o n s e r v a t i v e a n d buoyant feeling of deliverance, having tried, the reason for which conscientious German doctor, had fully ready to begin to take was the lack of necessary time and declared that the venture would be advantage of my opportunity to more importantly, energy. It was a failure after I eventually make MBTs happen. simply too impractical. So, in the announced that I was actually After purchasing 14 more bicycles spring of 1995 I knew I was faced going to follow through on my which were advertised separately with an all-or-nothing proposition. idea. His daughter also disagreed in a local classifieds-weekly for an I was going to have to quit my job with my decision to quit my job to investment sum of about $1,500, in and go for it full-time, or give up on pursue the endeavor. As fate would short time I was the proud owner my ambitious plan. This, by the way, have it, in May of 1995 I wound up in of a hodgepodge fleet of 19 bikes. is a good time to mention my an unjust dispute with a member Meanwhile, I registered the

45 business, read and learned about exactly such word of mouth phones were still relatively rare Munich and the sites that I would among a narrow target market of and in any case didn't have be taking people to, found a place like-minded travelers would be cameras built into them yet! to store the bikes less than a 5- what MBTs would need to strive for Likewise, my viral marketing minute walk from Marienplatz and and achieve in order to be concept would have to be achieved photo-copied the very first MBTs successful. In those days a without Facebook, Instagram, brochure which I had laid out with published coinage of the term Twitter or even a website for that MS Word, a copy of which I am very “viral marketing” hadn't occurred matter, for the emergence of the happy to be able to include here for yet, but my concept was exactly world-wide-web was also in its your perusal today! For the first 5 that, one of viral marketing, and it infancy back in 1995. The first time I years we had no place other than would all but immediately pan-out ever heard the words “internet” our meeting point for anyone to quite exactly as I had anticipated it and “website” were, incidentally, come to talk to us. We stored our would. from a guest of mine during the bikes and operated out of the beergarden break on a tour in the underground garage of a hotel summer of that first season. I which is on the same street where clearly recall how he asked me, “Ya we have our own “garage” today. I know what you need?” To which I was very fortunate that the owner replied, “No, what do I need” and he of the hotel was supportive of my said, “You need a website!”, and I endeavor and tolerant of our said, “What's a website?”, and he presence under her hotel. It was an said, “Well, then, let me ask you this excellent location and we had first: Have you heard of the quite a lot of space for an internet?” and I said, “No, what is extremely modest price. the internet?” Funny, huh? Before I did my first tour I found Nevertheless, getting started was The following morning, after out that I wasn't going to be the a strict matter of direct marketing. having visited at least one of the only, nor the first offeror of bike Lucky for me I was the right man two H-I (Hosteling International) tours in Munich. One company was for the job! Salesmanship is part of h o s t e l s i n t o w n , I w e nt t o doing tours on Saturdays (only) for my nature. I enjoy selling a product Marienplatz at 10:30, where people English-speakers and the other or service if I am personally converge every day in anticipation more frequently, albeit only in convinced of its significant value to of watching the most famous German. Neither were ever the potential buyer and most “Glockenspiel” in the world which competitors for my tours which I've especially if it happens to be my takes place in the tower of the always offered daily and only in very own. My plan was to meet and NEW town hall at 11:00. This is why, English. From the beginning of this talk with English-speaking by the way, MBTs has met at undertaking I recalled a personal travelers at youth hostels in the experience I had in the summer of mornings as well as in the ever- 1992 while travelling alone popular Hofbräuhaus in the „Ya know what through Europe on a Eurail pass evenings. I figured it would be like without so much as tour book as catching fish in a barrel! In late May you need? You an aid. On that trip I was sure about of 1995, on the eve of my first tour, I only a few particular places that I went into the Hofbräuhaus for the need a wanted to visit, such as Zermatt, first time to try my luck selling my but otherwise I was very open to new service for the following day. I website!“ s p o n t a n e o u s c h o i c e s a n d clearly recall the very first table I possibilities. One evening on a approached where 13 young, Marienplatz at 11:30 since day-one train I met a few backpackers who English-speaking ladies were (although we're changing it to 11:15 told me what a great time they had drinking beer by the liter, as one beginning in 2016!). As has at a place called the Pink Palace on typically does in the Hofbräuhaus. remained custom, when the Corfu, Greece. After having heard To my delight, they all turned their fascination with the Glockenspiel s i m i l a r re p o r t s a b o u t t h i s smiling faces towards me and began to subside I resumed “backpacker resort” twice more, I were enthusiastically receptive of approaching English-speaking decided to go there myself to check my offer! If that had already been visitors on the Marienplatz to it out. In 1995 I recalled how the age of smart phones with i n f o r m t h e m a b o u t t h e communicable and effective this cameras I would be very happy to opportunity to join me on the tour word of mouth among similar include a photo of them all for you which would be starting at the end travelers had been and I knew that right here, but at that time cell of the square at 11:30. At 11:20 I

46 went over to the meeting point, were visiting her parents in the summer of 1992 which led me the tower of the OLD town hall, and her mother and I toasted to my to visit the The Pink Palace on Corfu with hope and anticipation of my success while she asked for my was happening in hostels and train labor having borne at least some opinion on how I thought the cars all around western Europe. A fruit. As you can imagine, on that second year would go. I said I consistently-increasing number of sunny morning, I was very pleased anticipated getting about 6,000 backpackers were talking about customers, a 300% increase over what an absolute BLAST they had the approximately 2,000 I had in on our tour in Munich, and the 1995, because it had rained almost whole thing began to snowball Seven others I constantly for 3 weeks in June of into what would become likely the 1995 and for more than another most talked-about thing for an had spoken to two weeks straight in August. English-speaking backpacker to do Additionally, I would have a anywhere in Europe in the late also decided to mention in Let's Go, a very popular 1990s which had nothing to do g u i d e b o o k w h i c h a h i g h with a specific place to stay, such as show up for a percentage of my core target The Pink Palace or the famous market carried around with them Balmer's Hostel in Interlaken, total of 20, at the time, and I would also start Switzerland. Something we did back then which contributed but I only had significantly towards this end was what we referred to as the “spread 19 bikes! the word kit”. This was four long, thin flyers, printed black on neon indeed to once again greet the 13 orange, folded in half. Guides girls I had met the previous requested that guests take them evening! Seven others I had spoken and hand them out to others in the to also decided to show up for a Hofbräuhaus and where they were total of 20, but I only had 19 bikes! staying, naturally with a good word Just as I had become aware of this about how much they enjoyed our quasi unfortunate situation my tour. This was true viral marketing, girlfriend unexpectedly rode up and we were giving these young, from work on her bicycle! I was mostly American backpackers relieved and very pleased to then exactly the tool that they needed be able to take everyone out to help us out and spread the word instead of having to awkwardly w i t h t h e n e c e s s a r y k e y somehow get one person or couple information. An added novelty to to volunteer to opt out. We used my these particular flyers was a girlfriend's bike and she was quite prompt on the back for the guests happy to (have to) take a taxi back to write short messages to the to work. To my great pride and much earlier than I had in the first guide who they enjoyed so much. pleasure, so began the very first season. She thought I was being When handing them out and MBT in Munich. Not having too assured and so made a friendly briefly explaining their purpose, considered the future significance wager against me realizing my guides would mention a few quite that this day would hold for me, I expectations, which sounds quite hilarious examples of what sort of unfortunately did not bring my negative, perhaps even a bit mean, messages one may want to write (rather bulky SLR) camera along, so but she meant it in good spirits, from various places in Europe. I have no photos of that tour or its saying that we would celebrate Most people, especially the girls, guests at all. That may have together no matter what the result loved the idea and were very happy changed in 2013 after I met a turned out to be, for it would only to take at least 4 of these flyers. woman on one of our bike tours be a matter of who would buy the Indeed, guides wound up getting who told me that her brother (was champagne. As it turned out, in fun messages from past guests sure that he) was (one of the two 1996 we actually wound up having delivered by people they had been guys) on that very first tour, but about 12,000 guests, doubling my given to the previous evening or unfortunately he has yet to get in own projection which she had felt that morning but also sometimes t o u c h w i t h m e a b o u t i t . was unduly optimistic. Exactly as I weeks previously and from as far One evening, at the end of that envisioned, the same thing I had away as , , , first season, my girlfriend and I experienced during my travels in , , Rome, etc.

47 As MBT legend has it, I met both of come be a tour guide for me the arrogantly believing that he was our original “star” tour guides on following year in 1996, which he m o r e r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e the same day, in October 1995. On a did. He worked for us for five popularity and success of MBTs beautiful fall Monday morning, as summers before graduating from than I was. As the years went by it usual, I set out on my bike to visit the University of and became increasingly difficult to the two main hostels that existed earning a Rhodes scholarship to “keep reigns on Haynes”, as I came in Munich back then. Private attend NYU where he earned his to refer to it. I was apprehensive hostels, by the way, were just degree in law and, get this, also about the prospect of firing him getting started at that time. At the w o n t h e w o r l d d e b a t i n g but if I had been the person and second hostel I met an 18 year-old championship for them in manager I am today I certainly student with long red hair from in 2001! would have done so, and that on while he was having On either the same day or another more than one occasion. breakfast. He chose to show up for close to it when I was doing “sales” I n s t e a d , w h a t e v e n t u a l l y the tour, along with 32(!) other quite late in the Hofbräuhaus I happened was that I agreed to help people, most of whom I had came across a young American him establish a bike tour company personally convinced to join me who had quite a powerful voice, in Barcelona, complete with license that very morning. By this time I which gave me the idea that he to use my already well-known had a fleet of about 40 bikes. My would be a good candidate to be a name and the outstanding word of success quota that day was off the t o u r g u i d e . A f t e r a b r i e f mouth we were successful in re- charts. Seemingly about 80-90% conversation I handed him my card generating every year from the get- of those I met and spoke with and told him if he wanted to work go, without which he likely would chose to show up at my meeting not have attempted to start up a point at 11:30. In those days bike tour in Barcelona at all. After 3 Mondays were always our best day In those days a years (2001-2003) he reneged on of the week because back then the the payment of the agreed-upon M e m o r i a l i n D a c h a u , t h e published coinage license fee, having paid only half, Deutsches Museum and almost all of the term and his attitude had become other museums were closed on downright contemptuous, so I Mondays, so there wasn't much “viral marketing” decided to cut my ties with him choice of other things to do. There altogether. He had claimed that his were also no other tours similar to hadn't occurred yet revenue and profit did not justify mine in Munich, and hardly at all t h e r e a s o n a b l e fl a t f e e o f elsewhere in Europe yet for that $10,000/year we agreed upon, but I matter either. Strangely enough, with me in 1996 that he should get believe his business would have individuals coming to a meeting in touch. That encounter changed been doing considerably better point for a tour without an that young man's life forever. He u n d e r s u p e r i o r l e a d e r s h i p. appointment didn't really become was a relatively cocky character by Nonetheless, he was successful popular until after we had already the name of Haynes and he and my support clearly played a become popular ourselves. The became our chief tour guide, very significant if not primary role only other tour in Europe I knew of working for 5 full seasons. Haynes towards that end. back then that was also successful was good for MBTs Munich and During the same 3-year period I with this concept was The Insider was a significant part of the reason also licensed the MBTs name to Tour in Berlin, a walking tour why we were getting so much buzz another young American who had company that was started by an from our guests in the late 1990s already started a company called Australian named Francis in 1995. because the college kids, who Bullfrog Bike Tours in Paris in 1998, At any rate, I took 33 people out that made of the majority of our guests which I believe was inspired by our day and we had an absolute BLAST! back then, really related to him and company in Munich. In 1999 he They were a fantastic bunch of he often hung out with them in the visited me in Munich and seemed people and the vibe amongst us on Hofbräuhaus after the evening to look up to me as a would-be that glorious fall afternoon was tour, which added significantly to mentor. I trusted him and agreed simply awesome, but the best part the word of mouth we gained from that a close cooperation would be of that tour was this young kid those young fans back then. Each mutually beneficial. I allowed him who's name was Alan Merson. He March he returned refreshed with to use the MBT name in Paris for had us practically laughing our a positive attitude, however only to three years for a very modest fee, so asses off on more than one regress to an objectionable habit of he dropped the Bullfrog name. occasion and I told him at the end acting as if he were some kind of a S t u p i d l y , o u r a g r e e m e n t of the day that I wanted him to rock star come mid-summer, mentioned nothing that was to my

48 These are, from left to right, Egg, now Owner of MBT , Haynes, Owner of Fat Tire Bike Tours which was originally MBTs Barcelona, Jason Apter, now living in San Francisco and Mark Cormack on his Kiwi Cruiser. 1998 at our meeting point. Alan Merson

From 1995-1999 we operated out of the underground garage of the Hotel Concorde, just up the street from where our shop is now. We brought bikes up in this lift, designed for cars, and usually also brought them back down with guests. This is a photo of the late Mark Cormack, who was tragically killed in a freak accident in about 15 years ago, setting the record for the most people and bikes jammed into this elevator in what was, I believe, pretty fun, for at least most of the participants.

My beautiful wife Uschi & Bus Bavaria's star tour guide since we began in 2000, Brad. Nobody has been with our company longer than these two other than myself. This photo was taken in our shop which Uschi single-handedly managed like no other for years while doing emails, accounting, renting bikes & more, virtually simultaneously. This is the last photo I have of myself doing a bike tour, from 2009. I still enjoy getting out there on one from time to time, but it doesn't happen more than a few times a year these days. When I am guiding it is usually by car to Garmisch, Linderhof and Neuschwanstein.

This is a photo of myself and a great group I took out on our "All Day" tour in 1998 which I still re- member fondly, now referred to as our "Deluxe" bike tour, which goes out to Schloss Nymphen- burg and the Olympic Park. Back in those days we went to a different beer garden and I almost always got everyone to drink a "Dunkeles" or dark beer, as you can tell from this photo. This photo was taken in 1998 in the underground garage of the hotel Concorde. These are Chris and Berit. Chris went to work for Haynes in Barcelona and Berit graduated from Columbia Law School.

Once a year we have a party on the banks of the Isar River. For a while, about 15 years ago, I used to go out on what notoriously became known as the "Wood Run" (which was spoken by my little finger and sounded just like "Redrum" from The Shining, ha, ha!) whereby I would go out with someone in my car and find a construction site from which we took several pallets and trans- ported them back to the campsite on the roof. Here you can see I was getting a bit outta control with this (illegal) bonfire. I think there were 5 pallets in the large blaze already when I threw this bulky stump onto it for good measure. The cops came and somehow I convinced them to leave without giving us a hard time, to the amazement of my team. advantage for the period beyond with that they “had already done worked at, Haynes introduced me 2003. I knew that he was getting an MBTs - in Paris”. I was like, you're to a young man named Michael amazing deal and simply trusted kidding right? You did a famous who was looking for a job. We hired he would reciprocate and be loyal bike tour of Munich, in Paris? him and gave him the nickname - in a long term relationship. My Repeatedly encountering that “Egg” because I was Mike and I logic was that it couldn't be to his mentality was frustrating, to say didn't want two of us with that advantage to not (want to) the least. It seemed that I was name on the team. The idea for the continue to use my name if it was sacrificing my own popularity to a name came to me because Egg working out well for him, and significant degree by sharing the shaved his head and it's kinda egg- indeed, during those three years he name with Paris and Barcelona. shaped. He still goes by this name experienced tremendous growth. D e s p i t e t h e d i re s i t u a t i o n and if I'm not mistaken, even his However, in a blatant act of bad mentioned above, after the 2002 parents have taken to using it. Egg faith, he registered the MBT name season, while not willing to make worked for us as a tour guide for 3 with the French patent office amends with Haynes in Barcelona years in Munich. In the spring of sometime during the 2nd year of and Paris not willing to pay 1997 I started MBTs Amsterdam our licensing agreement, which I significantly more than what was w h i c h o p e ra t e d u n d e r t h e eventually found out about management of another tour sometime later. This would have guide we had in Munich in 1996 little binding legally and not be a „..the answer is named Anita, who was one of only significant barrier to entry for me about six female tour guides we to resurrect a MBTs in Paris under yes. Just call have had over the years. After two my own ownership because I years the business was struggling already had the Europe-wide me Egg.” and Anita decided that she wasn't registration of the name through up for a third season, so Egg moved t h e E u r o p e a n P a t e n t a n d to Amsterdam to take over and Trademark Office in Alicante, not to now in relation to their revenue a keep it afloat. He succeeded and mention the fact that the name paltry sum indeed, I chose to MBTs Amsterdam is starting its was obviously not his to lay claim d i s c o n t i n u e t h e l i c e n s i n g 20th season as the magazine for to anyway – (if it were he wouldn't agreements and they changed which I am writing this entire have been paying me to use it), but their name to Fat Tire Bike Tours. account goes to print (2016). Funny he was in any case clearly trying to It was clearly a huge mistake to enough, the owner of MBTs set up an obstacle to me using the not have had proper, binding Amsterdam is named Michael. I name in Paris myself. I had always contracts with clear exit clauses, presume it is annoying for him to assumed if we would not renew etc. in both instances, and that not feel free to simply say, “yes” our agreement with terms that I mistake cost me a tremendous when people ask him if he is Mike, would find fair and favorable to degree of financial freedom that I meaning, Mike of MBTs. I imagine both of us that I would simply start would have otherwise enjoyed had that must go something like, “If a MBTs in Paris myself, which was I played my cards right. The main you're asking if I am the owner of the primary reason why I had, I reason why I neglected to focus on this business, the answer is yes. Just u n fo r t u n at e l y m u s t s ay i t , establishing better agreements call me Egg.” assumed, that our cooperation with the two licensees, other than The girl I moved to be here with would continue. He however a naïve degree of trust, was and I broke up in late 1997. If I ever gambled that I would not enter or because in the winter of 2000- need to refer to her these days I call be able to enter the Paris market 2001 I let myself get distracted her my wife's predecessor. She was and he won that gamble because from my core business and began working for Merrill Lynch and after at just that time, in late 2002, I was to invest far too much time and two years as an Assistant, in 1997 quite suddenly not only broke but money into a new venture I had she was promoted to the position also about $200,000 in debt, facing b e c o m e p a s s i o n a t e a n d of broker and went to what I have a long winter with four kids and our mistakenly optimistic about, but since referred to as their 10-day cult 5th on the way, without even the that's another story that I will get initiation seminar, in Princeton, NJ. necessary resources to cover my back to later. To keep this story in a She returned to Munich secretly in expenses through the off-season; a chronological framework, I need to love with a guy she had been situation which would repeat itself first go back a few years; to 1996- spending 7 hours with every in a vicious cycle that took me over 1997. evening for over a week and chose a decade to break. One morning in 1996 while I was to split to NY to live with in 1998. In In 2002 I began hearing quite nursing a hangover with a vanilla February, 1998 I met my wife Uschi. regularly from backpackers I spoke shake from the Mc Donald's I had She had two adorable daughters,

51 Nadine and Denise, who were 7 and to see the special thing about a 9 years old back then. Today we are total eclipse, namely totality, very proud that Denise is a doctor which is observed with the naked and Nadine will soon be a teacher. eye. In 2005 a couple of guides and I Between 1999 and 2004 Uschi tried to sell some of the glasses I became mother to our four had left over out on Marienplatz children; Nicholas, Tim, Lily and during a partial solar eclipse, about Noah, who are thankfully all as which there was practically zero healthy and beautiful as Nadine media coverage at all. One needed and Denise have always been. the glasses to see the moon in In the summer of 1999 MBTs front of the sun, but not one single averaged over 200 people a day on person wanted the things, so we bike tours in June, to the greatest quickly gave up and resorted to degree without group business. It offering people a peek at the sun was a fantastic summer, complete with the moon covering part of it with a total eclipse of the sun and those we spoke to thought we were kidding and wouldn't take us up on the offer for fear of being Current Bike Tour Office embarrassed somehow, as if they w e r e o n c a n d i d c a m e ra o r while back there that I WISH we something. Weird. By contrast, we had (set up) a system that, at the had another partial eclipse in 2014 push of a button, would begin and that time glasses were in very recording and saving everything high demand because the media that was being said. One simply decided that time to make a pretty cannot express in writing how big deal out of the event. utterly hilarious it has been in that In late 1999 a small retail space room on countless occasions with became available just around the any number of very witty and corner from the rear entrance to talented personalities having a the Hofbräuhaus and I jumped at g re at t i m e t o g e t h e r w h i l e the opportunity as it was an swapping funny stories and absolutely perfect location where remarks with beers, etc. in hand. our customers could come speak to That back room has been a special us. This is now our shop, Discover place which all of our guides since Bavaria. After the busy 1999 season 2000 will fondly remember having the hotel's tolerance of us enjoyed many amazing times in for operating out of their garage had the rest of their lives. In addition to reached its limit, but fortunately, the indoor space we also had use of not being welcome back for a 6th the courtyard to boot, where we season turned out to be a blessing store about 70 bikes and also start in disguise. Just at the end of our tours from. Best of all, the space 5th season, another perfect space was at the very end of the street in became available, this time for a cul de sac, so there are no cars whose 70 mile band (shadow from storing bikes and starting bike coming and going and we can which totality can be observed) tours from, in the dead end of the comfortably use the street while fortunately went straight over same street where the hotel is. beginning and ending tours. It was Munich! I bought 20,000 eclipse What a godsend! We refer to this truly a blessing to have gotten this “glasses” with aluminum Mylar for space as the “garage” and it is not space, and that, just when we the event from a supplier in the only where we begin and end bike needed it. USA I had found online and made a tours but also store, maintain and For the first five years Mike's Bike bit of extra cash selling them for repair bikes as well. Fortunately, Tours had an outstanding sales rep; about 10x what they cost me. I had this place also has a small room in the infamous Alan Edwards, whose students sell them in beer gardens the back where our guides enjoy job it was to walk about and chat for about $2 apiece and shared the hanging out together at the end of up backpackers early in the profit with them. They went like the day and use to take a break morning at the train station, later hot cakes, although, ironically, it is between tours. I cannot tell you at hostels and certain hotels and not required to use them in order how many times I have thought eventually at Marienplatz, our

52 shop and in the evenings at the partnership, which I had been producing the best board games in Hofbräuhaus. He was awesome. funding and doing most of the the world. Despite the project He met his wife through MBTs and work for already anyway. I was very ending up as an enormous failure, I today they are happy together in optimistic about the value of the have always been thoroughly Georgia with 2 great kids. Alan product's potential and wanted to convinced that it is a great loved his job, and he was damn produce it on my own. Since the production and game-system. good at it. He brought us countless original idea was his and because Globopolis is a fun, multifaceted, numbers of backpackers and was we had a 50-50 partnership, I paid interactive and strategic board the important element we needed him to sign over his rights to me for game for 2 – 5 players. It is much out on the street to get those who a sum far greater than their actual more than a typical Monopoly had heard about us actually worth. In the end I decided to not knock-off, offering beyond the coming to the right place at the even use his name “Globopoly” basic mechanic of advancing a right time. because Hasbro was contesting number of fields determined by The project I mentioned which put me behind the eight ball financially began in the winter of 2000 when an American guy I knew living here in Munich shared an idea for a board game he had with me. The concept was pretty simple - global- Monopoly, but what he was really enthusiastic about was the name he had a trademark registration for; Globopoly. He hadn't done anything with the concept yet but did have a few ideas, one being that the board should be round. I was intrigued and soon considered what the minimum width a monopoly-like field on the board could be and how many would fit within a typical board's diameter. I concluded that 64 fields would be the best number, and the creative process of designing what I was quickly convinced would become the coolest board game in the world had begun. In the winter 2000-2001 I spent numerous hours brainstorming, writing and editing the game's rules and concepts, exactly when I should have been the trademark on 3 continents and the roll of dice, also the classic spending that kind of time I t h o u g h t t h a t t h e n a m e objective of world (territorial and authoring proper contracts for the Globopolis was better anyway, economic) domination, resource licensees in Barcelona and Paris! I since the game had a futuristic sci- management, aggressive takeover, know. Stupid, right? Right. After a fi scenario for the world, which intrigue, alliances and many break during the 2001 season I evolved into the story of a global possible rule variations. Sadly, I only resumed full-time work on this city in space, surrounding the have several copies of the game in project in the fall and focused on its Earth. If you're interested in seeing my possession and no access to any creation until it came off the press the graphics and / or reading the more of the 5,000 which were fully in late summer 2002 under the background and more about the assembled. If you happen to want name Globopolis, with the slogan, g a m e j u s t v i s i t one I suggest you check out “Tomorrow's World is Today's www.globopolis.net boardgamegeek.com or Ebay. I'll Game!” I authored and produced The game was produced in spare you the horrible details the game entirely myself after I Germany in the summer of 2002 about what eventually happened bought-out the aforementioned with typical top-notch German to most of them, but I can tell you acquaintance's interest in our quality. Germany is known for that they sadly never generated

53 a n y s i g n i fi c a n t r e t u r n o n seen for numerous years, but In Germany the rate is only 1.38 investment for me. The effort thanks to an almost 50% income births per woman. Germany has added up to a colossal loss of over tax rate for my somewhat higher negative population growth of $250,000, which could have been income, the closer I've gotten to almost 2%. I know that many of our far less, but there was a long list of that light, the more it has seemed guests are curious about taxes, investments beyond components to move away from me at almost medical insurance and the “social for 25,000 sets and production the same rate! I reckon most system” here in Germany, so I costs for 5,000. I also had a support readers can relate to exactly what figure things like this are worth a staff, exhibited at a number of I ' m t a l k i n g a b o u t h e r e . brief mention for those interested. trade shows, etc. etc. etc. I literally Nonetheless, I count my blessings Kindergarten and day care are not may very well have set the record every day, and I am also very free in most places throughout for the biggest financial loss fortunate to not have had to invest Germany, but where I live, just incurred from independently large sums of money into my b eyo n d M u n i c h ' s n o r t h e r n producing a board game, and this daughters' college education boundary, those services have happened just as the MBT licensee because university is free in thankfully been just that for us a g r e e m e n t s w o u l d b e Germany, if you can get in. An because we live in a very wealthy discontinued and tourism was in a “ A b i t u r ” i s n e c e s s a r y f o r independent village. Like all massive decline in the wake of acceptance into a university, which independent villages, ours receives Sept. 11, 2001. The number of guests is like a diploma and is the highest business taxes directly from the we had in 2002 was down by level of pre-college education one businesses that are located there, roughly 40% from the previous can achieve after completion of including mine. The business year, which was a significant the “Gymnasium” track which is district in our village is home to reason why this project was dead the uppermost of three “tracks” most of the major TV studios in in the water more or less as soon as one can take beginning with the G e r m a n y , a s w e l l a s t h e the production was finished, with headquarters for Allianz, the zero funds available to implement largest insurance company in the my GRM (Grass Roots Marketing) world. So our town has an annual plan. Just as well, to be fair, if I had ...I count my budget surplus and a large sum of an extra 100k to invest, I likely money on a bank account, hence, would have lost 100k more than I blessings free kindergarten and day care. did. Plowing forward in 2002 after Also, on the subject of “socialism”, we had already realized that our every day... it is a common misconception that tourism numbers were down a “socialized” medical care system dramatically was a HUGE(!) is “free”, or at least is paid for by mistake, but I was committed, you 5th grade. Other advanced levels of what is being called a “single payer could even say obsessed, with education, are available free of system” these days in the United g e t t i n g t h e g a m e o u t a n d charge to those who complete the S t a t e s , m e a n i n g t h a t t h e marketed in the 4th quarter of that middle track as well, most of which government pays for medical year. If there was ever a small would be considered college-level expenses out of tax revenues. For business man's recipe for disaster, in the USA. Another way the social employees in Germany, in addition this was it. In the end I paid a high system here in Germany has to the salary tax there are price for my optimism and poor helped us while bringing up six significant deductions for “social judgement. As mentioned above, kids has been “Kindergeld” - insurances” as a percentage of had I invested the same time and literally “child money”. The German s a l a r y ( a p p r o x i m a t e l y a n money into MBTs Barcelona and / government helps families cover additional 20% in total, almost half or Paris I would not have had to costs for their children by sending of which is for medical insurance, struggle back to a somewhat monthly payments to a parents' almost the other half for a stable financial position for over a bank accounts. When you have six retirement fund and the rest for decade, rather would have enjoyed kids that adds up to over $1,000 / disability and unemployment exactly the opposite, which would month! So we do get something insurances). These sums are then have made for a far more relaxed back for the high taxes we pay MATCHED by the employer. So if situation in our home for myself here, especially families. This policy someone was earning e.g. 3,000€ and my wife. exists to encourage couples to a month, their salary tax would be These days I am thankful that I've have kids in an attempt to about 15% of that figure and these been able to have finally just about m i n i m i z e t h e s i g n i fi c a n t insurances in addition to that made it out of a long, dark tunnel, generation gap we have here. Birth would add up to approximately the light at the end of which I've rates in Europe are notoriously low. another 600€ . All told, the

54 employee earning the theoretical 3,000€ would have about 1,050€ deducted from their base pay, (including the 15% salary tax – the maximum percentage for higher wage-earners being 45%) and wind up with a net income of about 1,950€, while costing the employer a total of 3,600€ (gross salary plus matching the 600€ in social insurance deductions). So, as an employee earns more, the higher the additional (matching) costs beyond the salary itself become for the employer. This is why we publish that it is customary and appreciated to tip tour guides, aspirations. In 2007 my wife was going to be too inconvenient because paying three people (for discovered a new passion; jogging, to get away to southern for the excursion to Neuschwanstein) and shortly thereafter she got me that weekend and in 2012 because m o re , e ve r y ye a r, b e co m e s to start coming along with her, my wife suffered a serious accident prohibitively expensive for a which led to me participating in my just 5 weeks before the event, business which only operates first triathlon (70.3, middle having shattered a vertebrae in the between April and September, and distance) in 2008. I was then and middle of her back! Thankfully she paying them under the table is still am proud to have finished my recovered 100% and is doing great illegal. Since it is a personal service first Ironman (Austria) with a “done today, jogging and doing yoga 5 they are providing it is in any case before dark” motto in 2009. I didn't days a week in addition to some 5 customary and correct to show quite make that goal, but I did or more miles a day walking our appreciation for a job well done in come across the finish line strong two dogs. If I had her discipline I the form of a gratuity. Customary and feeling great after 15 hours and might even have a decent chance f o r o u r e x c u r s i o n t o N e u - 13 minutes. 800 mg of Ibuprofen in of qualifying for the big IM event in schwanstein would be something the middle of the run wasn't Hawaii for my age group, but I t e c h n i c a l l y c h e a t i n g b u t seem to be virtually unable to train like 5€ per adult, about 7%. In apparently helped tremendously. 5 days a week consistently for restaurants in Europe or for our bike I've not yet since done another, extended periods like she does. I tours in Munich, it is recommended though I was ready to and think my record is 9 months, then I to tip about 7-10%, or half of what registered in 2010 (France) and go into lazy mode and gain about one would typically give in the 2012 (Austria), but both times I 20 lbs. until I get motivated to “hit U.S.A. When it comes to medical didn't show up. In 2010 because it the reset button” again, as I call it, insurance, employees with a wife and go back down to my lean and kids would also have their weight of about 165. families insured through their In 2014-2015 I promoted a concept policy, but those who are single do in our village which I came up with not pay less. This is one of several for what I chose to call a “Multi- “socialistic” aspects of this system. Active-Sportpark” or – MAS. In 2015 In short, many pay more than they I successfully petitioned for a would in a free market and many of referendum on whether the those who are insured actually pay project should be realized or not, nothing. Since I am self-employed, I personally garnering almost 1,000 am required by law to insure signatures. Come to think of it, myself as well as my wife and kids that's why I didn't do this magazine (8 persons) through a private project in the winter of 2014-2015. insurance company, which in total Unfortunately the motion was costs us about $2,500/month. defeated because the town's 25 Clearly I've written quite a lot so member council had other plans far so I think I'll wrap this article up for the property that my proposal at this point by sharing a few of my was inherently tied to and were recent and future interests and unwilling to compromise on, so the

55 issue divided the town and a that almost every 914 owner has to join us on our tour. Naturally I majority voted for the council's lamented similar complaints at hope you will leave us very glad you plan. Those interested can check one time or another. After all, it is did, completely satisfied with all out my scale diagram of the would- referred to as the poor man's aspects of our service, from your be park where FIFTY different Porsche. Nevertheless, once bitten experience booking your tour with sports and games can be played by the 914 bug, you're a member of us online, per email, phone or in u n d e r P L A N a t the club for life; I think it's fair to say person, to the moment you get off w w w.mas-unter foehring .de that it's quite analogous to being the coach back in Munich. If we There is also a 3D video of the an alcoholic. I've not gotten around shall have succeeded in this landscape design at the website to it yet but I plan to soon (2016) endeavor, we would appreciate it and if you should be curious have complete info on this car at a very much if you would eventually regarding the proposal's future d o m a i n I j u s t r e g i s t e r e d ; take a moment of your time to developments there is a link to our www.1973-914.de. Other than that, make an addition to our collection Facebook page in the footer. I my other plans for the near future of 5-star reviews under the Bus intend to make another plan and include resuming triathlon Bavaria listing at Tripadvisor.com. If proposal in 2016 for a less training so I can achieve my goal to you have any suggestions for controversial location and hope finish the Ironman Austria again in improvements to our service or that this time more people in our 2017 and in 2018 to begin work on were dissatisfied with any aspect town will get behind me so we can writing a book about the weird of it for any reason, please let m a ke t h i s v i s i o n a re a l i t y, times we're living in, politics in the myself or a member of our staff particularly for the benefit of the USA, education and the challenges know personally. I can be reached several thousand young people in of bringing up kids in today's at [email protected] ■ our community who have virtually society. no place to play any sports Also in 2018, our Master Tour outdoors; this is despite the fact Guide Brad and I are planning to that our town has over 350 million begin offering short flights over Euros on a bank account and could Neuschwanstein, Linderhof, fund the realization of this project Garmisch, Innsbruck and other very easily. scenic areas nearby under the

1973 VW-Porsche 914: More often than not, a headache on wheels For the odd 914 enthusiast who name Fly Bavaria. We'll be renting a Neo (Vizsla) and Brady (Labrodoodle) would be interested, I've included a 4 passenger plane from an airfield photo of my '73 which I bought in not far from Neuschwanstein, at SoCal back in 2013 when the dollar least in the beginning. Brad will be was quite weak against the Euro. the pilot. As I write this he is I would like to After a lot of extra investment into spending his second winter at a offer my sincere it throughout 2014 it finally arrived flight school in South Africa, with over here in the spring of 2015, but I two more to go. He's on track to thanks to you blew a bearing in the engine on its earn his CPL (commercial pilot's virgin outing on the autobahn and license) by the spring of 2018. for choosing since then it's been sleeping under Information will eventually be at to join us a red pajama in my garage, so it's www.flybavaria.com still a work in progress. If you're Once again, I would like to offer my on our tour. familiar with these cars you know sincere thanks to you for choosing

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