With his love of his motorcycle coupled with his desire to give back, Mike recently decided to launch a whole new company called Iron Horse Rides. All Mike saw were the flash of a camera and the police officers were gone. The police passed him by to Mike’s relief only the slam on the breaks and hit the lights again. Thinking he was about to be pulled over he was surprised when they rolled up next him with two thumbs up. One day, Washington State Patrol approached Mike on the freeway with the lights going. Everyone gravitates to it and it’s been pretty cool.” It surprises Mike that many of the young people know who the frenzied Muppet character is. “People will be driving by looking sad and all of a sudden they are smiling and pointing and getting their kids to look,” Mike laughs. Everyone lights up when they see Mike pass by as Animal with his wild hair in the wind. While on the road, Animal gets a lot of attention from passing motorists. “I want people to see how they can be a part of it.” Photo courtesy: Mike Whitlatch “I am pretty excited about how I am integrating all of this,” Mike says. As Iron Horse grows, Mike hopes others will join him in providing solace for those who are suffering. With only three days before the big ride, Mike’s friend Terra Perkins worked tirelessly to complete the character out of a motorcycle helmet, complete with the goofy grin and crazy red hair. First came an idea for an Elmo helmet and then someone mentioned the iconic Muppet Animal, known for his wild antics as a drummer.
#Men behind the mask how to#
While participating with the Imagine Guild and planning for the annual Children’s Ride to raise funds for compensated care at Seattle Children’s Hospital, there was a discussion on how to make it more fun. But when the Lacey resident hops on his Harley-Davidson, he becomes another persona. Owner of Inbound Designs, Mike enjoys being creative and innovative while providing design work, promotional items, logos, branding, marketing, as well as dynamic websites for businesses all over Thurston County. When you first meet Mike Whitlatch, the self-proclaimed introvert appears as normal as anyone can be, but there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this big thinker.