Rolling thunder, dc 2012 -- who's going?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
WTF does your ride through Baltimore have to do with Rolling Thunder?
I've attended RT the past 5 years - leaving home/getting to the Pentagon parking lot around the same time all 5 years.
Flyover at noon to signal the start of the ride.
I fire up the bike between 1:00 - 1:15 to roll out.
5 minutes to get out of the parking lot
20 minutes to loop around the mall
10 minutes to get to the GW Pkwy
an hour ride home.
If it were as bad as you & other made it out to be, do ya really think there's still be 100's of thousands coming in from all over the country to attend?
I've attended RT the past 5 years - leaving home/getting to the Pentagon parking lot around the same time all 5 years.
Flyover at noon to signal the start of the ride.
I fire up the bike between 1:00 - 1:15 to roll out.
5 minutes to get out of the parking lot
20 minutes to loop around the mall
10 minutes to get to the GW Pkwy
an hour ride home.
If it were as bad as you & other made it out to be, do ya really think there's still be 100's of thousands coming in from all over the country to attend?
People will show up for anything that makes them look cool.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 11,730
Likes: 9,163
From: Georgia
Really? That's your opinion of all of the vets and bikers that show up for this demonstration? I could give damn if you come or not, or what your reasons are, but I think that's a bit of a leap to assume.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,265
Likes: 99
From: Northern VA
What I will call anyone out on, just like I did on the first page of this thread, is the "hour plus, over heating, super slow speed, blah, blah, blah" BS.
That hasn't happened the past 5 years but like clock work around this time of year, those posts show up on this forum.
I'm kind of surprised no one has spread the false rumor yet about the long lines for the 2 porta-pottys for a 100k people.
A lot of people come to these forums/threads looking for info. I'm just looking to insight how this ride typically goes. Not how getting stuck in Baltimore traffic sucks and influences their decision if Rolling Thunder makes their bucket list or not.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 987
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Most days I silently thank vets and currently serving for doing a job that most people couldn't handle and that I only dreamed of doing. I don't need 100's of thousands of people commercializing something to remind me that I owe my freedom and lifestyle to a select few that gave up to and including everything.
Some days if someone is out of uniform, I'll buy them a beer and thank them for their service to this country. I don't need a special day, special gathering, or special anything to show my support. It's a load of horse **** in my opinion. I'd much rather have a drink with them, welcome them home, and tell them I'm glad to see them in (mostly) one piece. The troops (past, present, future, free, MIA, and POW) should be respected and supported daily.
Again, just my $.02, not meant to offend everyone. All people show support in different ways. Some choose a bike rally, some choose a moment of silence.
And for the dude from VA. . .35 - 40 MPH is super-slow for me. I'm from MD. We're either doing 90 or stopped.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 1
I'll be there. Leaving NJ on Friday and spending the weekend. Coming back Monday. The ride is not bad for new riders. I had a year under my belt when I went and the group I was with said they couldn't tell. Just be smart.
Last edited by medic2931; May 11, 2012 at 07:34 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
I'll attend again. For the past couple years I have been one of the non-Harley riders. Haven't minded the long, hot wait in the Pentagon parking lot. I have always been able make new friends, see a lot of unique bikes, and just hang out. I can ride alone, anywhere, anyday
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
I did it a couple times about ten or so years ago. Everybody should do it once. There's a lot of patriotism flying around.
Guys slammin' beers at the Pentagon, stalling bikes, dropping bikes, hitting the bike in front of them - I've seen it all during that short little parade/protest. Now-a-days, I'll ride around to the free lunches on Saturday then head west on Sunday.
If anybody needs a good indy while in town for the ride, this guy is in Fredericksburg, just south of D.C. about a block off of Route 95.
Extremely competent and a great place to do business. Check out their cool breast cancer awareness t-shirts.
OldeTowneCycle.com/ (clicky)
Not affiliated, just a happy customer
Trusted with servicing local law enforcement bikes:
Guys slammin' beers at the Pentagon, stalling bikes, dropping bikes, hitting the bike in front of them - I've seen it all during that short little parade/protest. Now-a-days, I'll ride around to the free lunches on Saturday then head west on Sunday.
If anybody needs a good indy while in town for the ride, this guy is in Fredericksburg, just south of D.C. about a block off of Route 95.
Extremely competent and a great place to do business. Check out their cool breast cancer awareness t-shirts.
OldeTowneCycle.com/ (clicky)
Not affiliated, just a happy customer
Trusted with servicing local law enforcement bikes:
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
I wont get there this year for the first time in a decade. To the poster who said its an overcommercialized love fest for vets, you have never been have you? Nothing could be further from the truth. There are some vendors at Thunder Alley but thats on a side street away from the memorials. The Pentagon itself has no vendors other than some food.obviouslyyou have never attended the gold star blue star mothers walk with the bagpiper playing taps at the wall at dusk. Obviously you have never seen a vet with his hand touching a buddys name on the wall and crying . Obviously you have never seen momentoes left at the wall for fallen comrades or seen folks who served in the same outfit, just glad to see each other. Its not a ride or a parade, it is a demonstration to show we care, to tell a vet, thank you, to say well done welcome home.
Oh yeah, the dealerships have open house and i am sure more than one adult beverage is consumed during the weekend but it is not a rally. Doesnt try to be a rally and never will be a rally. If you dont understand the weekend, go ask the Marine gunny who stands at the start of the ride in a class a wool uniform and comes to attention and a salute when the first rider approaches and hold it until the last bike goes by, sometimes 4 hours later. He doent think its a rally. Btw, he volunteers to do this.
Go for the right reason. If you are looking for drunk bimbos and posers trying to be seen, go to daytona or myrtle beach or laconia. If you want to honor our vets and do so with respect, go to rolling thunder. No i am not a vet but am smart enough to know who provides my freedoms and safety. Ps my dad was a marine
Oh yeah, the dealerships have open house and i am sure more than one adult beverage is consumed during the weekend but it is not a rally. Doesnt try to be a rally and never will be a rally. If you dont understand the weekend, go ask the Marine gunny who stands at the start of the ride in a class a wool uniform and comes to attention and a salute when the first rider approaches and hold it until the last bike goes by, sometimes 4 hours later. He doent think its a rally. Btw, he volunteers to do this.
Go for the right reason. If you are looking for drunk bimbos and posers trying to be seen, go to daytona or myrtle beach or laconia. If you want to honor our vets and do so with respect, go to rolling thunder. No i am not a vet but am smart enough to know who provides my freedoms and safety. Ps my dad was a marine
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Red N Gold, you hit it on the nail. This will be my fifth year. To all the non Vets, Your welcome, to all the Vets, thank you. To all my Vietnam vets, Welcome home. To all the POW/MIA's you are not forgotten.