Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 0
From: Eastern NC
RE: Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
I'll be there, like last year i plan on camping out just southin one of the Va. regional parks. About $25 a night. Stayed in DC at greenbelt park for $14 a night in 2006.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: America
RE: Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
ORIGINAL: seadog07
Anybody planning on Memorial Day in DC?
Getting a room in DC is almost impossible not to memtion nuts.
Winchester Va. is a good town 60 miles out w/ great food & entertainment.
Anybody planning on Memorial Day in DC?
Getting a room in DC is almost impossible not to memtion nuts.
Winchester Va. is a good town 60 miles out w/ great food & entertainment.
Good luck and enjoy.
CSM Lopez
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
RE: Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
Never been on one of these, but had a close friend go last year.
He said that while he enjoyed the spirit of the event, he'd never do it again. Said he almost got hit a number of times by inexperienced riders in close formation, and saw too many people that DID go down for that reason...also said the stress level from maintaining formation at the fuel stops was over the top for him, and saw a couple of situations almost come to punches...he's a real straight up easy going old timer, so I gotta believe him...I'm an Army vet from '69 to '72, but think I'll pass...
He said that while he enjoyed the spirit of the event, he'd never do it again. Said he almost got hit a number of times by inexperienced riders in close formation, and saw too many people that DID go down for that reason...also said the stress level from maintaining formation at the fuel stops was over the top for him, and saw a couple of situations almost come to punches...he's a real straight up easy going old timer, so I gotta believe him...I'm an Army vet from '69 to '72, but think I'll pass...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,875
Likes: 32,915
From: King George, VA
RE: Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
I will be going again this year. Getting into the parking lot at 0600 or so is ideal. You can watch all the other groups arriving and meet a lot of people. When they fire up the bikes at 1200 for the ride, it's absolutely awsome. Good advice to take along pleanty of drinks. I took along a small collapsable chair.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
RE: Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
ORIGINAL: *NIGHT TRAIN*
...also said the stress level from maintaining formation at the fuel stops was over the top for him, and saw a couple of situations almost come to punches...
...also said the stress level from maintaining formation at the fuel stops was over the top for him, and saw a couple of situations almost come to punches...
My wife and I ride from northern New York every year since moving here. We stay in fairfax.
I know a lot of people that won't do the ride because sitting in the Pentagon parking lot can be very hot and uncomfortable. I just remind myself why I'm there. I'm there for all those Vietnam Vets that never made it home. Their sacrifice is much greater than being a little uncomfortable for a couple of hours.
Depending on which parking lot you are in, getting something to eat or drink can be a hassle. Even porta-johns are limited in some parking lots. Get there early to get in the north parking lot where all the food and drink vendors are set up. They also have more porta-johns there. I never waited more than four people ahead of me at the porta-johns. Of course, the lines do get longer the closer it gets to the start of the ride.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: America
RE: Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
If you are with the Rolling Thunder or the Namknights; at 1205 you are rolling, but if you are not with a club you are not! I have known of bikers rolling out 1600hrs and if you get into the overflow parkinglot at 1700hrs you are starting to roll. Plan ahead and get there early. HD will have a tent set up for you to pick up your pins. The local HD dealers will have some music and partying going on.
CSM Lopez
CSM Lopez
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
RE: Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
ORIGINAL: Cheese Head
This post confuses me. The ride is from the Pentagon parking lot to the the Vietnam wall. There are no fuel stops. If he is talking about an organized ride from some where to Washington D. C., avoid these. Get with a few friends and make the ride without the large group of people you don't know/trust...usually more fun.
My wife and I ride from northern New York every year since moving here. We stay in fairfax.
I know a lot of people that won't do the ride because sitting in the Pentagon parking lot can be very hot and uncomfortable. I just remind myself why I'm there. I'm there for all those Vietnam Vets that never made it home. Their sacrifice is much greater than being a little uncomfortable for a couple of hours.
Depending on which parking lot you are in, getting something to eat or drink can be a hassle. Even porta-johns are limited in some parking lots. Get there early to get in the north parking lot where all the food and drink vendors are set up. They also have more porta-johns there. I never waited more than four people ahead of me at the porta-johns. Of course, the lines do get longer the closer it gets to the start of the ride.
ORIGINAL: *NIGHT TRAIN*
...also said the stress level from maintaining formation at the fuel stops was over the top for him, and saw a couple of situations almost come to punches...
...also said the stress level from maintaining formation at the fuel stops was over the top for him, and saw a couple of situations almost come to punches...
My wife and I ride from northern New York every year since moving here. We stay in fairfax.
I know a lot of people that won't do the ride because sitting in the Pentagon parking lot can be very hot and uncomfortable. I just remind myself why I'm there. I'm there for all those Vietnam Vets that never made it home. Their sacrifice is much greater than being a little uncomfortable for a couple of hours.
Depending on which parking lot you are in, getting something to eat or drink can be a hassle. Even porta-johns are limited in some parking lots. Get there early to get in the north parking lot where all the food and drink vendors are set up. They also have more porta-johns there. I never waited more than four people ahead of me at the porta-johns. Of course, the lines do get longer the closer it gets to the start of the ride.
Yeah, my friend was in one of the cross country Rolling Thunder organized ridesgetting there...he enjoyed the event, it was the PITA parade style ride he had to endure getting there that left the bad taste in his mouth.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
RE: Rolling Thunder 2007......D.C.
ORIGINAL: *NIGHT TRAIN*
Yeah, my friend was in one of the cross country Rolling Thunder organized ridesgetting there...he enjoyed the event, it was the PITA parade style ride he had to endure getting there that left the bad taste in his mouth.
ORIGINAL: Cheese Head
This post confuses me. The ride is from the Pentagon parking lot to the the Vietnam wall. There are no fuel stops. If he is talking about an organized ride from some where to Washington D. C., avoid these. Get with a few friends and make the ride without the large group of people you don't know/trust...usually more fun.
My wife and I ride from northern New York every year since moving here. We stay in fairfax.
I know a lot of people that won't do the ride because sitting in the Pentagon parking lot can be very hot and uncomfortable. I just remind myself why I'm there. I'm there for all those Vietnam Vets that never made it home. Their sacrifice is much greater than being a little uncomfortable for a couple of hours.
Depending on which parking lot you are in, getting something to eat or drink can be a hassle. Even porta-johns are limited in some parking lots. Get there early to get in the north parking lot where all the food and drink vendors are set up. They also have more porta-johns there. I never waited more than four people ahead of me at the porta-johns. Of course, the lines do get longer the closer it gets to the start of the ride.
ORIGINAL: *NIGHT TRAIN*
...also said the stress level from maintaining formation at the fuel stops was over the top for him, and saw a couple of situations almost come to punches...
...also said the stress level from maintaining formation at the fuel stops was over the top for him, and saw a couple of situations almost come to punches...
My wife and I ride from northern New York every year since moving here. We stay in fairfax.
I know a lot of people that won't do the ride because sitting in the Pentagon parking lot can be very hot and uncomfortable. I just remind myself why I'm there. I'm there for all those Vietnam Vets that never made it home. Their sacrifice is much greater than being a little uncomfortable for a couple of hours.
Depending on which parking lot you are in, getting something to eat or drink can be a hassle. Even porta-johns are limited in some parking lots. Get there early to get in the north parking lot where all the food and drink vendors are set up. They also have more porta-johns there. I never waited more than four people ahead of me at the porta-johns. Of course, the lines do get longer the closer it gets to the start of the ride.
Yeah, my friend was in one of the cross country Rolling Thunder organized ridesgetting there...he enjoyed the event, it was the PITA parade style ride he had to endure getting there that left the bad taste in his mouth.