September 11th Memorial Ride
#11
09-12-2010, 11:42 AM
September 11th 2010 Memorial Ride
Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach, California
September 11th 2010
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Last edited by WS6 Formula; 09-12-2010 at 01:25 PM.
#12
09-12-2010, 01:22 PM
Laguna Woods city manager apologizes to 9/11 riders (2009)
Laguna Woods City Manager Leslie Keane listens as Long Beach firefighter Gary Biggerstaff addresses the City Council Wednesday.
Supporters of the Remember 9/11 Ride gather outside the Laguna Woods City Council chambers Wednesday after attending a council meeting to protest comments made by the city manager about the ride that passed through the city last month.
Laguna Woods City Manager Leslie Keane, right, listens as Mayor Bob Ring responds to Long Beach firefighter Gary Biggerstaff's comments. Biggerstaff addressed the council regarding e-mails sent to him from Keane about the Remember 9/11 Ride he organized.
Supporters of the Remember 9/11 Ride applaud comments made by Long Beach firefighter Gary Biggerstaff as he address the Laguna Woods City Coucil Wednesday. Biggerstaff had asked for an apology from City Manager Leslie Keane regarding e-mailed comments made about the memorial motorcycle ride and its organizer.
Laguna Woods City Manager Leslie Keane listens as Long Beach firefighter Gary Biggerstaff addresses the City Council Wednesday.
Supporters of the Remember 9/11 Ride gather outside the Laguna Woods City Council chambers Wednesday after attending a council meeting to protest comments made by the city manager about the ride that passed through the city last month.
Laguna Woods City Manager Leslie Keane, right, listens as Mayor Bob Ring responds to Long Beach firefighter Gary Biggerstaff's comments. Biggerstaff addressed the council regarding e-mails sent to him from Keane about the Remember 9/11 Ride he organized.
Supporters of the Remember 9/11 Ride applaud comments made by Long Beach firefighter Gary Biggerstaff as he address the Laguna Woods City Coucil Wednesday. Biggerstaff had asked for an apology from City Manager Leslie Keane regarding e-mailed comments made about the memorial motorcycle ride and its organizer.
(2010) When more than 600 motorcyclists came down El Toro Road through Laguna Woods last year for a Sept. 11 memorial ride, one participant got off his bike and held Moulton Parkway cross traffic for more than 100 riders.
The move upset City Manager Leslie Keane, who at the time threatened to prevent the memorial ride from coming through the city this year. Keane said the riders, who travel through several South County and coastal cities, posed a threat to public safety.
Ultimately, Keane, Laguna Woods officials and ride organizer Gary Biggerstaff resolved the conflict, though this year they asked him to get a special events permit for the ride if traffic lights were going to be held for motorcyclists or if traffic was going to be disrupted.
The special events permit would require the organizer to obtain insurance for the event and pay for additional police services if the traffic lights were going to be held for riders, Keane said. Keane said the city also agreed to waive the $39 permit fee.
“He is refusing to do that and he is stating that this is not an event,” Keane said.
Biggerstaff said the ride is unofficial, unsanctioned and is not expected to disrupt traffic, so he decided not to get the permit.
Biggerstaff also said he did not want to pay the cost of police services – up to $5,000 – because the ride does not generate a profit.
“If they follow all the traffic laws, it's fine,” Keane said. “We do not anticipate a problem this year. It's a great event.”
Biggerstaff has posted a reminder to riders on the event website to obey traffic signals, and he will pass out instructions to participants at the start of the ride at Cook's Corner.
Biggerstaff also said police and fire departments in the cities affected, including Lake Forest, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, have been informed of the ride.
Officials in Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods and Newport Beach said riders must obey traffic signals, and officers will not hold traffic for the event.
Lt. Chuck Wilmot, chief of police services in Laguna Woods, said a traffic officer will be at the El Toro and Moulton intersection to prevent participants from holding traffic.
Motorcyclists will gather at Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon as early as 8 a.m. The ride starts at 12:15 p.m. and follows a Long Beach fire engine down El Toro Road, through Laguna Canyon and up Pacific Coast Highway to Long Beach.
The ride will end at Marine Vista Park in Long Beach for a memorial service at 3 p.m.
The move upset City Manager Leslie Keane, who at the time threatened to prevent the memorial ride from coming through the city this year. Keane said the riders, who travel through several South County and coastal cities, posed a threat to public safety.
Ultimately, Keane, Laguna Woods officials and ride organizer Gary Biggerstaff resolved the conflict, though this year they asked him to get a special events permit for the ride if traffic lights were going to be held for motorcyclists or if traffic was going to be disrupted.
The special events permit would require the organizer to obtain insurance for the event and pay for additional police services if the traffic lights were going to be held for riders, Keane said. Keane said the city also agreed to waive the $39 permit fee.
“He is refusing to do that and he is stating that this is not an event,” Keane said.
Biggerstaff said the ride is unofficial, unsanctioned and is not expected to disrupt traffic, so he decided not to get the permit.
Biggerstaff also said he did not want to pay the cost of police services – up to $5,000 – because the ride does not generate a profit.
“If they follow all the traffic laws, it's fine,” Keane said. “We do not anticipate a problem this year. It's a great event.”
Biggerstaff has posted a reminder to riders on the event website to obey traffic signals, and he will pass out instructions to participants at the start of the ride at Cook's Corner.
Biggerstaff also said police and fire departments in the cities affected, including Lake Forest, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, have been informed of the ride.
Officials in Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods and Newport Beach said riders must obey traffic signals, and officers will not hold traffic for the event.
Lt. Chuck Wilmot, chief of police services in Laguna Woods, said a traffic officer will be at the El Toro and Moulton intersection to prevent participants from holding traffic.
Motorcyclists will gather at Cook's Corner in Trabuco Canyon as early as 8 a.m. The ride starts at 12:15 p.m. and follows a Long Beach fire engine down El Toro Road, through Laguna Canyon and up Pacific Coast Highway to Long Beach.
The ride will end at Marine Vista Park in Long Beach for a memorial service at 3 p.m.
#13
09-12-2010, 01:43 PM
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It was a great ride....
Video clip:
http://www.ocregister.com/video/?vid...95001&play=now
OC register story:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/beach...year-fire.html
Video clip:
http://www.ocregister.com/video/?vid...95001&play=now
OC register story:
http://www.ocregister.com/news/beach...year-fire.html
#14
09-12-2010, 01:44 PM
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Yea this didn't work so well....not well at all in my opinion. It was far worse this year. Charge a few bucks and do it right or people will stop coming. I was pretty bummed how this one went down personally.
** let me explain.....there were far too many riders that were willing to do what ever they could to either keep up with or catch the lead pack. This caused many cagers to get ancy, nervous or aggressive. The traffic on El Toro for those not in the lead pack got pretty bad. Between many people stuck sitting and heating up and bikes going in every direction it wasn't fun. To be honest...it got outright dangerous. On 2 separate occasions I witnessed what I'll call WAY too close of a call and serious injury was close at hand. I saw one drive get so frustrated they were seriously going at riders, pushing them out or running them off at the few construction lane closures. Then you had those few riders going down bike lanes and what not making it pretty dangerous overall in many instances. At one point it just became not worth it trying to compete for space and honestly once the lead pack left cooks they were never seen again. We finally just pulled over and watched as broken groups came down the road. Like I said....for a memorial ride as important as this....it deserves better in my opinion. When I say better I mean from the participants to the cities. Its sad to hear that such a cool way of remembering something so tragic is not better received by the local governments. I'm willing to bet for something like this that many would "volunteer" time to help with traffic to ensure its an awesome and SAFE event. I personally would be willing to pay $20 or what ever for a better organized event that includes escorts and what not. With as many people that came out....you'd make enough money to cover all the costs and it would be much more enjoyable so that you really could relax and spend time thinking about what the day truly was meant for....not worrying about the craziness going on around you.
Sorry....rant off....2 cents deposited.
** let me explain.....there were far too many riders that were willing to do what ever they could to either keep up with or catch the lead pack. This caused many cagers to get ancy, nervous or aggressive. The traffic on El Toro for those not in the lead pack got pretty bad. Between many people stuck sitting and heating up and bikes going in every direction it wasn't fun. To be honest...it got outright dangerous. On 2 separate occasions I witnessed what I'll call WAY too close of a call and serious injury was close at hand. I saw one drive get so frustrated they were seriously going at riders, pushing them out or running them off at the few construction lane closures. Then you had those few riders going down bike lanes and what not making it pretty dangerous overall in many instances. At one point it just became not worth it trying to compete for space and honestly once the lead pack left cooks they were never seen again. We finally just pulled over and watched as broken groups came down the road. Like I said....for a memorial ride as important as this....it deserves better in my opinion. When I say better I mean from the participants to the cities. Its sad to hear that such a cool way of remembering something so tragic is not better received by the local governments. I'm willing to bet for something like this that many would "volunteer" time to help with traffic to ensure its an awesome and SAFE event. I personally would be willing to pay $20 or what ever for a better organized event that includes escorts and what not. With as many people that came out....you'd make enough money to cover all the costs and it would be much more enjoyable so that you really could relax and spend time thinking about what the day truly was meant for....not worrying about the craziness going on around you.
Sorry....rant off....2 cents deposited.
Last edited by BigDaddyOC; 09-12-2010 at 01:56 PM.
#15
09-12-2010, 07:34 PM
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I completely agree with BigdaddyOC...This event was spectacular and deserves more support. Despite the Tryants in Laguna Woods. The ride was a catastrophe even though I am a Fireman and was invited to be in the VIP Lead Pack. I ended up in the back(which is fine) but never saw an escort or Fireboats Etc. This ride has become so BIG and IMPORTANT that it either needs to step up to the big time or quietly fall by the wayside. Gary Biggerstaff has a very Big decision to make. It's "just a ride" or give it the Importance it deserves. Its obvious by some of the cities support and by some of the Citizen support along the route that people do care. I say Gary, "Please Bump it up". Charge, get escorts, Pay for permits, get vendors, sell water soda hot dog hamburgers. Americans want to support you and Patriots Day. Please make it Better. It's not just a ride...
#16
09-12-2010, 10:20 PM
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I completely agree with BigdaddyOC...This event was spectacular and deserves more support. Despite the Tryants in Laguna Woods. The ride was a catastrophe even though I am a Fireman and was invited to be in the VIP Lead Pack. I ended up in the back(which is fine) but never saw an escort or Fireboats Etc. This ride has become so BIG and IMPORTANT that it either needs to step up to the big time or quietly fall by the wayside. Gary Biggerstaff has a very Big decision to make. It's "just a ride" or give it the Importance it deserves. Its obvious by some of the cities support and by some of the Citizen support along the route that people do care. I say Gary, "Please Bump it up". Charge, get escorts, Pay for permits, get vendors, sell water soda hot dog hamburgers. Americans want to support you and Patriots Day. Please make it Better. It's not just a ride...
1. The gathering of thousands of bikers on a Saturday morning at a biker friendly establishment in a canyon in the OC was incredible.
2. The weather was beautiful and the band (SSX) rocked.
3. The route through OC and up the Coast is unrivaled.
4. Seeing the citizens waving and clapping on the side of the road was inspiring.
5. Seeing the Fire Departments staging, Code 3 lights on, and at Attention was moving
6. The choir at the park were elequent and patriotic.
7. The young Lady that sang the Star Spangled Banner was awesome
8. The president of the LAFD Fire Hogs gave a very moving/inspiring comment about being an American and living in the greatest Nation on this Earth, AMERICA.
9. The young man (FDNY FIREMAN) gave a speech about his father who perished on 9/11 that made me lose it (yes I actually cried).
10. Amazing Grace and Taps topped it off and made me want to go Kick some Terrorist *** ...I was so fired up I rode home at over 100MPH.
I will recommend it to fellow bikers, Family, friends and anybody else that will show their support.
Gary, Send me a PM if I can assist with getting more support from my Agency next year.
Thanks again to gary, Family, Friends and the LBC
#17
09-12-2010, 10:59 PM
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Agreed....the ride/event has phenominal potential and honestly as big as its getting I can't see how it doesn't become a full blown, organized and escorted ride. Anymore riders than this last one and it will become down right impossible. It really wouldn't take much to completely change this. Shoot I'll personally volunteer to be a member of a committee to do this. From before the ride and the chaos of trying to get it started (bicycle riders/cars getting pissed they couldn't get through) to the dangers and traffic on El Toro and through the canyon etc. At least once it got on PCH it was easier and safer to get around, although broken up. Sorry but this would have had so much more of impact on the communities and people supporting it to see us all roll down in one continous stream. There was so many aspects that were awesome as mentioned above....but with a little organization and improvement this could become one of the premier rides of the year, as it should be for such worthy occasion to memorialize. I've ridden in the West Coast Thunder memorial ride many times now and that is another one that is very moving, really makes that impact and hits home, and is done so with FAR more riders but much more controlled and safe. This ride should get the same respect. And I'd gladly pay some money to make it happen. you could probably make enough to cover costs AND have money left over to donate to the cause.
Please don't take my comments negatively....this is purely constructive critisism, and I"m only speaking up or saying anything because I feel its worthy of it.
Please don't take my comments negatively....this is purely constructive critisism, and I"m only speaking up or saying anything because I feel its worthy of it.
#18
09-12-2010, 11:13 PM
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1. The gathering of thousands of bikers on a Saturday morning at a biker friendly establishment in a canyon in the OC was incredible.
2. The weather was beautiful and the band (SSX) rocked.
3. The route through OC and up the Coast is unrivaled.
4. Seeing the citizens waving and clapping on the side of the road was inspiring.
5. Seeing the Fire Departments staging, Code 3 lights on, and at Attention was moving
6. The choir at the park were elequent and patriotic.
7. The young Lady that sang the Star Spangled Banner was awesome
8. The president of the LAFD Fire Hogs gave a very moving/inspiring comment about being an American and living in the greatest Nation on this Earth, AMERICA.
9. The young man (FDNY FIREMAN) gave a speech about his father who perished on 9/11 that made me lose it (yes I actually cried).
10. Amazing Grace and Taps topped it off and made me want to go Kick some Terrorist *** ...I was so fired up I rode home at over 100MPH.
Yes, there were some problems with the procession since it was not an officially sanctioned event through all of the cities...but it was great to see people waving flags and cheering as we passed through.
It was definitely very moving seeing the fire departments out to salute and acknowledge the riders! This ride was for them, those who perished and their colleagues who put their lives on the line for us anytime a disaster calls them to duty.
Sure, the procession of bikes broke up as we got held by traffic lights and other traffic glitches...I was in the leading 1/3 of the group but still got separated from the lead. I think it was expected that the group would break up... that it was it was supposed to regroup in a couple places but the group was just too big for that to be practical...
The stop at Joes Crab Shack didn't seem to work as planned...it was supposed to be a regroup point ...but it wasn't clear to me when the group was leaving this place...it seemed kind of random...finally I left on my own and made it to the ceremony just in time. It was the only real glitch I experienced, aside from being separated from the lead.
Overall, it was a great experience and I will be there to join and honor the fallen next year...I will never forget.
#19
09-12-2010, 11:57 PM
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All the comments made by "Trumanator" and "Big Daddy OC" are spot on! This event is now at a cross roads. I feel that this ride could become one of the premiere rides on the west coast. However, in order to do that it must take the next step.
Gary, I thank you for what you have done and I will support this ride however I can. Please send me a PM if I can assist in any way. My FD is not in OC, but that does not mean that my IAFF Local would not participate. Thank you.
9-11 The Ride OC to LB
Gary, I thank you for what you have done and I will support this ride however I can. Please send me a PM if I can assist in any way. My FD is not in OC, but that does not mean that my IAFF Local would not participate. Thank you.
9-11 The Ride OC to LB
#20
09-13-2010, 11:21 AM
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