planning on making the Rolling Thunder ride in May, was hoping some of you guys could offer some advice on places to stay, etc. Have heard from folks that some HD Dealerships have escorted rides to DC.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!

 

Past years, Patriot HD in Fairfax, VA and HD of Washington in Fort Washington, MD have been HOG Pin stops on Saturday and have escorted rides on Sunday. Whitts in Manasas VA has an escorted ride and most of the other Harley dealers in the Washington DC area have escorted rides.

Hotel rates will be lower the farther you stay from the Beltway. Be prepared to spend time in the Pentagon parking lot before actually riding into DC. Take sunscreen and plenty of fluids.

 

I did the ride last year. I rode up from Richmond to Dumfries to: Harley-Davidson of Quantico

17975 Main St.
Dumfries, VA, USA 22026-2484
(703) 221-3757


I got there about 0630. They had coffee and donuts, not near enough. There was a prayer, presentation of colors and we left out of there escorted at about 0900. Very nice. I don't know how many bikes, but it was a lot.


I will probably do it again this year if I am still in VA. I carried something to eat and drink, but they had vendors there as well.

 

At Patriot HD, part of the highway is closed and bikes are parked on the road. Leave there and escorted to I66 to the Pentagon. I66 is closed to everyone but the bikes. It is an awesome ride with everyone stopped on the entrance ramps and the overpasses waving as you ride by.

 

I was honored to hang and ride to last year's rally with the local Rolling Thunder chapter . We stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn Arlington . It's right across the highway form the Pentagon parking lot where the ride is staged . Plenty of underground parking , nice breakfast, nice bar and they (the hotel) treated us like royalty .

 

Don't Forget the Raffle

 

I use to live in Waynesboro Va and rode up from Shenandoah Harley. There ended up to be about 50 of us after a couple stops. Great ride. I also rode in from Fredrick Harley with an escort and will never do it again. Even with the highway blocked with a police escort it was a long slow ride.

 

I went a few years ago and linked up with about 300-400 bikes at Harley-Davidson of Frederick and rode into the city with them. Police escort, people waving flags, lined up on overpasses, roadsides, etc... it was a very special ride in.

The dealership provided plenty of coffee and any other items you would want for breakfast. Bathrooms where the mobile kind on a trailer and were exceptionally clean.

It was a great experience at the dealership, the ride in, waiting at the Pentagon, and riding through the capital.

Regardless of the weather forecast, take plenty of food and water with you because there is an extensive wait at the Pentagon. Take more than you think you will need. It was brutally hot when I did it and people were dropping like flies. There is little relief in a parking lot from the heat.

Make sure you pack a foot pad for your kickstand because you will more than likely be parking in grass after you arrive at the monuments.

Pentagon motorcycle police are generally less than accommodating and are generally ********* to the biker community. So be aware that they will be looking for someone to make an example of especially when you arrive and depart the Pentagon.

It's all worth the experience though so don't let any of that discourage you. Just relaying what I saw and dealt with.

Enjoy!