Rolling Thunder

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 22, 2017 | 03:28 PM

#11

smitty901

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 22,999

Likes: 11,439

Make week of it if you can. So darn much good riding in the area. We stay in Gordonsville when we go about 90 mile quick ride in.
Enjoy a worthy trip no madder how you do it.

Mar 23, 2017 | 12:51 PM

#12

PrkChps

Advanced

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 73

Likes: 1

From: Massachusetts

The Ride of the Patriots out of Patriot HD in Fairfax on Sunday morning is well worth your time. Lots of supporters by the sides of the road, waving flags and cheering. Nice ceremony at the start, too. The ride takes you into the Pentagon lots. There, you will wait. How long depends on which lot gets released first. The last time I went, we did not move until after 2 PM, and there was a mad rush of bikes to get to the exit. A couple of bikes collided, with damage, due to impatient people cutting each other off. The ride itself is shorter than you would think, but very beautiful. I usually park on the Mall and walk to Thunder Alley afterwards, then take off mid afternoon. Plan your exit from DC. Bring a map! Don't depend on following anyone else into or out of DC. If you get separated, you will get lost. Lastly: Make hotel reservations early, and look for a hotel near a restaurant that is affordable. I usually stay about an hour away. Downtown hotels and restaurants are very pricey. Good luck.

Mar 25, 2017 | 12:47 PM

#13

2PawsRiver

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 402

Likes: 10

From: Hartford, Michigan

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty901

Make week of it if you can. So darn much good riding in the area. We stay in Gordonsville when we go about 90 mile quick ride in.
Enjoy a worthy trip no madder how you do it.

This one caught me off guard.......when I picture Washington DC, I really don't picture any good riding.....now I was surprised to see the beginning of the Skyline Drive is only about 1.5 hours from there.

I think our plan is....ride in early, dropping the dogs off on the way....touristing around, doing the ride, rolling out of town, picking the dogs up and heading to Front Royal.

But who knows......initially my wife wasn't going along and it was just going to be a quick ride out for Rolling Thunder....she decided now she is going to ride along, so we'll turn it into hitting the Flight 93 memorial, Rolling Thunder, the mountains down to about Roanoke, the north back to Michigan.

If I can find a kennel near that Patriot Harley, we may make that ride in, heck depending on the weather, may just keep the dogs on the bikes.

Thanks for all the info.

Apr 1, 2017 | 08:34 AM

#14

Usmc3816

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2012

Posts: 5,218

Likes: 510

From: Shelby, North Carolina

I currently work in DC and there is a lot of good riding just a few miles from the Capital. A good exit plan is necessary as they are doing lots of construction and you may get jammed up if you take a wrong turn. But its a great experience and well worth the visit.

Apr 8, 2017 | 07:06 PM

#15

drcollie

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 354

Likes: 315

From: Alexandria, VA

Sitting in the parking lot at Rolling Thunder is incredibly boring and usually very hot. There is no shade - bring water.

Skyline Drive is great as are most the rides an hour west of DC. There is an entrance fee to Skyline, however if you are 62 or older, you can buy the one-time US Park Pass that is good at any national park (its $ 10) for the rest of your life. Best deal ever.

This place is literally 5 minutes from Patriot Harley, though I have not used it personally.

http://www.montrosepethotel.com/#montrosepethotel

Apr 11, 2017 | 05:17 PM

#16

CarrollB

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 335

Likes: 14

From: Baltimore

I will be working the Christian Motorcyclists Assoc (CMA) water wagon parked on the mall all day Sunday. Stop by, grab some cold water, and say hi.

Apr 12, 2017 | 04:53 PM

#17

HDMIKETN64

Road Master

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 891

Likes: 210

From: Clarksville, TN

My girlfriend and I are considering going over there this year. It will be our first time.

Apr 14, 2017 | 10:46 AM

#18

harleyhusker

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2006

Posts: 240

Likes: 20

From: Nebraska

My wife and I are planning a trip to the northeast states. We would like to experience Rolling Thunder and then head to Delaware, New Jersey, up to Maine. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for your help in advance.