My buddies and I are doing planning for our long ride for 2010 and one of the options we're checking out is Rolling Thunder in D.C. I went to their web site this afternoon trying to get details of how to register and the cost of the ride, but found those details lacking. I did find the schedule, a list of all of the state chapters and their contact info that I'll try tonight when I get home, and a good list of hotels and campgrounds to stay at. I also found the order form where I can order a patch or pin all the way back to RT 1. So, my question is, has anybody done this ride? How do you register and get in it? Any info/insight anyone can give me is appreciated.

 

Our HOG chapter rides down each year but we don't go to Pentagon parking lot to stage for the parade. We park by Lincoln Mem. and watch it.. I've heard all the horror stories about the mile long lines to port-a-jons, no refreshments, etc.. But alot of people get into it every year and love it... I don't think you have to pay for anything to do parade...Where are you leaving from???

 

Ride staging is in the Pentagon parking lot, they will point you towards the right lot when you get there, depending on what time you show up you may be in one of the overflow lots. Used to go every year when I was stationed on the east coast, normally showed up around noon and rode out about 2:30. Plenty to look at and do while you're there. Bring lots of water and some snacks. No cost for the ride. Always stayed about 45 to an hour outside of the city or camped at Mason Neck state park or Pohick Bay Regional Park in VA. Stayed once in Greenbelt park on the northwest side of the city. Unless you really want to camp, I would suggest a hotel.

 

I may go because I like to camp and that run has more saddlebags in it than the wild west cavalry! I'd just feel right at home, and be supporting a good cause as well. I thought this clip would be appropriate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lMzZNIw9KY

 

I go every couple years. I have never gone to the pentagon and joined the parade. I always go in town and watch. The parade itself can be very hard on your bike. Especially when the weather is at it's best. Long, long lines of bikes stopped or going very, very slow usually takes it's toll and sends a few bikes to the sides. There are several parties in the area. Ft. Washington HD holds one of the biggest. But there are more as far away as New Jersey. If you plan to camp, register early. There are several KOA's within a short ride of the capitol. Keep in mind, this event draws people all the way from the West coast every year. Campgrounds and hotel/motels fill up fast.

 

I have riden in the ride 3 times, missed last year and will miss this year becuase my daughter is graduating from high school that same week.

There is no charge to do the ride, just go to the Pentagon parking lot. I recommend getting there around 8:00am and that usually puts you in line about half way back. Bring lots of water, it gets hot sitting in line while waiting the ride to start.


2008 Rolling Thunder Ride

 

I went in 05 and 06 and would never do the parade, did "Run to the Wall "from St Louis to DC, camped at Bull Run Regional Park, straight shot to the VNV Memorial Wall, seems as though many folks think it's a rally and forget what the reason for the Wall is....I won't go again. I am a Viet Nam Vet and the reason for the Wall is "Respect"..
Just my opinion....
The only signing up I did was for RFTW, nothing else..........

 

Wife and I road last year from MN. Great ride out. We did Interstates (95 & 80) then cut off at Columbus, Ohio. When thru the back roads of West Virgina and then into DC. We were lucky, stayed at my wifes niece's place near Georgetown.

No charge for the ride. If you've gone to the website, you know what they ride stands for. Plan to spend a day in DC to see all the sites. My wife and I jumped on a tour bus. It was great and we got to see a lot. Then, park your bikes at one of the memorials and walk.

Sunday morning we rode over to Patriot Harley in Fairfax. This was one of the best experiences. Over 4,000 bikes stage up there. If your hungry and get there early, they have a breakfast cooked outside (I didn't indulge since I figured I didn't want to have to do a nature break - ha!). It's amazing to see all the bikes staged up 4 abreast, watch the marching bands and color guards and talk to other riders. They have cops to block all the intersections and route you to the Interstate (66). They pull fire engines across the Interstate and block the whole thing for the bikes. Then you ride down an empty Interstate to the Pentagon. Every overpass has families and kids waving flags for you. At the Pentagon, you can enter the parking lot or peel off and go into DC to watch from there.

We didn't go into the Pentagon but saw the mass of bikes (500,000). It takes over 4 hours for the last one to get into the parade and they don't start until noon. Weather was hot in DC but massive thunder storms coming into the Ohio River Valley. We decided to head north to Pittsburg (Interstate 70), Chicago (Interstate 90) and try to minimize the rain we'd be riding thru.

A great experience. I'd planned on doing the ride again this year without my wife (she loved the trip and ride, but doesn't want to use up her vacation this year), but am probably going to miss it (conflict with another ride).

Hope you guys have fun.

 

This will be my first time attending but there's 10 of us that will be riding down Saturday morning. We plan on doing alot of sightseeing Saturday and after the ride on Sunday. We'll be staying in a hotel the two nights and going home Monday. My friend is staying down there now and talked to a hotel manager who said the rooms get booked real quick so now is a good time to do it.

 

I have been many times as I used to be with someone from RT. I recommend you make your hotel reservations now as they will start booking up and the prices get ridiculous. I recommend you stay in Arlington, or outside of the city. You will not get bogged down in traffic and actually get out to see more. The line in the pentagon lot starts at 6:00am and it is a long morning and can seem like a waste if you are not up to just hanging out in one place for 6 hours. I recommend you spend Sunday morning enjoying DC and come later and join in on the tail (it is a very short ride by the way). An alternate is actually to go park early near the Jefferson Memorial or the Mall and stand along the route- the bridge is near the end, and the crowd there is awesome (alhtough I recommend doing "the ride" at least once). There are activities and vendors along the Mall from mid-day on, some sponsored by RT and others not. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.