Good luck and have fun. Post some pics of you can.

 

Sure I will!

 

There is two parkings and two increments for the parade. The north parking is the main one and you have to get there early. The south parking which is the second increment is a little easier next to the 911 memorial and you dont have to be there too early. Me and my daughter had done it for sevaral years that way. We go for an early ride and then around 1 or 2 pm go to the south parking. It is smaller and less bikes but still a few thousand. Coming from Arlington just follow Columbia Pike all the way to the parking. It is pretty hard to stay at the north parking lot it is super crowded and you cant leave but it is the first group to ride. Probably the north parking leaves at least 1 to 1 1/2 hours before the south parking. We are leaving from SC on the 24th and taking it easy all the way there.

 

Thanks much for the info!
I will arrive Springfield on the 24th, so I can join the crowd in the 25th.
Hopefully, I don't get lost!
Nick

 

It will be my first time too. After reading the post, I may just watch what happens and stay out of the parking lots and demonstration (it's not a parade)

 

I am also thinking toward that way.

 

Living just So. of D.C, we have run this ride 3 times. Its a great time, but their are a few things to ponder. If you go to the Pentagon Parking lot, you will get the full effect of the ride, meet a lot of good folks.....but, you will spend several hours on hot asphalt parking lots, with little shade if its a sunny day. Their will be vendors selling water, stay hydrated its a long day while waiting for your group to leave, its a very slow ride, down the route. Watch far a head, and practice your slow speed riding a little before hand, you will need that. Their will be thousands, yes thousands of bikes, some have rode for years, some for days, don't take for granted the skill level of the rider next to you, its close quarters. The route is lined with spectators waving, and cheering, it was one of the most moving things I have ever been involved with. It put a lump in my throat, I thought why are you cheering for me, I owe you folks this small tribute for your service. Try not to get too distracted, every year their are several small fender bender type accidents, from folks watching the crowd and not the street ahead.
You can also go down early, avoid the Pentagon lots, and ride down and find an area to park, walk to the Wall or WWII monument or what ever you want to see. If you don't leave before the Parade, or Demonstration, which ever you chose to call it, starts, they will close off streets to block traffic. It will make leaving more difficult because you may not be able to leave the way you came in due to street closures. You can get routed in a totally different direction than you want to go.
D.C. is separated into 4 sections. NW, SW, NE, SE. Numbered streets run one way and lettered streets run opposite. Like a grid. State streets like New York Ave. run diagonal, like spokes on a wheel. You can have the same street in all 4 sections.
Good luck, have fun, looks like you will have good weather for the event.
Above all else, Thank you Vets for the freedoms we have and the sacrifice you make.

 

I plan on being there and look to leave my place about 9am for the Pentagon.

Trying to figure a way to carry a bottle of water without the bags I have... might just need to put the bags on to carry some water for the ride.

 

Wow! I have never attended a rally that has so many bikes in one place.
It is a second day at the Rolling Thunder, and I have learned some good and some "not really good" things about this event.
I don't thing I have enough time to visit all the "interesting" places in DC, but I hope that I bring back enough photos and video clips to share with everyone.
So far, I am loving it!

 

Here is a few photos for you to see buddy!
You should have gone with me. It is the best ride and event of this year for me, so far.

And below is a few video clips from the Demonstration Ride from Pentagon, and I am still uploading.
Take care
Nick