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Does anyone know where they start the Rolling Thunder and is anyone participating in it from the starting point?
It's on my bucket list and I want work up to it.
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Rolling Thunder and Run For the Wall 2003,04,05.
RT stages out of Pentagon parking lot You will need to hook up with some group.
Recommend you hook up with RFTW. Bunch of Wolves are making it now.
Join up with RFTW as early as you can. RT is great. But RFTW is worth the time and effort. Guarantee you will come away a different person.
Had to stop RFTW because of a fall in 06. Can't ride anymore because of the fall or I'd still be doing it.
Knees to the breeze, face in the wind. Ride safe.
Russell Det 8 69-70
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As "Ladder Head" said, The Rolling Thunder parade starts from the Pentagon parking lot on the Sunday Morning of Memorial weekend. Line up starts at 0 dark thirty (literally) on that morning. Run For The Wall starts from Ontario California and takes 3 separate routes across the country to once again rejoin in DC within a couple hours of each other. You can join any of the 3 routes on the evening before departure on the next days' leg of travel, or be there at the crack of dawn to register for that day ----- no joining during the day, or "on the fly" joining will be tolerated...... it is simply too dangerous. Go to runforthewall.org and get the specifics of route/daily travel/host cities/and schedules. I hope to see you on the ride ! I'll be road guarding on the idle Route this year
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Hi Richard,
Last year a group started from Ontario, about 15 seawolves, and the total was a couple hundred riders i would think. I believe Mike Dobson was in charge. I went up to see them off and saw a couple guys I haven't seen in years, good luck.
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Richard,
Several Seawolves have participated in RFTW over the years; we ride in from all over the country. RFTW has a very meaningful mission, promotes healing and is addictive. You do it the first time for you, get hooked and do it from then on for your brother. Mike has provided some info about RFTW.,
Some join en-route, others go all the way; some on bikes, some on trikes and even some on 4 wheels. There are several who've volunteered on the run as road guards, platoon leaders, staging and fuel crews and chase truck drivers. Most ride in the pack, at least the first time, to experience the Run where we visit schools, VA hospitals, monuments and feel the patriotism of the country as we pass through cities and states on our way to Washington. We are hosted on the run by cities & towns, schools, the VA, Legion, VFW, & DAV posts, Harley Dealerships, Wal-Mart, and other groups. These volunteers provide meals, hospitality and memorable presentations. Some individuals donate gasoline for the entire group of bikes.
Once we hit Washington DC, there are activities there including A ceremony at Arlington, where we have a wreath laying at the tomb of the Unknown, a gathering at the Lincoln Memorial, and a wreath ceremony at the Wall. On Sunday, many of us participate in Rolling Thunder.
Rolling Thunder stages in the Pentagon parking lot. The RFTW group enters at about 7:30 Am and Departs just after Noon. There are usually hundreds of thousands of bikes in the parking lot, sometimes overflowing. As we depart at 12:30, there are still bikes entering for staging.
Now, for the Run to the Run part. Usually we ride across country, roving around north & south as we head west prior to the run. We stop at many interesting and historical sites and visit with Seawolves along the way. Many friends open their homes to us, host us, and make us feel very welcome and appreciated. Most notably a friend near Denver, a Church in Cheyenne, and American Legion Post 746 in Cottonwood, CA, which is named for a Seawolf. and their Legion Riders group.
After RFTW we usually go down the Virginia Beach and participate with the Gamewardens Mid-Atlantic Chapter at the Tidewater Memorial day Ceremony, visit Little Creek and visit with the Red Wolves before going home.
In 2016, instead of having our annual "Run to the Run" several of us will be riding "4 Corners" starting in mid-June. That will include a ride to the top of Maine, Then to Vancouver, Then to Chula Vista and Finally, Key West. On the route we've scheduled visits with Seawolves in Michigan, Montana, & Idaho, (& more to come). We'll ride through the Badlands, see Mt. Rushmore, Ferry across Lake Michigan, The Harley Davidson Plant & Museum in Milwaukee, Yellowstone and more.
I may or may not ride RFTW this year but if I do, I'll join Mike Dobson on the Middle Route. We're taking time off from Southern Route this year, but will probably return to Southern Next year.
I hope to see you along the way on either or both runs.
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No way I am in charge ---- for the last 2 years I was asst Road Guard Captain, but that was as close as it got to being in charge of anything. All the guys are on the watch for Seawolves that may be on the side and don't know about our org .... also, we are looking for the face who takes notice of our patch (which we wear in full view on vests, bikes, and flags ) ........... seldom do we not get the group together when we find a Seawolf --- ask Zach Zachary what happens
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Thanks for all the information. I was thinking of shipping the bike to San Diego and try to hook up with some riders. I will check on the internet if there are riders leaving the area. I am a little concerned since it will be the first time I am riding on the Mainland.
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The mainland part should give you no problem since during the "Run To The Wall" you will be within a organized platoon that, at least for the start for you, will be riding in a staggered formation ---- but it will be tighter than recreation riders normally ride. All refuels, and activities which include meals, are already planned for each day. Hopefully you have motorcycle experience other than just to the "grocery store". Legs of travel are about 2 hours maximum with the main focus being on gentle pressure on throttles, and get used to using downshifting instead of brakes..... if you are on the southern route, the phrase for the first 5 days at least is "Hydrate Hydrate Hydrate" the desert is brutal and heat stroke can happen easily --- we are not 19 anymore. On the Middle and Central routs, you may even hit snow ----- and on all of the routes, rain can be an issue ---- we roll on. If you are concerned about navigation getting to Ontario or getting around in the evening, or even catching up if needed, have a gps ------ a gotta have now days --------- the good part --- right now in Oklahoma City regular gas is now 1.18 a gallon
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Thanks Mike. I appreciate all the information. I just started riding after so many years. While my first intent was just to ride on weekends, I was also interested in the Rolling Thunder project and put the project on my bucket list.
It will take me a while but I intend to try and make it. Maybe not this year but definitely next year.
Thanks again.
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Richard, try hooking up with Art Stoneking, he usually starts from San Diego.
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sounds good Richard ----- may I recommend taking a motorcycle class, don't take this wrong, you already have a license, ----- I took my first motorcycle class 2 years ago after having been riding since 1966. There were some lag years there, but also some 10,000 plus mile years, and believe me, I learned A LOT !! No doubt in my mind, I had been surviving on defensive skills and not necessarily riding skills. My riding skills definitely took a big jump in that class and it was the best spent $80 in a long long time . google motorcycle classes in your area and see what comes up --- do it !!! one day of schooling focussed on helping your skills will save many days of pain if something goes wrong that didn't need to. I'll be either taking the same course this year again, or if I can get in it, a more advanced course .
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