Rolling Thunder XVIII, 29 May 2005

Riding in the early morning, looking into a cloudless, azure blue sky has always been almost spiritual. Alone on your machine, there are no distractions such as a radio or cell phone. The music in your ears is the lyrics of a remembered song, that the melody being drawn out of the white noise of the wind rushing past your helmet. But this morning the thoughts and melody are of a more solemn nature. Riding to join up with a group of like-minded individuals, preparing to honor the veterans, POWs and MIAs of America’s past.

Rolling Thunder Color Guard Meeting up with members of the Javelina Motorcycle club (http://www.javelinamc.com/ ) we departed the local Starbucks to join up with more riders near Patriot Harley Davidson in Fairfax. (http://www.patriothd.com/ ). To say there were cyclists as far as the eye can see was no exaggeration! As the color guard advanced, you could hear the music of bagpipes and see the fire truck escort the colors past everyone assembling for the ride to the Pentagon parking lot. The riders kept coming, and soon everyone there was trying to estimate the number of riders present. Numbers between 3000 and 5000 cycles were being tossed around.

Rolling Thunder Soon, the time came to mount and fire up and, with full police escort, ride down interstate 66 into town. With the freeway on-ramps closed, and crowds of well-wishers cheering us on from every overpass, we rode two by two for the 14 miles into Arlington, towards the Pentagon. Under direction of local authorities, we’re marshaled into the south parking area, arriving about 10:30. Now there is time to meet new people, and take a look at some of the rides. There are a group of Boss Hoss cycles, a few Big Dogs choppers, and everything from full dresser Harleys, Gold Wing trikes, home-built Triumph choppers, and anything in between. But the spirit of the day, and the reason why we’re all together here is not lost to the participants. Within the groups are vets from every service, and every part of the nation. Some have rode from the west coast, riding across country to be here to pay their respects for friends and family.

Rolling Thunder At noon, the rumble rose from the north to the south, as it came time to start engines and move into position. But the moving of an estimated 300,000 – 500,000 motorcycles takes time, and even though we were all ready to ride, it would be almost three more hours before north parking was emptied, and they were ready for us to join into the line. This gave us more time to reflect, and talk among ourselves, to learn each other’s stories. There was the pair of riders that came from Ohio, and spent the night at the campground. There was the woman walking around asking if we were a veteran, and when she found one she would take their hand, look them in the eye, and personally thank them for ensuring her freedom. Some took the time to reflect in silence, others took the time to make new friendships, or share their stories with friends reunited for this event. Soon we were on the move, across the Memorial bridge, and round the Lincoln Memorial. People along both sides were cheering us on, and waiving American and POW flags in support.

Rolling Thunder At the corner of Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Ave., there stands a marine in full uniform, saluting the riders as they pass. He is there for the duration of the ride, over 4 hours, honoring those who honor his brothers in arms. Turning onto Constitution, we are surrounded riders that had already finished the run, and are here to cheer us on. Constitution opens onto Pennsylvania Avenue, and a short right turn opens up to view the Capitol building. Seeing the white marble against the blue sky makes you glad that you took the time to make the ride for others who cannot.

A right on 3rd street and a right onto Independence Avenue, and we were heading back towards the memorials. Passing in front of the FDR memorial, riders were being guided into parking areas for the events down at the Wall.

What follows are some suggestions for participants for the Ride to the Wall, Rolling Thunder:

Dress in layers. It can get hot in the parking lot and there is no shade. Temperatures may be cool in the morning, but by 1:00 it can get very warm. If you have room, you may want to bring a blanket to lay on the grass or ground, so you can stretch out.
Bring WATER, or at least something to carry some in. While the Christian Motorcyclist Association (http://www.cmausa.org/) does their best to ensure your comfort, there may be a line for the drinking water. If you’re in South parking, it’s also a 15 minute walk to the nearest watering point.
Bring your own food. There are venders at the north end of north parking, but that’s a 20-minute walk, and long lines. A few sandwiches and a bag of chips not only fills the belly, but gives back some of the things your body is losing.
There should be some sun-block in your pack. Like I said before, in a parking lot, there is no shade. You need to protect yourself.
Finally, things I’ll be bringing next year include a tarp that I can lean against my bike to make a shady spot to rest, and maybe a portable stool or chair to sit on. Even a zip-lock bag I can blow up and use as a pillow makes the waiting better.

So as it stands right now, if you see someone resting under a tarp tied up to the side of a 1988 Honda Shadow, come over and say ‘hi.’ And join me and thousands of others in paying a tribute to our soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that allow us to sleep at night.

Thanks for visiting VirginiaWind.