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2016 Rolling Thunder

3K views 23 replies 13 participants last post by  Bleachey 
#1 ·
I'm thinking about doing Rolling Thunder this year. I haven't seen any posts about it yet, and did a quick search to double check. Never done it before and would possibly be interested in hooking up with someone, or someone(s) who know the lay of the land. I am in Indianapolis.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
I have done RT every year for the past ten years and will be doing it this year as well. The thing to avoid is doing the ride with one of the dealers. They wait to late to get to the Pentagon and it takes them 3-4 hours to get out of the parking lot. I sent you a PM with an offer to ride with my small group if your interested.
 
#8 ·
Anyone interested in riding from Central Indiana to DC for this? I had a few friends who were considering it, but none have been able to make it happen. Planning on leaving Indianapolis Thursday evening and getting a few hours in, arriving in DC Friday. Will be staying in the Fredericksburg/Quantico area (thanks Bandit7 for the info!!). Leaving right after the run on Sunday to start back, staying somewhere Sunday evening most likely and finishing up Monday.
 
#9 ·
1. Contact rolling thunder chapter near you, or the way you want to go. they always have groups going.

2. My suggestion is to not participate in the actual run. Takes forever to get out of pentagon parking lot. then you ride for 20 minutes ad try to find a parking place. Better to be a spectator.

3. To avoid the exit jam I like to park on constitution ave near the lincoln memorial on the north side of the street. Then when I leave I just turn north on the near north/south street. Go Until you hit an Interstate. Then get on and go north or west for awhile. Of course I am going to Michigan, but I assume central Indiana will start the same.

4. Ge there in time to visit the vendors area at the corner of constitution and 23rd street (I think). It is open the day before the run and the day of the run.

5. If you haven't visited the wall before, be sure to leave time for it. I also like to visit Korean memorial.

6. Have a good time.
 
#10 ·
again, this year

I went last year, group of 3 of us. We live in Mid Michigan, made the trip to Frederick MD on Saturday (600 miles), did the ride on Sunday, headed home on Monday. We plan on leaving earlier in the week and taking more time to enjoy the ride east along Lincoln Hwy, Gettysburg, York Harley Plant and a quick stop at the Flight 93 Nat'l memorial.
Yes, the Pentagon parking lot is a LONG day of waiting. We never even got a chance to check out any of the vendors, barely saw any of the memorials.
We'll have to learn more and more each year as we go...deciding what works best for us and adapting.
J27
 
#11 ·
I'm so pumped and ready for this trip. Will be spending the weekend picking up two new to me bikes then getting the RG ready for the trip. Weather hasn't cooperated recently, so I will be changing my oil a few hundred miles early, but better early than late. Had a new front shoe put on her last week. Give the bike a solid check after the fluid change then a detailed cleaning. Reservations for Friday and Saturday haven been booked for a few weeks, will be playing the Thursday outbound and Sunday homebound stops by ear. Plan on spending Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday morning seeing the sites and memorials followed by meeting up with Bandit7 Saturday evening (thanks again for the help and hospitality!!!). Then do the run Sunday. One item on the bucket list to be checked off. Now here's hoping and praying the weather cooperates!!!
 
#15 ·
If all goes to plan, and the weather is looking like it will cooperate I will be arriving in the area Friday afternoon/evening. I will be meeting with Bandit7.

Thanks for the offer Doofus, maybe we can try to meet up somewhere, I plan on dong touristy stuff Friday evening and Saturday during the day.
 
#16 ·
Crew - I will be at RT this year - but doing my police volunteer service - I'm driving the support truck for the county Motor Unit - I wont be in the parade but will likely stage at Pentagon lot to stand by. Maybe PM me once you get to Pentagon and I'll try to beacon you to me! DOOF
 
#19 ·
I too live in the DC area, and I freaking hate RT. Yahoos from all over the country invade the area, clog the roads up, and create rolling roadblocks all over the area. I did it once, and never again. Riding this weekend reinforced that.....Couldn't go anywhere without a parade of bikes ahead of me going 20mph below the speed limit.
 
#24 ·
Thanks for those looking out for me, haven't been able to get on the tank since Thursday, my mobile devices suck when trying to get on here. The rider was from Pendleton, fairly close to Indy. Very sad. The report said it was on Interstate 66 and he was with a bigger group and didn't stop in time.

We ended up having to change our plans and forego the ride on Sunday to point her home. Spent some time in DC Saturday and visited the memorials and Thunder Alley. I will be back to actually do the run. Will plan better so there won't be any excuses to not do it next time, probably two years. My youngest graduates high school next year at the commencement ceremony is Memorial Day Weekend.

Traffic does suck, they are idiots everywhere, and it isn't an enjoyable riding experience. But that isn't the purpose of the event. It is a protest meant to draw attention to the POW/MIA and how the government in many peoples opinions hasn't done enough. Some people don't get that. I thought I did, but I was off the mark too, hence not being able to do it. I will have a different attitude next time, and anyone who is with me will or they won't go. It's not for any sort of personal enjoyment or satisfaction. It's for a specific purpose that is important to me. I kinda lost sight of that and let circumstances get in the way.
 
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