Last year for rolling thunder...

[Bulldog9]

From what I understand, this is the last year for the rolling thunder motorcycle ride in Washington DC. Having been stationed in the Washington DC area several times over the last 15 years, I've done this ride once or twice and didn't plan on doing it again.

However, being that this is the last year I'm wondering if there is a group of Guzzi riders who are planning to go, if anything has been organized, and would be happy to host anyone coming from outside the area and needs a place to stay.

[mtiberio]

Having lived about 1/2 mile from the Pentagon for the last 30 years, I have been multiple times. Frankly, good riddance. One needs to understand the history of these things. What started once as a protest (against inadequate MIA accounting from Vietnam) was subsumed by the pentagon, cleaned up and made official. Where we once would go helmetless, alas, no more. Once they started adding "road captains" (seems there are no shortage of biker cop wannabe's in this world), I was done.

[LowRyter]

so why is the rally going away?

[Lannis]

so why is the rally going away?

Some things just have a lifetime and then they're done.   Sometimes the lifespan of a big business, event, rally, church, organization etc is almost organic in nature.   Starts out with youth and enthusiasm, settles into routine and predictability, and ends with complaining about the way things used to be and forgetting why we were here in the first place.

Personally, I've never been interested in any event that has "Roar", "Rumble", or "Thunder" in the name.  Too much of an indicator of what it's REALLY about, which is not riding but drawing attention to yourself ...

Lannis

[rocker59]

Helpful links for those not familiar:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Thunder_(organization)

https://www.rollingthunder1.com/about1

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/rolling-thunder-says-2019-motorcycle-rally-will-be-its-last-in-dc/2018/12/13/d2dccfac-ff03-11e8-88f2-79568e0735fb_story.html?utm_term=.9f9cfb1a0681


In a statement..., Muller said Rolling Thunder XXXII, scheduled for 2019’s Memorial Day weekend, would be “the final Thunder Run in D.C.”

“As a result of changing times the organization and Mission needed to be reorganized and reevaluated,” the statement said.  “Reasons which determined our decision were the Pentagon Security Police/Washington Police officials continued lack of cooperation, increased harassment to our supporters and sponsors.”

[Perazzimx14]

"The final run to D.C."

I'm guessing some prompter or promotions group will buy the right and move the even somewhere else and try and make a buck. Woodstock.......... ..

[Two Checks]

Maybe the times haven't changed but the people running and participating in the event have. Hence the lack of cooperation.

[larrys]

so why is the rally going away?

Probably why they all go away. They get too big, logistics get to be too big a PIA, the cops have had enough of it, and the organizers get tired of it. Used to be a rally in my AO called Pappy's Run. It died after six years for those reasons and more.
Larry

[LowRyter]

Helpful links for those not familiar:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Thunder_(organization)

https://www.rollingthunder1.com/about1

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/rolling-thunder-says-2019-motorcycle-rally-will-be-its-last-in-dc/2018/12/13/d2dccfac-ff03-11e8-88f2-79568e0735fb_story.html?utm_term=.9f9cfb1a0681


In a statement..., Muller said Rolling Thunder XXXII, scheduled for 2019’s Memorial Day weekend, would be “the final Thunder Run in D.C.”

“As a result of changing times the organization and Mission needed to be reorganized and reevaluated,” the statement said.  “Reasons which determined our decision were the Pentagon Security Police/Washington Police officials continued lack of cooperation, increased harassment to our supporters and sponsors.”

That could cut the wrong way if 50000 bikers show up on their own.

[Rick in WNY]

I avoid group rides. Why? Because they tend to attract idiots. Get two idiots in a group of 1000 other bikers and they will find each other. Then it always turns into a game of one-up-man-ship.... It starts slow... with one doing something mildly dumb, then the other does something dumber, and before long they've both gone full retard. You never go full retard.

Sadly, it often ends with cops and ambulances, and all too often people who were minding their own business getting hurt in addition to the fools who started it all. And then the news people show up and tell the whole world what idiots bikers are, how dangerous bikes are, etc, etc, etc...

So I hear about rides like that, I stay far, far away.

[Loop Tonti EV]

I avoid group rides. Why? Because they tend to attract idiots. Get two idiots in a group of 1000 other bikers and they will find each other. Then it always turns into a game of one-up-man-ship.... It starts slow... with one doing something mildly dumb, then the other does something dumber, and before long they've both gone full retard. You never go full retard.

Sadly, it often ends with cops and ambulances, and all too often people who were minding their own business getting hurt in addition to the fools who started it all. And then the news people show up and tell the whole world what idiots bikers are, how dangerous bikes are, etc, etc, etc...

So I hear about rides like that, I stay far, far away.

+1

[chuck peterson]

I just visited Wash DC......it's one large parking lot w cars moving at 5 mph from stoplight to stoplight. I can't imagine 50,000 bikes, oh right Harley has that one piston idle thingee...

Off topic, on the first bright sunny day of spring I counted two bikes while traveling all day around DC. I'd be completely bored and uninterested in ever getting or learning motorcycles if I lived there now. I can't imagine anyone being interested in two wheels on a daily basis under those daily traffic conditions, and it'll take three hours to get out into the natural world..any wonder two wheels are declining....might take a gas crisis to realize the value of 50mpg...

I see a future of Uber/Lyft self driving boxes as if on moving sidewalks at the airport. There is no driving going on ....rant for the good old days over..

[rocker59]

...might take a gas crisis to realize the value of 50mpg...

There are Priuses for that...

[keener]

+1

PLUS 2..........solo  to 4  bikes  together is  plenty , avoid the parades its best left to the Shriner's     

[Bulldog9]

It's not that bad.... I live in Alexandria, 8 miles down the river near beautiful Mount Vernon. There are great roads tucked away, and 30 minutes gets me to the start of decent roads, 1 hour to good. For example, Im 64 miles to the start of the Blue Ridge. I can super slab it or take back roads.

You just need to know where to go and when NOT to....

Rolling Thunder is a fun event, better with friends, but it is not a 'ride'

I just visited Wash DC......it's one large parking lot w cars moving at 5 mph from stoplight to stoplight. I can't imagine 50,000 bikes, oh right Harley has that one piston idle thingee...

Off topic, on the first bright sunny day of spring I counted two bikes while traveling all day around DC. I'd be completely bored and uninterested in ever getting or learning motorcycles if I lived there now. I can't imagine anyone being interested in two wheels on a daily basis under those daily traffic conditions, and it'll take three hours to get out into the natural world..any wonder two wheels are declining....might take a gas crisis to realize the value of 50mpg...

I see a future of Uber/Lyft self driving boxes as if on moving sidewalks at the airport. There is no driving going on ....rant for the good old days over..

[Ncdan]

PLUS 2..........solo  to 4  bikes  together is  plenty , avoid the parades its best left to the Shriner's   

Hey leave the Shriners out of this. By the way, how did the great  potentate get that Harley up on the diving board anyway😂
Remember the Ray Stevens song many years ago, LMBO!!!

[leafman60]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/rolling-thunder-readies-for-its-final-ride-in-washington/2019/05/24/90e9b8e8-7e3e-11e9-a5b3-34f3edf1351e_story.html?utm_term=.ae5e2f8733cd

Well, this is the last year for the national thunder rally in DC.  One of the big reasons cited is the aging demographics of bikers.  Many of these are mid-70's or later.

Times are changing.

[LowRyter]

BIL is a Harley rider and used to make all the rallies.  Many of them have ceased due to lack of interest in the last few years.

[pyoungbl]

Just a note for historic accuracy....Rolling Thunder was/is the annual rally for the Nation's Capital Norton Owners.  The club had an annual rally the first weekend after Labor Day, starting in 1983 and called it Rolling Thunder.  At a much later date a group of veterans decided to hold a rally in DC to focus on veteran issues.  They wanted to call it Rolling Thunder but the Norton club already had that name locked down.  After much discussion the Norton Club agreed to let the veterans use the Rolling Thunder name...I am not sure if there was some kind of token license agreement or what.  As a result, there have been two Rolling Thunder rallies each year for the past decade or more.  I have attended many of the Norton sponsored Rolling Thunder rallies and they are much like a Guzzi rally but with fireworks and a pig roast.  The attendance seldom exceeds 100 so you actually get to talk to everyone.

Peter Y.

[frozengoose]

Back in the day we had a British bike rally up here, dubbed the "slimy limey run" for their tendency to leak oil. It lasted almost ten years. At first it was low key, maybe a dozen bikes, but as it grew to double that, there started to be accidents. One year a guy wiped out on a BSA lightening and wound up in the emergency room. It ended after the main organizers, the Lomas brothers, moved away, but was fun while it lasted. I've tried to get the locals that have Guzzi's and Ducati's into an Italian revival of that, but so far no interest. Here's a photo and a reference to more pics...
http://smilesfromnowherre.blogspot.com/2018/08/back-in-day.html

[LowRyter]

They should probably put Dusty incharge.   

[EldoMike]

Local guy who is involved said they decided to start regional runs instead of the big one...something about it just being to much hassle...I can see that...I quit doing organized rides years ago...

[BrotherJim]

Not a fan of group rides, myself, but have been working on one for next weekend!  Also not crazy about being a ride captain.  Mainly a vintage ride, but not exclusive. 

[Ringosdad]

Some things just have a lifetime and then they're done.   Sometimes the lifespan of a big business, event, rally, church, organization etc is almost organic in nature.   Starts out with youth and enthusiasm, settles into routine and predictability, and ends with complaining about the way things used to be and forgetting why we were here in the first place.

Personally, I've never been interested in any event that has "Roar", "Rumble", or "Thunder" in the name.  Too much of an indicator of what it's REALLY about, which is not riding but drawing attention to yourself ...

Lannis

my pipes are louder than yours, just listen!

[Penderic]

They should enjoy it while they can....


 "Peter, you don't have to shout! I can hear ya."

[DougG]

Hi all,
I'm with Lannis on this one.  The original purpose of so many of these "rallies" is literally drowned out by the noise.  I went to Americade (Lake George, NY) a few years back and I still hear it ringing in my ears.  Got the T-shirt, though.  There is an event called Thunder in the Forge (now re-named Thunder in the Adirondacks) coming up this weekend (June 1-3).  All us locals stock up a few days in advance with provisions...don't want to go into town.  The rumor is that the Police are going to start handing out citations for noisy mufflers.  They did that at Americade for a while. Might as well spit in the ocean. 
Btw, my nephew is a NYS Trooper...he says that they hate these things...too much crazy, too few ambulances and EMS trucks.

For my $, any more than six on any ride is too many.

Be well,
DougG

[DougG]

Oh yeah, I noticed some advertisements in the area that refer to it as "Bikes and Brews".  Can you imagine that in the mix?

Be well,
DougG

[oldbike54]

 So you guys are saying we shouldn't rename the WG National *Thunder in Hewins Park* ?

 Dusty


                                                 

[Guzzistajohn]

So you guys are saying we shouldn't rename the WG National *Thunder in Hewins Park* ?

 Dusty


                                                 

Most of the thunder is after everyone goes to the tent! ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[jumpmaster]

Just a note for historic accuracy....Rolling Thunder was/is the annual rally for the Nation's Capital Norton Owners.  The club had an annual rally the first weekend after Labor Day, starting in 1983 and called it Rolling Thunder.  At a much later date a group of veterans decided to hold a rally in DC to focus on veteran issues.  They wanted to call it Rolling Thunder but the Norton club already had that name locked down.  After much discussion the Norton Club agreed to let the veterans use the Rolling Thunder name...I am not sure if there was some kind of token license agreement or what.  As a result, there have been two Rolling Thunder rallies each year for the past decade or more.  I have attended many of the Norton sponsored Rolling Thunder rallies and they are much like a Guzzi rally but with fireworks and a pig roast.  The attendance seldom exceeds 100 so you actually get to talk to everyone.

Peter Y.

To beat a dead horse, it would actually be more accurate to say that the veteran "Rolling Thunder" organizers tried to sue the Norton Owners to stop using the name mostly to "protect" their financial right vis a vi t-shirt sales, etc., but the Norton Owners threatened to countersue to block the veterans group from using the name.  Our lawyer, a Norton Owners member, pointed out that 1)  the USAF had used that name for the bombing campaign in Cambodia in the '60s, and it was widely publicized at that time, 2) another group had used the name at least twice for a local event after that, & 3) the Norton Owners had used the name for 3 to 5 years, depending on who's counting, before the veterans group adopted it for their rally in DC.  The name essentially was already in the public domain & the veterans group could not prove that the use by the Norton Owners materially damaged them in any way.  The veterans group decided that the expense & risk of an adverse, to them, decision wasn't worth it, and "magnanimously" dropped the suit.

A rare case of David (Norton Owners = 100+ members) defeating Goliath (veterans rally = several thousand even at that early date).