Orientation 2019 Ride to DC - Indiana Rolling Thunder

Orientation
   2019
Ride to DC

I. Welcome to 2019 Ride to the Wall

The Officers and Board of Rolling Thunder, Indiana Chapter One welcome you to this year’s
ride to Washington DC. This orientation meeting is to introduce you to how we ride as a group
and to give you some idea of what to expect on our 2019 ride to the wall. We do require
everyone to attend an orientation meeting as some things do change from year to year.

The Rolling Thunder Story

In the fall of 1987, Vietnam veterans met to discuss their personal concerns about the
POW/MIAs from the Vietnam War. Having honorably served their country and having taken an
oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies…” and to
“bear true faith and allegiance to same,” they were deeply troubled by the abhorrent neglect of
attention given to those who did not make it out with their lives or their freedom. These veterans
discussed the more than 10,000 reported sightings of live Americans living in dismal captivity.
Intelligence reports of these sightings were generally ignored by the government and mainstream
press.

The First Rolling Thunder Demonstration

The Founders of Rolling Thunder were ordinary men who understood that they had a right to
have their voices heard and preceded to lay down the plans for a gathering in Washington, D.C.
during the 1988 Memorial Day weekend. They reached out to their families, fellow veterans and
veteran’s advocates to unify and form a march and demonstration in the nation’s capital. Their
arrival would be announced by the roar of their motorcycles, a sound not unlike the 1965
bombing campaign against North Vietnam dubbed Operation Rolling Thunder. Hence they
would call themselves “Rolling Thunder” a title that would endure time and be trademarked in
1990. Word spread quickly and by Memorial Day weekend in 1988, approximately 2,500
motorcycles from all over the country converged on Washington D.C. to demand from our
leaders a full accounting of all POW/MIAs. As the Founders of Rolling Thunder made their
stand that day in front of the Capitol, they reflected thankfully for the people who came in
support of the POW/MIAs and for the unity that was felt. This was Rolling Thunder’s first
demonstration. Only until ALL POW/MIAs ARE ACCOUNTED FOR, it will not be their last.
On that day, the foundation was laid for the annual ‘Ride for Freedom” to the Vietnam
Veteran’s Memorial Wall (also referred to a s the “Ride to the Wall”). The number of
participants/spectators in the Memorial Day weekend Ride for Freedom has grown from 2,500 to
an estimated 900,000.

The 2019 Ride for Freedom Demonstration marks the end of an area. But by no means does it
diminish the vital mission of Rolling Thunder. Due to the ever-rising costs and logistical
problem associated in coordinating such a major demonstration in Washington D.C., Rolling
Thunder National has decided this year’s demonstration ride will be the final POW/MIA
demonstration held at the Washington National Mall. Starting in 2020, numerous
demonstrations will be organized and held across the country sponsored by local Rolling
Thunder Chapters.

Rolling Thunder Mission Statement:

Rolling Thunder, Inc.’s major function is to publicize the POW-MIA issue. To educate the
public of the fact that many American prisoners of war were left behind after all past wars. To
help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they
become Prisoners-Of-War/ Missing-In-Action. We are committed to helping American
veterans from all wars. Rolling Thunder, Inc. is a non-profit organization and everyone
donates his or her time because they believe in the POW/MIA issue.

II. Hotels
             All hotels have a limited number of rooms reserved for us. They will be
             available on a first come first serve basis. When making your reservations you
             need to identify yourself with Rolling Thunder Indiana Chapter One (1).
             There is a 72-hour cancellation policy. Don’t be left out, reserve NOW.

Athens, OH - May 23 and May 27, 2019

               Baymont Inn – Rolling Thunder rate $85.00 plus tax
               20 Home Street, Athens, Oh. $85.00 plus tax - Double or King
               740-594-3000

       Note: Group rate valid through April 30, 2019.
       Indoor pool and whirlpool, complimentary hot breakfast, fitness Center, high speed
       internet and wireless, In-room iron / ironing board, and hairdryer.

Washington DC - May 24, 25, 26, 2019 (Sold Out, but check for cancellations)

               Double Tree by Hilton, Tyson’s Corner
               1960 Chain Bridge Road, Mclean, VA 22102
               Front desk – (703) 893-2100; $119.00 plus tax – double or king

       Note: Group rate valid through April 24, 2019. Includes 2 breakfast coupons per
       day. Facilities: Indoor Pool and Spa, Complimentary High Speed Internet Access, Café
       and Sports Bar, Garden Courtyard, In-room Iron / Ironing Board, Hairdryer and Coffee
       Pot. Tyson’s Galleria is just steps away with over 120 world class shops and six upscale
       restaurants. Metro train station located within walking distance from hotel.

Ride to the Wall Mother Patch.

When you register, you will receive a 2019-year patch. If this is your first year and you wish to
have the Mother patch please see you squad leader. The Mother patch cost is $5.

III. Riding in our Group Formation

Leading our ride will be a Road Captain and 1 or 2 assistants. The group will be organized into
rider squads of 6 – 8 bikes. Spacing between squads while riding on highways will average
between100 yards to 150 yards. This will allow us to easily maneuver in heavy traffic.

Squads will always ride in a staggered formation. The first rider (leader) in the squad will be on
the left. Exception to riding in a staggered formation will be determined by road conditions
(narrow, curvy, construction) and the squad leader’s discretion.

Spacing between the bike directly in front should be no less than two seconds. Spacing with the
bike to you left or right should be no less than one second. The last bike in the squad will be
the sweep. The only time bikes should be in a side-by-side formation is while at a stop.

Periodically check the riders following in your rear view mirror. If you see the rider falling
behind, slow down so they may catch up. If all the riders in the group use this technique, the
group should be able to maintain a steady speed without pressuring any rider to operate beyond
their comfort level.

Do not crowd the rider in front of you (either to your immediate right or left). Crowding will
prevent that person from seeing you in their rear view mirror.

Biker’s Responsibilities:

Notify your squad leader if you are planning to drop out of the group formation. Remain focused
while group riding. Use proper bike intervals and spacing at all times. Safety is everyone’s
responsibility! Group riding doesn’t mean you surrender good decision-making when it comes
to your own and the safety of those around you.

All riders are responsible for their motorcycle being mechanically up to the task. Don’t start out
on this trip with mechanical problems. Use the T- CLOCKS memory aid. Also, be sure your
tires pass the penny tread test!

No alcohol intake, either before or during scheduled rides or events. Apply the 3 R’s during the
ride – Respect others while we are on the road; Respect others riding in our own group, and
Respect the law!

Passenger’s Responsibilities:

Mount the bike only after the driver is holding the motorcycle vertically and nods its safe for the
passenger to mount. Don’t make sudden moves with your upper body. The slower the bike is
moving the more effect your weight will have on bike stability. Less body movement will help
the driver maintain balance and improve stability. Look over the driver’s inside should to look
ahead, do not lean out from side to side.

Suggested roles for the passenger – copy hand signals given by the squad leader and other riders;
watch out for traffic that may detract from a safe ride (two sets of eyes are better than one); wave
at all other bikers, children, and those who show interest in the Rolling Thunder group and in
particular law enforcement officers. And, always smile!

Helmets:

It is recommended that helmets be worn at all times. We will be traveling in the states of
Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC. All states require wearing a
helmet except Indiana and Ohio. On Friday morning helmets should be worn when we leave the
hotel in Athens. We do not plan to stop at the West Virginia state line for bikers and passengers
to put helmets on.

Packing the Motorcycle:
Keep load centered and low; if too heavy a load is carried too far back it will affect front wheel
handling; too high of a load will make the bike more sensitive to side winds and feel unstable.

If you are carrying a passenger try putting a part of your load in the saddle bags so all the weight
is not hanging off the back of the bike. Be sure that your bags are properly secured; losing a bag
on the road can be a real danger to both you and your fellow bikers.

Riding Staggered Formation

Rolling Thunder generally rides in a stagger
formation for safety reasons. The minimum
recommended spacing to the bike directly in
front of you should not be less than two
seconds (the two second rule). The bike in
the lane to your left or right should not be less
than one second ahead of you. You will find
that two seconds is a long distance when
riding at highway speeds. That is it's a long
distance when everything is going
well. When things go wrong, however, two
seconds distance is gone in the time it takes to
figure out you are in trouble.

The two second rule is a rule of thumb, which
we should try to adhere to this rule when
possible, especially at highway speeds. There
are times, however when it is best to squeeze
together while in city streets & while slowing
for a stop. This will help prevent cars from
entering the group.

The last bike should ride in the middle of the
two bike lanes with all head lights and
running lights on. This will help the lead bike
see the last bike. Refer to the image to the
right.

Riding Interstate Highways (and Bypasses)

We will ride in the right lane when the
highway has two lanes moving in the same
direction. When three or more lanes are
bound in the same direction the Road Captain
will make the determination as to which lane
we will travel in.

Traffic will be encountered entering and leaving the highway. When you observe this situation
adjust your speed to allow the vehicle to pass through our formation. You should not dart over
to another lane or try to close spacing to keep a vehicle from passing through. The leader will
adjust their speed to allow the rest of the formation to catch up.

Passing (lane changing) can be difficult in traffic. Do not move into the passing lane until the
squad leader moves into that lane. If traffic is heavy the sweep bike will move into the passing
lane and block other traffic from moving forward. When the lane has been secured and all traffic
along side has passed, the squad leader will then move the group over into the passing lane. If the
squad leader stays in the passing lane after passing do not return to the right lane until the squad
leader moves the group over, as it may be the leader’s intention to pass other slower moving
vehicles. When returning to the right lane let the rider to the right and behind you clear the
slower vehicle before you return to the right hand lane.

Breakdowns

If you have difficulty with your bike, pull onto the shoulder of the highway. The last bike in the
squad (sweep) will pull over to assist you. The sweep will stay with a stranded bike until the
chase vehicle arrives. It is recommended that all other bikes in the squad proceed on to the next
scheduled stop. This is to minimize the chance of an accident or incident involving a group of
bikes stopping along-side the highway.

The chase vehicle will have a trailer that a bike can be loaded onto and taken to the nearest shop
for repairs. Motorcycle mechanics will not be provided for this ride.

Use a thumbs-up or thumbs-down signal if you pull onto the shoulder. Thumbs Up = I am OK,
don’t require any assistance; Thumbs Down = I have a problem, and will require assistance.

DC Events Schedule - Chapter Members and Guest:

Friday Evening Memorial Service: Bus transportation will be provided to Vietnam Memorial
and back to the hotel for our memorial service. We will place a wreath at the wall to remember
those who gave their lives for our Great Country. They will not be forgotten! Buses will depart
Double Tree Hotel around 9:30 pm

Saturday is a free day. It is an opportunity to tour the city and attend many other events taking
place. If you are interested in going to Thunder Alley or to Arlington Cemetery please let the
road captain or your squad leader know and they can help arrange an escort for your trip.

Note: Be sure to check the dry erase board in the lobby of the hotel for changes to planned events
and for any new events that may be identified. Everyone is openly invited to participate in any
listed events.

Schedule DC Events:

  Date:                      Time:                                Event:

  Friday,                    Main Lobby Entrance 9:30 pm          POW/MIA Flag Raising
  May 24                                                          Double-Tree
  Friday,                    Bus Leaving @ 10:00 pm               Memorial Service at “The
  May 24                                                          Wall”
  Sunday,                    Departing Hotel 6:30 am – sharp      Demonstration Ride,
  May 26                                                          National Mall
  Sunday                     Place - to be announced              Friendship Dinner
  May 26                     @ 6:30 pm                            and social gathering

Sunday Demonstration Ride: We will ride to the Pentagon parking lot as a group. This is the
staging area for all bikes participating in the demonstration ride. Our early arrival generally
assures us early departure soon after the noon start. In the parking lot you can find food, drinks,
and a myriad of other things to see and do.

For the HOG members, stop by the Ft. Washington Harley-Davidson tent (have your HOG card
in hand) to claim your free Rolling Thunder Demonstration event pin.

Bring your camera and walk up the hill for the view of the parking lot. This will be a great time
to take some photos. Also, this a good place to take a quick snooze.

While we will enter the Pentagon parking lot as a group we may not end up as a single group at
the end of the demonstration ride. More often we get separated during the ride. You may want to
try to stick with a buddy or make plans on where to meet at the end of the ride. Generally, you
will have many opportunities to touch and slap hands with those observing the demonstration.
You are advised to avoid this. In the past there have been incidents where a hand is grabbed
and held onto causing the biker and bike to go down.

Tip of the Day: Bring a block of wood to place under your kickstand. After riding the
demonstration route you may be parking in a grass lot. Keep alert to traffic flow. If by some
chance you end up going out of town, give it up! Getting back into the Mall area is next to
impossible since so many streets will be closed off to traffic.

After parking your bike, make your way to the Lincoln Memorial and enjoy the program.
Facilities will be located near the Lincoln Memorial. Coordinate your return to the hotel with
other members in your group, as the return to the hotel will be on your own navigation.