Run for the Wall

[Yellow Trike]

Has anyone participated in the Run for the Wall?

We are registered for the Southern Route this year.

[Hawkeye]

This year will be my ninth Run For The Wall. I've done the entire California to Washington, DC trip each time. This year will be a little different for me. I recently move to North Carolina from California so this year will be Nort Carolina --> California --> Washington, DC --> North Carolina instead of California --> DC --> California.

I usually do the Central Route but have done the Southern Route twice, including last year. I'll be going back to the Central Route this year.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have, either here on the forum, by phone or email.

[Yellow Trike]

Well...one question was answered when you wrote that you have been doing the RFTW for YEARS.

We will start in CA...only 5 hours to the starting point.

Always on the trike?

We have ridden many group rides, just nothing long distance with SO MANY riders. I am hoping that the trike group will be less intense. What do you think?

[Hawkeye]

All my Runs have been on three wheels. I'll be starting in California also but have a little farther to go to get there than you. ;o)

It used to be that trikes, trikes with trailers and bikes with trailers were all grouped together. Starting last year trikes without trailers got their own group. Having bikes with similar characteristics together made things much better.

With that said, this is still a pretty intense ride. The trike platoon will probably be somewhere around 15 to 20 trikes. There will be 11 other platoons ahead of us. Each platoon will be about 10 seconds apart. Within each platoon we'll be riding at 2-second intervals while on the road. It takes real concentration to maintain that interval and ride safely.

Some folks will sometimes take a mental break from the pack and ride 10 minutes ahead or 10 minutes behind the pack.

There is nothing wrong with this. I'm a Vietnam vet and get visited by dragons in the night from time to time, especially on The Run. When that happens I'll usualy take some time to ride by myself and do a little dragon-slaying. Just let your platoon leader know what you're up to; they try to keep close watch over their troops.

Feel free to post any other questions you might have.

[GARYD]

I ride with a small group(4 to 8) every year. I will never ride in a large group. I did it back for the 50th anniversary for Sturgis - went with the Harley headquarters group - about 300 - if I remember right. Logistics were awful - gas stops were awful. Never agsin. Even 20 or 30 riders is too much......for me.

[Yellow Trike]

Good to know one may take a 'time out' and stay with the group.

Not sure if I will take my trailer. My silly 2003 Goldwing likes to raise the temperature gauge at slow speed and pulling the trailer in hot temperatures.

My husband is a Vietnam Vet and this ride has been on his 'bucket list' for some time.