This is a huge event in which I have supported for 3 years sraight, so far. Police officers from all around the country ride in memory of fallen officers-some ride all the way from Florida to New York, and others from Chesapeake, Virginia to Washington DC. Like every year, this ride is exciting in every way posible. With all the riders and support vehicles-it stretches out for about 3 miles and is police escorted. About 20 motorcycle cops, 10 police cars and about 25 other support vehicles. This year, we started off with about 400 riders. It split up and went down to about half, then they all rejoined on the third day-going into Washington DC. 2 mechanics in a Dodge/Mercedes Sprinter van for 400 riders. ouch! I rock at it though. Hangin out the side of the van, jumping out while it's moving, grabing the persons bike and hoping in the back while the rider gets in the side door. Once I fix the mechanical issue, our driver speeds up to the main filed as I stand outside the van while holding the bike on a platform extending from the reciever hitch that is just inches from the ground. Once we're up to the main field, I jump off and get the rider back in the ride. It's intense but very fun. We're talkin about a lot of 1 minute tyre changes-no spare wheels, just tubes and tyres. Damn i'm good. Because of all my amazing work, i'm always geting compliments such as...."I love your hair." I just can't get away from it all! But these women had handcuffs. uh oh. Back on subject...After 8 or 9 hours of riding, it's time for the fun to begin...
I couldn't bring my bike because of the lack of space; however, the manager of the shop drove up for 2 hours with my bike and some other supplies. I could only ride at night after our work for the day was done, but I loved every bit of it. I had my helmet light and I was set. I can honestly say that i've never been happier to see my bike. We had the kegorator in the back of the van will a full keg of Stella Artois. The riders/police officers loved it after a long day of riding. After that keg was gone, we had Sam Adams-not as good. After the first day, this hot officer babe, Cameron, that does the hotel room reservations had left us out of a room; all the rooms were occupied. It's hard when you have 400 people to take care of for hotel rooms. Since she left us out, we ended up getting the hotel suite and our rooms are paid for, free of charge. Sweet! After I discovered she got us the suite, because she played it off, I had to thank her. A little time in the hotel hottub should do it, ya? Some other donut sucking officers were there(and the donuts showed); however, I showed up after my ride and jumped in the hottub wearing my bib shorts. O baby! The second night of festivities involved about 100 drunk officers in a hotel parking lot. Thanks to the medical support from 2 of the 4 ambulances, we had gurney drag races in the parking lot. In each gurney, a person was strapped in, and about 4 people would push to the finish line. 2 of the paramedics disappeared for a while and showed up on the second floor balcony with water balloons and then the war began. Chucking water balloons at everyone in the parking lot below, it was time for payback. A few of the the big, Arnold Schwarzenegger type officers snatched them up and carried them to the indoor pool-throwing them in. A few episodes of this, the pool was shut down, schucks. Shortly after that, buckets of water were being dumped on people, including me, the mechanic! hey, uh guys....you do know that I work on your bikes, right? Rubbing breaks really suck when you get into the hills. ha. It was great though. We were also strictly told not to drink alcoholic beverages in the parking lot because it is considered drunk-in-public and if we got in trouble, the police would take care of it. Thanks Ms. Manager bi*** of the Ramada. We are the police! Another festivity that almost took place-bra bowling. Someone snagged one of the support lady's EE bra, and thought we could use it as a sling shot. It never went into action because of the pool dunking. Oh well.
The last day of riding, from fredericksberg to Washington DC, was great. When the riders from all the different chapters of this ride united at the pentagon, it was amazing. Over 1000 riders all wearing the same symbolic jerseys which says "We ride for those who died" on the back. Some of them haven't rode 100 miles on a bike in their life and they pushed themselves to do over 100 miles day after day; all because of the driving force behind the meaning of this entire ride-their friends and loved ones that have risked their lives and have died on the call of duty. Loved ones which were memorialized on their bikes by photos ziptied to their stems or saddles.
This was Just one of the rest stops on the way to Washington DC. Freakin' awesome!
