Click on "Day 1" thru "Day 10" [BELOW]  for on-going Photos
{ I will attempt to POST as I get them and able }

Day 1 - September 2, 2006
Oceanside, CA to Victorville, CA and Kingman, AZ

Day 2 - September 3, 2006
Kingman, AZ to Albuquerque, NM

Day 3 - September 4, 2006
Albuquerque, NM to Amarillo, TX

Day 4 - September 5, 2006
Amarillo, TX to Tulsa, OK

Day 5 - September 6, 2006
Tulsa, OK to Troy, Illinois

Day 6 - September 7, 2006
Troy, IL to Cambridge, OH

Day 7 - September 8, 2006
Cambridge, OH to Lehighton, PA

Day 8- September 9, 2006
Lehighton, PA to Hope NJ, Ground Zero, NYC and Brooklyn, NY

Day 9- September 10, 2006
Washington DC (to see the Pentagon) then (Walter Reed Army Hospital) visiting Armed Forces members.

Day 10 - September 11, 2006
Ride to Shanksville, PA for a memorial service and end the ride.

Click on "Day 1" thru "Day 10" [ABOVE]  for on-going Photos
{ I will attempt to POST as I get them and able }


Ride Synopsis Last on Sunday; 3rd August 2006

{Route ~ Day One; Sept 2nd, 2006}

The days ride is around 379 miles.

Route from Kennedy’s Custom Cycles to Victorville Harley-Davidson, Victorville, CA:
Kennedy’s Custom Cycles, 3028 San Luis Rey Rd., Oceanside, Ca 92054, (760) 967-5883. We will take Hwy 76 E 15.2 miles then merge onto I-15 N. Follow I-15 N all the way to Victorville, CA. and get off at the Roy Rogers exit. Turn right and go to next intersection and make a right turn onto Valley Center Drive. Go a little ways down the street and you will see Victorville Harley-Davidson on the right hand side. You can see Victorville Harley-Davidson from I-15 N just before the Roy Rogers exit. The address is Victorville Harley-Davidson of , 14522 Valley Center Dr. Victorville, CA 92392, (760) 951-1119.


Route from Harley-Davidson of Victorville to VFW Post 10386 Kingman, Arizona:

We will leave Victorville Harley-Davidson the same way we came in and get back I -15 N. Around 32.9 miles later we will merge onto I - 40 East in Barstow, CA. Follow I - 40 East all the way to Kingman, AZ and get off at Exit 53, E. Andy Divine Ave. Take a left and go 0.7 miles. Then turn left on Airway Ave and go 0.5 miles. Then turn right on N. Bank St. and go 2.2 miles. Then turn right on E. John L Ave and go around 106 feet and your there. The address is VFW Post 10386 Kingman, Arizona, 2985 E. John L Ave, Kingman, Arizona, 86409 (928) 757- 7192. Route from VFW Post 10386 Kingman, AZ to The Best Western Inn “Kings Inn”, Kingman, AZ:

We will back track to the Best Western Inn which is on E. Andy Divine Ave.

So what we need to do is go back to the corner of E. John L Ave and N. Bank St. Take a left on N. Bank St.and go 2.2 miles. Turn left on Airway Ave and go 0.4 miles to E. Andy Divine Ave. Turn right on E. Andy Divine and go around 1.1 miles and the Best Western will be on the left side of the street. The address is Best Western Inn “Kings Inn” 2930 E Andy Devine Ave, Kingman, AZ 86401, 800 750-6101 or (928) 753 - 6101.

{Route ~ Day Two; Sept 3rd, 2006}

[ Remember we lose an hour riding East on this day's ride.]

The days ride is around 466 miles.

Route from Best Western Kings Inn, Kingman, AZ to Albuquerque, NM, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge I :

The first part of the days ride is from the Best Western Kings Inn, Kingman, AZ to the TA Truck Stop (Travel Center of America Truck Stop) in Gallup, NM, 505- 863-6801.

We will turn right out of the parking lot of the Best Western and go to the on ramp for I- 40 East. Take I- 40 East to Exit 16 in New Mexico.

After coming off the exit ramp Turn left when getting off the exit ramp and look for the TA Truck Stop as you go up the street. It will be on the left side of the street.

We all need to be there by 3:00pm. We lose an hour that day while riding to Albuquerque.

3:30pm: We will leave from the TA Truck Stop with a New Mexico State Police escort and ride to the Rt. 66 Travel Center/ Casino Exit 140 off I - 40. We will fuel and meet up with riders from the Albuquerque Area.

The escorted ride will then leave Rt.66 Travel Center and continue on I - 40 East to I - 25 North. Take I - 25 North toward Santa Fe and get off at Exit 229 to Jefferson Street. Turn left on Jefferson, back over I - 25. After the second traffic light, on your right, just after the "Fox & Hound" is the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge I.

{Route ~ Day Three; Sept 4th, 2006}

[ Remember we lose an hour riding East on this day's ride.]

The days ride is around 289 miles.

Route from Fraternel Order of Police, Albuquerque, NM to the Holiday Inn, Amarillo, TX.

We will leave the FOP and get on I - 25 South and get on I- 40 East. In Amarillo, TX take Exit 71 off I - 40. Turn left at the intersection and go under I - 40 past the Shell Gas Station then turn right into the Holiday Inn parking lot.

{Route ~ Day Four; Sept 5th, 2006}

The days ride is around 367 miles.

Route from Holiday Inn, Amarillo, TX to American Legion Post 308, Tulsa, OK.

The first part of the days ride is from the Holiday Inn to the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

7:30am we will leave the Holiday Inn escorted by Joe Sewell and get on I - 40 East and go to Weatherford, OK and connect with some BACA members between 10:30 and 11:00am.

11:30am we will leave Weatherford, OK and arrive for lunch at the Flying J Truck Stop on I - 40 East Exit 140 at 12:30pm. Their phone number is 405-324-5000.

1:30 pm We will have an escort ride by the Oklahoma City Police from the Flying J Truck Stop to the Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

4:00pm we will leave the Federal Building and ride up old route 66 to Tulsa, OK. We will be stopping for fuel in Stroud, OK and arriving at the American Legion Post 308 in Tulsa, OK at 7:00pm.

{Route ~ Day Five; Sept 6th, 2006}

The days ride is around 420 miles.

Route from the Econo Lodge, Tulsa, OK, to Civic Park Troy IL.

We will take I - 44 East all the way to St Louis then I - 270 loop around the south side of St Louis.

I - 270 then becomes 1 - 255 and we stay on 1 - 255 to I - 55 & 70 East to Troy, IL.

{Route ~ Day Six; Sept 7th, 2006}

[ Remember we lose an hour riding East on this day's ride.]

The days ride is around 483 miles.

Route from the Troy, IL VFW Post 976 to Wal-Mart in Cambridge, OH, 61216 Southgate Parkway, Cambridge, OH 43725, phone (740) 439 - 5743.

We will take I - 70 East all the way to Cambridge, OH, Walmart.

{Route ~ Day Seven; Sept 8th, 2006}

The days ride is around 375 miles.

Route from Holiday Inn, Cambridge, OH to Blocker motorcycle dealership around Lehighton, PA.

Here is the route Frank said we should take from Cambridge, OH to Lehighton, PA:

I-70 from Cambridge, OH to New Stanton, PA.

Get on PA I-76 (PA Turnpike) from New Stanton to Carlisle, PA.

Get on I-81 N from Carlisle to I-78
(Just north of Fort Indiantown Gap, bear right onto I-78).

I-78 to Exit 29A (SR 61 N) SR 61 north about 4-5 miles to SR 895
(Right turn at light)

SR 895 east to Bowmanstown SR 248 west to Blocker.

Toll on the PA Turnpike from New Stanton to Carlisle is $8.75.

We'll meet you along the way before you get off the Interstate and lead you to Blocker

{Route ~ Day Eight; Sept 9th, 2006}

The days ride is around 120 miles.

We will get an escort form the Mahoning Inn, Lehighton,PA to the Bowmanstown, PA Fire House for breakfast.

After we eat breakfast at Bowmanstown, PA Fire House we will get an escort from Lehighton, PA to I- 80 East.

We then ride to Exit 12 in Hope NJ.

Take a left and go a couple hundred feet and Tramontin Harley-Davidson will be on your right.

From that point on we will have an escorted ride for the rest of the day.

{Route ~ Day Nine; Sept 10th, 2006}

The days ride is around ### miles.

~ ~ ~ To Be POSTed ~ ~ ~

{Route ~ Day Ten; Sept 11th, 2006}

The days ride is around 40 miles.

From the Red Roof Inn, Bedford, PA to crash site 93, Shanksville, PA.

We will have an escorted ride from the Red Roof Inn to crash site 93.


Ride Synopsis Last on Sunday; 3rd September 2006

 
 
Subject: 9-11 Ride Update:

prior to: September 2, 2006 { Thurs or Fri}
Oceanside, CA. My wife and I will be arriving in Oceanside, California a couple of days before the ride and we will be staying at the:

Ramada Limited Oceanside, 1440 Mission Ave., Oceanside, CA. Their phone number is (760) 967 - 4100 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early.

Remember all riders are to set up their own hotel/motel reservations themselves. It is going to be Labor Day weekend for the first few days of the ride so make your reservations as soon as you can because they will fill up.
 
September 2, 2006 { Sat }
Jason the owner of Chick-fil-A in Oceanside, California e-mailed me and said he would be very proud to buy breakfast for all the Torches Across America participants before the starting of the ride on the morning of September 2, 2006.

I was talking to Wayne Forester our California State Coordinator from Oceanside and he is very happy to hear we were invited to have breakfast at Chick-fil-A because as he said it "they have real good food".

The address for the Oceanside, CA Chick-fil-A is 3475 Marron Rd., Oceanside, CA 92056 and they will be open at 6:30am. Chick-fil-A is 7.4 miles from Kennedy’s Custom Cycles.

8:00am September 2, 2006 the Memorial Service and blessing of the bikes will start at Kennedy’s Custom Cycles, 3028 San Louis Rey Rd, Oceanside, CA 92054, (760) 967-5883.

11:00am ride will arrive at Harley-Davidson of Victorville, 14522 Valley Center Dr., Victorville, CA 92392, (760) 951-1119, for a Memorial Service and lunch between 11:00am and 12:30pm.

6:00pm arrive at the VFW Post 10386 Kingman, Arizona. Located at 2985 E. John L. Ave, Kingman, AZ 86409, (928) 757 - 7192. We will have a Memorial Service and dinner there. It will be a ham dinner and I told them we would pay for our own dinners.
 
Evening of September 2, 2006
Kingman, AZ. The Best Western "Kings Inn" 2930 E Andy Devine Ave. Kingman, AZ is where my wife and I will be staying. Room with king size bed 1 person $59.00, 2 people $64.00 plus tax. Room with two beds 1 person $ 59.00, 2 people $64.00 plus tax and each additional person up to 4 people $5.00 extra per person plus tax. Their phone number is (800) 750 - 6101 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early.
 
September 3, 2006 { Sun }
7:00am leave from the Best Western Kings Inn, 2930 E. Andy Devine Ave., Kingman, AZ.

3:00pm everyone needs to be at the TA Truck Stop (Travel Center of America Truck Stop 505-863-6801) in Gallup, NM by 3:00pm. You would take Exit 16 off I - 40 East. Turn left when getting off the exit ramp and look for the TA Truck Stop as you go up the street. It will be on the left side of the street.

3:30pm: We will leave from the TA Truck Stop with a New Mexico State Police escort and ride to the Rt. 66 Travel Center/ Casino Exit 140 off I - 40. We will fuel and meet up with riders from the Albuquerque Area.

The escorted ride will then leave Rt.66 Travel Center and continue on I - 40 East to I - 25 North. Take I - 25 North toward Santa Fe and get off at Exit 229 to Jefferson Street. Turn left on Jefferson back over I - 25. After the second traffic light, on your right, just after the "Fox & Hound" is the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge I.

7:00pm Memorial Services and dinner will start.
 
Evening of September 3, 2006
Albuquerque, NM. The Comfort Inn, 2015 Menaul NE, Albuquerque, NM 87107 is where my wife and I will be staying. Room with two beds 1 to 4 people $49.00 plus tax. That includes their breakfast of fresh waffles, bagels, toast, hot/cold cereal, juice and coffee. Their phone number is (505) 881 - 3210 and tell them you are with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early.
 
September 4, 2006 { Mon }
On the morning of September 4, 2006 Craig Kennedy said the Dawn Patrol will start setting up their hot air balloons no later then 5:15am and will take to the air at 5:45am. So we will stage at the FOP at 4:30am. We will be escorted at 4:45am to Balloon Park for the "Pre-Dawn Patrol".

You do not have to check out of your motel room at that time because you will have plenty of time to go back and get your things before we leave Albuquerque.

What they are doing on the morning of September 4, 2006 is of great significance:

1) They will be doing their version of a candle light visual for all the men, women and children that died on 9/11 and for the men and women in our Armed Forces that have died fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. When the gas heats up the air in the balloons it will shine brightly in the skies above Albuquerque.

2) When the morning sun starts to shine it will represent the bright side that always follows a dark moment. Sometimes a dark moment in time can feel like a life time but inevitably the bright side emerges.

3) Their taking to the air will be the kick off for all the 9/11 events planned for the State of New Mexico. It will also let every First Call Responder in New Mexico know that Governor Bill Richardson has made 9/11 "First Call Responders Recognition Day" in New Mexico.

Albuquerque Aerostat Ascension Association President Kevin Cloney told me that every year since 9/11 the AAAA has given rides to First Call Responders on the Saturday be for 9/11. That is super of them.

We will stage again at the FOP at 9:30am and depart for the Holiday Inn in Amarillo, TX. SGT Paul Elam of the Moriarty New Mexico Police Department will escort us through Moriarty and Tucumcari, New Mexico.

All riders from the Albuquerque area are welcome to ride all the way or part of the way from here.

Evening of September 4, 2006
Amarillo, TX. The Holiday Inn, 1911 I - 40 East, Amarillo, TX 79102 is where we will be staying. The room rate is 1 to 4 people $49.00 plus tax for the night of September 5, 2005. You must have your reservations made by August 4, 2006 in order to get this rate. Their phone number is (806) 372 - 8741 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride.
 
September 5, 2006 { Tue }
7:30am we will leave the Amarillo Holiday Inn escorted by Joe Sewell.

Arriving around 10:30 to 11:00am in Weatherford, OK where we plan to join up with some BACA members and get fuel.

11:30am leave Weatherford and arrive at the Flying J Truck Stop at 12:30pm for lunch. It is on I - 40 East Exit 140.

1:30pm we will leave the Flying J Truck Stop escorted by some of the Oklahoma City Police Motorcycle Squad to the Federal Building in Oklahoma City. We will arrive at the Federal Building around 1:45pm.

4:00pm we will leave the Federal Building and Joe is going to take us up old Route 66 to the American Legion Post 308 in Tulsa, OK. We will be stopping for fuel in Stroud OK.

7:00pm arrive at the Tulsa, OK, American Legion Post 308.

Evening of September 5, 2006
Tulsa, OK. The Econo Lodge, 11629 E. Skelly Dr., Tulsa, OK 74128 is where my wife and I will be staying. Room with queen or double bed 1 or 2 persons $45.00 plus tax. Room with King size bed 1 or 2 persons $50.00 plus tax. Room with two beds for 1or 4 persons $54.00 plus tax. Their phone number is (918) 437 - 9200 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early.
 
September 6, 2006 { Wed }
In the morning will leave the Econo Lodge, Tulsa, OK and arrive at the Flying J Truck Stop in Sullivan, MO at 4:00pm. It is on I - 44 East Exit 226. The Flying J Truck Stop phone # is (573) 860 - 8880.

4:30 to 5:00pm escorted ride from the Flying J Truck Stop to Civic Park in Troy, IL. There will be a Memorial Service and Dinner.

Our host for the evening in Troy will be the Troy, IL VFW Post 976. We will be spending the night in Troy, IL.

Evening of September 6, 2006
Troy, ILL. The Congress Inn, 909 Edwardsville Rd, Troy, Ill 62294 is where we will be staying. Room with king size bed for 1 person $35.00, 2 people $40.00 plus tax. Room with two beds 1 to 2 people $40.00 plus tax and each additional person up to 4 $5.00 extra per person plus tax. Their phone number is (618) 667 - 9916 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early.
 
September 7, 2006 { Thu }

[ Remember we lose an hour riding East on this day's ride.]

6:00 to 7:00am breakfast at the Troy, IL VFW 976.

7:00am leave the VFW and ride to the Love’s Truck Stop on the east side of Zanesville, OH and be there by 7:00pm. It is on I - 70 East Exit 160.

We will ride into Cambridge, OH and arrive at, Wal-Mart in Cambridge, OH, 61216 Southgate Parkway, Cambridge, OH 43725, phone (740) 439 - Mayor/City Council's Fire/Police Festivitiesstart at 7:30pm.

Evening of September 7, 2006
Cambridge, OH The Holiday Inn 2248 Southgate Parkway Cambridge, OH 43725 is where my wife and I will be staying. Room for 1 to 4 people $59.00 plus tax. It includes a hot breakfast and coffee. Their phone number is (740) 432 - 7313 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early Click Here
 
September 8, 2006 { Fri }
We leave from the Hoilday Inn, 2248 Southgate Parkway, Cambridge, OH 43725. Arrive between 5;00 and 6;00pm at Blocker motorcycle dealership. Located at 770 State Rd., Parryville, PA 18244, phone # (610) 377 – 0440. For a Memorial service and dinner. Our host in Lehighton, PA are the Red Knights PA 18. Every Friday night is seafood dinner at the Bowmanstown, PA Fire House and it is open to the public. For the menu and address go to www.bvfc2.com/seafood.html.

Evening of September 8, 2006
Lehighton, PA. The Mahoning Inn, 71 Blakeslee Blvd. East, Lehighton, PA 18235 is where my wife and I will be staying. Room for 1 to 2 people queen bed $55.00 plus tax. Room for 1 to 2 people king bed $59.00 plus tax. Room with two beds for 1 to 2 people $65.00 plus tax and each additional person up to 4 $6.00 extra per person plus tax. Their phone number is (610) 377 - 1600 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early.
 
September 9, 2006 { Sat }
7:30 till 9;00 breakfast at Bowmanstown, PA Fire House. Bruce is planning on French (Freedom) Toast, sausage, juice, coffee, etc.

9:00am we will leave for Tramontin Harley-Davidson in Hope, NJ.

We will then all sign up for the 9/11 Memorial Run. Registration will cost us all $20.00 a bike. (If you do not want to be on this part of the ride you do not have to be. You can ride into NYC on your own and meet us later at the motel in Secaucus, NJ or the Hoboken MC club later in the day).

11:00 am we will all leave for NYC then to Brooklyn, NY and stop at Brooklyn Harley-Davidson for a Memorial Service.

From there we can all ride to the Red Roof Inn in Secaucus, NJ and check in.

4:00 to 5:00pm we will leave from motel and ride to the Hoboken, MC Club House in Jersey City for a 9/11 Memorial Services and Memorial Pasta Dinner.

Hoboken, New Jersey Mayor, David Roberts and Jersey City, New Jersey Mayor, Jerramiah Healy will be present at the Memorial Service.

The Hoboken MC is a very special Motorcycle Club. They have went out of there way to help make sure the Torches Across America Ride would always have a place to end the ride on the East Coast.

This year they have done something really special for the First Call Responder in Hoboken, NJ and Jersey City, NJ. They asked Mayor David Roberts of Hoboken, NJ and Mayor Jerramiah Healy of Jersey City, NJ to pass a resolution making 9/11 a "Recognition Day" for their cities First Call Responders.

Why this is so special is because these cities had First Call Responders in boats crossing the Hudson River to help NYC before the first tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. Their cities river front docks were used as temporary morgues for the 9/11 victims bodies and to shuttle aid workers and supplies back and forth to NYC.

Not many people around the world heard how important of a roll these two cities and their First Call Responders played on 9/11. I am glad to say now they will.

I thank all the members of the Hoboken Mc for getting these two cities to be added to the list of cities across America that have made 9/11 a Recognition Day for their cities First Call Responders.

I like so much the words California Congressman Mike Thompson said to his fellow congressman during the 109th congress on July, 28, 2006:

Mr. Speaker, These First Call Responders have a long history of honorable and selfless service to the United States. This service has continued at a high standard, and these First Call Responders should be commended.

Mr. Speaker, these unsung heroes deserve our recognition for their commitment and personal sacrifice. Their efforts are vital to the peace and well-being of all humanity.

Evening of September 9, 2006
Secaucus, NJ. Correction: We're NOT staying at the Econo Lodge in Jersey City, NJ. JR e-mailed me and got us a better rate at the Red Roof Inn in Secaucus, NJ.
My wife and I will be staying at the Red Roof Inn, 15 Meadowland PKWY, Secaucus, NJ 07094. You can make reservations either by Red Roof Inn 800 reservation number 1-800-733-7663 or their local number (201) 319-1000.
 
September 10, 2006 { Sun }
6:00am we will leave the Red Roof Inn and ride to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon Police wants us to join up with the 9/11 "Rattle the Runway" ride, since were all going to be there at almost the same time it would help them out a lot.

I spoke to Rex Howke; who puts the 9/11 "Rattle the Runway" ride, and we have come up with a plan where we can meet them just before going into the Pentagon.

We will meet them on Bountry Channel Dr. at 11.45am. They will drive by us and we will fall in back of them.

After the Memorial Service at the Pentagon we will eat lunch and fuel some where by the Pentagon before leaving for Walter Read Army Hospital.

When we leave the Walter Reed Army Hospital we will head for the Super 8 Motel in Bedford, PA.

Evening of September 10, 2006
My wife and I will be staying at the Super 8 Motel, 4498 Business 220, Bedford, PA 15522. Room for one person $41.99 plus tax. Room for two people with double beds, or one queen bed $44.99 plus tax. Their phone number is (814) 623-5880 and tell them your with the Torches Across America 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride. Make your reservations early.
 
September 11, 2006 { Mon }
We will leave the Super 8 Motel, Bedford, PA at 8:00am and we need to start arriving in Shanksville, PA around 8:30am. We have members of the CMA putting a few things together for us that day so we will be around the Shanksville area for most of the day.

Evening of September 11, 2006
My wife and I will be staying at the Super 8 Motel, 4498 Business 220, Bedford, PA.
 
 
Have a great day.