BREAKING

Event Reports

Rolling Thunder XXV

Article and Photos By: Dar Holdsworth

Originally Published In The August 2012 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

CSM-AUGUST2012-P42_Page_1_Image_0001

Last August, among the craziness that is the Broken Spoke Saloon, downtown Sturgis, up on stage during a Baker Burnout competition, Jay Allen told me about an idea he had which was inspired by his Army bike. Jay said to me, “Dar, I’d like to see bikes built that represent each branch of the armed forces and pays tribute to our service men & women. I’d like to do it for Rolling Thunder next year.” I said, ‘Jay that is a very cool idea.’ He replied, “…and I’d like you — for what you represent in supporting the troops as well as the bike industry — to be one of the builders.” I immediately responded, ‘Jay, I’d be honored to be part of it.’ Then back to the burnouts we went; I took a respectable 4th place.

CSM-AUGUST2012-P42_Page_1_Image_0003

Coast Guard Bike: Built by Kiwi Indian – will be in the September issue of American Iron Magazine, on sale July 31st.

 

Fast forward a few months and I get a call from Jay. “It’s on,” he says as he reminds me of our conversation. I’m thinking to myself, really? As I paused and realize the magnitude of what is about to be initiated, Jay tells me how he has coordinated with the president of Rolling Thunder Washington DC. They will be working together to get a bike built for each branch of the service that will be unveiled at the event on its 25th anniversary this year. The bikes will then travel with the “Traveling Wall that Heals.” Jay explained that S&S was donating a motor to the project and I could select any one I wanted, and Baker was donating a transmission, same deal. He also said that he and Sasha Mullins would be heading up the PR on this to help us get other sponsors for the project. I’d also get the honor of showcasing my bike in Cycle Source. How could I not agree?

CSM-AUGUST2012-P42_Page_1_Image_0002

Air Force Bike: Built by Billy Lane of Choppers Inc. – will be in the July/August issue of The Horse Back Street Choppers Magazine, on sale July 10th.

I started by asking if I could build the Air Force bike, as I am an Air Force vet. Jay told me that Billy Lane was already building the Air Force bike. How about the Navy bike? Jay agreed. So I dove in… I first called S&S to order up a spectacular 93” Knucklehead motor. I got on the horn to Baker right after and secured a 6 speed transmission. I won’t digress about the build; I will cover that in future articles. We arrived in DC on Friday. The sky was clear, the temp was hot and the traffic was insane! We made our way to the hotel after making about 7 wrong turns in a city of crazy streets and even more crazy traffic. But, I felt a sense of community when we saw Kiwi’s big cab-over rig in the parking lot and all the bikers that were already there. It wasn’t long before we connected with Jay and several other people there for the event. They all wanted to see the bike, so we obliged. While showing off the build, we were treated to an unexpected visit by Ray Manso, the man responsible for the Rolling Thunder event. Twenty-five years ago, Ray wrote a letter to biker magazines requesting an organization of bikers who would remember those POWs and MIAs who seemed to have been forgotten by many. In his own words, he knew the bike community would respond, but he never thought it would become what it is today. I was lucky enough to meet and catch a photo with him by our trailer on the night we arrived. I was honored to get his sincere approval on our Navy bike as well as his thanks for our contribution.

CSM-AUGUST2012-P43_Page_1_Image_0002

Army Bike: Built by Jeff Lange, previously featured in American Iron Magazine.

 

As darkness fell upon us, we saddled up and rode the bikes downtown to the main event area and stashed them under a white tent. Then back to the Arlington Suites to a party on the top floor for all those involved. Needless to say, I didn’t stay long. Those who know me know I’m not much of a partier. Besides, I desperately needed a good night’s rest as we were up and at ‘em to take on the day at 7 a.m. Saturday arrived much too early, but once I heard the roar of the first V-twin, I was up and moving. We spent most of the day at the main stage area, mingling with people while waiting for the unveiling of the bikes at 5 p.m. We met several military figureheads, some actors, some singers, and a lot of very nice people. Speaking of, Shane Whitty from S&S was on hand with his lovely wife to support all the builders and the Rolling Thunder event. At roughly 4:30 p.m., we started to roll the bikes, one by one, up the back side of the stage. Once on the side stage, Jay became the emcee and the show was on!

CSM-AUGUST2012-P43_Page_1_Image_0004

Navy Bike: Built by Darwin Motorcycles – will be in Cycle Source Magazine in several build articles and then a full feature later this year.

 

Jay asked me to bring his Army bike out first. He told the crowd about the bike and how it had been the catalyst for the others. Then, Brigitte Bourget brought out the Marine bike. Next, I brought out the Navy bike. Harry then rolled out Billy Lane’s Air Force bike, and last but not least, Kiwi Mike brought out the Coast Guard bike. The crowd intensely listened as each builder described their bike, what they had put into it, and what this meant to them. In particular, Kiwi described how in 2009 he became a US citizen, what that was like and how much it means to him. He is so proud to be an American. After the stage hoopla, we took the bikes down to the crowd to interact with them. Many photos were taken; many smiles and good conversations were had. The bikes were later put on display across the street at the Pharmaceutical Building, which is not a Walgreens. It’s a big, white building with pillars and huge doors that don’t open; it’s monument-like. We made our way back to the hotel for some more much needed sleep. Sunday morning we were downstairs at 6:30 a.m. to stage the bikes by 7 a.m. in front of the Pharmaceutical Building once more. We parade rode to the Pentagon where we staged again in front to lead out the other bikers who were joining us in the “Ride to the Wall.” We waited there under the sun from 7:30 till noon while the 500,000 other riders filled up all the parking lots of the Pentagon. Once underway, it was quite the experience. People lined both sides of the streets as far as the eye could see. Bikers continued to roll out of the Pentagon parking lot for over 4 hours.

CSM-AUGUST2012-P43_Page_1_Image_0003

Marine Bike: Built by Bourget Bike Works – will be in the September issue of IronWorks Magazine, on sale August 13th

 

People are patriotic. People love our country. People honor our vets. My hope would be that it is not just ceremoniously on special days, but that we are reminded regularly and appreciate what it means to be an American. The next time you see an old man at the local hardware store wearing his Vietnam or WW2 ball cap, shake his hand and tell him thanks. I promise you he does not hear it enough. When you’re in an airport and see a soldier in uniform, tell him or her, thank you for your service. The next time you have a choice between buying something made in America or elsewhere, consider the sacrifices that have and continue to be made.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Growing up with a Marine for an old man, of course it was in the back of my head that he’d freak if he knew I was in on the Navy bike, but I also know how proud he would have been of all of us for doing this especially in hard times. For setting all of this in motion, everyone here at Cycle Source would like to give Jay Allen a big Hooh-Rah! We will be, in somewhat reverse order, covering Dar’s Navy bike build over the next few issues at which time we will do a full feature spread on the finished product. Thanks to all the other magazines and builders for towing the line on this great project. But more importantly, thank you to every service member — past and present, and the families to those who paid the ultimate price in the name of freedom.

Related Posts

1 of 159