Category: General News & Updates

All Available Camping Spots at the Elks Lodge in Ontario, CA Are FULL!

PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE ELK’S LODGE DIRECTLY. Camping space allocation is being managed by RFTW. Not by the Elk’s Lodge.

All available camping spaces have now been allocated. REPEAT: THERE ARE NO MORE SPACES AVAILABLE FOR CAMPING AT THE ELK’S LODGE.

The Elk’s Lodge has notified us that several Run For The Wall participants have contacted them directly to request (and in fact, insist on) camping there. If you did this, and you did not go through The RFTW CA Coordinator, Carol Olmstead and receive a confirmed camping spot, then YOU DO NOT have a spot at the Elk’s and you will be turned away.

If you want to get on a wait list for cancellations, you must contact Carol Olmstead. She is the single point of contact for camping at the Elk’s.

For more information contact
Carol Olmstead
805-368-7586
carollolmstead@ymail.com

Greetings from beautiful Colorado Springs, CO

On February 1, 2026 registration fees will increase for regular participants, and the Day Rider Registration will open. If you haven’t yet registered, take advantage of early bird pricing and register before the end of January. Registration numbers are used by State Coordinators and Route Coordinators to plan logistics of the Run and stops. The earlier we all register, the easier the planning is.

We are currently slightly behind last year in registrations, so please get the word out to everyone you know and encourage people to get signed up. One leg, one day, one week, ATW, the mission is the same.

The Day Rider program was implemented a couple of years ago due to excellent feedback from participants.  Day Rider registration opens February 1^st, 2026 and we have extended the number of days allowed for Day Riders.

Day Rider Registration

A Day Rider will be defined as anyone who rides with or participates in RFTW activities, at or between up to four consecutive overnight stop locations on Central, Midway, or Southern Route for up to 3 days on the road.  As SandBox Route is only 3 days, the Day Rider registration will not apply there.  The ground rules are as follows:

• May be applied to any Motorcycle, 4 Wheel or Auto-cycle Participant.
• Maximum duration: Check-in on the evening of first location, participate for up to 3 days on the road through morning of the last location, but does not depart with the pack.
• The 4 (or less) overnight stop locations must be consecutive and on the same Route.
• The Route’s overnight stop location decides your Day Rider start and stop location, it does not matter if you spent the night there or not.
• Overnight stop locations include Ontario, CA and Springfield, VA.
• Day Riders will be issued a special wrist band and ribbon to signify their participation.
• Day Riders will have full access for participation on all Route events during their registered period.
• The Day Rider Registration Fee will be equal to that of the Early Bird fee of the respective Route, i.e. $100 for Central/Midway/Southern.

Day Rider Registration Extension

If a Day Rider completes their registration period and decides to extend further down the road (yes, it has happened) the Route Check-in Teams will be prepared with a special in-person registration process that will allow the rider to apply their already paid Day Rider fee toward full registration.  After paying the difference in price to current full registration, they will be issued the regular wrist band and ribbon covering the rest of their journey.  This option may be exercised only during the Run.

How The Process Will Work

On 01 FEB 2026, when the fee structure shifts to “Regular Registration” pricing, there will be a new selection on the registration pages for a Day Rider check box that will allow for the reduced fee as noted above.  To be eligible for Day Rider status, the registration MUST indicate a Ride-to location as one of the next three overnight stop locations after the Sign-in location on the selected Route.  For example, on Midway route, a Day Rider may Sign-in at Albuquerque, NM and Ride-to Forrest City, AR.  With that selection, they may check-in at Albuquerque (evening or the next morning) and ride with the pack to Forrest City and even join in morning activities the next day – three full days of the Run.  If they would like to continue with the pack beyond their final selected stop, the Registration Extension option will allow them stay on the Run and ride the fourth day and beyond.  The Day Rider Registration Option will be available starting 01 FEB and will be in effect throughout the full execution of the Routes in May.

Don’t Wait Till May!

If you plan to register as a Day Rider or are coordinating a group of Day Riders, please get everyone registered as soon as possible.  It won’t make a difference in your cost, even if you register today, but it will help our State Coordinators with getting the best attendance info possible to our supporters along the Route.  Our awesome State Coordinators need your support! ALSO – if you registered before 01 FEB even for just 2 days on the road, you’ll have the option to extend past those 3 days on the Run at no additional charge, all part of the Early Bird deal!

Of Special Interest

I receive, and personally review and answer, every contact form directed to registration. This year, I have seen several contact forms saying the signature box isn’t appearing during the registration process. I have directed these to the IT Director, Dave ‘Shepard” Placek for follow up and help as this appears to be a system issue. Fortunately, every person has been able to get through the process before Dave can get involved. To ensure we can track down the issue, please send any of these to the IT director (it@rftw.us) as well and include what browser you are using, whether you are registering on a mobile device, tablet or computer and what model.

I regularly receive contact forms saying the confirmation email was not received. As in past years, these emails often get caught up in junk/spam folders. If you haven’t received the email to your inbox within a couple of hours of registering, check junk/spam folders.

I’m excited to see all of you in May!

Central Route Hotels

Midway Route Hotels

Southern Route Hotels

Sandbox Route Hotels