293 Days to KSU!

Hello Midway Family!!!  Now that we’re into August and the dog days of summer, I hope you have had, or are having a very enjoyable time with friends and family.  Soon school will start up again, Fall will hit first then Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, Valentines Day, Easter and before you know it RFTW ’27 will be upon us!!  It goes by fast and we are already very busy planning for next May.

The Board of Directors have approved my recommendations for your Assistant Route Coordinator (ARC) and Road Guard Captain (RGC) for 2026. They are Mark Brundage, “OX”  as ARC and Ryan Long, road name “Pipes” as RGC. Congratulations to both and I look forward to working with this leadership team in developing and providing you with the best Midway route experience in 2027.

NEW NEWS

After our face to face Board of Directors meeting in Dallas here are a few tidbits from that meeting.  There are a few Directors who are term limited and will be dropping off the board in a few weeks.  John “Turkey” Staub will be leaving the board as President and Billie “Bugs” Dunlap will become President.  Corey “Sunbear” Lederer will move from Secretary to Vice President.

There have been a few changes to the SOP mostly driven by the increased requirements and cost of the RFTW Insurance policy company. They can be very restrictive and intrusive. Insurance costs have increased by over 50% in the last two years and have required the Board of Directors to develop additional safety protocols and internal procedures before they approve liability Insurance for the RFTW. For all you business owners, you are probably dealing with more restrictive insurance requirements also, so you know. There is really nothing you can do when the law says you are required to have insurance, right!

With this increased insurance cost in mind, a registration fee increase was voted last year on and approved by ALL members, me included, to cover some of the lost revenue due to the additional insurance cost.  That cost has been maintained for our ’27 Run

2027 all routes registration costs will be:

• $100.00 early bird, Sept 11, 2026 – Jan 31,2027 (Please register early)
• $120.00 starting Feb 1,2027
• $100.00 Day riders for up to three days

Last year we left Ontario on Wednesday with the other routes and combined days 10 & 11 into day 10.  For ’27 we’ll be looking to adjust a few times on site and locations to benefit our riders as well as our hosts.

Your state coordinators are beginning the process of contacting all daily stops within their respective states to ensure a seamless experience for you in 2027. The State Coordinators are some of the unsung heroes who quietly provide a lot of time towards developing new experiences including parades, museums, veteran homes, great lunches and dinners, etc. for you that support the mission of RFTW. They receive limited recognition for these efforts and carry out this crucial work to ensure the success of the Midway route. Their pay is a “Thank You”, so please give them that when you meet one.

All other Leadership leads are also starting the process of developing their teams and starting their training for a successful 2027.

Speaking of Leadership, I have some key positions that are open and need dedicated professional individuals who are willing to provide some of their time in the development of a team that supports the mission and the Midway family.

They are currently:

Promotions Team Leader, Registration team members, Chaplains, Medics, Chase vehicle drivers (requires a pickup with a trailer for hauling motorcycles), Platoon Leaders, Assistant

Platoon Leaders and Platoon Tail Gunners. Of course, we can always use more fuel, staging and road guard team personnel.

If you are interested in any of these positions or any position in leadership, please submit a volunteer form and we will contact you > https://rftw.us/volunteer-sign-up/.

It is not too late for returning riders from last year to submit an after action report (AAR) discussing their thoughts on the 2026 Midway route. All comments are welcome and can only help me to provide a better experience for the 2027 Midway route. So please take advantage of this opportunity. After Action Report – RFTW

If you haven’t seen our Podcast, you should check it out at  RFTW Podcast – RFTW   Here you will get a lot of information regarding the Run and hear from various guests as they talk about their experiences and duties they perform to assist Midway’s mission.

Any ideas any of you may have to improve Midways social media footprint please feel free to contact me at randy.sheets@rftw.us with your ideas and I will discuss it with our social media team.  All ideas are welcome!!!!

Riding a motorcycle is fun, it’s enjoyable being out in the open and getting a good dose of “wind therapy.”  What a lot of rides overlook is that riding a bike is a lot of work and you need to be in some sort of shape to do it safely.  Our cross-country ride is very physically demanding on the body with early mornings and long days on the bike.  So please keep walking, running, swimming, hiking, going to the gym or maybe playing a lot of golf (No cart). Just keep moving. The bulk of our riders are 60 plus and closing in on retirement or are already there.  I know firsthand why being in “motorcycle riding shape” is so important.  I was not in rider shape this past May and I dropped my bike, knocked myself out, bruised my ego at our Halifax, NC fuel stop.  Thankfully, Bling Bling only had some bumps and bruises, but we both ended up with an ambulance ride to the hospital where I was treated for a mild concussion.  So, my advice to you and my plan between now and KSU in addition to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate is to practice, practice, practice!!!

Be sure to check in regularly as I’ll be posting a newsletter every month with interesting tidbits and news regarding our ’27 RFTW mission.

Much more to follow !!!!!!!

Enjoy your Summer!

“Tell their Stories”  “Say their Names”  “Never Forget”

“We ride for those who can’t”

“IS IT MAY YET!

With apologies to all – I have two corrections to the April MR RC Newsletter.

1) Under Paragraph “End of Mission at the Wall” I mention the RFTW group photo at the Lincoln Memorial will be on May 24. The correct date is May 23!

2) Under paragraph “Rolling to Remember” I state the group leaves the American Legion Post on the morning of May 25. The correct date is May 24!

Thank you all for keeping me honest. 

May is just around the corner. We are now just 43 Days from KSU.

We need to start considering our preparations for getting to Ontario and “On our Mission”.

What do we really need to pack for our 10-day adventure. Just the essentials because there is not a lot of room on the bike for anything else. And always remember, there are stores everywhere. It has always helped me to prepare a checklist of necessary items: Prescriptions, toiletries, changes of clothes, undergarments, extra glasses, long-sleeved shirts, socks, warm clothing for those cold mornings, extra gloves for those cold mornings, rain gear etc. If you have a rider, this also cuts your available space in half. I would start to practice packing now.

Is your bike ready? Has a qualified mechanic looked over it and told you it will make the total miles we will be traveling from your front door and back. Have you considered a couple of bottles of fuel additive in case we run into stations that do not carry 91 Octane? “Food for thought”!

Pre-Paid Fuel

The Pre-Paid fuel is open. It is MANDATORY this year. It will reduce the time spent at the pumps substantially. Time that you will need off your bike. Payments may be made using Zelle (Your bank should have this capability) and sending $160.00 payment to Midway.Route@rftw.us. Remember to add “Midway Pre-paid fuel 2026″ in the memo line.

We will receive notification of the payment and will have a list of those who pre-paid for fuel at Registration in Ontario.  You can also send a check made out to: Run For The Wall, Inc.  Put “Midway Route prepaid fuel” in the memo line. Mail to: RFTW Treasurer, 50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445, Dayton, NV 89403.  A third option is to pay cash at check-in at Ontario. There are no credit card options. Please remember, even with prepaid fuel you need to come to Staging each morning with a full tank of gas.

Route Itineraries

Itineraries will be published shortly and will be available on the Midway website. You can either print out a copy or use the QR code and download it to your phone or mobile device. This will provide you with a minute by minute, Day by day glimpse of exactly what you will be involved in. Additionally, I know many of you have friends that wish to meet you or stand on an overpass and recognize your personal adventure. The itinerary provides exact locations for you and your friends. Lastly, it also provides emergency Medical and Chase vehicle phone numbers to assist you with any issues you may face along the route.

Additionally, Safety instructions, Fueling procedures and friendly reminders of how we  conduct ourselves as representatives of Run for the Wall will be provided.

Pre-Run and Post-Run itineraries

All Pre-run (Ontario) and Post run (Springfield) itineraries have now been posted on the website. Please thoroughly review each one for required meetings, team meetings, registration times and locations, motorcycle repair facilities, events schedules, Sandbox meeting schedules, dinner arrangements, Riverside National Cemetery ride, the Marine Corps Band, ANC ride, RFTW picture location and time, RFTW  2026 ENDEX ceremony at the Apex of the Vietnam Memorial Wall and much more.

Registration

Surprisingly, There are still individuals who have not registered for the run. I personally know of 8 personnel who have waited because of potential family issues, but the time is now. Please go to the website and register as soon as possible. We need accurate numbers for all our meal providers, fuel providers (They need to know how much 91 Octane to have on hand), hotels etc.

Additionally, our registration team needs to have you on their computers, so we know if you have made it to Ontario

Hotel Reservations Reminder

As a friendly reminder, if you have not yet made your hotel reservations, please be aware that on May 1, the host hotels will release any remaining unused RFTW room blocks back into their standard inventory. This means that after this date, rooms previously set aside for RFTW participants may no longer be available, and you could have difficulty securing accommodations at the host hotels. To ensure you have a place to stay during the event, it is strongly recommended that you complete your hotel reservations as soon as possible.

End of Mission at the Wall

The RFTW picture at the Lincoln Memorial will be on 23 May at 0900. You need to be there early to find a good location for the photo. The Park Police informed us that they will be closely monitoring parking in marked areas this year and will issue citations for violations.  With that said, unless you really wish to ride your bike to the picture, cabs and uber are always available and relatively cheap if you divide the cost 4 ways. Immediately afterwards we will walk to the Vietnam Memorial and have the “End of Mission” ceremony” where all four route coordinators will lay the RFTW Mission plaque at the apex of the wall. This will occur at 0930 so you need to make your way to the wall with a purpose.

Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown

Midway has been assigned 19 motorcycles with 39 seats available to ride to the “Tomb of the Unknown soldier” and observe a laying of a wreath on behalf of all the riders from RFTW. This is truly an honor. The only motorcycles allowed on Arlington National Cemetery grounds are those from RFTW. I have selected a lottery method to fill those seats. FNG’s are my target population for this lottery. If you are interested, please contact your platoon leadership and give them your name. Staging for ANC will commence at 1330 on May 23 in the Pentagon south parking lot, I-395, exit 8B

More to follow on additional details

Rolling to Remember

If you’re not participating on the Sandbox route, you can join R2R (Rolling to Remember) for a ride around the Mall in Washington DC. Formerly called Rolling Thunder, this is not an RFTW event but you may ride with R2R voluntarily. A group leaves from the American Legion Post on the morning of the 24th, with staging starting after the Sandbox group’s 0715 departure (ETD: 0730).

Make sure you keep the ribbon on your clutch side mirror or your rftw wristband to get premier staging up in the front of the formation right behind the AMVETS group. This was arranged this year by your RFTW leadership in discussions with the AMVETS leadership. Bring your camera, snacks, sunscreen, and water.

Donations

As always, Donations are still welcome for the Midway route. Please share this with organizations, veteran groups, or friends who may wish to support us—RFTW is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. If any group plans to donate, remind them we are 42 days from KSU.

I’m excited for this year’s Midway route. The leadership team has worked hard to make your journey safe and smooth. They embody our guiding principle of “servant leadership”, so if you can, thank them with a handshake – they deserve it.

Pack and repack your bike. (You do not need as much as you may think). Walk, run, stretch, exercise!

Ride your bike, if possible. Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

We are getting closer fast and time fly’s, so do NOT procrastinate.

As always, if you have any questions, recommendations, concerns or you just want to clear up some things you are thinking about, contact your team leader, Platoon leader, FNG Coordinator etc. and please have that discussion. The RFTW Forum is also a great place to openly discuss issues or ask questions across all 4 routes.

My ARC (Assistant Route Coordinator) and I look forward to meeting each of you in Ontario.

“Say Their Name”      “Tell Their Story”         “ Never Forget”

72 Days to KSU!

Can you feel it? We are getting close!

Advice For New Riders

If you haven’t already started, this would be the time to get prepared for the run. Get yourself ready by exercising, walking and most importantly, riding. As the weather permits, try to get some long-distance rides, 100 miles or more at least. Also get used to hydrating by drinking lots of water and electrolytes each day. Make sure your bike is serviced and ready to go. Start going over your packing list and do a trial loadout on your bike. If you are an FNG (Fine New Guy/Gal) you are probably planning to bring too much stuff (we all did our FNG year).

Go over your bike and tighten down all nuts, bolts or connectors of any sort. Blue Loctite will ensure they do not loosen and will keep them from falling off your bike and becoming dangerous, heavy objects bouncing through the formation.

Prepaid Fuel

Yes, Midway is doing prepaid fuel again this year. The cost will be $160.00 and everyone gets to participate.   (That’s just a nice way to say prepaid fuel will be mandatory). There are three (3) ways to pay for prepaid fuel.

1) Use Zelle to send the money to Midway.Route@rftw.us (don’t forget the dot between Midway and Route). Be sure to annotate that it is for “Midway prepaid fuel”.  2) Send a check made out to: Run For The Wall, Inc.  Put “Midway prepaid fuel” in the memo line. Mail to: RFTW Treasurer, 50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445, Dayton, NV 89403  3) Pay cash at check-in either in Ontario or any day you join us on our way to DC. There are no credit card options. CASH ONLY! Please remember, even with prepaid fuel you need to come to Staging each morning with a full tank of gas

We are Still Looking for Volunteers

Midway route is looking for some leadership personnel. I need some dedicated riders to assist me with Promotions and Staging. If you would be willing to assist the Midway riders in any position, please contact your ARC at randy.sheets@rftw.us or go to the Midway website and fill out a volunteer sign up form. You will gain a sense of fulfillment that only comes with sacrifice and service to your family.

Registration

We still have participants that have told me there are going on the run with Midway this year but have not registered. I understand that we are all busy, and as the time gets closer, we will get busier. However, please take 10 minutes of your time and register on line. It would help me and your leadership team works its magic at supporting all our family members on the run. Remember the old NIKE ad “Just Do it”

Americans are generally procrastinators and wait until the last minute to do things we know we need to do. However, in this case, the longer you wait the more impact it has on our great supporters across this great nation. So, PLEASE get it done. With that said, if you have potential conflicts that preclude you from registering now, you can register any time between now and checking in when you arrive in Ontario.

Registration Rates for Coast to Coast Routes

1. Regular Registration – $120 per person
2. Day Riders (up to 3 days on the road riding) – $100 per person

Route Itinerary

Your State Coordinators, ARC and I have just completed our final review of this years itineray and satelitte picture reviews of each stop during the route.
We found some very small corrections that were required and will be submitting our route itinerary to the Board shortly. When the routes are approved, they will be added to our Midway route page for your download and review.

Two things to remember about the itineraries. Paper copies used to be handed out at registration/check in as part of your registration package. The After Action Reports (AAR’s) and general comments led efforts towards development of a QR code capability for all riders.

You will be issued a card with a QR code on it that will go in your plastic carrier along with your emergency information form that you will be required to carry around your neck. This QR code opens up to a copy of your route itinerary. This will offer easy access to emergency numbers, chase vehicle information, if required or just a quick review of stops and events happening each day.The QR code on page 4 of the itinerary opens up to safety information you need to remember as a member of your route, so no more losing your itinerary, leaving it laying on a table at one of the stops or having it just fly out of your pocket while riding down the road. It will be easily available for your needs all the time.

Break outs on the Second day in Cookeville

You will have your choice of three break out rides on Day two of our stay in Cookeville, Tennessee. Each will be listed seperately in the published itinerary. When the itineraries are released, please take the time to review each break out and decide which one you wish to participate in. Just between you and me, they are all great!

Your platoon leader will be approaching you, In the future so we can get an idea how how many participants will be riding in each breakout. This will assist our supporters in preparing meals and other presentations/events in your honor. This is just a “Heads up”

Rolling to Remember (Formally Rolling Thunder)

We will be providing an opportunity to attend Rolling to Remember this year, probably shortly after the Sandbox route goes KSU on the 24th of May. Our initial contacts with Amvet coordinators are extremely positive and there may be a possibility we get to ride close to the front of R2R, which is exciting. Again, if you have never participated in this event, it is something to remember. More to follow!

After Action Reports (AAR’s)

You will be hearing about AAR’s in great detail as we get closer to KSU. However, I want you to know that AAR’s are a tool developed for you to give us your opinion or professional review of just “How we accomplished our duties” at providing you a safe, efficient, exciting, life changing adventure across our nation.

Even though it is named an After Action report, it is also your voice on what we have done and how we are doing. So you can use this tool as your voice to tell us just what is on your mind and your opinions.

These are read by the Board of Directors and handed to the Route Coordinators for review, comment or direct contact if further conversation/knowledge is required so rest assured these are taken very seriously. None of us is perfect and all opinions are taken very seriously so we collectively work towards making this mission the absolute best we can, year to year. Please use this capability at your discretion.

I will remind each of you to please submit one at the completion of the run to tells us what you think of “How we did” and what we can do better.

Donations

We can still use more donations to support this years run. Please reach out to all individuals who can support this mission to assist veterans, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, POW families, veterans currently residing in care facilities, and schoolchildren who, through no fault of their own, experience food insecurity and borderline malnutrition.
I just had a conversation with someone who just received a $15,000.00 grant from the Stater Brothers grocery chain. All she did was ask!!!!!

So let’s try asking. The worst one can say is no!!

We’re still looking for collectible, unique items that we can use to help us raise funds to support our mission. If you know of anybody who might be able to donate such items, please let them know it would be very much appreciated and help us make donations of our own to our supporters and other worthwhile charitable organizations we encounter along the way. Once we get items together, we’ll decide how they can best support us and figure out a way to offer them to our riders through auctions and drawings. All of this fundraising allows us to operate the Midway Route and keep costs down.

If you can find it within yourself to ask the question, please use either Zelle that most banks have available and submit the donation to: Midway.route@rftw.us.

If you prefer to pay via check, please mail it to:

Run for the Wall, Inc.
Attn: Midway Route 2026
50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403

Ontario/DC Schedule of events

The events and meeting schedules are being developed as we speak. The Elks lodge in Ontario has once again stepped up and meals are being planned, meetings and registration will be conducted at the lodge. Many meetings and gatherings are additionally planned for the host hotel. Midway will be the first route to begin the run on the morning of 13 May at 0700 from Lot D.
Refreshments and coffee will be donated and available at morning staging prior to the morning schedule and KSU.

In DC, we will again be hosted by the American Legion Post 176 in Springfield, VA with meals and meeting rooms. Registration will be conducted at the ALP, times and rooms will be forthcoming.

We again will be selecting riders to take their bikes to Arlington National Cemetery, take a photo at the Lincoln Memorial, have a ceremony for the end of RFTW 2026 at the apex of the Vietnam Memorial.

Please stay tuned and as these events formalize, I will get you the information immediately so you can plan to participate.

Think about who you are riding for.

“We ride for those who can’t”

Remember that we are on a Mission that requires all of us to work together and help each other to be successful. Set your own wants and needs aside and reflect on the hardships and commitment of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free.

I get more excited each day as we get closer to May. I interact daily with your leadership team and want to assure you that they are working diligently to make Midway 2026 the best experience for you, whether you are an FNG or a returning rider. They deserve your gratitude!

We are in the “two digit” territory. That is military lingo for, time is getting short! The closer we get, the faster time will fly so I strongly recommend that you get those things that you know you need to accomplish completed or they can rapidly turn into last-minute emergencies.

“Stop Procrastinating” It is time to re-energize and re-engage

“Say Their Name”      “Tell Their Story”         “ Never Forget”

102 Days to KSU!

Hello Midway family,

Is it February already. Where is the time going?

Friends and families are still recovering from some of the most devastating weather events of the year and in some areas, more to come. We need to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers. The time goes by so quickly. Before we know it, May will be upon us. Check on your friends and family and ensure that they are OK.

Registration

Registration has been open since Sept. 11th, 2025. Midway is doing well on getting riders registered. We now have over 180 personnel registered to ride with us. Still, if you have not registered yet, please consider doing it as soon as possible. We need semi-accurate numbers for our fuel stops so they know how much 91 octane they will need to have available for us. Additionally, our lunch and dinner locations need to have a best guess so they can provide the appropriate portions and Hotels, and camping locations need to know how many rooms or camping sites will be required. I know there are a lot of moving parts, but it is necessary to get this family across the country as safely and efficiently as possible.  You can register on our website just as you have in the past.

Registration Rates for Coast to Coast Routes

1. Regular Registration – $120 per person
2. Day Riders (up to 3 days on the road riding) – $100 per person

Hotel rooms and Camping locations

As a friendly reminder, Hotel and camping locations are posted on the Midway page. If you have not made your reservations, please do so soon. The hotels will only keep our blocks of rooms with special rates available for a short time and then they need to open them up to other travelers at the standard rate. So, the sooner you get this done the better the chances you can take advantage of the RFTW special rates.

The same goes for the posted camping locations.

We are Still Looking for Volunteers

Midway route is looking for a few good men or women. I need some dedicated riders to assist me with Registration, Promotions, Staging and a chase vehicle. The chase vehicle is required to be a pickup with a trailer capable of transporting 2 motorcycles. I will pay for the fuel used by the chase vehicle from Ontario to DC.  If you would be willing to assist the Midway riders in any of these positions, please contact your ARC at randy.sheets@rftw.us or go to the Midway website and fill out a volunteer sign up form. You will gain a sense of fulfillment that only comes with sacrifice and service to your family.

Gulf War Veterans

The Midway 2026 family will be recognizing all Gulf War veterans on the 35^th Anniversary of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm this coming year. This was the first war that America and her allies had won decisively Since World War II. More to follow on planned events

Pre-Paid Fuel

I have chosen to increase the Prepaid Fuel cost for this year.  Coast to Coast will be $160 and it will be Mandatory. Even though gas prices have declined in certain parts of the country, the great concern and unknown is California. The most recent check at our fuel stop in California had the cost of 91 octane at $6.40 per gallon. Refineries are closing and regulations are tightening on the remaining gas producers. To ensure we do not have to be financially constrained because of the uncertainty, I have increased the cost by $10.00 this year. If we find that we are financially OK, I will use any surplus to pay the cost of the fuel for the chase, Hydration and support vehicles, which are a route cost anyway. If you choose not to participate you will be fueling at a pump NOT controlled by the Midway fuel team. You will be issued a pre-paid fuel sticker at registration by a fuel team member indicating that you have paid for fuel. This will be attached to your windshield (Clutch side) just below your platoon number. Not only is Prepaid fuel very cost-effective in the big picture, but it also helps provide a safer and more efficient stop at the pumps!  If you would like to go ahead and check this off of your To Do List and your bank uses Zelle (Most financial institutions have this capability), mark your payment to midway.route@rftw.us. Please be sure to include Midway – Prepaid Fuel in the For line so that we can allocate the money correctly.

If you prefer to pay via check, please mail it to:

Run for the Wall, Inc.
Attn: Midway 2026 Prepaid Fuel
50 Fourth Ave Unit 1445
Dayton, NV 89403

Be sure to include Midway 2026 Prepaid Fuel in the For line so we can allocate it accordingly.  If you prefer to pay at Registration Check-In either in Ontario or wherever you join us, please note we will ONLY ACCEPT CASH.  NO EXCEPTION!

Ontario/DC Schedule of events

The events and meeting schedules are being developed as we speak. The Elks lodge in Ontario has once again stepped up and meals are being planned, meetings and registration will be conducted at the lodge. Many meetings and gatherings are additionally planned for the host hotel. Midway will be the first route to begin the run on the morning of 13 May at 0700 from Lot D.

Refreshments and coffee will be donated and available at morning staging prior to the morning schedule and KSU.

In DC, we will again be hosted by the American Legion Post 176 in Springfield, VA with meals and meeting rooms.

We again will be selecting riders to take their bikes to Arlington National Cemetery, conduct a washing of the Vietnam Wall, take a photo at the Lincoln Memorial, have a ceremony for the end of RFTW 2026 at the apex of the Vietnam Memorial and potentially something at the new Gulf war memorial.

Please stay tuned and as these events formalize, I will get you the information immediately so you can plan to participate.

Friday Evening Parade, Marine Barracks, 8^th & I, Washington D.C.

There are plans being made to attend the Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C Friday Evening Parade on 22 May. Time TBD. You will find this information posted on the RFTW website forum under “2026 Marine Barracks event registration”. If you have never attended this ceremony, you will miss something to tell your children about.

Rolling to Remember (Formally Rolling Thunder)

We will be providing an opportunity to attend Rolling to Remember this year, probably shortly after the Sandbox route goes KSU on the 24^th of May. Again, if you have never participated in this event, it is something to remember. More to follow!

GMRS Radios

For everybody in a leadership position, make sure you check your communications equipment for connectivity and firmware updates.  There is a new version of the firmware for the BTech GMRS Pro, titled “0.8.12.”  The update is easy to install using the phone app that goes with the radio.

If you are using a Sena headset, make sure you update to the most current firmware using the Sena Device Manager version 4.4.17.  The headset needs to be plugged into a Windows or Mac computer with a charging cable that supports data transfer (not all do), then follow the on-screen instructions.  If the application doesn’t recognize your device, you can try different cables until it works.  Sena has a troubleshooting guide and you can contact them directly for specific guidance on how to resolve problems.

Fundraising

We’re still looking for collectible, unique items that we can use to help us raise funds to support our mission.  If you know of anybody who might be able to donate such items, please let them know it would be very much appreciated and help us make donations of our own to our supporters and other worthwhile charitable organizations we encounter along the way.  Once we get items together, we’ll decide how they can best support us and figure out a way to offer them to our riders through auctions and drawings.  All of this fundraising allows us to operate the Midway Route and keep costs down.

RFTW Website

The RFTW website has a ton of information about the run, but there might still be questions you haven’t found the answers to. Two great sources of information are the RFTW Forum and After Action Reports (AAR).  I used to think that the AARs were only meant to give feedback right after the run. While that is the main reason for them, they can be used any time of the year. If you don’t know who you should direct a question to, fill out an AAR, and it will be sent to the right person to get you an answer. Also, if you have an idea that might help to improve the run, fill out an AAR. All AARs are read by the Board of Directors and directed to the respective Route Coordinators. Another outstanding source for information about the run is the new RFTW Podcast that is produced by Ted “Boots” Kapner and Tai “Hitch” Harmon. These Podcasts have a great amount of information about the run and are very entertaining.

General Information

Let’s continue to work on our personal preparations to get ready to complete the Run in May.  This includes (among many other things) motorcycle maintenance, mental and physical conditioning, and having a system for packing and unpacking your motorcycle repeatedly, day after day.  The more you practice, the easier it will become, which can reduce or eliminate any stress you may feel in anticipation of this amazing and demanding experience.

I personally change my tires each year. That is just me! It takes any concern about tire condition, bike control and performance off the table. If you can afford it!

Go over your bike with a “fine tooth comb”. Meaning closely check each bolt, screw or connector for tightness. There is nothing worse than having something fall from a bike and travel through a platoon with the potential of causing, at a minimum, damage to another bike. Blue lock tight is a very good solution.

If possible, get the bike out and ride. Nothing replaces experience, so get in the seat, on the road.

There have been years when we have had sunny days all the way across the country. However, we have also had rainstorms, hail and snow on one occasion. So, you need to be prepared to ride in all weather conditions. We will not stop because of different weather conditions unless it affects the safety of the riders. I will make that determination! With that said, if you ever feel personally unsafe, you can “Tap out” and join us at the next stop.

Pack riding is different than riding in small groups or in pairs. There is a lot of discussion about the differences in the RFTW Forum, and the SOP establishes policy to provide some controls, so you ride safely surrounded by other motorcycles that are impacted by your riding abilities. Practice Throttle control!!!!!

Think about who you are riding for.

“We ride for those who can’t”

Remember that we are on a Mission that requires all of us to work together and help each other to be successful. Set your own wants and needs aside and reflect on the hardships and commitment of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free.

I get more excited each day as we get closer to May. I interact daily with your leadership team and want to assure you that they are working diligently to make Midway 2026 the best experience for you, whether you are an FNG or a returning rider. They deserve your gratitude!

Shortly, we will be in the “two digit” territory. That is military lingo for, time is getting short! The closer we get, the faster time will fly so I strongly recommend that you get those things that you know you need to accomplish completed or they can rapidly turn into last-minute emergencies.

As the great American Philosopher, Forrest Gump, says “One less thang”

“Say Their Name”      “Tell Their Story”         “ Never Forget”