These past 10 days have changed so many lives in so many ways. They have shown people just how far they are willing to go for complete strangers and a shared mission. We have been brought to our limits and even pushed past them. If we tripped along the way, our family members have been right there beside us to catch us and help along the way.
We have endured challenges along the way and faced them head on. Opportunities have been presented and accepted, capabilities and skill refined and polished, and for some emotions and feelings exposed to begin or even continue the process of healing.
From the very beginning stages of committing to the run, through the planning and preparation phases, even as a veteran rider to the run we still encounter questions and skepticism of ‘why do you do it’. The answers are simple for most, we ride for those who cannot. But if you dig a little deeper for many, it’s a calling in of itself, to help others along the way. And for FNG riders, they really can’t explain it other than an opportunity. It’s not until they experience the run and witness the magic of the run first hand to fully begin to understand the mission.
From the start I had not planned to finish out the run to DC and began looking for a writer to continue the SITREPs after my departure when I was introduced to an FNG studying to become a History Teacher, Miss Natalie Fielding, aka Guess Again 2. She immediately caught my attention with her attention to detail on interactions with riders, volunteers, and ability to tell her story and experiences within the first part of the ride. She never expected the opportunity that I was about to offer her, the chance to publish those experiences for the world to see. Her first SITREP from Shawnee to Forrest City nailed it with ease and you could tell she was hooked into sharing it with the world.
As we progressed across the nation, plans changed and the voice inside kept telling me that I still had more work to be done as the photographer/videographer. (pesky little thing, but it was right) So many memories were made on this run, some captured and preserved to see, others too delicate and remained simply with their owner.
When we arrived at Lincoln’s Memorial in the constant drizzle of rain, the look of the citizens and tourists, dressed in their rain coats and carrying their umbrellas, was partially of concern but more of confusion as a group of bikers, dressed in leathers and simple baseball caps, braved the rain without even batting an eye. Little did they know that we have weathered through it all, three different routes, each encountering different challenges and conquering them all. And the rain, this was child’s play.
After coming together for a group photo, all the riders proceeded down to the apex of the Vietnam Memorial Wall where the 4 Route Coordinators came together to lay the plaque and officially call out, Mission Accomplished.
From here, the FNG’s had their pins turned symbolizing their accomplishment while others paid their respects to friends and family on the wall.
Bio’s were matched up with those etched in the stone.
Prayers were said, and tears were shed.
Bag pipes were played in the rain on the grassy knoll, all while streams of water ran down the stone and through the names as if shedding tears of their own.
As we finish our missions and begin to go our separate ways once again, you’ll find yourself pushing the refueling time at the pump, looking in your mirrors for the bike behind you, even raising your head and looking at the sound of another bike to see if it is another RFTW rider. You will find yourself re-reading SITREPs and posts, telling stories to coworkers that will continue to look at you in the way for a straight jacket. And believe it or not, you’re already looking forward to next year, or even the next time you can ride with your RFTW family.
So pick up the phone, text a quick message, plan a get together or ride. If you need help, don’t hesitate to make that cry for help. Just remember, Ohana means Family, Midway is a family route, where no one gets left behind, or forgotten.
Until next time….
Keep the rubber side down,
Shiney Side Up!
And yes, I will ask it…
Is It May 2027 Yet?
Ben ‘Stitch’ Noyce
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 