Midway’s Mid-month Roundup – November 2025

And just like that, we are in the holiday season. I personally want to extend my thoughts, prayers, and thanks to all of my brothers and sisters out there, Happy Veterans Day!

The mural above was just completed in Goldsboro, NC, a tribute to the Heroes of our country, this one painted by one of our very own Midway riders within the Chaplain Corp, Boyce ‘Brush Stroke McKinney. Brush Stroke has always had an artistic eye and a steady brush, each stroke of paint a testament of true craftsmanship, talent, and passion. One of many murals and paintings accomplished, this one is not only visible to the public, but also our Heroes in the air as the placement is only a half mile from the end of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base runway, reminding everyone just home much that our Heroes are appreciated. These are symbols and reminders that our veterans are our Heroes. Thank you, Brush Stroke, for creating this masterpiece and sharing it with everyone.

Thanksgiving is less than a week away, a time that can mark the beginning of a season of stress, even though we all know it is a time to be grateful for family, blessings, and other aspects to reflect on during the holiday season. 

When I look back in my life and see the same thing everyone else was taught, historically speaking, Thanksgiving is modeled after the harvest in 1621 and feast between the Wampanoag people and the English colonists, which was a moment of survival and alliance after a difficult year. Today, it is most often a time for families and friends to gather, share a meal, and express gratitude for one another and for the gifts in their lives. 

I remember when I became an NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer and supervisor for the non-military folks), my wife and I reached out to Airmen living in the dorms, alone for the holidays, and invited them to be with us for Thanksgiving, to be a part of a family and not alone. It was a simple gesture, but it went a long way to share our blessings. This time of year, has been ingrained into us as family oriented and coming together. To be alone or away from family and friends can do many things, however compassion and simple gestures can make a significant difference.

Many of us will be traveling in the coming days along with millions of others. As to be expected, things will happen, schedules and plans will be changed, delayed, or even cancelled for known or even unknown reasons; and tensions will rise. Unfortunately, this will be out of our control and folks will lash out, it’s human nature. But rather than adding to that negative energy, try to be understanding, even though you may not understand it yourself (guilty here too). Just try and remember that the folks passing on the information are usually just the messenger and not the cause of the event. There’s no reason to ruin their day, and yours, and the next person in contact. Words of encouragement, thanks, and even a smile can go a long way and sometimes reverse a negative action. Passing on that bit of gratitude can express thanks as well as become contagious with the next person. 

So, with everything that is going on in the world today, take a moment this week and just self-reflect. Remember that the overall meaning and theme of Thanksgiving is Unity, coming together, particularly during times of division, to celebrate shared blessings. 

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone. May our Midway Family and extended families have a wonderful and safe holiday. Please be safe, patient, and understanding.  

Got a meetup schedule that you would like scheduled? Contact me with dates & locations bnoyce1213@gmail.com

For all those folks that have signed up for their first ride, whether coast to coast, wall to wall, or even just a leg or a day; WELCOME to the MIDWAY FAMILY! 

You are in for an unforgettable adventure of a lifetime. Our route, just as well as the other 3 routes, are family through and through. Even though you may not know anyone at first, our folks are friendly, will reach out and assist you in any way that you need, provide advice, and make sure that your adventure will be cherished for years to come.

There are many ways of support for your first ride; RFTW Website, RFTW Forum, social media (FaceBook, Instagram), RFTW Podcast, Local Meetups, and so many more ways to reach out to FOGs (Fun Old Guys/Gals).

Please understand, each run requires planning on an enormous scale to guide hundreds of riders across the nation, BUT planning on your part can be just as daunting and a major undertaking. Take advantage of registering early, ask the folks that have experience in these runs, and help make this the best and most memorable adventure that you can by being prepared. 

Yeah the appearance of some of our FOGs can be intimidating, but leather, wind, and miles of open road can do that to a person. Honestly, everyone here are teddy bears underneath those tough shells and will do just about anything for our family members.   

-Machine & Riding Tips

As we move into the winter months, regardless of if you have winterized your machine or not, we want to stress the importance of checking your ride before your next ride. Cooler temps will bring down your tire pressures. Long storage will drop your battery charge as well as your gas composition. A common term to remember from my old Rider Coach and instruction days: T-CLOCS T-tires and wheels, C-controls and cables, L-lights and electrics, O-oil and other fluids, C-chassis, S-Stands. At a minimum, check these before a ride in cooler weather and/or before winterizing for the season.

Another area that is easily forgotten and rarely spoken about: Riding Gear. Take the time and inspect your helmet; tear down the inner linings, wash it, inspect for damage both inside and out, replace your visor if necessary, and look at the build date. Although your helmet is designed to protect your head, it does wear out. The foam inside wears down and degrades over normal use. A rule of thumb, 3-5 years normal use, sooner if dropped or involved in a crash.

Protective pads/plates – inspect your gear for any signs of wear or damage. Wash your gear to keep in an optimal state of usability and cleanliness. If your pads or shells are showing signs of wear, replace. Now’s the time.

– leathers are no different than protective pads or outerwear, however they can be more durable, and more expensive to replace. As with any leather products, regular cleaning is always essential to keep leather in great shape that will last a very long time. Just remember to follow your garment’s instructions. As for my chaps, vest and gloves, saddle soap with a good rinse, let dry naturally out of direct sunlight, and always rub down with mineral oil or neatsfoot oil and they are ready for another season. Well taken care of leathers will last a long time, keep you warm in cooler weather, cool in the warmer ones, and protect your hide from road debris kicked up as well as road rash from sliding down low.

-Midway Leadership Messages

“All Hands Effort” We are asking for everyone’s help in an effort to raise funds for the Midway Route this year. Our mission across this great nation is not only to make a visual statement or ride from coast to coast, but to help support the communities that strive so hard to support us. We visit schools in low income communities where the kids eat their only healthy meals at school, provide students with the basic learning materials needed everyday like pencils, paper, glue, books, and the list goes on. We visit veteran homes that have taken financial support cuts but still carry on their duties to our Heroes to ensure they have everything that they need from transportation to healthcare, a decent shelter over their heads, support and interaction they so desperately long for. And every community that we roll into for fuel, lunch, visits, and even diner; all of these communities plan and save for months to support us and our missions every single mile we ride. Every group that we encounter and that support us, we in turn support them by donating funds to help and assist their cause and mission. 

These monies are raised from supporting businesses and contributors that you have helped secure while spreading our message and the reason why we ride, riding for those who cannot.

We are asking that all Midway Riders and supporters come together and help raise funds necessary to help our community families across the route. If you would like a Midway 501c3 letter to reach out to your donors, you can request one at ed.brundage@rftw.us and he will get one for you. With this you can reach out to a business and other donors where they can make all donations tax deductible.

Let’s make this year unforgettable in monies raised for Midway!

‘Service Before Self’ We are still looking for volunteers to step up and into leadership positions.  Volunteering will make the mission, ride, and overall participation so much more memorable.

Risk Management Officer – Are you one that helps an organization in incident reports, safety management, and/or quality reviews and reports? – Contact Randy ‘Stinger’ Sheets randy.sheets@rftw.us 

Honor Guard Coordinator – Do you have a deep sense of patriotism, honor, and feel of pride for all services, veterans, and this great nation? – Contact Randy ‘Stinger’ Sheets randy.sheets@rftw.us 

Registration Lead – If you are great with meeting folks and getting them registered for an experience of a lifetime? – Contact Randy ‘Stinger’ Sheets randy.sheets@rftw.us 

Platoon Leaders – Are you a leader that loves making a difference while guiding and mentoring a platoon safety across the nation? – Contact Joe ‘JavaJoe’ Bookataub bookataub.joe@gmail.com 

Assistant Platoon Leaders – Are you ready to assist in leadership, mentoring, and riding safety? – Contact Joe ‘JavaJoe’ Bookataub bookataub.joe@gmail.com 

Platoon Tail-gunners – If you are one that never leaves a person behind, mentors riders to help them become better, and help in the leadership of a platoon? – Contact Joe ‘JavaJoe’ Bookataub bookataub.joe@gmail.com 

Leadership Team Member Assistant – Are you good with numbers, detail oriented, looking to learn and become part of the leadership team? – Contact Holly ‘Shooter’ Thomas hothomas1@yahoo.com

Registration is open! Register as soon as you can to help leadership plan better. Remember, they need to let volunteers across each state know how many riders to expect so they can plan to assist us with our journey and mission. Fuel, food, lodging, escorts; all require a head count so their organizations can plan on how to assist us in getting everyone across this great nation safely. 

3 Routes: Central, Midway, & Southern

May 13 – 23, 2026

Sandbox Route

May 24 – 26, 2026

Early Bird Registration Sep 11 – Jan 31

Coast to Coast: $100/person

Sandbox : $40/person

Registration AFTER January 31, 2025

Coast to Coast: $120/ person

Sandbox: $60

Until next time, Thank You my fellow Brother and Sister Veterans and Wish everyone a Wonderful and Safe Thanksgiving!

Ride Smart

Ride Safe

Keep the rubber side down & the shiny side up!

~Is it May yet? Then again, everyday is May if you let it. 

 

Ben ‘Stitch’ Noyce