Greetings from Weatherford, Texas!
Spring is here along with riding weather in north Texas! Just last weekend I rode up to visit Mark “Mazz” Masman (our SandBox Road Guard Scout) and a handful of other RFTW Family for a Midway Route Fund Raiser in further north Texas. It was a great day to visit with family and put about 225 miles on the new bike – I finally passed the 500 mile break-in mark! Knowing that RFTW XXXII is quickly approaching made the visit just a small taste of what’s to come – we could all feel it!
Route Update – Rider Reunion
The SandBox Route is ready and it’s going to be an epic Run! Your leadership teams are putting the final touches on the Preparations and your State Coordinators are working at full speed to coordinate all aspects of our imminent arrival. Throughout the past 3 years, your leadership team and I have enjoyed hosting the quarterly All Hands Virtual Briefings to keep you all informed on the progress of our Planning and Preparation. But the more important part was to give you, the Rider and Loyal Supporter the opportunity to be more involved in the process along the way. Since my selection as Chad “Slacker” O’Dell’s ARC in June 2017, I have been deeply immersed in supporting the Mission and preparation for the Run. Through these almost 5 years now, the connections made with my Veteran and Patriotic family have become very strong – even stronger over these past couple years of delay. The bottom line is that the strength of our Run is dependent on the strength of the relationships that bind us and our Run is STRONG!. In a couple months, we’ll all experience the annual refresh and reunion that we’ve all been waiting for. Yeah, it’s going to be an epic Run!
All Hands Virtual Briefing
As for the briefing, next Tuesday (one week from tonight) we’ll have the last All Hands Virtual Briefing before we get together in May. Following the very successful FNG Town Hall meeting hosted last week by the Southern Route Leadership, this will be your final opportunity for a live update on plans and preparations as well as a preview of some of the activities, ceremonies, and locations that will be a part of the SandBox Route. Following are the details you’ll need to sign in…
05 APR 2022 at 7:00pm Central
Join the Zoom Meeting at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86059662994?pwd=cmQrbDUxQnNIQjZMSDhnQ2JFL1FOZz09
Meeting ID: 860 5966 2994
Passcode: RFTW2022
Leadership Team Highlight
On the last few Southern Route Runs, many of you may remember a Chaplain and Jr. Chaplain on the Route. That Chaplain and his son Tyler (13 at the time) rode as a part of the M25 Chaplain Corps and instantly became an integral part of the RFTW Family. Chaplain Brandon “Five-O” McCray is also a 22-year veteran Police Officer and avid Biker who until joining RFTW, had never stayed in a hotel while on a motorcycle trip, preferring to camp off the motorcycle or simply sleeping on a picnic table or on the ground by the bike. Brandon is also an outstanding advocate of Veterans and Veterans’ causes. Just over a month ago, he testified before the Ohio House, advocating for the dedication of the Specialist Ronald Gene Johnson Memorial Overpass – you can watch video of that testimony here (starts at 17:15). Five-O has for several years been a faithful and dedicated member of the SandBox Leadership team as your Senior Chaplain – he and our entire Chaplain Corp, Chase Team, and Hydration Team through M25 and Honor Bound are thoughtful, caring folks without whose support much of our Run would not be possible. Be sure and tell him Howdy when you see him. Thanks Five-O!
Standby Registration Update
The March Standby Group registration will close on Thursday night 31 MAR 2022. If you are in that group with a link and password and have not registered, your password will expire late Thursday night. On 01 APR, the next StandBy Registration Group will be sent registration instructions with a link and new password. If you are not registered for the SandBox Route and have not signed up for the StandBy Registration List, it is NOT too late. Please write to me at sb-registration@rftw.us to sign up. In that message, please tell me two things – 1) Your full name, and 2) whether you are registering as a motorcycle rider, motorcycle passenger, or if you will be in a 4-wheeler. That’s all that’s I need to get you listed – the rest will come when you actually register.
I closely monitor current registration and will make every effort to include everyone who wants to join the Route. Following that thought… If you are registered and know that you unfortunately won’t be able to participate, please let me know as soon as possible. I will ensure that your spot is filled by another rider who is anxious to join the Route.
Are You Ready?
I know that we are all emotionally ready for the great reunion in a few months, but there are many other aspects of preparation to complete. I’ve written several times about Mechanical, Physical and Mental Condition and refer you back to the NOV 2021 RC Newsletter if you’d care to read them again. For a safe and meaningful journey on this or any Run, your preparation before KSU is vitally important and the best way to ensure success!
Y’all stay safe, stay well, and get ready – May is closer than you think!
Remember, all roads lead to all roads so wherever you go, TOGETHER WE RIDE!
WALL 2 WALL!
Bugs out!
Due to circumstances beyond our control, Midway Route Photos from previous runs are no longer available. 