It’s hard to believe that it is already September and Fall is upon us. Even though the Sandbox Leaders have already been busy putting their teams together, to me, September is the actual start of the RFTW planning season.
Registration for all four routes starts on 11 September, and I always go to the RFTW.us website and register on the first day. Due to rising operating costs, the registration fee for all routes is increasing this year. For Sandbox, the early bird fee is going from $15.00 to $20.00 per person, just a $5.00 increase.
It may seem early to start planning, but I find the sooner you start, the less chance you have of forgetting something. Here are some of the things I’m already thinking about.
How is my gear doing? Do I need to replace anything: Rain Gear, Jacket, Gloves, Sunglasses, Helmet, Luggage? Are my boots comfortable enough to ride every day for three weeks or more?
How is my bike doing? Will I need to replace my tires before the run? How soon before the run should I have my bike serviced? How old is my battery? How will I set up the new GMRS radio on my bike? When will my registration and insurance expire?
How am I doing? When should I start walking/exercising? When was my last checkup? How are my riding skills holding up? Should I start looking for a roommate to share the costs?
Yes, it’s still eight months away, but you can never start planning too soon.
As I hinted in my August newsletter, Sandbox has a new departure location for 2025. In fact, RFTW has a new Host Hotel location in the DC area. We will be located in the Springfield VA, area versus the Arlington location. Additionally, American Legion Post 176 is very close by and has opened its doors to us (much like the Elks Lodge in Ontario). All the Sandbox meetings, registration, gear issue, and departure will be at the AL. No more trying to stage in an underground parking garage and deal with the exhaust and noise in a confined area.
If you are like me, you probably have quite a few friends that are veterans. Some of them are very close, and you talk with them often—others you only see or hear from occasionally. Think about reaching out to the ones you are only in touch with occasionally and see how they are doing. Do they need any help or maybe to know that someone still cares about them? Knowing someone is thinking of them can mean a lot, especially if they live alone. Make sure they know they can contact the VA Veterans Crisis line by dialing 988 and pressing 1 or by texting 838255.
“We Ride for Those Who Can’t” The most predominant component of the RFTW Pack is the Missing Man Formation. This formation is always at the front of the pack and is made up of five riders with an empty slot representing the “Missing Man”. Are you going to be an FNG – Fine New Guy / Gal (first time rider on RFTW)? If so, you should consider reaching out to the Sandbox Missing Man Coordinator, Greg Stenzel “Chaps” at pastorstenzel@me.com, 619- 822-0167 and request to ride a leg in the Missing Man Formation. Both bikes and three-wheelers are welcome.
Remember the mission: To promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.
SAY THEIR NAMES – TELL THEIR STORIES – NEVER FORGET
Bill “COB” Brehler 
Route Coordinator
RFTW Sandbox 2025
