Woody has his bike back from the shop! Oh boy, oh Joy! We just had to get out and ride this weekend, if only for a short ride over to Crystal City (for Woody to pick up something he left in his office) and then on to the Patriot H-D Open House. We took the scenic tour, leaving from Sandra & Allen's house at 0800, heading up the George Washington Parkway (via Mount Vernon), stopping in Crystal City a short time for coffee at Caribou's, and then back on the G-W Parkway until we blew it and ended up on Route 50. Holding back the tears for his grevious error, Allen found a way back onto the G-W Parkway through Rosslyn (Lee Highway entrance - who knew about that one?) and we continued our ride up to Route 123 and the CIA headquarters.

Traffic wasn't too bad negotiating our way through Vienna and down to Patriot H-D, but the clouds were gathering after briefly giving us some nice sunshine. We parked our bikes and started talking to a guy and his heavily modded H-D Springer with the big fat rear tire. That bike was so nice. You can do that too, if you have a cool $15K to add to the basic Springer bike. Anyway we walked around looking at bikes and chicks....er....I mean more bikes. Inside the dealership we were hoping to find the new Rocker Custom, but those bikes won't be available until December. We did see a new Fat Bob and that was pretty cool. Back outside again we listened to music and ate some free BBQ ribs before a sprinkle started. It was time to leave anyway so we departed with our signature WORMS roar of the engines and squealing tires (leaving skid marks and owners of lesser bikes gasping) and headed home trying to outrun the rain. Chores were waiting for us but who cares? We had our WORMS ride for the weekend and it was a blast!

Even though several of our riders had conflicts that prevented them from riding in this years Rattle the Runway Ride, the WORMS did made their presence. It was a minuscule presence at best. I (Jim Musgrave) met Mike Ford (Mike rode with the WORMS when we participated in Rolling Thunder 2006) at Devil Dawg's Custom Cycles in Chantilly, VA. While heading to Devil Dawg’s, I remembered that I left the camera on the kitchen counter and had to make a quick return back to Arlington, VA from the I66 West Falls Church exit. With camera now on board, I was able to make it on time for the staging at Devil Dawg’s.

The Fairfax County Motorcycle Patrol Officers lead a group of about 70 to 80 riders from Devil Dawg’s to the Opening Ceremonies location at the National Air and Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. While on the subject of opening ceremonies, I wanted to remind readers why the Rattle the Runway Ride was founded. I think it can best be related by taking a page directly from the Rattle the Runway web page:

Our Country came under attack on the morning of September 11, 2001 when four separate flights were hijacked resulting in all four aircrafts not reaching their intended destination. These were just some of the heinous acts of terrorism that took place that day.

This commemorative ride allows us to show our patriotism by remembering the Heroes whose lives were taken on that fateful day. We hope you will take this one day of the year to join us for a meaningful, worthwhile and exciting ride as we Rattle the Runway at Dulles Airport.

American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked shortly after take off from Dulles International Airport and slammed into the Pentagon. I’m sure there were many local families associated with today’s riders that were directly affected by this terrible attack on our country.

After opening ceremonies, the participants were treated to an exclusive opening of the National Air and Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center where they were allowed to browse the exhibits and participate in a group photograph. Check back at the Rattle the Runway Ride Web Page in about one month if you are interested in a link for purchasing a copy of the 2007 group photograph.

Around 11:00 the procession of riders were escorted by both the Virginia State Police and local area police jurisdictions to the closing ceremonies in the North Parking Lot at the Pentagon. Before heading to the Pentagon, the procession went in front of the airports main terminal. As we rode past the terminal we were greeted by cheering Pilots and Flight Attendants, airport employees and passengers.

The closing ceremonies at the Pentagon Parking Lot opened with the National Anthem, followed by both speeches and music. The Kings Park Concert Band of Springfield, VA provided the music. The closing of today’s ride was marked by the playing of Taps in honor of all those who lost their lives due to the attack on our Country, September 11, 2001.

September 11 is just one day away, I ask all of you to take some time out of your busy schedule on the 11th and reflect back to when, in just a few short hours, our Country and its people were changed. Share your stories with your family, friends and co-workers so the memory of this horrific attack will never be forgotten.