So Rolling Thunder is coming to an end because local parking and hotels have become too expensive?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was already news on this months ago when they stated this would be the last year. It is because they are losing money running the event and their base attendees are aging out (dying) or no longer coming because they're old. Hence the number of attendees is steadily decreasing. Unfortunately for them they haven't been able to recruit younger participants so the event has just run its course I guess.

Yup, the older generation is getting too old to ride and younger people just aren't that into motorcycles. It was definitely more of a thing for boomers. Even my dad, who is pretty straight laced, still has a bike he likes to tool around on sometimes. I don't know anyone my age who rides one. I have always liked Rolling Thunder, despite living in Crystal City for time. The riders were polite and my son loved seeing and hearing all the motorcycles. The expense is only an issue because they don't have the riders to support it.

You mean Harleys?

Motorcycles are bigger than ever before with younger people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There was already news on this months ago when they stated this would be the last year. It is because they are losing money running the event and their base attendees are aging out (dying) or no longer coming because they're old. Hence the number of attendees is steadily decreasing. Unfortunately for them they haven't been able to recruit younger participants so the event has just run its course I guess.

It's this. The Pentagon staging area thing is an excuse, if it's even true. There are plenty of places to stage if they need it. It can be further away -- they're all on motorcycles so it's easy to stage anywhere!

I bet one of the sports stadiums would be happy to offer their empty parking lot for staging. It's also a Federal holiday so no shortage of office parks with a place to park. It's just an excuse. The organizers and attendees are getting old, plain and simple.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There was already news on this months ago when they stated this would be the last year. It is because they are losing money running the event and their base attendees are aging out (dying) or no longer coming because they're old. Hence the number of attendees is steadily decreasing. Unfortunately for them they haven't been able to recruit younger participants so the event has just run its course I guess.

Yup, the older generation is getting too old to ride and younger people just aren't that into motorcycles. It was definitely more of a thing for boomers. Even my dad, who is pretty straight laced, still has a bike he likes to tool around on sometimes. I don't know anyone my age who rides one. I have always liked Rolling Thunder, despite living in Crystal City for time. The riders were polite and my son loved seeing and hearing all the motorcycles. The expense is only an issue because they don't have the riders to support it.

You mean Harleys?

Motorcycles are bigger than ever before with younger people.

I've seen Rolling Thunder many times (I grew up here) and never seen those types of bikes in the procession.

Here's motorycle sales data:
https://www.fool.com/investing/2017/03/05/7-motorcycle-statistics-thatll-floor-you.aspx

"The median age of the typical motorcycle owner is 47, up from 32 in 1990 and 40 in 2009. And although its sales are slipping, Harley maintains a 55.1% share of the 35 and older male rider demographic. However, more troubling for the industry is the decline in riders under 18, which has fallen from 8% in 1990 to 2%, and those between 18 and 24 from 16% of the total down to 6%. Where will the new bike buyers come from if the industry is not attracting these younger people?"

[Anonymous]

Oh that's a shame. I am an immigrant and it was interesting to see all the motorcycles and the vets. I did not mind the occasional gridlock. It was still a nice sight and sentiment. It seems a lot of the little and big things what made America great is eroding...very much like the global warming, climate change and mass extinction of species is killing Earth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad to see it end. I'm tired of them grid locking the city every Memorial day! It feels like a hostile take over.

You don't like that vets are in DC on memorial weekend.

That is so DCUM of you.

I have no problem with Vets having an event in DC on Memorial day. But the nuisance of rolling thunder lasts the entire weekend, is loud, and they are RUDE on the road. Weaving through traffic like laws don't apply to them, blocking lanes to normal through traffic, and yes causing grid lock in the city throughout the weekend. Because they aren't just gathering one day, it's all weekend long.

I support their cause, I agree the Vietnam vets got screwed and it's our country's shame. But I'm still glad to see Rolling Thunder leave. Demonstrations in ALL BLUE DC make no sense. Demonstrate at home, where their Red state senators are voting to cut funding to the VA. Much more impact there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh that's a shame. I am an immigrant and it was interesting to see all the motorcycles and the vets. I did not mind the occasional gridlock. It was still a nice sight and sentiment. It seems a lot of the little and big things what made America great is eroding...very much like the global warming, climate change and mass extinction of species is killing Earth.

Well that escalated quickly.

[Anonymous]

It's on the way. I'm in the Midwest for work and a huge long procession went through yesterday.

Maybe not in the numbers as in previous years but it's still coming.

[Anonymous]

Good!!! So glad it's finally over! So sick of being invaded by mouthbreathers on motorcycles every year. Screws up traffic, noise pollution, I'm thrilled it's the last one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad to see it end. I'm tired of them grid locking the city every Memorial day! It feels like a hostile take over.

You don't like that vets are in DC on memorial weekend.

That is so DCUM of you.

I have no problem with Vets having an event in DC on Memorial day. But the nuisance of rolling thunder lasts the entire weekend, is loud, and they are RUDE on the road. Weaving through traffic like laws don't apply to them, blocking lanes to normal through traffic, and yes causing grid lock in the city throughout the weekend. Because they aren't just gathering one day, it's all weekend long.

I support their cause, I agree the Vietnam vets got screwed and it's our country's shame. But I'm still glad to see Rolling Thunder leave. Demonstrations in ALL BLUE DC make no sense. Demonstrate at home, where their Red state senators are voting to cut funding to the VA. Much more impact there.

1. Not very biker is rude not he road. That's a generalization. How do they both weave in and out AND block lanes to normal traffic? They are normal traffic.
2. You live in the nation's capital: a major metropolitan area. Events happen here. The city gets crowded. People arrive in droves. I mean, what do you think is goin g to happen the you live inWASHINGTON DC?! These things are the price of living here and not in Vienna or Bethesda.
3. They are not protesting what you think they are protesting. Heck. It is NOT EVEN A PROTEST. It is an awareness ride for MIAs and POWs.
4. basically every sentence of your post is ill-informed and ill-conceived.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad to see it end. I'm tired of them grid locking the city every Memorial day! It feels like a hostile take over.

You don't like that vets are in DC on memorial weekend.

That is so DCUM of you.

I have no problem with Vets having an event in DC on Memorial day. But the nuisance of rolling thunder lasts the entire weekend, is loud, and they are RUDE on the road. Weaving through traffic like laws don't apply to them, blocking lanes to normal through traffic, and yes causing grid lock in the city throughout the weekend. Because they aren't just gathering one day, it's all weekend long.

I support their cause, I agree the Vietnam vets got screwed and it's our country's shame. But I'm still glad to see Rolling Thunder leave. Demonstrations in ALL BLUE DC make no sense. Demonstrate at home, where their Red state senators are voting to cut funding to the VA. Much more impact there.

I could have guessed you are a liberal. I'm a liberal too ... liberals like you are disgusting.

We know they got screwed in Vietnam and then we provided them no health care... but they are so loud.

You are the reason Trump won.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad to see it end. I'm tired of them grid locking the city every Memorial day! It feels like a hostile take over.

You don't like that vets are in DC on memorial weekend.

That is so DCUM of you.

I have no problem with Vets having an event in DC on Memorial day. But the nuisance of rolling thunder lasts the entire weekend, is loud, and they are RUDE on the road. Weaving through traffic like laws don't apply to them, blocking lanes to normal through traffic, and yes causing grid lock in the city throughout the weekend. Because they aren't just gathering one day, it's all weekend long.

I support their cause, I agree the Vietnam vets got screwed and it's our country's shame. But I'm still glad to see Rolling Thunder leave. Demonstrations in ALL BLUE DC make no sense. Demonstrate at home, where their Red state senators are voting to cut funding to the VA. Much more impact there.

1. Not very biker is rude not he road. That's a generalization. How do they both weave in and out AND block lanes to normal traffic? They are normal traffic.
2. You live in the nation's capital: a major metropolitan area. Events happen here. The city gets crowded. People arrive in droves. I mean, what do you think is goin g to happen the you live inWASHINGTON DC?! These things are the price of living here and not in Vienna or Bethesda.
3. They are not protesting what you think they are protesting. Heck. It is NOT EVEN A PROTEST. It is an awareness ride for MIAs and POWs.
4. basically every sentence of your post is ill-informed and ill-conceived.

Agree with all of this, and I'm likely the most liberal person posting here. The "Waah, the roads are busy, and they are LOUD" people are ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the hate culture of DC - as evidenced here...

Most people do not like them?

You are the progeny of Hanoi Jane and her band of elitists who demonized those who served in the military during the Vietnam war era.
This contributed to the cultural divide we now suffer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s the hate culture of DC - as evidenced here...

Most people do not like them?

You are the progeny of Hanoi Jane and her band of elitists who demonized those who served in the military during the Vietnam war era.
This contributed to the cultural divide we now suffer.

I don't know one person in real life that does not like Rolling Thunder. WTF is wrong with you people.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it makes for a difficult traffic situation, but this is DC...it's not as though it's smooth sailing every other day of the year.

I'll be sad to see this go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a millennial and the only people I know who like motorcycles are olds so I believe it.

Exactly.

This..Not enough younger people are interested in riding motorcycles and driving cars only for recreation. Or can afford to.