As someone who had a very scary interaction with them yesterday, I am glad to see them go. I normally try to avoid any area they are going to be but I wasn’t thinking on the commute home and went over the Key Bridge. Not only were they in their normal pack, they were stopping on the bridge in rush hour traffic while the bridge was backed up to take photos. Apparently they go ape**** if you accidentally switch into the lane they’re in (I had to turn onto Whitehurst Freeway and I think they thought I was trying to cut them off). They started cursing at me and one gentleman threatened to get off his bike (he wasn’t clear on what he would do after that). I’m pregnant and it was kind of terrifying. I’m a woman of color and I have no idea if that had anything to do with it, I really hope not.

Iraq war vet here. Tbh I always saw rolling thunder as a tradition that would eventually die out because younger vets won't continue it. We don't have motorcycles, lots of are women and motorcycle culture is pretty sexist, and the idea of having fun/finding emotional meaning by sitting in DC holiday traffic is alien to us.

It's okay for this to die it's natural death. Let's not make this about red state/blue state because it's not about that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

My father was drafted and served during Vietnam and even he's over Jane Fonda. In fact, the US isn't even still mad at Vietnam anymore.

Was he in country?

DP. She apologized and has paid her penance.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love it and am sad to see it go. I either leave town on Memorial Day weekend or choose not to drive if I stay in town.

This is why people talk about "privilege." You realize lots of people don't have those options, right?

Rolling Thunder isn't any more disruptive for locals than any other event that brings in a lot of people. Cherry Blossom season, Marine Corp Marathon, Rock n Roll Marathon, and 4th of July are some events off the top of my head that I find more disruptive than Rolling Thunder. Disruptions are just part of daily life here. Accusing someone of not recognizing their privilege really doesn't make sense in this context.

I really disagree with you. Rolling Thunder lasts longer and impacts more areas. I remember several years ago the riders complaining a lot about not get the police escorts they expected. In reality they were very disorganized and bands of riders not part of the single procession were expecting escorts. They also think they should be treated like a funeral procession and stop traffic on the interstate. I enjoyed watching it in the past, but it is time to end. There are other and better ways to honor the memory of the soldiers who were impacted by the Vietnam War.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

It's clear you don't live or work in or near dc.

My father fought in Vietnam and it wrecked him. He’s deceased now and I appreciate the respect for our Vietnam veterans that is shown by the riders. I am sad to hear this is the last ride.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

My father was drafted and served during Vietnam and even he's over Jane Fonda. In fact, the US isn't even still mad at Vietnam anymore.

Was he in country?

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Are you the same vets who crap over other vets who weren't as "elite" as they were?

No. That seems like something you would do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The tradition is ending because of escalating costs and a lack of cooperation from the Pentagon and metropolitan police departments, said Artie Muller, a Vietnam veteran and founder of Rolling Thunder, Inc.

Costs for the 2018 ride totaled more than $200,000, Muller said. The nonprofit hasn’t been able to recruit a new corporate sponsor, and Rolling Thunder didn’t sell enough merchandise, such as patches, pins and flags.

Lack of cooperation was also from
“metropolitan police departments”.

That is shameful.

What is lack of cooperation...not allowing the bikers to park everywhere? These guys roll in own and think they own it. They should give tickets for blocking intersections, going through red light, noise violations, etc.

They apparently weren't allowed to park where they BOUGHT parking permits.

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.

My father was drafted and served during Vietnam and even he's over Jane Fonda. In fact, the US isn't even still mad at Vietnam anymore.

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.

But they have been doing it for decades before you moved to the area.

What an absurd assumption. I like it, but I came to DC in 1987 and there was not Rolling Thunder then.

Best place to watch with dc's? Never been and want to take advantage of last chance!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love it and am sad to see it go. I either leave town on Memorial Day weekend or choose not to drive if I stay in town.

This is why people talk about "privilege." You realize lots of people don't have those options, right?

Rolling Thunder isn't any more disruptive for locals than any other event that brings in a lot of people. Cherry Blossom season, Marine Corp Marathon, Rock n Roll Marathon, and 4th of July are some events off the top of my head that I find more disruptive than Rolling Thunder. Disruptions are just part of daily life here. Accusing someone of not recognizing their privilege really doesn't make sense in this context.

It’s totally different. It’s all weekend and disrupts traffic. Marathons block some streets for a few hours. Cherry blossoms and July 4 are lots of extra walkers. Yes, they all bring crowds, but not crowds that block traffic all over the place.

its all weekend? i thought the motorcycle ride was only on sunday afternoon.

The thousands of motorcycles cause traffic disruptions all weekend long. Yes the official event is only on Sunday. It'd be like if 100 marathoners decided to test out the run the day before and ran in the streets, even though traffic is still trying to get through.

You’ve clearly never driven downtown during peak bloom time. It is absolutely just as disruptive to traffic as Rolling Thunder.

Chop down the cherry trees! They cause people to come to DC for tourist purposes, and there are more cars on the road than I'd like!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The tradition is ending because of escalating costs and a lack of cooperation from the Pentagon and metropolitan police departments, said Artie Muller, a Vietnam veteran and founder of Rolling Thunder, Inc.

Costs for the 2018 ride totaled more than $200,000, Muller said. The nonprofit hasn’t been able to recruit a new corporate sponsor, and Rolling Thunder didn’t sell enough merchandise, such as patches, pins and flags.

Lack of cooperation was also from
“metropolitan police departments”.

That is shameful.

What is lack of cooperation...not allowing the bikers to park everywhere? These guys roll in own and think they own it. They should give tickets for blocking intersections, going through red light, noise violations, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love it and am sad to see it go. I either leave town on Memorial Day weekend or choose not to drive if I stay in town.

This is why people talk about "privilege." You realize lots of people don't have those options, right?

Rolling Thunder isn't any more disruptive for locals than any other event that brings in a lot of people. Cherry Blossom season, Marine Corp Marathon, Rock n Roll Marathon, and 4th of July are some events off the top of my head that I find more disruptive than Rolling Thunder. Disruptions are just part of daily life here. Accusing someone of not recognizing their privilege really doesn't make sense in this context.

It’s totally different. It’s all weekend and disrupts traffic. Marathons block some streets for a few hours. Cherry blossoms and July 4 are lots of extra walkers. Yes, they all bring crowds, but not crowds that block traffic all over the place.

its all weekend? i thought the motorcycle ride was only on sunday afternoon.

The thousands of motorcycles cause traffic disruptions all weekend long. Yes the official event is only on Sunday. It'd be like if 100 marathoners decided to test out the run the day before and ran in the streets, even though traffic is still trying to get through.

You’ve clearly never driven downtown during peak bloom time. It is absolutely just as disruptive to traffic as Rolling Thunder.