2023 America’s 911 Ride
By Mark O’Neill • August 17, 2023
Anya & I joined almost 600 of our closest friends for the 23rd America’s 911 Ride hosted by the America’s 911 Foundation.
This was, without a doubt, one of the best events in which Anya & I have participated since we started riding.
The ride started on Aug 17th in Somerset, NJ and made its way across Pennsylvania, through the
Gettysburg Bike Week to Shanksville, PA – the site of the Flight 93 Memorial. The next morning, the ride proceeded to the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. On Saturday morning, the group left Virginia and rode to Times Square in New York City. The first stop on the Saturday ride was The Maryland House rest stop on I-95 near Aberdeen, MD. That is where Anya & I joined the ride.
We left The Maryland House just before 10am. Throughout the whole event, the police escort closed roads to all traffic except the 911 riders. It was an amazing sight to see 600 bikes heading up 95! The police closed off all entrances to 95 and then, after the parade had passed, zoomed ahead of the pack to close off the next series of on-ramps. We went over the Tidings Memorial Bridge and on to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Once in New Jersey, we rode 295 north to our next stop, Barb’s Harley Davidson. Barb’s had 600 full sized, delicious Italian combo subs waiting for us along with cold drinks and chips that they donated to ride. Anya & I took advantage of the stop and grabbed a photo for a dealer check-in. From there, we made our way through New Jersey to Linden.
On most of the overpasses, fire trucks or local police flew flags. In one town, the fire department lined up all of their trucks facing the road with lights flashing and sirens blazing. When we crossed the DE Memorial into NJ, the NJ State Police had lined up about two dozen bikes with the officers standing at attention next to their bikes as we rode by. In another town, the fire department had ladder trucks on both sides of the road with ladders extended and a huge flag hanging over the road.
In Linden, we stopped for fuel and then parked in a large shopping center lot. There were restaurants available. There was a band playing on a stage. Plenty of vendors. And the Linden Fire Company set up a field kitchen with giant charcoal grills and served us hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks & chips (no charge to us). They were delicious!
We waited in Linden until we got word that the advance police units had closed the nine highways that lead into the Holland Tunnel. We then fired up the bikes for the ride into New York City. As one approaches NYC, the NJ Turnpike has 12 lanes, 6 in each direction. With that 3 are for trucks and busses and the other three are divided off for cars only. The police had shut down traffic access to the cars only lanes and we had those lanes to ourselves as we passed Newark International Airport. From 95, we took 78 through Bayonne and Jersey City to the Holland Tunnel. At one point, there is a rise in the road and when you get to the crest, the whole New York City skyline appears before you. It was magnificent. We made our way through the Holland Tunnel and up the West Side Highway to 54th St where we turned East to the Sheraton Times Square. As always, the streets were filled with people and on this particular Saturday, it seemed as if every one of them was waving with one hand and videoing with their phone in the other. They had reserved all of the blocks around the Sheraton for bike parking. We parked on the street overnight.
On Sunday morning, we lined up the bikes on 7th Avenue facing south. Fox & Friends Sunday did a segment on the ride. We then headed south to the 911 Memorial in Lower Manhattan. Again, they closed the West Side Highway to traffic for our ride down and reserved several blocks around the 9/11 Memorial for street parking and the ceremony.
The ceremony itself lasted about 40 minutes and was highlighted by a talk from one of the head building engineers in charge of maintenance for the World Trade Center towers. He told the story of how he got out alive on 9/11. But more, he told the stories of friends, co-workers and first responders who did not.
The logistics, coordination & organization of this ride were amazing. The communication was outstanding. It was nothing short of military precision.
On Sunday morning, we lined up the bikes on 7th Avenue facing south. Fox & Friends Sunday did a segment on the ride. We then headed south to the 911 Memorial in Lower Manhattan. Again, they closed the West Side Highway to traffic for our ride down and reserved several blocks around the 9/11 Memorial for street parking and the ceremony.
The ceremony itself lasted about 40 minutes and was highlighted by a talk from one of the head building engineers in charge of maintenance for the World Trade Center towers. He told the story of how he got out alive on 9/11. But more, he told the stories of friends, co-workers and first responders who did not.
Once the ceremony was over, we were on our own for how to get home.
I saw a motorcycle officer from New Holland, PA talking to a Sheriff’s Deputy from Lancaster. Think fast; act faster. I asked if they were riding home and could Anya & I join them. “Sure, come on with us!” The ride home was as much or more fun than the ride TO New York. The motor officer led the way with ten “civilian” bikes behind him (most of whom were off duty First Responders). We were followed by the New Holland EMS Suburban and then the Lancaster Sheriff’s patrol car. We had our own escorted ride all the way back to Ephrata! I’ve got some cool accessories on my bike, but I would LOVE to have that little button that goes “WHOOP, WHOOP” with flashing lights! We rode across 78 and down 222 to Lancaster with a stop at the Clinton Station Diner for lunch and fuel. That’s where we got to meet the other 18 folks in our Lancaster-bound caravan.
We were proud to be a part of it. The event raises money for scholarships for families of First Responders. They have donated 17 Harley Davidson Police Motorcycles to police forces that have participated in the event. It felt like a meaningful way to celebrate the lives of and pay tribute to First Responders and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It was a
living tribute to the concept of NEVER FORGET.
It was impressive how organized and disciplined the riders were. The procession was almost five miles long and there were very few gaps. No accordian-ing. Everyone was on their bikes and ready to go when we were supposed to be. One thing that WAS nerve wracking was traveling in formation at speed and having the police bikes blast by with lights and sirens. Even though you know they’re coming, you still flinch as they flash by.
I lived and worked in New York – pretty much in that neighborhood – for 20 years. I’ve NEVER experienced New York like this.
Anya said that it gave her goosebumps. She said that she almost had tears in her eyes and felt so proud to be a part of it. She said there was certainly a lump in her throat. It was amazing seeing all of the people greeting us and waving. Even from the cars stuck in the traffic jams. The firefighters and police who lined up to salute us were awesome. Neither she nor I had any idea of how emotional the ride would be.
We will certainly do it again next year and likely do the WHOLE ride, not just the final leg.
We wanted a record of the ride and hired a videographer to video the procession as we left the Maryland House Rest Stop Here are links to the videos that we posted on YouTube:
