IAFF-MG 4th District National Ride Route

Thank you for your interest in the IAFF-MG 4th District's ride to Colorado Springs, Colorado. To be added to our e-mail list for further updates, email your name, contact information and the name and number of your IAFF local.

Currently, there are more than 20 bikes from Montgomery County, MD Local 1664. Thanks to the generosity of three Local 1664 members, we will have a trouble truck, driver and a four-bike enclosed trailer.

The ride begins at 8:00 a.m. on September 7, 2007, at the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Frederick, Maryland (please arrive by 7:00 a.m. if you want breakfast). We will return to the region on Wednesday, September 19. We will take four days to get to Sturgis, South Dakota, and then spend three days there doing rides out to the Badlands, Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills. All of these rides will be on your own. In Sturgis, we will join our other IAFF brothers and sisters who are riding to the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Colorado Springs.

On Saturday, September 15, we may join the Wind and Fire-sponsored "Ride to Remember." For those who may not have participated in the past, this is a ride from the parking lot of a dog track north of the city. It's the biggest group of bikes next to Rolling Thunder. The people of Colorado Springs line the streets and cheer us on. Class A uniform, including hat, is requested but not required. (Colorado has no helmet law). We will provide room on the trouble truck for your Class As.

Trouble Truck: We have a diesel crew cab pickup and a four-bike enclosed trailer. One of Local 1664's retired members is participating as the driver. The trouble truck will help get you repaired and on the road at the next Harley Davidson dealership or -- if extensive -- bring your ride home or close to home. To participate in the ride, you must contribute towards the cost of fuel and an oil change for the trouble truck. Additional donations will be requested for beverages when we reach the destination. Cost will depend on the number of participants.

Shirts: We will design a ride shirt in both short- and long-sleeve with the IAFF-MG logo and the 4th District rocker. The front left breast will have the ride information, and the left sleeve will be customized to read: "In memory of 'John Doe'" with the date for the member you may be riding for.

The Ride: The ride will be divided into groups of six-eight bikes. Participants will meet in the Cracker Barrel parking lot at 8:00 a.m. (mandatory) to review the route and any special instructions. Regardless of how big the ride becomes, we will not have any group of more than eight bikes.

Meals: Each group will determine when, where and how to pay for meals. Local 1664 will split the bill by the number of riders with a 20 percent gratuity. If you join us for breakfast or dinner, that's how it works. And you are welcome to join us for breakfast or dinner.

Accommodations: Email your requirements (non-smoker, non-snorer, etc.) and you will be assigned a roommate. Gals may be on their own and may be responsible for the entire room cost.

THIS RIDE IS FOR THE GUYS AND GALS WHO PAID THE SUPREME SACRIFICE! It's all about them!

For more information, contact Jim Beeken, IAFF-MG 4th District Coordinator.

Travel Route:

September 7: From Frederick, Maryland, follow I-70 West to I-76 West to I-80 West to Maumee, Ohio
September 8: From Maumee, Ohio, follow I-80 West to I-280 West to I-74 West to Davenport, Iowa
September 9: From Davenport, Iowa, follow I-74 West to I-80 West to I-380 North to US-218 North to IA-27 North to I-35 North to I-90 West to Sioux Falls, South Dakota
September 10: From Sioux Falls, South Dakota, follow I-90 West to Sturgis, South Dakota

This section of the ride is subject to change

September 14: From Sturgis, South Dakota, follow US-14A to US-85 South to US-18/85 South to US-18/20 to I-25 South to Colorado Springs

Return East

September 16: From Colorado Springs, Colorado, follow US-24 East to I-70 East to Salinas, Kansas
September 17: From Salinas, Kansas, follow I-70 East to Hazelwood, Missouri
September 18: From Hazelwood, Missouri, follow I-70 East to Reynoldsburg, Ohio
September 19: From Reynoldsburg, Ohio, follow I-70 East to I-79 South to I-68 East to I-70 East to Frederick, Maryland
 

Additional information on accommodations:

All participants are responsible for booking their hotel room. Please determine who your roommate is before booking your room, or email Jim Beeken that you have booked a room and need a roommate.

Please do not delay calling Sturgis and Colorado Springs -- rooms are filling up fast.

Hotel Recommendations:

September 7
Comfort Inn West, Maumee, Ohio (419) 893-2800
1426 Reynolds Road
Maumee, OH 43537
$72 single/double
Amenities: indoor pool, free high-speed wireless and fitness center
Book online at www.Expedia.com

September 8
Fairfield Davenport, Davenport, Iowa (563) 355-2264
3206 E. Kimberly Road
Davenport, IA 52807
$85 single/double
Amenities: Indoor pool/spa, free high-speed wireless and continental breakfast
Book online at www.Expedia.com

September 9
Comfort Inn North, Sioux Falls, South Dakota (605) 331-4490
5100 N. Cliff Avenue
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
$85.49 single/double
Amenities: Indoor pool, free high-speed wireless, fitness center and continental breakfast
Book online at www.Expedia.com

September 10-13
Days Inn Sturgis, Sturgis, South Dakota (605) 347-3027
2630 Lazell Street
Sturgis, SD
$55 single/double
Amenities: Spa, high-speed wireless, laundry and continental breakfast
Call for reservations

Super 8, Sturgis, South Dakota (605) 347-4447
2600 Whitewood Service Road
Sturgis, SD
$52 single/double
Call for reservations

Best Western Sturgis, Sturgis, South Dakota (605) 347-3604
2431 South Junction Avenue
Sturgis, SD
$50 single/double
Amenities: Pool, free high-speed wireless
Call for reservations

September 14-15
Comfort Inn Colorado Springs South (719) 579-6900
1410 Harrison Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Amenities: Indoor pool, high-speed wireless and fitness center
Call for reservations

September 16
Days Inn, Salina, Kansas (785) 823-9791
407 W. Diamond Drive
Salinas, KS 67401
$50.15 single/double
Amenities: Outdoor pool and high-speed wireless
Call for reservations

September 17
La Quinta Inn, Hazelwood, Missouri (314) 731-3881
5781 Campus Parkway
Hazelwood, MO 63042
$93.47 single/double
Amenities: free high-speed wireless
Book online at www.Expedia.com

September 18
Days Inn & Suites, Reynoldsburg, Ohio (614) 864-1280
2100 Brice Road
Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
$55 single/double
Amenities: Outdoor pool, free high-speed wireless and fitness center
Call for reservations