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2010 Staging & Maps | 2010 Sponsors
The 10th Annual
"RUMBLE through the TUNNELS"
Scavenger/Observation Run that will take
you through ALL of the Hampton Roads tunnels.
Official Event of Fleet Week
Saturday, October 9th, 2010
$10 per rider Benefits Navy & Marine Support Organizations
Registration 9am-11am Bayside H-D
Last Bike in by 3pm Bayside H-D
4pm Parade to Olde Towne Portsmouth and down
High Street which will be closed to motorcycles only.
Party and events on High Street from 4pm-til ?
Fun Events at Bayside H-D from 9am to 4pm
Live Music-Vendors-Food & Beverages
Interested in being
a part of FleetRide 2010?
For Vendor or Sponsorship packages:
Contact us at (757)397-5550
or email at
marketing@harleybay.com
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Although the 2009 ride has been in planning since last year’s event, we have recently received word from the Hampton Roads Regional Chiefs of Police Association (HRCOPA) that there would be no Police escorts this year. This year’s event will continue, but in a significantly different format than years past. Riders will begin to depart Harbor Park in Norfolk at 9:30am in groups of 30-50 riders. Lead riders with a clear understanding of the route will lead the riders at a safe and reasonable speed around the planned route, ending at Bayside Harley-Davidson in Portsmouth. In addition, the V-DOT Safety Traffic Center has agreed to post traffic alerts warning motorists about the high volume of motorcycles on the interstates that morning.
This years’ event has been recognized and endorsed by Timothy M. Kaine, Governor of Virginia, and the Mayors of the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
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2008 Recap: Thousands Rumble in Virginia to Honor Our Troops!
Portsmouth, VA…What does it sound like when thousands of motorcycle riders from up and down the east coast fall into formation to celebrate and honor the brave men and women who serve our country?
If you guessed “Rrrrrr…Rumble” as in the 8th Annual “Rumble through the Tunnels” you’re right!
Also known as Fleet Ride, this police escorted ride which is part of the Fleet Week celebration, slices through two major tunnels connecting the 7 cities of the Tidewater area and is one of the largest motorcycle oriented commemorations in the world.
These bikers, a diverse group of individuals on all different types of motorcycles, came out in a resounding manner to show their support for the military. Motorcycle exhaust pipes echoed from the confines of the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel. Both bridges cross over picturesque Chesapeake Bay tributaries.
The sight and sound and excitement of this year’s “Rumble” shifted into high gear as more bikes than anyone has ever remembered joined the ride. The scene was positively electric. If the hairs on the back of your neck didn’t stand up as you watched this parade of thousands, you had better check your pulse.
Bayside Harley-Davidson in Portsmouth started this ride in 2000 only two years after opening as a way to give back to their large military community of customers, friends, and neighbors. The proceeds of the event go to Navy Support Organizations including the Navy’s Morale Welfare & Recreation (MWR) and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS).
Although the ride was free for active and retired military, many of these riders still made generous donations to help other military personnel and their families.
The event fired up on Friday with a Welcome and Pre-registration Party. There was great food and drink, vendors and the talented band Blackbird Pond.
The riders began arriving very early Saturday morning in droves for staging at the baseball park in Norfolk. Harbor Park’s parking area is the only space that is big enough to hold this many riders.
Over 40 Bayside H.O.G.® volunteers kept the staging running smoothly. In addition, the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society provided volunteers to assist with registration and active duty personnel assisted the H.O.G.® Chapter. The U.S.S. Constitution Honor Guard from Boston were on hand to present the colors and a Chief Petty Officer performed the National Anthem.
At promptly 10:30am the rumble started and the ride began led by Police Motor Officers from Portsmouth Police, Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office, Norfolk Police, Newport News Police, Hampton Police, Chesapeake Police and the Virginia State Police.
The official schedule started once all the motorcycles rolled into Bayside Harley-Davidson, which took about 1 ½ hours.
Rear Admiral Stephen Voetsch, Commander of Operational Test and Evaluation Forces in Norfolk, Christina Murray, Director NMCRS Little Creek, and Kathy Nelson, Director NMCSR Norfolk were on hand for the check presentation which represented the generous donations from the riders and other money raised at the event.
Next up Blue Horseshoe Tattoo did a great job running and judging the tattoo contest. Not only did lots of bikers enter elaborate tattoo work for judging but also delicate bikini clad girls who were quick to proudly to show off their body art.
Everyone got a good laugh when the winner of the worst tattoo (the grim reaper slash dragon) received a ballerina trophy!
Rendition’s lead singer,Julie, in her old faithful red, white, and blue flag jacket, belted out some great classic tunes including an astonishing acappella version of the Star-Spangled Banner. These talented musicians entertained the huge crowd with non-stop music.
Miss Fleet Ride had all new faces this year and the judges had a hard time deciding on the winner. The crowd helped with cheering and applause and Marissa Hornbrook from Virginia Beach was crowned Miss Fleet Ride 2008.
One of the highlights of the party was the Harley-Davidson® Sportster Giveaway. Ten lucky riders names were called as finalists and they were each given a key.
The third attempt was the charm and Terry Parson’s key turned over the motor. He was actually holding back tears of joy when he called his wife and best friend while still sitting on the Harley-Davidson® Sportster. Congratulations Terry!
Thank you to our Fleet Ride presenting sponsors, BB&T, Geico and Dr. Pepper who show their support of our US military men and women year after year.
New sponsors this year were Global Supply Solutions and Miller Lite.
Returning sponsors included Epstein, Sandler and Flora, Wavy TV 10, Bob FM, Knuckleheads Roadhouse and Blue Horseshoe Tattoo.
Words do not describe the energy level, the generosity, and the camaraderie of the riders who participated. You just have to experience this worthy ride for yourself!
Please join us October 10th for Fleet Ride 2009!
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