IAFF Motorcycle Group -

4th District Rides 2009

Updated On: Apr 95, 2009

2009 4th District Rides

The 4^th District of the IAFF Motorcycle Group, currently has two rides in the planning stages for 2009. These rides are open to any member of the IAFF and IAFF-MG.

Also, if your local is sponsoring a Motorcycle in 2009 please e-mail me the information so we can get it posted for other members in teh 4th District. Additional event and ride information will be provided as it becomes available.

The First Annual Dan Miller Ride [This year around the Great Lakes]

The first ride is scheduled for May 16th through the 24th and will take the group around the Great Lakes. This ride is dedicated to Brother Dan “the Mad Amishman” Miller. Dan was a member of Greenville, PA Local 1976 whose life was tragically taken from us on June 16, 2008 in a motorcycle accident.

Ride Overview (grab a map and follow along): The ride will depart Frederick, MD and take us up to Detroit and into Canada. Then up the eastern shore of Lake Huron towards Owens Sound, ON, on to Tobermory, ON and aboard a ferry to take us towards Espanola, ON then Sault Ste. Marie. From there we will head west over Lake Superior towards Thunder Bay, ON. Then we will re-enter the States and head towards the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. From there we will travel down the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and then get back on the Interstate and head home.

This ride is still in the planning stages but here are the hard facts: May 16^th thru the 24^th; approximately 3,000 miles will be covered in 9 days; the first and last day will be on the Interstate and I hope to cover 500 miles on those days – that means that the remaining days will average 285 miles; only a drivers license and a birth certificate will be required to cross the border until June 1, 2009. A trouble truck and trailer may be provided for the trip.

If you have any interest in this ride, then e-mail me and make your subject line “Dan Miller Ride”. I will generate regular updates on the ride for any interested parties.

The IAFF-MG 3rd National Rally in Colorado Springs, CO

This ride is scheduled for September 13^th through the 23^rd. I am allowing 4 days out and 4 days back with 3 days of riding around Colorado Springs, CO.

This ride is also in the planning stages. I have made the trip 3 times now and know that if you want to make it there in a timely fashion – then it is going to involve the Interstate System. I will look in to two different routes for the ride out and back. With a large group I will focus on 400+ mile days on the Interstate. A trouble truck and trailer may be provided for the trip.

Ride Route: The 4^th District’s Ride to the 3^rd Annual IAFF-MG Rally in Beautiful Colorado Springs, CO Any IAFF Member in good standing is welcome to join us for the entire route or you can meet up with us along the way. The ride in a nutshell is, 1715 miles out, and 1652 miles back. Once we arrive in Colorado Springs we will enjoy 3 days riding around the region. The ride starts in Frederick, MD near Interstates 70 & 270.

September 13^th - Day 1: 425 miles to Toledo, OH (Maumee, OH)

September 14^th - Day 2: 441 miles to Iowa City, IA (Coralville, IA)

September 15^th - Day 3: 426 miles to Kearney, NE

September 16^th – Day 4: 423 miles to Colorado Springs, Co

September 17^th thru 19^th – Days 5, 6 & 7: Enjoyed in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

September 20^th – Day 8: 412 miles to Salina, KS

September 21^st – Day 9: 434 miles to East St. Louis, IL (O’Fallon, IL)

September 22^nd – Day 10: 446 miles to Huntington, WV

September 23^rd – Day 11: 360 miles to Frederick, MD

Our plan is to have an enclosed 4 bike trailer follow the group to handle any breakdowns that may occur. The group will discuss taking Dress Uniforms in the trailer to be worn in conjunction with the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial. Hotel rooms have been blocked out for the entire trip but not in Colorado Springs. If you would like to be included on the e-mail list for the trip and if you would like hotel information, the please contact me at .

If you have any interest in this ride, then e-mail me and make you subject line “National Rally”. I will generate regular updates on the ride starting in the spring for any interested parties.

Jim Beecken, IAFF-MG 4^th District Event Coordinator