FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

This annual Police escorted ride was started by Bayside Harley-Davidson in 2000, as a way to give back to the large military community of customers, friends and neighbors, both active duty and retired. The ride, which has become a signature event of the Hampton Roads Fleet Week celebration, “rumbles” through the areas major tunnels connecting the 7 cities of the Tidewater area, and is one of the largest motorcycle oriented military commemorations in the United States. Every year a diverse group of individuals on all different types of motorcycles come out in a resounding manner to show their support for the areas active duty and retired military members and their families. 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 is free for active and retired military, many of these riders still make generous donations to help other military personnel and their families through hardships and difficult family separations.

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.

We hope this continue your support of this annual charity event for the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society. We at Bayside Harley-Davidson are committed to showing our support for our Active-Duty and Retired Veterans, and their families. Please join us in “Supporting Our Troops”.

2211 Frederick Blvd . (I-264, Exit 5) Portsmouth, Virginia . 23704 P: (757)397-5550 . F: (757)397-5513 www.harleybay.com