Route and Schedule: Rolling Thunder Run 2013

Expect to see thousands of motorcycles on area roads this weekend — it’s time for the annual Rolling Thunder Run motorcycle ride.

A map of the ride is above — or click here to see a map of the 2013 Rolling Thunder Run if you’re on a mobile device.

Here’s where the bikers will be Sunday and Monday, May 26 and 27:

Sunday, May 26

6 a.m. Reveille — Riders will gather in the North and South Pentagon parking lots starting by 7 a.m. The cyclists will leave around noon from the Pentagon.

Noon — First Amendment Demonstration Run, after which riders will gather in West Potomac Park.

Monday, May 27

11 a.m. Candlelight Vigil — Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery

2 p.m. Memorial Day Observance — Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The National Memorial Day Parade also starts at 2 p.m.

Rolling Thunder 2013 Route

The route of Sunday's ride is as follows: 

Motorcyclists will leave the Pentagon around noon.

Bikers will travel northeast out of the Pentagon along Washington Boulevard.

They will cross the Arlington Memorial Bridge, go north on 23rd St. NW, then head east on Constitution Avenue NW. 

They will turn southeast on Pennsylvania Avenue, turn south on 3rd Street NW, then head west on Independence Avenue SW. 

They will turn south at West Potomac Park, cross the park just north of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, and end driving northwest on Ohio Drive SW. 

See the map above or see the Rolling Thunder Run 2013 map here for more information.

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“Rolling Thunder’s mission is to educate, facilitate, and never forget by means of a demonstration for service members that were abandoned after the Vietnam War,” according to the organization’s website. “Rolling Thunder has also evolved into a display of patriotism and respect for all who defend our country.”

The First Amendment Run, which is Sunday, is an annual event that started in 1988.

Rolling Thunder was the brainchild of Marine Corps Corporal Ray Manzo and it is now the largest single-day motorcycle event in the world.

Restaurants and Supporting Businesses

A number of restaurants in DC and Arlington are serving as official gathering spots and supporters of Rolling Thunder 2013. These include (see the full list here):

• 1789 Restaurant
• Alley Cat Restaurant
• Bayou on Penn
• Blackfinn DC
• Bobby McKeys Dueling Pianos
• City Zen
• Crystal City Restaurant
• Crystal City Sports Pub
• Phillips Flagship
• Sailor Jerry
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck

You can learn more about Rolling Thunder 2013 here.

Rolling Thunder of Washington, D.C. is on Facebook here.