I am a fortysomething guy who loves military history and riding motorcycles. Its that simple. I combine the two loves into this site to help provide information and inspiration to others who may share my tastes.

I was originally inspired by a motorcycle trip to the D-Day beaches a few years ago. Like so many others, I was awestruck by the solemnity of the sites, but I also realised that riding my motorcycle gave me some unique advantages to understanding the sites. Experiences like exposure to the elements, having to pay attention to road and path conditions, map reading whilst on the move and walking around with a lot of protective kit on vaguely simulates some of the challenges faced by the historic players. Not to mention the more mundane advantages of easy parking and avoiding long traffic tailbacks around popular sites.

I am a veteran of the Persian Gulf War (December 1990- April 1991) and the Cold War (June 1988 - October 1990). I served for seven years in total and I am the son of a veteran of both world War II and Viet Nam. Although I claim little special insight into the historic combat I write about on this site, I do feel I have a special connection to my brothers in arms, regardless of nationality. Whether 1644 or 2007, warriors have always been willing to put their beliefs to the ultimate test. That's why I ride to remember.

I hope you enjoy the site and, more importantly, I hope you are inspired to use some of the information found here to do your own rides.

Ride To Remember

Battlefield Biker

On 29 December 1890, a group of Sioux, led by Bigfoot, arrived at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation after hearing of Sitting Bull's death on 15 December. The resurgance of Indian spirituality in the form of the "Ghost Dance" was worrying the U.S. government agents in the area who feared violence. The attempt to disarm the Sioux descended into chaos that left nearly 200 Sioux, including many women and children, and 25 Cavalrymen dead. One can find many interpretations of the battle of Wounded Knee...many not calling it a battle, but a massacre. Wounded Knee marked the end of the Indian Wars of west, in much the same way as it started... duplicitousness, misunderstanding, confusion, chaos and death to many innocents and warriors on both sides.
Read a few different versions and decide for yourself;
"Massacre At Wounded Knee, 1890," EyeWitness to History, www.eyewitnesstohistory.com (1998).
Wikipedia
Bowling Green State University
Public Broadcasting Service

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Motorcycle Ride

Try South Dakota State Route 44 southeast out of Rapid city to Scenic. From Scenic, go south along bombing Range Road, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 27, Indian Service Road (ISR) 27, ISR-33 and finally Big Foot Trail to Wounded Knee. See map, here.

Maps

By 1862, the Union army had pentrated deep into the south in Tennessee. The Rebel army seemed incapable of stopping the southern push with force, so they decided to try to disrupt the Union's supply lines from Kentucky, namely the L&N railroad. The Confederates sent native Kentuckian General John Hunt Morgan.
Morgan launched a raid over the Christmas holidays and evaded capture and destruction from determined Union forces to destroy a critical bridge of the L&N.

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Motorcycle Ride

Try US 31E from Glasgow to Bardstown to follow some of the route Morgan took. Also Check out Lincoln's boyhood home and birthplace near Hodgenville.

Maps

On 22 December 1944, the German Army was near their zenith in the Battle of the Bulge and had surrounded the town of Bastogne, a key road hub of the area. The USA 101st Airborne had control of the town, but had no support. The German Army sent 2 officers and 2 NCOs to deliver the ulimatum to surrender, but were met with the reply of 101st acting commander General Anthony McAuliffe of "NUTS!" A source of great pride in the 101st forever more, McAuliffe's response has gone down in history as possibly the 2nd best defiance of a surrender request. Molon Labe being the undisputed best.

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Motorcycle Ride

Try the N84 southeast out of Bastogne to the Luxembourg border where the road continues as the N15 to Ettelbrook.

Maps