Fundraising Ride—

1,500 Motorcyclists Roll Through Town  

By Andrew Gorosko

More than 1,500 motorcyclists took part in the 7th Annual Connecticut United Ride on Sunday, August 26, traveling on a 60-mile course through Fairfield County that included almost nine miles on Dodgingtown Road, Sugar Street, and South Main Street in Newtown.

The annual motorcycle procession originated after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to show solidarity among motorcyclists for the victims of those attacks.

The event this year was held as a fundraiser to benefit firefighters, police, and United Way organizations. A special donation is planned for the John Keane Family Fund in memory of the Waterbury firefighter who died in the line of duty last May.  

Members of the Newtown Hook & Ladder Volunteer Fire Company and the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company used their respective aerial ladder trucks to suspend a large US flag above South Main Street, just south of Borough Lane.

At about 12:30 pm, the first of the more than 1,500 motorcyclists passed beneath that large flag, blowing horns and waving as they proceeded. Firefighters stood by watching as the loud procession passed by accompanied by police motorcycle escorts.

The roar of the passing motorcycles and flash of polished chrome lasted more than 20 minutes as the bikers drove beneath the suspended flag.

As the motorcyclists rode southward on South Main Street, some regular traffic continued traveling in the northbound lane, but other motorists stopped and waited until the motorcycle parade passed by. 

The ride started in Norwalk, after which the motorcyclists drove through Westport, Wilton, Georgetown, Redding, Bethel, Newtown, Monroe, Trumbull, Fairfield and Bridgeport. The ride concluded at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, where activities were held.

The turnout for this year’s event was much higher than last August, when a heavy rain had fewer riders participating.