Thousands Start Motorcycle Ride in Norwalk Sunday

United Ride began on Sept. 30, 2001 as a troop of 500 motorcycle riders coasting through several towns to commemorate those fallen in the 9/11 attacks. Last year, the ride had about 2,300 riders. This year, expect even more motorcycles flashing red, white and blue colors to roll through 10 Fairfield County towns.

“You know it’s a good thing when it keeps growing,” said Fred Garrity, the Executive Director and Founder of United Ride.  “It could reach 5,000 riders this year.”

So far, “easily $150-$200,000” has been raised this year, according to Garrity. United Ride donates its funds to organizations within Connecticut, including two local United Ways and several local fire and police departments. Each motorcycle rider and passenger pays $25 to ride in the event.

It’s an event that Governor Dannel Malloy called “The largest 9/11 tribute in the state of Connecticut.”

Beginning at 11:30 am this Sunday, the riders take off from Norden Industrial Park in Norwalk, and goes down Rte. 136 to Rte. 33 through Westport, to Rte. 7 in Wilton, up to Rte 107 in Georgetown, to Rte. 58N in Redding, to Rte. 302 in Bethel, to Newtown Rte 25 up through Monroe into Main Street of Trumbull, through Park Avenue in Fairfield and continuing to Park Avenue in Bridgeport down to Seaside Park, ending at around 1:15 p.m. All roads on these routes will be closed off as the motorcade rolls through.

“What we look forward to every year is the dichotomy of emotion: the sympathy of the tragedy that we relive, and then the embracing and coming together of the entire community, the fire department the police ... It’s a phenomenal event that thousands of people are embracing each year. With the red, white and blue, the patriots, the officials, it’s an all-American, patriotic event,” said Garrity.

Speakers at the event include U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia, Bridegeport Mayor Bill Finch, and “several others,” according to United Ride’s press release.

Moccia said he's lucky the event is in Norwalk, where he gets to speak early to greet everyone, well before attendees get tired of hearing all the speakers. Sometimes the bikers will start revving up their engines with impatience, he said.

"It's an amazing, amazing day, it really is," Moccia said.

The event will also recognize Gonzalez who donated half of his liver to a fellow officer’s daughter for a life-saving procedure.

Throughout the 60-mile route will be over 20 ladder trucks

Persons can pre-register for the event up through Saturday at the Captain’s Cove Marina from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., or they may register on Sunday in Norwalk at the event from 8 a.m. – approximately 10:45 a.m.