America's 9/11 Motorcycle Ride Rolls Through Loudoun

By Karen G. Graham

Hundreds of motorcycles rode through Loudoun Friday afternoon as part of America's 9/11 commemorative motorcycle ride, passing through Leesburg at about 2:35 p.m.

The annual ride is in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. 

Crowds lined King Street in Leesburg and overpasses along the Dulles Greenway in Ashburn to watch the procession.

"I try to come every year,” said Mary Tett, of Leesburg. “I was here for the 10th anniversary ride and it was huge."

Staci Britton, of Ashburn, heard about the ride Friday morning.

"I have never seen the ride before and I wanted to see it this year," she said. 

For Laurie Freese, of Leesburg, it was an opportunity to show support for those willing to make the ride.

"My husband and I have participated in other rides before and I can't tell you how great it feels to see the spectators along the way. It is very emotional," Freese said.

The riders started the procession Aug. 15 in Somerset, PA, at the crash site of Flight 93. Friday, the group traveled through Maryland, then through Leesburg and Ashburn, and then on to the Pentagon in Arlington.

Saturday, the procession will complete its ride, traveling from the Pentagon to the World Trade Center in New York City.

For more information about the 9/11 ride, visit americas911ride.org.