Highways rumbled, flags waved and hearts swelled with pride Sunday as more than 1,000 bikers made their way through Northeast Georgia in a rolling tribute to the victims and heroes of the 9/11 terror attacks.
The 100-mile long Ride to Remember hosted by Cycle World of Athens began in Clarke County. It wound through Jackson, Banks, Habersham, White and Union Counties. Along the way, riders were greeted by small pockets of onlookers who lined the streets to cheer them on. They also were greeted by dozens of police, firefighters and EMTs who turned out to honor their fellow first responders who died that fateful day fifteen years ago.
Cornelia sits at the halfway point on the ride route and again this year played host to the bikers when they stopped for a short break in the parking Habersham County Shopping Center parking lot. Riders there were greeted with awe as people enthused they’d never seen so many motorcycles in one place. They also were greeted with a powerful show of respect from the Cornelia Fire Department. The department raised its ladder trucks and the American flag in remembrance of those who perished on September 11, 2001 and the U.S. troops who have served and died since fighting the War on Terror.
Similar displays were set up by fire departments in other counties along the ride route to commemorate the somber anniversary. The ride ended in Blairsville nearly five hours after it began.
A Ride to Remember
2016
