File photo ©2018 BETHEL ADVOCATE / Paula Antolini
Report by Paula Antolini, September 10, 2021, 9:51AM EDT
This year the 20th Annual CT United Ride IS ON! It will take place on 9-11-21. Sponsored by the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut (UPFFA).
The CT United Ride is a motorcycle ride honoring those who lost their lives, those who gave their lives, and those who continue to put their lives on the line each day as a result of the tragedies occurring on 9/11. This event is the largest 9/11 tribute in the State of Connecticut. The ride travels with full police escort through 11 cities and towns, Norwalk, Westport, Wilton, Georgetown, Redding, Bethel, Newtown, Monroe, Trumbull, Fairfield, and ending in Bridgeport.
Connecticut’s largest annual 9/11 tribute
Join the CT UNITED RIDE on Saturday September 11th, 2021 for the 19th annual CT United Ride!
***MOTORCYCLES REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE***
Two ways to register:
Register today 9/10/21 at Captains Cove Marina, Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Registration tomorrow on 9/11/21 at Sherwood Island State Park, Westport, CT (at the ride) from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Fees are $30 per rider, $30 per passenger, vendors welcome. Wear your red, white and blue!
Click here for registration information.
Click here for sponsors information.
Click here for vendors information.
Every year there are Riders and Spectators totaling over 20,000 people!, Check Facebook and register your email for details!
2021 CT Ride Special Dedications to Honor:
CT State Trooper First Class Eugene Kenneth Baron Jr., LODD 5.25/2020
New Haven Firefighter Ricardo Torres, LODD 5/21/21
New Haven Fire Lt. Samod Renkins, injured, 5/12/2021
*****
NEW SAFETY AND CONDUCT RULES FOR ALL RIDERS
(New Social Distancing Rules to be added shortly)
Safety Rule:
1) Do not leave the Motorcade. All Riders who start must finish the entire ride. Riders are not allowed to leave the motorcade unless for emergency medical or engine trouble. Riders who leave the motorcade during the ride leave huge gaps and increase the likelihood of cars unsafely entering the line. If you do not want to do the entire 60 miles please do not sign up.
Code of Conduct Rule
Unfortunately the negative actions of a few require us to implement this new rule:
2) This is a 9/11 tribute for the victims and heroes. Any participant whose conduct is rude or disruptive to any of the speakers during the remembrance ceremony will be removed from the lineup and not allowed to participate, with no refund, and permanently banned from participating.
****RIDERS AND PASSENGERS will need to already have a wristband to enter the parking lot on Ride day 8/30/2020.
Although you can still register on Ride day at the starting point, Motorcycles will need to park on the street and riders then walk in to register, obtain their wristbands before being allowed to drive in.
REMEMBER – we make it easy! You can print the Registration Form from the website, fill it out, sign it, and someone else can bring it to Captains Cove for you the day before 8/29/2020 on Pre-Registration day! YOU DO NOT HAVE TO COME TO CAPTAIN’S COVE IN PERSON!
We always have single individuals who come with dozens of registration forms already filled out and signed and that one person preregisters dozens of Rider friends with the proper forms and registration fees – and we give them the proper wristbands and bandanas.
*****
NEW RESTRICTIONS APPLY
Ride Restrictions
The CT United Ride greatly appreciates everyone’s support each year.
Due to Law Enforcement, State permit and Local safety and insurance concerns we have to implement the following restrictions for the safety of all the riders in the motorcade to maintain a staggered motorcade.
There have been issues with the large size of vehicles and conversely the lack of power of the smaller engines.
Motorcycles Only – ALL Must be Highway Compliant / over 125 CC’s
We do not go on the Highway, But the need to close gaps requires engine strength that can safely and legally travel on the highway.
NOT ALLOWED in the motorcade
- 4 wheeled vehicles / Quads
- Dune Buggy style vehicles
- Slingshots
- Vespas
- Scooters
- Motorcycle Trailers
ALLOWED in the motorcade
- Trikes that have tandem seating and handlebars
- Two wheeled motorcycle with a side car.
*****
NEW START LOCATION: Sherwood Island State Park, Westport, CT
Parade Route
- Sherwood Island State Park, Westport
- to Wilton Rte 7
- to Rte 107 Georgetown
- to Rte 58N Redding
- to Rte 302 Bethel
- to Newtown Rte 25 through Monroe
- to Main Street Trumbull
- to Old Town Rd
- to Park Ave in Fairfield
- continuing into Bridgeport and straight down to Seaside Park with Bpt’s Fire Rescue 5 leading the Motorcade.
Thank you all for your support every year, you make the difference!
NEW: Spectator Patriotic Participation Award!!
From CT United Ride:
To encourage the public’s participation, three local sponsors have donated to a separate fund, which will award a charitable donation to the Town with the most spectators out along the route, combined with the most red, white and blue, patriotic support display. The winning Town will have the First Selectman/Mayor be allowed to choose a charity of choice to receive a $2500.00 charitable donation. Thank you to the The CT United Ride Spectator Patriotic Participation Award sponsors: R STONE CO LLC, Wendy’s of Fairfield County, and Cardinale Auto Service.
*****
*****
Ride History
The CT United Ride is a motorcycle ride honoring those who lost their lives, those who gave their lives, and those who continue to put their lives on the line each day as a result of the tragedies occurring on 9/11. The CT United Ride is sponsored by the CT State Fire Fighters – the UPFFA of CT. This event is the largest 9/11 tribute in the State of Connecticut.
After the tragic events of 9/11/01, Frederick Garrity Jr and the Fairfield County Labor Council organized a motorcycle ride fundraiser for the initial victims of 9/11, which was held on September 30, 2001. This event attracted 500 riders. With the success and support of the first fundraising event, it was decided to continue “The CT United Ride” as a tribute event each year honoring the memories and continuing support of all affected.
The monies raised the first year through the Labor Council went to three 9/11 victim relief funds in NYC; The Police Officers fund, The Fire Fighters fund, and The United Way’s fund. As The CT United Ride remains a tribute to 9/11 (not a fundraiser); all monies that are raised from the second year on, go to the family emergency relief funds for CT Police Officers, CT Fire Fighters and two local United Ways.
The Fairfield County Labor Council sponsored The CT United Ride for the first three years; the UPFFA of CT has been the sponsor for the last three years, with 2007 being the third year. As the main force behind the ride, Frederick Garrity, Jr. has remained the director of “The CT United Ride” since its inception.
The ride travels with full police escort through 11 cities and towns, Norwalk, Westport, Wilton, Georgetown, Redding, Bethel, Newtown, Monroe, Trumbull, Fairfield, and ending in Bridgeport. In each of the towns, the local Fire Stations bring out their Ladder Trucks and hang the American Flag from their extended Ladders over the roadway traveled by the riders; ending with a double Ladder Truck Arch holding a single American Flag, formed with Bridgeport and Fairfield Fire Departments at Seaside Park in Bridgeport.
Each year several Local, State, and Congressional elected officials come out to support the CT United Ride at the opening ceremonies: Congressman Chris Shays, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, and the Mayors and First Selectmen from Norwalk, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stamford, Westport, Monroe, Trumbull, as well as upwards of 30 Motorcycle Police from multiple cities, towns, and the state.
*****
For those that lost their lives, for those that gave their lives, and for those that continue to put their lives on the line each day, that’s why we ride… Never Forget Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut.
###