August 18th, 2016 by WCBC Radio
More than 1,000 motorcycles will pass through Cumberland Friday morning on their way from Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to the Pentagon and on to Ground Zero in New York City. Known by many of the Freedom Ride- for the past 15 years, America's 911 Memorial Ride has honored the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This year's ride will be the last. Harlan Smith, Western Maryland ride coordinator, said many of the regular riders are getting older and staying at hotels for several nights can be expensive. The national founder of the event also points to regular battles with police in Maryland and Virginia who are forced to deal with tremendous traffic backups and delays sometimes during peak morning travel hours. On Friday, riders will come through the Narrows onto Mechanic Street, turn left onto Frederick Street and continue to Nave’s Crossroad, where they will get on Interstate 68 and continue on to Rocky Gap State Park. They are expected in the city between 8:30 and 9 a.m. Allegany County Commissioner Creade Brodie Jr said it will be sad to see this event come to an end…