If you’ve been anywhere near the Long Distance Motorcycle Riding community on Facebook, you’ve probably seen the name. Maybe you met him at a fuel stop somewhere between Kansas and Montana, or maybe you spotted his 411,000-mile Road Glide.
Either way, it’s hard to miss a man who’s ridden 49 states, three years running, with over 600,000 lifetime miles, all in memory of the 343 firefighters who gave their lives on 9/11.
But now, the final state is calling, and this time, he can’t just ride to it. Hawaii requires a little more planning and a whole lot of logistics.
From Asphalt to Ocean Freight
After wrapping up Vermont as state number 49 this year, R-Dub’s journey toward state number 50 took a different kind of turn. The challenge of getting a Harley-Davidson Road Glide across 2,500 miles of open Ocean.
That’s where Wilkins Harley-Davidson stepped up; they coordinated shipping to Hawaii.
For anyone who’s never shipped a bike before, here’s what it takes:
Prep and Drain: The fuel is dropped to a quarter tank, and the battery terminals are disconnected. Even the most battle-tested bikes get treated like fragile cargo when ocean freight is involved.
Crate or Roll-On: Depending on the shipping company, the bike is either crated or tied down to a steel pallet — front fork locked, tires blocked, and body covered against salt spray.
Port Handling: From there, the container yard handles the loadout. The bike’s VIN and shipment documents are verified several times before it’s cleared to sail.
Arrival in Paradise: A week or two later, the Road Glide rolls onto Hawaiian soil — the same one that will complete R-Dub’s ride through all 50 states.
For most riders, that would be a once-in-a-lifetime event. For R-Dub, it’s the capstone to a story he’s been writing mile after mile for over two decades.
The Machine That Carried the Mission
R-Dub’s 2011 Harley-Davidson Road Glide isn’t just a bike — it’s a testament to what happens when you maintain, modify, and ride with purpose.
At over 411,000 miles, the machine’s heart — 1690cc Twin Cam 103 V-twin — has been rebuilt, tuned, and tested under every condition North America can throw at it.
Suspension? - Legend Suspensions, fine-tuned for long-haul comfort and stability.
Gear? - Klim, because there’s no bad weather, just bad gear choices.
Navigation? - A blend of Butler Maps and Rever, which is fitting for a man who rides by purpose, not just by GPS.
Every component tells a story. The bike’s fairing has seen hail in Montana, crosswinds in Texas, and 20-degree mornings in Alaska. Yet it’s about to roll through tropical air and volcanic backdrops, still carrying the same decals that mark his coast-to-coast runs, and still wearing its mileage like a badge of honor.
Riding in Memory, Riding with Meaning
For R-Dub, these rides have never been about fame or social media metrics.
They’re about remembrance.
Every year, every mile, every fuel stop, it all connects back to September 11, 2001 and the firefighters who never made it home.
“I ride so people don’t forget,” he’s said before, and it’s hard to forget someone who’s ridden 49 states a year for three years straight.
The Takeaway for Every Rider
For new riders: Your bike can become a platform for bigger stories—adventure, memory, challenge.
For experienced riders: Even after hundreds of thousands of miles, new milestones await. The method might change (shipping vs riding) but the goal stays meaningful.
And for all of us: The logistics of riding aren’t just about planning routes—they’re about planning purpose.
