In 1989 there was a dramatic rise in interest and riders, with more than 30,000 participants. Manzo’s idea had taken hold. “Washington was hearing us, and people were taking the issue seriously,” he said. The next three years saw the estimated number of bikers at Rolling Thunder approach 75,000.

In 1989 there was a dramatic rise in interest and riders, with more than 30,000 participants. Manzo’s idea had taken hold. “Washington was hearing us, and people were taking the issue seriously,” he said. The next three years saw the estimated number of bikers at Rolling Thunder approach 75,000.