Hundreds of motorcyclists take CT United Ride

(WTNH) - Hundreds of motorcyclists took part in the 10th Annual Connecticut United Ride through 10 Fairfield County communities.

The ride was billed as the largest 9/11 tribute in the state and honors those who lost their lives on the day.

Some 1,500 to 2,000 motorcycles with police escorts rode through 10 Fairfield County cities and towns on a 60-mile ride with no lights and no stops.

The 2010 CT United Ride was dedicated to the lives of the two fallen Bridgeport firefighters -- Lieutenant Steven Velasquez and Michael Baik -- who died in the line of duty while battling a house fire on July 24th. Special fundraising also took place for them.

The ceremony began at 10:30 Sunday morning in Norwalk. Elected officials who spoke this year were U.S. Senator Dodd, U.S. Cong Himes, AG Richard Blumenthal, Mayors Moccia, Finch and several others.

The ceremony featured the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, bagpipes, and a moment of silence where the Norwalk Fire Department rang their Fire Bell 11 times beneath two fire ladder trucks holding a 50-foot American Flag in an arch.

More than 20 ladder trucks also created arches to hang American Flags along the route.

There will also be a 9/11 closing ceremony in Bridgeport, where the Bridgeport FD with Chief Rooney also rang their Fire Bell 11 times at Seaside Park.

The event was sponsored by the CT State Fire Fighters and the United Professional Firefighters Association of Connecticut.

The ride route: Start 11:30 am Sunday from Norden Industrial Park, down Rte 136 Norwalk, to Rte 33 through 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 on Park Ave through Bridgeport down to Seaside Park on the water. Arrive in Bridgeport about 1:15 pm.