What is Grand Tour?

When the club was young, the easiest way to tell others about it was by word of mouth. This meant that the members had to get out to visit other firefighters in their areas, and one of the best ways to do that was to visit Fire Stations. Someone came up with the idea of rewarding members who made a certain number of visits with a certificate and a pin. Proof of these visits was needed and so the idea of Grand Tour was born.

After visiting Fire Stations beginning with the letters GRAND TOUR members were given a pin. Over the years, other rides were added since some members were not able to find new stations to visit beginning with these letters. RED KNIGHT and FIRE HOUSE rides were added and for members from remote areas, a ride to visit 12 STATION beginning with any letter of the alphabet.

The ALPHABET ride will require you to visit fire stations beginning with every letter of the alphabet. There is no time limit on this ride so if you wish you may take more than one riding season to earn this rocker and you will not need to earn it before you are awarded a pin.

How do I earn a Grand Tour Pin?

In order to earn a Grand Tour Pin, download the appropriate form here from our Downloads section.

Then during the course of one (1) riding season you must visit nine (9) fire stations whose names begin with the letters GRAND TOUR, FIRE HOUSE, RED KNIGHT, or Twelve Fire Stations beginning with any letter of the alphabet (this is for members who live in some of the more remote areas and may not be able to come up with Stations beginning with the letters g r a n d t o u r ). You must have a picture of you and your motorcycle taken at each Station, with the name sign visible. Co-riders may also earn a pin and a rider and co-rider may have their picture taken together.

When you have completed your visits, fill out the appropriate form for your ride and return it with your pictures to the G.T. chairperson. He/she will then send you your certificate and pin. Photo albums will be kept displaying pictures of everyone who has completed a Grand Tour and will be available at all future conventions.

Digital pictures sent via email will earn you your "Grand Tour" Certificate and Pin, but if you want your pictures to appear in the Club's photo album please send actual photographs. Thank you.

Digital pictures sent via email will earn you your "Grand Tour" Certificate and Pin, but if you want your pictures to appear in the Club's photo album please send actual photographs. Thank you.

DOWNLOAD a Grand Tour Application

For more information on the Grand Tour, contact Grand Tour Chairperson Henry Heideman.

2010's Grand Tour Extravaganza (If you want to redo this ride)

Back in 2008, PA17 was (according to the International Grand Tour Chairperson) the first chapter in the world to complete three Grand Tours in one riding season.

This year, we upped the ante and decided to go ALL IN (someone's been playing too much Zynga poker). The chapter is planning on completing all five rides which Red Knights International recognizes as Grand Tours. The original Grand Tour and Twelve Station, the recently added Firehouse and Red Knight, and the big one, Alphabet.

Below you will find information on each ride including the itinerary (in JPG and PDF format) and a map which includes the times for the stops at each station. The map is designed for you to use in the event you can't make our scheduled ride but still would like to attain the patch. Remember to get the needed photos at each station. Review the info on International's website for specifics.

If you are a member of one of these stations or know someone who is, please contact us or have them contact us. We would like to meet the people at the stations we visit. Sometimes our people have been known to buy shirts.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dan Miller at trafficdan@trafficdan.com or 610-716-2497. Leave him a message, he never answers.

(jpg of flyer)	(jpg of flyer)	(jpg of flyer)
TWELVE STATIONS Saturday April 3, 2010 Sunday April 18, 2010 (Raindate) PDF of flyer PDF of tour map	FIREHOUSE May 16, 2010 May 22, 2010 (Raindate) PDF of flyer PDF of tour map	ALPHABET Saturday June 12, 2010 Saturday June 26, 2010 Saturday July 24, 2010 PDF of flyer PDF of tour map (day 1) PDF of tour map (day 2)
(jpg of flyer)	(jpg of flyer)
RED KNIGHT Sunday June 13, 2010 Sunday June 27, 2010 (Raindate) PDF of flyer PDF of tour map	GRAND TOUR Sunday July 25th, 2010 Sunday August 8th 2010 (Raindate) PDF of flyer PDF of tour map

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These are the patches and rockers which are awarded by Red Knights International for the Grand Tour rides.