Post by freebird on Jan 18, 2010 9:20:43 GMT -6
Thanks to Big E.
With a new year upon us I thought it would be appropriate to consider what lies ahead. Below is a compilation of some upcoming local, regional and national motorcycle events for you to look forward to.
Friday-Sunday, Carolina First Center, Greenville - Cycle World International Motorcycle Show
"Moto-mania cruises into Greenville.... This hot spot for the two and three-wheeled rides will showcase hundreds of the latest sportbikes, dirt bikes, dual sports, cruisers, scooters, all-electric scooters, ATVs and more. From gear heads to new riders, the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show® is the perfect place for show goers to immerse themselves in the bike culture... with high-energy entertainment including interactive family activities, motorcycle action from the Ducati Freestyle Team, TapouT-sponsored UFC fighters, educational seminars and more," according to the description on www.motorcycleevents.com. See www.motorcycleshows.com.
Feb. 26-March 7, Daytona Beach, Fla. - 69th Annual Daytona Bike Week
One of the "big three." My family has attended the Daytona rally as a reunion of sorts for close to 20 years. This year I plan to meet my dad and brothers there. One of our favorite parts about the Daytona rally is the motorcycle racing (Street and Supercross) at Daytona International Speedway. See www.daytonachamber.com/bikeweek/.
April 23-25, Maggie Valley, N.C. - Thunder in the Smokies
Brian Jackson, the host of Corbin's Ride On, calls it "A world class event." You can ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, to Cherokee, N.C. then on to Asheville, N.C. and back to the rally in Maggie Valley. Every road is a scenic highway. Maggie Valley is a biker-friendly town and a great place for bikers to gather for a rally in the valley surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Be sure to look into the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum and the Tail of the Dragon if you go. See www.handlebarcorral.com.
May 7-16, Myrtle Beach - Spring Rally
No one really knows what to call it since the city of Myrtle Beach has put out the unwelcome mat to bikers, but the rally lives on in the surrounding areas. Expect a scaled-down version of rallies past in North Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet especially.
May 30, Washington, D.C. - Rolling Thunder XXIII
Huge, national protest ride to raise awareness of POW/MIA issues. I have ridden this one a couple of times and if you can do it without getting a patriotic knot in your throat you need to pick another country. Expect streets lined with flag-waving supporters and honorable veterans in ill-fitting uniforms standing at attention. (See www.rollingthunder1.org.
June 12-20, Laconia, N.H. - 87th Annual Laconia Motorcycle Week
This is our nation's oldest rally. It is also one of "the big three" with attendance in the hundreds of thousands. My wife Sissy and I rode with my parents, my brother, and some friends to this rally several years ago and had a great time. If the weather cooperates (it can be rainy) there is some beautiful riding in the area and there is plenty to do. See www.laconiamcweek.com.
Aug. 9-15, Sturgis, S.D. - 70th Annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally
Often referred to as the biker's Mecca, Sturgis is home to the last of the "big three" rallies. I have ridden to the Black Hills twice. The town of Sturgis itself is about the size of Aynor so we actually stayed in neighboring Rapid City and Spearfish. If you like history, the Wild West, and great riding you will love South Dakota. In addition to all the regular rally fare you can experience riding the Badlands, to Wild Bill Hickok's Deadwood, cruising through Spearfish Canyon or Needles Highway's scenic roads, past real buffalo at Custer State Park, and marveling at the majestic Devils Tower, Crazy Horse, and Mount Rushmore monuments. See www.allblackhills.com.
Sept. 29-Oct. 3, Horry County - The Pilgrimage Fall Rally
Again, the city of Myrtle Beach doesn't want you, but the surrounding areas do. Much smaller than the Spring Rally, the Fall Rally has always been a favorite due to milder, drier weather, less congestion and better lodging rates than the rally in May.
With a new year upon us I thought it would be appropriate to consider what lies ahead. Below is a compilation of some upcoming local, regional and national motorcycle events for you to look forward to.
Friday-Sunday, Carolina First Center, Greenville - Cycle World International Motorcycle Show
"Moto-mania cruises into Greenville.... This hot spot for the two and three-wheeled rides will showcase hundreds of the latest sportbikes, dirt bikes, dual sports, cruisers, scooters, all-electric scooters, ATVs and more. From gear heads to new riders, the Cycle World International Motorcycle Show® is the perfect place for show goers to immerse themselves in the bike culture... with high-energy entertainment including interactive family activities, motorcycle action from the Ducati Freestyle Team, TapouT-sponsored UFC fighters, educational seminars and more," according to the description on www.motorcycleevents.com. See www.motorcycleshows.com.
Feb. 26-March 7, Daytona Beach, Fla. - 69th Annual Daytona Bike Week
One of the "big three." My family has attended the Daytona rally as a reunion of sorts for close to 20 years. This year I plan to meet my dad and brothers there. One of our favorite parts about the Daytona rally is the motorcycle racing (Street and Supercross) at Daytona International Speedway. See www.daytonachamber.com/bikeweek/.
April 23-25, Maggie Valley, N.C. - Thunder in the Smokies
Brian Jackson, the host of Corbin's Ride On, calls it "A world class event." You can ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, to Cherokee, N.C. then on to Asheville, N.C. and back to the rally in Maggie Valley. Every road is a scenic highway. Maggie Valley is a biker-friendly town and a great place for bikers to gather for a rally in the valley surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. Be sure to look into the Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum and the Tail of the Dragon if you go. See www.handlebarcorral.com.
May 7-16, Myrtle Beach - Spring Rally
No one really knows what to call it since the city of Myrtle Beach has put out the unwelcome mat to bikers, but the rally lives on in the surrounding areas. Expect a scaled-down version of rallies past in North Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet especially.
May 30, Washington, D.C. - Rolling Thunder XXIII
Huge, national protest ride to raise awareness of POW/MIA issues. I have ridden this one a couple of times and if you can do it without getting a patriotic knot in your throat you need to pick another country. Expect streets lined with flag-waving supporters and honorable veterans in ill-fitting uniforms standing at attention. (See www.rollingthunder1.org.
June 12-20, Laconia, N.H. - 87th Annual Laconia Motorcycle Week
This is our nation's oldest rally. It is also one of "the big three" with attendance in the hundreds of thousands. My wife Sissy and I rode with my parents, my brother, and some friends to this rally several years ago and had a great time. If the weather cooperates (it can be rainy) there is some beautiful riding in the area and there is plenty to do. See www.laconiamcweek.com.
Aug. 9-15, Sturgis, S.D. - 70th Annual Black Hills Motorcycle Rally
Often referred to as the biker's Mecca, Sturgis is home to the last of the "big three" rallies. I have ridden to the Black Hills twice. The town of Sturgis itself is about the size of Aynor so we actually stayed in neighboring Rapid City and Spearfish. If you like history, the Wild West, and great riding you will love South Dakota. In addition to all the regular rally fare you can experience riding the Badlands, to Wild Bill Hickok's Deadwood, cruising through Spearfish Canyon or Needles Highway's scenic roads, past real buffalo at Custer State Park, and marveling at the majestic Devils Tower, Crazy Horse, and Mount Rushmore monuments. See www.allblackhills.com.
Sept. 29-Oct. 3, Horry County - The Pilgrimage Fall Rally
Again, the city of Myrtle Beach doesn't want you, but the surrounding areas do. Much smaller than the Spring Rally, the Fall Rally has always been a favorite due to milder, drier weather, less congestion and better lodging rates than the rally in May.