An oceanside diversion Ocean City, Md., May 3–6—This past winter as well as the spring has been unusually crazy, but the weather forecast was no rain for the four days of the Ocean City Bikes to the Beach Spring Rally. Heading down the Garden State Parkway, traffic was light, and I arrived in plenty of time to catch the 2:30 ...

Ridin’ and rockin’ the Granite State Laconia, N.H., June 9–17—My first time attending Laconia Motorcycle Week was an amazing experience! It was the first time I had ridden east of Indiana. It was my first trip to the New England area and I have to say the area is absolutely beautiful. I am not sure what I expected, but the ...

A last-minute success Harrisburg, Pa., Apr. 8—The 30th annual National Swap Meet took place at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Paul Jackson, CEO of Jam-On Productions, has held a fall swap meet for over 30 years, and in January when he was offered the chance to do the spring event at the same venue, he was up for ...

Twin City takeover Saint Paul, Minn., Mar. 24–25—When Neil Ryan took over as promoter of the one-day Donnie Smith Bike Show and Swap Meet nearly two decades ago, I wonder if he knew it would be such a remarkable success story. When I asked, his response was, “I did have a vision when I bought the show. I knew I ...

Milwaukee takeover Milwaukee, Wis., Feb. 22–24—The Mama Tried motorcycle show is, according to their website, “an indoor invitational that connects motorcycles and builders to fans and riders.” What the website doesn’t tell you is how much fun is crammed into an extended weekend of all things motorcycle set right at the tail end of the dreary winter doldrums, which is ...

AMCA Member Bikes to Highlight 36th Americade Lake Georga, N.Y., Mar. 27—Members of the AMCA are being invited to showcase their motorcycles and explain the benefits of club membership at Lake George this June. AMCA participants will receive free entry for themselves and spouses to many events. Awards and people’s choice judging will be included. Come join the fun and ...

A ray of sunshine on a cloudy day Timonium, Md., Feb. 9–11—The sky had grown increasingly darker by the time we pulled in to the parking area at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. But wait… no parking fee, discounted tickets, kids under 10 free? I started to get the feeling this was going to be a great day. By the looks ...

A winter diversion New York, N.Y., Dec. 1–3—As winter nears in the Northeast U.S., temperatures drop dramatically and the riding season draws to a close. Once the calendar page turns to December, motorcycle events are few and far between, save toy runs and chili cook-offs. Just as we start jonesing for something to do with our time that’s otherwise spent ...

Salem, Mass., Oct. 15—It was a chilly start, but that didn’t keep riders from showing up and filling up the front lot at Boston Harley for the annual MDA Halloween Witch Ride to Salem, Massachusetts. Registration officially began at 9:00 a.m., but by then hundreds of Halloween-adorned bikes were lined up in front of the Boston Harley-Davidson dealership in Revere, ...

Building Harley-Davidsons Plant tours highlight gathering of the faithful York, Pa., Sept. 28-30—For over 20 years, the Harley-Davidson York Vehicle Operations facility has held an annual open house, where Harley enthusiasts tour the plant and partake in other activities surrounding the weekend. This year’s York Open House kicked off September 28 at 9:00 a.m. When I entered the plant on ...