Party on the Panhandle Panama City Beach, Fla., May 2–6—It had been several years since I’d been Panama City’s Thunder Beach Spring Rally and I wasn’t prepared for all the growth that had taken place in that area. The Panhandle has always been one of my favorite places in Florida with its beautiful beaches and scenic views of the Gulf ...

Rocking on River Road New Braunfels, Texas., Mar. 31—The Giddy Up Vintage Chopper Show is without a doubt one of the most energetic and robust motorcycle events currently in existence in the American South. The vibe of the attendees, the quality of the bike builds, the history of an offbeat culture shared between grey beards and hipsters and some of ...

Old standbys give way to modern marques Daytona Beach, Fla., Mar. 9–18—Daytona Bike Week started as a beach race, and it still marks the official beginning of many different race seasons. It is more than that, though. Builders race to finish bikes to debut at the many bike shows, companies race to launch new products, and consumers race around trying ...

The oddest rally on earth Gibsonton, Fla., Jan. 12–14—Although the grey clouds looked less than promising, the weatherman had promised those clouds would clear and the sun would break through but the mercury wasn’t going to gain much ground. Undaunted by the forecast we headed south to check out the day’s events at the 15th annual Gibtown Bike Fest, held ...

Everything in Texas is bigger Galveston Island, Texas, Nov. 2–5—Promoted as the largest four-day motorcycle event in the U.S., the Lone Star Rally hit Galveston Island this year celebrating its 17th annual recurrence and proving to be one of the biggest ever. This event has endured devastating hurricanes that ripped the island apart just weeks before the rally, torrential rainstorms ...

An artistic celebration Hurricane Mills, Tenn., Sept. 28–Oct. 1—A perfect blend of artistry… motorcycles and music! That is how I would describe the inaugural Tennessee Motorcycle and Music Revival and BC Moto Invitational. Located at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, this event is definitely worth the trip. Upon check-in, I was greeted by the friendliest staff I ...

Outer Banks, N.c., Apr. 22–30—This year marked the 15th anniversary of Outer Banks Bike Week and the eighth year we have attended this event. The nine-day rally is packed full of entertainment, great food, and special attractions such as bike shows, poker runs, guided tours, parties, tattoo and bikini contests, vendors, and live music. But if you attended OBX bike ...

Daytona Beach, Fla., Mar. 10–19—In 1937, motorcycle racers took to shores of Daytona Beach for the first-ever Daytona 200 race, which also signaled the beginning of Daytona Bike Week. The popular competition took place along a 3.2-mile strip of sand every year until 1961 when it moved to the Daytona International Speedway. From the early 1900’s, both Harley-Davidson and Indian ...

Daytona Beach, Fla., Mar. 16—Daytona Bike Week began with a motorcycle race. But before the first Daytona 200 in 1937, beginning in the 1920s, motorcycles had migrated off the dangerous and deadly wooden board tracks they’d inherited from bicycle racing and moved to safer and more accessible dirt tracks. Small towns, rural communities, and even big cities were carving oval ...

Fayetteville, Ark., Sept. 21–24—For a rally that started in 2000 with about 300 curious bikers showing up, Bikes, Blues & BBQ has come a long way. From its origins at a Bike Night at Jose’s Mexican Restaurant in Fayetteville, Arkansas, to a presentation to the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce by Police Chief Richard Watson, BBB is now heavily sponsored and ...