But there is one motorcycle rally that I love – and that’s Americade.
This year, Kawasaki brought me to Americade to sample the Vulcan 900 lineup. We stayed at the Roaring Brook Ranch, a rustic resort that acts as rally headquarters every year.
First of all, the setting, Upstate New York in early June, is about as gorgeous as you can get. Lake George, New York has been Americade’s home since the rally began as “Aspencade East” in 1983. Directly up the Hudson River about 200 miles North of Manhattan, Lake George is a vacation paradise. The place really has it all, from fishing, boating and hiking to shopping and dining and historical landmarks. For a motorcyclist, it has great roads, beautiful scenic tours and a rider-friendly vibe. I recommend Lake George as a destination year-round, but especially during the week of Americade.
Second, for motorcycle riders and enthusiasts, Americade welcomes all brands of bikes, with an emphasis on touring motorcycles. In any given parking lot, you’ll find an ocean of Electra Glides, Goldwings, Concourses, LTs, Voyagers, Multi-Stradas, and every other make and model under the sun. Everybody seems to get along, and a friendly air of acceptance permeates. Several manufacturers bring out their demo fleets for the event, including Kawasaki, Harley-Davidson, Victory, Yamaha and KTM.
Third, gear hounds can have a field day at the enormous TourExpo at Lake George’s Million Dollar Beach. Hundreds of vendors set up with every kind of motorcycle gear imaginable, from jackets, gloves, boots and helmets to tires, suspension components and handlebars. You can get your shocks and tires upgraded onsite while you hike over to the food court, where you can sample cuisine from all corners of the world. You can even get your bike pinstriped while you wait, or order up a mural for your TourPak. A convenient on-site UPS shipping center eliminates the need to bungee strap your purchases to the rear fender. I left TourExpo with a receipt for two pairs of gloves, a jacket, an Americade baseball cap and a new helmet, along with an overheated credit card.
Fourth, and for me most interestingly, Americade is a great center for rider education, activism and advocacy. The event is built around a series of seminars, town hall meetings and speeches focusing on safer motorcycling, riders’ rights, women in motorcycling and other important topics. Also, in coordination with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, it is possible to take an Experienced Riders Course to build actual riding skills in the classroom and on a closed course with expert instructors.
Fifth, and hardly last, Americade is great fun. There are poker runs, license plate competitions, bike judging, scavenger hunts, dinners, tours, cruises and every kind of recreation imaginable. Over 50,000 people showed up for Americade 2009, and disturbances were few. The police presence is palpable, but friendly. Don’t expect to see smoking burnouts in the main streets or topless biker chicks wandering the sidewalks – it’s not that kind of rally. I’m sure you can find the debauchery if you look for it, but it’s not overt. Americade is a rally you could bring your kids and your grandma to – in fact, many people do.
It’s not too early to start planning for Americade 2010, which runs from June 7 – 12, 2010. I’ll be there.
