Rider Magazine’s 2017 Events Calendar

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2014.
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2014.

Your bike is tuned, your helmet and gear are cleaned and your credit card balance has been zeroed; it’s time to head out and utilize them all. Now if you’re looking for somewhere to ride, we have the lowdown on the major events this year. So grab your calendar, check out our list and finalize your plans. Before you put up the kickstand, however, visit the event’s website to catch up on any last-minute changes.

Mother Road Ride Rally

Chicago to Los Angeles
June 14-25

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Though historic old Route 66 has been rebadged, this rally honors its history by riding its entire route and visiting the best of its original sites. It begins in Willowbrook, Illinois, and ends 2,448 miles later with an awards banquet in Santa Monica, California. The ride includes stops at many Route 66 museums, along with the Ozark Trail, Painted Desert and Petrified Forest National Park. There are also stops at the ghost town of Oatman, Arizona, and at a point where the road’s original red brick pavement is still visible.

(352) 684-5293
ridert66.com

American Voyager Association International Rally

Nashville, Indiana
June 19-22
The club began nearly 30 years ago for owners of Kawasaki’s Voyager model, but it now recognizes a “voyager” as anyone who loves to travel by motorcycle. The rally includes seminars, vendors, guided and self-guided tours, a bike show, light show, skills class and dinner.
amervoyassoc.org

MTA Gathering

Klamath Falls, Oregon
June 19-22

The Motorcycle Touring Association (MTA) welcomes riders on all brands, and will host its rally this year in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Details were not yet available at press time, but previous rallies have featured a poker run, observation run, ice cream ride and self-guided tours.

(970) 663-2044
mtariders.com

Thunder in the Valley

Johnstown, Pennsylvania
June 22-25

This rally features scenic rides, vendors, live musical entertainment and displays from numerous motorcycle manufacturers in four downtown areas. After a day filled with riding and shopping, come enjoy a Friday evening performance by Josh Gallagher, a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice.” Then rock icons 38 Special will headline the Saturday concert; the concerts are free, but VIP tickets are available.

(800) 237-8590
johnstownthunder.com

CJMC Classic Japanese Swap & Show  

Dixon, California
June 24-25

The CJMC is dedicated to the celebration, preservation and enjoyment of early Japanese motorcycles. Its event features a swap meet both days and a bike show on Sunday, with tent and RV camping available onsite. The signature bike this year will be the Honda CT step-thru trail bike. Come find parts for your next project at the swap meet, then enter your bike in the show.

(650) 464-2457 to show and (650) 948-2229 to swap
cjmc.org

Women on Wheels 31st Annual International Ride-In

Colorado Springs, Colorado
July 4-6

This club for women riders (Women on Wheels spells “WOW”) consists of many local chapters, and its International Ride-In usually draws upwards of 250 participants. There will be rides, speakers and seminars in the scenic Rockies.

(402) 477-1280
womenonwheels.org

BMW Riders Association National Rally

Petoskey, Michigan
July 6-8

Come enjoy three days of camping, shopping at the vendor displays, seminars and door prizes less than an hour away from the mighty Mackinac Bridge and scenic northern Michigan. Expect cool nights, rustic riding and many great roads to explore.

(866) 924-7102
bmwra.org

AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days

Lexington, Ohio
July 7-9

A fundraiser for the American Motorcyclist Association Hall of Fame Museum, Vintage Motorcycle Days features classic bikes of all makes and styles, and honors the riders who made them famous. It’s held at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, where you’ll be able to enjoy the AMA Vintage Championships in road racing, motocross, hare scrambles, trials and dirt-track racing. Catch the bike show, stunt show, seminars, demo rides and North America’s largest motorcycle swap meet.

(800) AMA-JOIN, (800) 262-5646
americanmotorcyclist.com

FIM Superbike World Championship Round

Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway, Monterey, California
July 7-9

The world’s best Superbike racers will challenge this technical 11-turn, 2.2-mile course on bikes loosely based upon production machines; former MotoGP Champion American Nicky Hayden will be among the competitors. This weekend you can also enjoy the MotoAmerica series featuring Superbike and Superstock classes, along with the KTM RC Cup.

(831) 242-8200, (831) 242-8201
mazdaraceway.com

Gold Rush 30

Fort Collins, Colorado
July 10-13

This is the rally of the Gold Wing Touring Association (GWTA), but riders on all brands and models are invited. Though specific details were not yet available at press time, the 30th Gold Rush will likely feature a welcome dinner, rides around the local area, poker runs and a big 50/50 drawing.

(800) 960-GWTA (4982)
gwta.org

3rd Annual Deadwood 3-Wheeler Motorcycle Rally

Deadwood, South Dakota
July 11-16

If you ride a trike, point it toward Deadwood (near Sturgis) for this third annual three-wheeler rally. In addition to riding through the Black Hills and to Mount Rushmore, rally attendees will have access to vendors, a concert, parade, Show & Shine bike show and free watermelon.

(800) 274-1876 x1102
d3wr.com

BMW Motorcycle Owners of America 45th International Rally

Salt Lake City, Utah
July 13-16

Come for the spectacular riding in Utah along with more than 100 vendors, two concerts, a vintage bike display, BMW demo rides, camping onsite and a chance to win one of two BMW R nineT grand prize bikes.

(864) 438-0962
bmwmoa.org

Brothers of the Third Wheel National Trike-In

Dodge City, Kansas
July 13-16

Fans of three-wheelers will enjoy many destination rides at this event. Tour the house in which the Dalton Brothers lived and have a barbecue, enjoy a surprise night ride, visit the Fort Dodge Soldiers Home and blast off for the Space Museum. At the Boot Hill Museum you’ll savor a chuck wagon dinner, witness a gunfight, then take in the light parade and trike show.

(520) 789-7265
btw-trikers.org

Star Days

Red Wing, Minnesota
July 17-22

This is the official rally of Star Touring and Riding, the official riding organization of Yamaha/Star Motorcycles, but all brands are welcome. It will feature demo rides by Yamaha and many riding opportunities including a trivia ride, veterans ride and Swampazz ride. The latter is defined as “a long ride that gives one a warm, moist feeling in the seat of the pants.” There will be a Feed the Children event, and the auction bike will be a new Yamaha V-Star 1300 Deluxe. Headquarters is the Treasure Island Resort and Casino, so there’s plenty of entertainment available.

(520) 292-0200
stardays.org

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Sturgis, South Dakota
August 4-13

This huge event draws close to a half-million riders each summer, and they come to ride the Black Hills and visit Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Devil’s Tower, the Crazy Horse Memorial and much more. The rally site features demo rides, concerts, that wild street scene and the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame. Plan to camp, as there aren’t that many rooms in this small town.

(605) 720-0800
sturgismotorcyclerally.com 

Rally in the Gorge

Hood River, Oregon
August 23-27

This is actually three rallies in one, as it offers seminars, rides and events specifically targeted for sportbike riders, dual-sport riders and sport tourers. Once you’ve learned more about riding at the seminars, there’s much to see in the Columbia River Gorge with Mount Hood, the Stonehenge replica in Maryhill, an art museum and much more.

(206) 650-9102
soundrider.com

Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials

Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah
August 26-31

Addicted to speed? The AMA Land Speed Grand Championship is the premier motorcycle land speed racing event, and it offers the opportunity to set official world records. Contenders will run in many classes, including streamliners, and you’re sure to see bikes exceeding 300 mph on the salt. Check the website before leaving, as salt conditions determine whether the Speed Trials will actually be held.

bonnevillespeedtrials.com

Wing Ding 39

Grapevine, Texas
August 29-September 2

Fans of Honda’s Gold Wing (and other brands) will enjoy this official rally of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA). It includes poker runs, demo rides, a bike show, drill team competition, light parade and grand parade. The vendor show specializes in products for the Gold Wing. Grapevine is near Dallas, so there’s plenty of riding and much to see in the area.

(800) 843-9460
wing-ding.org

Summer Ender Fender Bender

America’s Car Museum, Tacoma, Washington
September 9

Here’s a car and motorcycle show with food trucks, a beer garden, live music and more! You can show off your collector car or bike at the Cruise-In and enter to win a People’s Choice award, or just come as a spectator and check out the vehicles on display. In addition to the bikes on display, the museum itself also features something called “cars”…whatever those are.

(253) 779-8490, (877) 902-8490
americascarmuseum.org

Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally

Ruidoso, New Mexico
September 13-17

Now in its 48th year, the Golden Aspen Rally offers a huge vendor show, seven poker runs, tours in the local mountains, free concerts and meals, and bike judging. The grand prize bike is a new Harley.

(575) 973-4977
motorcyclerally.com

Bikes, Blues & BBQ

Fayetteville, Arkansas
September 20-23

Not only will this event feature the Arkansas State BBQ Championships, but there will also be a poker run, parade, vintage bike show and custom car show. And don’t forget the Miss Bikes, Blues & BBQ Contest.

(479) 527-9993, (479) 527-6626
bikesbluesandbbq.org

Barber Vintage Festival

Birmingham, Alabama
October 6-8

Billed as “the world’s largest motorcycle museum,” the five-story Barber Museum will host a vintage festival that will include seminars, a swap meet with more than 500 vendor spaces, food, entertainment and vintage racing at Barber Motorsports Park.

(205) 699-7275
barbervintagefestival.org

CMA Changing of the Colors Rally

Hatfield/Mena, Arkansas
October 18-22

The Christian Motorcyclist Association bills this as the largest camp meeting, revival and family friendly gathering with motorcycle riding in the nation. Thousands are expected to attend this inspirational event that will feature services each morning and evening, with prayer, worship and encouragement. There will also be camping, self-guided rides and vendors for your motorcycling fun.

(870) 389-6196
cmausa.org

Biketoberfest

Daytona Beach, Florida
October 19-22

Biketoberfest is the smaller, quieter version of March’s huge Bike Week. During the day it features motorcycle shows, vendors, live music, demo rides and a 12-mile ride along a series of scenic state and county highways in Volusia County known as the Ormond Scenic Loop. Other popular rides include Main Street and Beach Street. Check out motorcycle racing at the Daytona International Speedway. And of course, there’s the vibrant street scene and live entertainment at night.

(386) 255-0415
biketoberfest.org 

Lone Star Rally

Galveston, Texas
November 2-5

This major event takes place on the city streets so there’s no admission charge. It features bike games, bike shows, car shows, free concerts on two stages and hundreds of vendors. Check the website as more information becomes available.

(832) 437-2318
lonestarrally.com

1 COMMENT

  1. Just want to say that the Rider Newsfeed/Blog is great – one of the best. Even the advertisements – a couple of which I’ve taken advantage of – are useful. Thanks.

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