Street Events And Series
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It’s a big country out there, and there’s no better way to see it than from the seat of a motorcycle.
For the best rallies, rides and tours to take in this year, look no further than the events in the AMA Premier Touring Series. These are the gatherings that stand out, whether you’re looking to experience the country’s most iconic large rallies or just hang out with local riders in smaller events.
Here’s a look at some of the cool events the AMA has to offer. More activities are always being added, and you can always find a complete and up-to-date list of all AMA-sanctioned events in our online events database. You’ll also find great rides in the “Go Ride” section of your monthly American Motorcyclist magazine.
So, what types of events are in the AMA Premier Touring Series?
National Rallies are AMA-produced and promoted events that include a range of activities, including seminars, bike shows, organized rides, swap meets, racing, field meets, demo rides, vendor displays and more. Featuring significant AMA presence and support, AMA National Rallies further the AMA's goals of protecting and promoting the motorcycling lifestyle.
2012 AMA National Rallies
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What It Is: AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days at the Mid-Ohio Sports
Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, is one awesome event, featuring North
America’s largest motorcycle-related swap meet, vintage racing, new bike
demo rides and much, much more.
Why It’s Cool: It’s a
happening enjoyed by tens of thousands of enthusiasts each year who can
find just about anything they are looking for in a vintage motorcycle
event, from old Indian motorcycles to 1980s motocrossers to café racers,
national championship racing and heroes of yesteryear.
What’s Special: Since
AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days is the largest annual fund-raising event
for the Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which is located on the AMA campus in
Pickerington, Ohio, the Hall of Fame pulls out all the stops to
entertain and educate. Historic motorcycles, world-class speakers and
entertaining displays are all part of the excitement.
Bonus: AMA
Vintage Motorcycle Days is just an hour and a half from the spectacular
Motorcycle Hall of Fame, which features the main-floor Hall of Fame
gallery and two other exhibits: “30-Year Ride: Honda’s Ohio-Made
Motorcycles” and “Dirt-Track! All-American Racing.”
Info: AMAVintageMotorcycleDays.com
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What It Is: The AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference is the premier
event for women who love to ride.
Why It’s Cool: The conference combines inspirational speakers,
great roads, demo rides, product showcases, parties and unmatched camaraderie in an amazing location.
What’s Special: The AMA International Women &
Motorcycling Conference is the highlight event for many women
motorcyclists around the country -- and the world. Attendees come to
learn from premier motorcycling experts and advocates, as well as
connect with like-minded women from all over.
Bonus: Although
the AMA International Women & Motorcycling Conference celebrates
women motorcyclists, it's not just for women. Several men also attend
with their wives or girlfriends and have a great time.
Info: WomenAndMotorcycling.com
National Conventions are the top tier of AMA-sanctioned rides and
rallies. Put on my the AMA's promoting clubs and organizers, these rides are the best of the best, where you’ll find
thousands of like-minded riders in some of the most beautiful places in
the country. Want to go big? Go here.
2012 National Conventions
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What It Is: One of the largest road-riding rallies on the planet, Americade is held in picturesque Lake George, N.Y., and features legendary roads in the 6-million-acre Adirondack National Park. It’s billed as a great motorcycle vacation, which it certainly is.
Why It’s Cool: Americade is a laid-back, road-riding touring destination with a family friendly atmosphere. Besides the great riding and camaraderie, the event offers a variety of activities including ghost tours, boat cruises, poker runs, fireworks, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, bike judging, a light parade and much more.
What You Wouldn’t Expect: Americade attracts thousands of motorcyclists, but the sound level of the machines is low—quiet bikes and responsible riding are the norm.
Bonus: Motorcyclist and comedian Alonzo Bodden will be the featured entertainer this year. Also, Americade has a long history of focusing on rider advocacy, activism and education, offering classes and seminars that benefit motorcyclists during the entire riding season.
Info: Americade.com
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What It Is: The Golden Aspen Motorcycle Rally is a huge event in the town of Ruidoso, high in the Rocky Mountains of southeastern New Mexico. The rally offers a great way to close out the riding season and start up new friendships.
Why It’s Cool: The great fall temperatures, roads twisting up into the mountains and shaded pines all combine to make this rally almost a spiritual experience. Plus, there’s 86,400-square-feet of trade show, five different poker runs/tours, bike judging, free meals and a new Harley-Davidson FLHR giveaway.
Unexpected: Any self-respecting alien hunter should make the 70-mile jaunt from Ruidoso to Roswell, N.M., to check out its rich history of extraterrestrials, and maybe catch a glimpse of who-knows-what!
Bonus: White Sands National Monument commemorates the area’s once-secret Manhattan Project history.
Info: MotorcycleRally.com
AMA Touring Rallies take the Gypsy Tour concept and mix in more options for riding during the event. These represent the top tier of the road rides and rallies sanctioned by the AMA. Often built around guided local tours and organized riding events, AMA Touring Rallies are open to riders of all stripes but generally attract those who can’t stay off the bike. Below are national-level events.
2012 National Touring Rallies
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What it is: Marks the 30th Anniversary of the Motorcycle Sport Touring Association and the fifth time the MSTA invades Avon, Colo. Ride some of the best roads in the United States and enjoy the outstanding scenery, food and fun in the Heart of the Valley along the picturesque Eagle River.
Why It’s Cool: Mountain roads, pristine landscape, and incredible elevation changes.
Bonus: Not all of the area’s best riding is out of town. Check out Avon’s web site for information about navigating their roundabouts at www.avon.org.
Info: www.sporttouring.us/star2012
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What it is: The event is held in memory of RoadRUNNER magazine's founder Christian Neuhauser. Each year around July 15th, like-minded motorcyclists meet for a long weekend of riding, seminars, and making new friends. The event attracts the serious touring enthusiasts. Participants usually choose one of the guided tours lead by the editors of the magazine, but unguided tours are also an option as everybody gets the signature tank bag maps and GPS files ahead of time.
Why It's Cool: This year will be the biggest Touring Weekend yet, with more tours, the addition of an off-road guided tour, select vendors, seminars by RoadRUNNER editors and vendors, outdoor live music, door prizes, great food, and even vintage motorcycles! The North Carolina mountains are one of the best areas to ride with endless curves and scenic views.
Info: http://www.roadrunner.travel/events/touring-weekend/
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What it is: Back and better than ever, the 2012 Rally In the Gorge celebrates 10 big years with rides, poker runs, seminars, vendors and on-site camping at the Skamania Fair Grounds.
Why It’s Cool: Set in the national scenic area of the Columbia River Gorge. Combine sportbikes, sport-tourers, maxi-scooters, adventure bikes and dual-sports, and you get the biggest little rally in America.
Bonus: It’s four rallies in one!
Info: www.soundrider.com/rally
One of the oldest touring experiences in all of motorcycling, Gypsy Tours began as one-day events around the country where riders would travel to a specific site and enjoy the company of other riders. Field-meet games like "Bite the Weenie" and "Ride the Plank" were popularized at Gypsy Tours, and picnics evolved into large gatherings.
2012 Gypsy Tours
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The Republic of Texas Biker Rally (ROT Biker Rally) is the biggest motorcycle rally in Texas and one of largest motorcycle events in the U.S. Enthusiasts come enjoy the amazing motorcycles, the Austin nightlife and to ride some of the finest roads in Texas.
The rally is held at the Travis County Exposition Center in Northeast Austin Texas. The rally is known for its high caliber music acts, after all, Austin Texas is self proclaimed “The Music Capital of the World.” The city of Austin closes off 54 square blocks of the downtown area for a huge party on Congress Ave. Friday night, June 8th. It is considered the largest biker party in a downtown area of a metropolitan city. The ROT Rally expects more than 50,000 participants in 2012, and will draw over 200,000 spectators to the downtown streets of Austin during the Friday Night of ROT. The attractions out at the Travis County Expo Center include a ride in bike show, custom bike builders, The World Famous Wall of Death, Comedians, national named bands, 350 vendors and distributors, the ROT Rally Friday night parade and more. The Guinness Book of World Records certified the ROT Parade as the "Longest Parade of Motorcycles."
More information at www.rotrally.com
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This year marks the 89th anniversary of one of the country’s premier motorcycling events, and you can expect Laconia Motorcycle Week to offer all of your favorite events as well as some new ones. The week is jam packed with action, motorcycle racing and motorcycling activities. See the website for lodging options as well as the downloadable Laconia Rally News, which covers the event in detail.
Info: LaconiaMCWeek.com
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While the City of Johnstown serves as the hub of the rally, related events take place throughout the entire Johnstown Region. Rally planners make every effort to provide a wide variety of events and activities so that Thunder is enjoyed by everyone, including area residents who help to roll out the welcome mat for visiting bikers.
Maps of scenic rides, the official program book, visitors guides and attraction brochures are available at the welcome tent. Vendors will be located in four downtown areas. There will also be live musical entertainment with bands playing rock, oldies, blues, country and jazz.
For more information on Thunder in the Valley® call the CVB at 1-800-237-8590 or at the Johnstown CVB website.
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For many cruiser and touring riders, the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the must-do rally of the year. Complete with concerts, parties, poker runs, short-track racing, bike shows and more, Sturgis is non-stop fun. Perhaps best of all, it’s located in the Black Hills Region, which includes hundreds of miles of great riding and some of the best scenery you can find anywhere.
Don't forget to plan in time to attend the Annual Sturgis Mayor's Ride August 6th, leaving from 1401 Lazelle St. at 9am. This escorted charity ride will take participants all the way out to Mt. Rushmore and end in Custer State Park.
To start planning your trek to Sturgis this summer, see the website.
Info: SturgisMotorcycleRally.com
Looking for something special? AMA Signature events have
you covered! These events offer you a solid crowd of fellow riders at an experience
that’s a notch above a typical motorcycle gathering.
2012 Signature Events
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What They Are: The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s national Ride For Kids program has become one of the most successful fund-raising efforts among motorcyclists in the nation. Held in cities throughout the country, Ride for Kids events feature phenomenal planning, great scenery, wonderful camaraderie and the opportunity to help a good cause—families struggling with the diagnosis and treatment of a child’s brain tumor.
Why They’re Cool: You feel good riding a motorcycle. You feel even better riding a motorcycle for a good cause, and sharing the experience with others.
Unexpected: It’s just too easy to make friends on these rides, especially with the patient-families.
Bonus: Participants have an opportunity to win a Honda motorcycle and other prizes.
Info: RideForKids.org
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What It Is: This ride supports a favorite charity of motorcyclists—the March of Dimes—while educating people about the seriousness of premature birth and birth defects.
Why It’s Cool: This is another great opportunity for motorcyclists to ride for a good cause.
Bonus: Who wouldn’t want a chance to hang out with Twisted Sister lead singer Dee Snider?
Info: BikersForBabies.org
If you prefer the wide-open space of the open road to the group setting of a rally, then the AMA National Grand Tours offer up a comfortable alternative. You ride at your
own pace and take pictures of yourself at key towns and locations set
by organizers. Oh yeah, did we mention that there are also plenty of prizes?
2012 National Grand Tours
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- Contact Phone: 765-566-3807
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The Southern California Motorcycling Association has cooked up three AMA National Extreme Grand Tours for serious riders. For details on each tour, see the websites.
2012 AMA National EXTREME Grand Tours
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Not for the faint-of-heart! Visit all four geographical corners of the USA in less than 21 days... if you can.
- Contact Phone: 949-246-4941
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What 3 Flags? How about Mexico, USA and Canada - all in 4 days? This is a limited-time-only opportunity, so make sure you sign up quickly!
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Let's do some serious miles on 15 of the best roads in the country. Think you are up for this challenge? You have all year to do it, so put on a fresh set of tires (or 2, or 3) and get out there...!
AMA Flash Tours challenge you to get on the road to interesting
destinations -- many off the beaten path -- and document the challenge
for others. To participate, just email your photos that correspond to the active Flash Tour listed below. We'll add your photo to our AMA Flash Tours photo gallery on Facebook, and at the end of each Flash Tour, we'll select a winner. (AMA Flash Tours are added to the list below as they become active. Flash Tours are only active and valid for prizes during the date range listed.)
2012 AMA Flash Tours
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AMA Flash Tours Challenge #3 – May is Motorcycle Awareness Month, so our challenge all month long is for our intrepid Flash Tourers to submit two (2) photographs. Photo one will be of you, in whatever gear you wear, on your bike. Let us know your strategies for being seen in traffic. Photo two will be of your motorcycle at a movie-, television- or theater-themed location – let us know why you chose that particular spot when you send in your picture. Some examples would be “Smallville Lane in Granite Falls, N.C.," or "Mannix Drive in Los Angeles." You could choose to take a picture of your bike at the Arizona border sign (“Raising Arizona”) or on Route 66. Be creative! The best picture will be featured on the Flash Tours web page and may even be in an upcoming issue of American Motorcyclist. Plus, you will win some cool gear from the AMA. Make sure you set your camera for high resolution and take your time to compose the best shot you can. Full rules and submission information are on this page.
photo credit: Linda Hembroff
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AMA Flash Tours Challenge #2 - The challenge was simply to take a photograph of your bike at three places where “AMA” appears in the name (for example, “AlabAMA,” “Rick’s SkatorAMA,” etc.). A sign with the name of the location had to be included in the photograph, as well the latest copy of the rider's favorite riding publication. Below is the winning submission by AMA Life Member Gary Bird.
photo credit: Gary Bird
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AMA Flash Tours Challenge #1 - was to take a picture of your bike in front of a diner. Riders had until April 19, 2012 to get the picture. The winner is posted below. This challenge is done, so check out the current AMA Flash Tour and get riding!
Photo credit: Jim & Shelly Holtman
Smaller and often more rewarding than some larger gatherings,
district rallies and tours are great places to meet other riders from
your area. Find these by searching our online database of rides and rallies. And during the colder months, the AMA encourages its members to visit the International Motorcycle Show in their area.
Those who like a little more dirt with their pavement can check out events in the AMA's dual-sport and adventure ride series.
Ride Into Cyberspace
| 
Beartooth Mountain Range (Wyoming side) one week before it closed in late fall. — Brian Swanson, Cody, Wyo |
Like the photos you see on this website? Some of them are among the best that AMA members have to offer. And the best place for you to share your pix is in our online gallery for member-submitted photos. Located at Gallery.AmericanMotorcyclist.com, the gallery includes thousands of images of member rides and AMA events, and more are added daily. What’s missing here? It might be you. If you haven’t yet sent your best photo, or best two or six, to submissions@ama-cycle.org, what are you waiting for? |