The baby boomer generation has seen its fair share of national events making headlines. One of the more exciting things in recent years is the incline in popularity of bike rallies. Motorcycles are an excellent way to meet new people who share the same passion all while traveling and seeing beautiful parts of the United States.
Here are the top 10 best bike rallies in the United States.
Sturgis
The city of Sturgis, South Dakota is relatively small with less than 7,000 people in its population. However, the Sturgis motorcycle rally is one of the largest in the world.
Established in 1936, the Jackpine Gypsies Motorcycle Club hosted the first-ever Sturgis rally in 1938. Today, the rally lasts 10 days at the beginning of August and offers many different events and attractions to keep the major motorcycle enthusiasts busy. Harley-Davidson is a sponsor of this rally, which truly shows how massive the event is.
If the scenery is more important, their website offers four ride routes to satisfy any rider’s need. Riders attending Sturgis for the first time can read up on our tips and what to expect here.
Daytona Bike Week
Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Daytona Bike Week bike rally lasts 10 days at the beginning of March every year. One of the most notable events for this bike rally is the Bike Week Motorcycle drawing. For the 2020 event, one person will win a Harley Davidson Dyna Glide motorcycle.
Over 600,000 people attend Daytona Bike Week, just 60 miles northeast of Orlando. Don’t miss out on the beautiful Florida weather at this bike rally!
This rally’s website offers many details for riders to read about to prepare for the event. They can book a room through this website, as well as entering that awesome Harley-Davidson Dyna Glide motorcycle giveaway.
Myrtle Beach Bike Week
This rally offers 2 events every year, 1 in the spring and 1 in the fall. The spring event is at the beginning of May, while the fall event is at the end of September and into the beginning of October.
The Myrtle Beach Bike Week focuses on a beautiful coastline ride of the Grand Strand of South Carolina. During the spring rally, an estimated 275,000 riders make their way through the area, while roughly 25,000 riders trek through for the fall rally.
Like many other bike rallies, this event offers lots in the way of attractions but also music events and food vendors. People travel from all over the country to visit this scenic rally, making sure they are prepped and ready for the long haul.
A perk of visiting this rally is the number of lodging businesses that sponsor the event. That means riders can qualify for discounted rates just by saying they are attending the rally, how cool!
Americade Touring Rally
Nestled in New York’s Adirondack forests, this bike rally is a summer staple for the true motorcycle enthusiasts. Centered around Lake George, rally goers can compete during riding games to win prizes, enjoy food and music of many tastes, and so much more.
The event has something for everyone, beginner or expert at riding. For a breakdown of all that went on during the 2019’s rally, check out this itinerary to get an idea of what to expect for next year!
Riders can have their motorcycle battery, helmet and jackets checked and inspected free of charge while at this rally. This is incredibly helpful for long-haul riders that have many miles of travel ahead of them on the way home.
Laconia Motorcycle Week
With just 4 years until it’s 100th anniversary, Laconia Motorcycle Week in Laconia, New Hampshire is a definite fan favorite. The rally encompasses the 2nd and 3rd weeks of June during the New England springtime. Some events at the rally include memorial rides, live music, street food vendors, and stunt shows.
The only downside of this rally is the unknown weather conditions. They mostly experience sunny bike rallies, but there have been years past where there was heavy rain.
Uniquely it’s own, this rally has a specialized publication that is released every February before the rally. This publication does offer up-to-date information on several other big-time rallies including Sturgis and Daytona Bike Week. For detailed information on the year’s Motorcycle Week, they encourage riders to obtain this publication either online or in-person at other New England based rallies.
Republic of Texas Biker Rally
The ROT Biker Rally, as it is commonly referred to, just finished its 24th year in June of 2019. This rally is a ticketed event, meaning attendees have to purchase a ticket in advance to attend.
The rally takes place at an event center in Austin, Texas and attracts many distinguished motorcycle loving entertainers such as Willie Nelson, Joan Jett, and Sammy Hagar. Though many would argue that the most exciting piece of this rally is the bike giveaway.
A special custom bike is built every year in remembrance of an important cause, how incredible! Not only that, but this is another major rally sponsored by none other than Harley-Davidson.
Four Corners Motorcycle Rally
This bike rally is packed full of events in a single weekend at the beginning of September. Located in Durango, Colorado, their website boasts that riders can enjoy the best riding rally in the United States with a weekend full of bikes, live music, motorcycle giveaways, stunt shows, racing, bike shows, great food, drinks and more.
Supporting very important charities and non-profits, this rally in collaboration with their many partners, focuses on bringing as much fun as possible into a weekend getaway for the rally goer that still has a full-time job commitment.
Harley-Davidson stands behind this rally as a large time supporter, so riders can rest assured that this is a rally they don’t want to miss!
Bikes, Blues, & BBQ
This bike rally, dubbed “A Rally with a Purpose” is the largest charity rally in the United States. Located in the Ozark mountains, BB&BBQ brings hundreds of thousands of people to Fayetteville, AR every September.
Like many of the other bike rallies listed, this one provides many events to cater to everyone. Stunt shows, live music, a BBQ contest, and a car and bike show among other things. This rally is free to attend, but specialty tickets can be purchased for more in-depth experiences.
If riders are looking for more to do besides the rally, there are many local Arkansas State parks nearby, as well as Historic Districts including the Walmart Museum in Bentonville, the home town of Walmart.
Rolling Thunder
This rally is a memorial ride through Washington D.C. to remember and honor those who gave everything for this country during the Vietnam war. Though since its inception, the rally has evolved to honor all servicemen and women who have or currently are serving.
The Rolling Thunder rally is a self-proclaimed protest to demonstrate the grief of having a loved one Missing In Action or killed as a Prisoner Of War.
Rolling Thunder really highlights POW’s and MIA’s that they consider having been abandoned after the Vietnam War ceased. For more information on this topic, their website provides ample details.
This emotional demonstration charity ride hosts upwards of 1 million riders and spectators combined in the largest single-day bike rally in the country. This is definitely a “Do Not Miss” item on many riders’ bucket lists.
Bama Bike Fest
Unlike any other bike rally listed, the Bama Bike Fest is an adult-only rally that requires attendees to be 21 years of age or older. This event happens 3 times a year for 4 days each time.
Located in Forkland, Alabama, this is the adult biker party all riders have dreamt of. This event does require a purchased ticket or armband, but they do offer some free amenities if riders stay on property.
Each night there is a theme and special contests, including a chaps contest, Halloween costume contest, and motorcycle rodeo. The Bama Bike Fest is all about adult fun in a pasture party package!
Bike Rallies: Top 10 Guide Concluded
Motorcycle enthusiasts from all over the country flock to these 10 bike rallies for fun, food, and comradery between brothers who love to ride. The baby boomer generation makes up a considerable percentage of rally goers, so the stories and adventures have the ability to extend past the motorcycles.
One of the best ways to spend retirement is propped up on a Harley with a cold beer and good friends! For more information regarding all things motorcycle, check out this website, including bike rallies that can still be visited this year.
