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Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week®: A Long History
June 10th-18th, 2017 – New Hampshire – home to America’s Original Riding Rally®
www.LaconiaMCWeek.com
Jennifer Anderson – info@laconiaMCWeek.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2017 – Laconia, NH – This June, Laconia Motorcycle Week returns to New Hampshire for its 94th year, leaving some wondering how this popular, time-honored event first came to be. Don’t try doing the math – because there’s a bit more to it than just counting back 94 years… The rally actually started in 1916, organized by local motorcycle dealers in central and southern New England, with a couple hundred motorcyclists traveling north for a get together (dubbed a “gypsy tour”) at Weirs Beach. The tour was first sanctioned by the Federation of American Mo-torcyclists in 1917 and when the FAM disbanded in 1919, the Motorcycle and Allied Trades As-sociation (M&ATA) took over the sanction until 1924, when the American Motorcycle Associa-tion (AMA) was formed. Back then, the weekend event centered around races and hill climbs. The number of participants grew each year as did the event’s duration. Over time, the rally blos-somed into a week-long event, eventually suffering in attendance and popularity after getting wrapped up in the upheavals of the 60’s. The rally reverted to a 3-day weekend and would re-main so until 1991, when organizers revived the week-long event after seeing the success of Sturgis’ 50th Anniversary Rally in 1990. Laconia Motorcycle Week reclaimed the support of local businesses and the AMA as a week-long rally and the oldest gypsy tour in the country.
Today, Laconia Motorcycle Week® is a much-expanded version of the early “gypsy tour” years offering attendees lots of fun, food, music and, of course, a forum to share in their passion (big or small) for riding. Over 230,000 riders are expected to descend on the Lakes Region for the Ral-ly, holding the honor of the oldest of the three national rallies with Daytona and Sturgis being Laconia’s sister rallies. Sure, the rev of motorcycles and sight of leather (lots of it) may be overwhelming, but don’t be fooled. Behind those leather jackets are just regular people; a multi-generational group of enthusiasts, from all walks of life, who all just happen to share in the ex-hilaration and liberation that riding brings.
“It’s a rite of passage,” says organizer Jennifer Anderson, “Many of us grew up hearing about “Laconia” and couldn’t wait to experience what all the buzz was about. It’s easy to assume that the Rally is just a big party enjoyed by those on two-wheels, but it is so much more than that. This is the one week of the year when riders get to hang out with thousands of other people, from all around the U.S. and world, who enjoy the very same thing they like – getting out and riding. The Rally offers us all a chance of camaraderie while still having fun, packing on the miles, and even raising money for much deserved local charities”
And its boundaries have expanded, too. You’ll notice an uptick in motorcycle traffic throughout the state (not just limited to Laconia, Weirs Beach, or Loudon). Motorcycle enthusiasts come to the state to enjoy the scenic riding as far east as the seacoast and as far north as the picturesque Kancamagus Highway, proving half the fun is getting here.
So be a part of the continuing history. Plan a ride to New Hampshire for this year’s Motorcycle Week (June 10 – June 18). Whether it’s your first or 94th visit, you’ll find the passion for riding, around which this event was founded, has never changed.
Laconia Motorcycle Week® gives great appreciation to all of our sponsors, especially our Pre-senting Sponsors: Progressive, AMSOIL, and Hot Leathers as well as the State of New Hamp-shire for their large financial support of our rally each year. For more information on visiting the State of NH, check out www.visitnh.gov.
Ride Safe and Keep Away from the Centerline!
MICHAEL SCHACHT’S 1942 HAND FABRICATED CROCKER
For those who may not know me (Jack McIntyre), I’ve been shooting motorcycles for a few decades now. One of the best tours I was on, was the J&P Cycles Progressive Motorcycle Show’s with Bikerpros. Anyway, I shot literally hundreds of great bikes and this was one of them. It’s a totally restored 1942 Crocker. Michael Schacht hand fabricated the engine, clutch, and transmission. It’s an 85 CI engine and the bike is named “CROCKER BIG TANK”. Check it out.
Key Cities to Lead 36th Annual Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® Tour
Beginning in November 2016 through February 2017, the tour is supported by 15 of the leading two, three and four wheel vehicle manufacturers, the world class Ultimate Builder Customer Bike Show, Vintage Bike Clubs, and other main show attractions. The seven shows coincide with the launch of the 2017 model year, giving hundreds of thousands of consumers a first look at the new vehicles and the opportunity to evaluate and purchase premier aftermarket parts, accessories and gear.
The 2016-2017 Progressive® International Motorcycle Shows® tour schedule is as follows:
- Long Beach, CA: November 18-20, 2016, Long Beach Convention Center
- New York, NY: December 9-11, 2016, Jacob Javits Convention Center
- Washington D.C.: January 6-8, 2017, Washington Convention Center
- Dallas, TX: January 13-15, 2017, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
- Cleveland, OH: January 27-29, 2017, I-X Center
- Minneapolis, MN: February 3-5, 2017, Minneapolis Convention Center
- Chicago, IL: February 10-12, 2017, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
2016 Chicago Winners at the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show
56 custom bike builders wheeled into Chicago to compete for the combined Chicago / US Championship J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show rounds. Builders from New York, Miami and NorCal all made their way to the bone chilling cold to showcase the best their creativity had to offer.
Some of the greatest up-and-comers and established artists of the 2 wheel persuasion where in attendance including Evan Favaro, George Stinsman, Steve Iacona, Cory Ness, Dave Dupor, Jon Shipley, Will Ramsey, Kyle Shorey and Art Steele to name a few.
J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show FreeStyle Class – The winner of the Chicago round in FreeStyle was Jon Shipley. He advanced to the US Championship to compete for the King of the Builders on the following day. His bike wore an old-school green and yellow flaked paint that complemented the copper accents throughout the build. The engine featured a Panhead and a split rocker shovelhead atop a 93”sportster bottom end. In addition, Jon made the oil tank, grips, foot controls and handlebars. He accepted the $2,000 check for the win. Jon also received a custom anvil “Made In USA” ring from Speakeasy Original.
1st – 775 – John Shipley, Hoosier Daddy Choppers – 2016 Custom named Green Bling
2nd – 600 – Gary Capone, Le Mani Moto – 2015 Le Mani Moto named Series One Racer
3rd – 1375 – Mike McFadden Moonshine Sidecar
4th – 475 – Kevin Persons, Hot Rods And Handle Bars – 2012 Harley FLHTP named Black Betty
The SHO DOG award was won by Mark Gates for his work engaging the crowd and showcasing his 2008 Softail Deluxe. He’ll receive The Leatherworks Solo Bag for his effort.
Jeff Holt handed out the Street Chopper award to Jeremy Cupp and the HOT BIKE award to Gary Capone of Le Mani Moto. Bell Helmet supplied a Custom 500 helmet to the People’s Choice winner, Ilya Levkov and his 206 Road Glide.
J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder MOD Harley-Davidson Class – Baggers ruled the Chicago builders with over 20 custom touring models on display. And the bagger that ruled them all was the custom from builder Dave Dupor of DD Custom Cycle and his 2011 Road King. And what blew your skull back were the bags that open up like car doors. They swung out and around the exhaust tips that enter and exit the bags on the sides.
Dave Dupor rolled out the bike he competed in the HOT BIKE tour and took home a check for $1,000. On Saturday night he rolled his bike into the Championship corral to compete in the US Championship on Sunday.
1st – 1325 – Dave Dupor, DD Custom Cycle – 2011 Road King
2nd – 700 – Joe Chval – DA Performance – 2009 FLHX named Monsterglide
3rd – 275 – Antonio Palermo, F Bomb Baggers – 2009 Bagger named Scooter Shooters
4th -875 – Kieran Thompson – FKKMOtoUSA – 2003 H-D Sportster 1200C named XL1250
J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder MOD Custom Class – The thing about this fat tire, stretched swing arm Hayabusa is it’s 12 years old and it’s Juan Rodriguez’s daily rider that still looks brand spanking new. The paint is deep and pops even in the dull convention lights. Paint was supplied by JP Custom. It has a super clean look that you expect from a fire breathing Suzuki. Juan took home a check for $750 and entered the US Championship.
1st – 800 – Juan Rodriguez – 2004 Suzuki Haybusa named Menace
2nd – 175 – Fonarelli Motorsports – 2013 Cleveland Heist – Paint Midwest Customs
3rd – 1150 – Tony Odom – Fancy Cycle, 07 ZX14 named Spiderman Bike
4th – 1125 – Tony Odom, Fancy Cycle – 09 ZX14 named Skull Bike
J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder MOD Retro Class – Steve Iacona of Iacona Customs rolled in Crusader into the Chicago edition of the J&P Cycles Ultimate Builder. The 1972 Triumph Bonneville, named Crusader, was positioned as the first bike you see as you enter into the Progressive International Motorcycle Show and that turned out to be a mistake because it created a traffic jam during the entire show. Iacona created a Café Racer with a hand hammered fairing and tail section. The engine was scotch brite to make the cases gleam. Iacona took home a check for $750 and entered the US Championship.
1st – 1425 – Steve Iacona, Iacona Customs – 1972 Bonneville named Crusader
2nd – 1400 – Bill Shalk, Tried and True Garage, 1967 Custom Bobber named Making Chips
3rd – 1050 – Paul Anderson, 1946 WLA 45 named Once in Awhile
4th – 1075 – Paul Anderson, 1940 WLA 45 named Evil Twin
