Just returned from the 2016 Laughlin River Run {my first but definitely not my last}. My bride and I rode up from Tucson departing last Tuesday and stopping to visit friends in Mesa. This shortened the ride by about 100 miles and it was a good, albeit brief visit.

We left their place Wednesday morning at 0830 and the worst of the Phoenix commute had faded. Got in the car pool lane cruised all the way across Phoenix without a lane change. Definitely the way to go. The new 303 loop took us up to 60 and on into Wickenburg and then 93 took us all the way to I-40 east of Kingman.

The weather said single digit winds all the way to Laughlin but from I-40 all the way in it was blowing a steady 25 out of the south with a few 35 mph gusts... NOT fun! Rolled into the Tropicana at 1:30. Wednesday was fairly quiet, we even got garage parking for the Super Glide but by Thursday the whole town was seriously jumping.

I'm guessing that at least 97% of all the bikes in town were Harley's, you saw a few Indians and couple of Victory's and the occasional Gold Wing but not much else. By Thursday afternoon every parking lot pretty much looked like this:



We had a few sprinkles on Thursday but not enough to bother anyone. The crowd was nicest bunch of folks you would ever want to meet. Never heard a harsh word or horn honk the whole time we were there. The heavy police presence and private security hardly seemed needed but that is probably because they were there. Colors (hard or soft), were strictly prohibited from every venue and I never saw any one percenters.

The music rocked from everywhere and the "sound of freedom" blasted long and loud as every biker in town tried to out do the rest. Spent more than few hours on the patio at the Tropicana listening to music and bikes and just enjoying the vibe.

The vendors were doing land office business selling any and everything bike related. Harley was out in force providing a dozen or more bikes for demo rides. Lots of bike up on the lifts getting everything from new pipes to LED accent lights, tune ups, suspension tweeks etc..

Our trip got even better when I took a slot machine down for $400 which pretty much paid for the whole trip. The forecast called for serious wind between Laughlin and Tucson for Saturday so we left this morning at 0830 and cruised the 388 miles back home with a strong westery/northwesterly at our backs the whole ride. Can't wait to go back and urge any who have never gone to find a way...

 

Last night I got pounded by the rain storm about 8:15 and the wind was pretty bad but I live in Bullhead City so I went home. Glad you had fun. There's more people here today and there were still more coming in.

 

Sounds like a blast

 

"Colors (hard or soft), were strictly prohibited from every venue and I never saw any one percenters."

Prohibiting colors is why you didn't SEE any 1%ers but that doesn't mean they weren't there.

 

What are "hard or soft" colors?

 

Sounds like the event was pretty dull and boring.

 

OP won $400 at the slots, I understand why he had a great time.

Had he dropped a bundle at the craps table, maybe having drinks at the Tropacana and listening to an endless sea of straight pipes wouldn't have been such a good "vibe".

 

Never said they weren't there, just that I didn't see any. I've known a few over the years and doubt they are inherently invisible just because they are not wearing their cuts. My point was everyone I interacted with was just there for a good time and all were having it.

I'm sure it got a lot more festive after us old folks headed in for the night. As far as gambling it should be nothing but fun, win or lose, otherwise why bother? As noted though.... winning is lot more fun.

If the patio at the Trop was too tame for your tastes the "Adult" outdoor bar with a dozen or more scantily clad dancers and music that could be heard in Kingman might be more to your liking. We spent some time there as well.

Got quite an education talking to so many other folks, checking out the thousands of bikes and seeing the new products. If Laughlin isn't your cup of Joe so be it but if you attended and had a lousy time it was probably a self inflicted wound.

As always.... Opinions and YMMV.

 

You're some expert. Must have got that way watching Sons of Anarchy.

 

A few of us went on Sunday and returned on Thursday. The rooms were $27/night instead of $160/night. We rode around Monday & Tuesday. By Wednesday all the vendors were set up and the Hogs & Heffers bar was rocking. We left town Thursday morning as the masses were rolling in. Just like going to Sturgis the week before the event.