Back from Laconia
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Massachusetts
Back from Laconia
Just got home frome Laconia bike week. It was actually my first bike week event in the US, and I am kinda disapointed. Not so much of the location, but by the whole thing in general. Weirs Beach was nothing but a giant T-shirt stand. No fun there, and BTW, who the hell said that a bike week should be a friggin family event? The only thing you could really rely on, was that no matter where ou go, you get stuck in traffic. And craploads of trailerqueens. The best part was a guy (license plate from Massachusetts!!!) getting his 40 K dollar bike from the trailer with a "live to ride" vest on. I hate to say that some of the guys there really looked like the village people on vacation
As I am not a big fan of huge crowds anyway, I think I will just stay away from bike weeks from now on, it was not what I was looking for. Although I had atleast one very interesting encounter with a guy who came from Florida, on a 55 straightleg with a shovelmotor. He was in his mid 60s, Respect from me, buddy.
Any good tips for SMALL parties with BIKERS would be welcome. Bonfire, a band, some beer and good people, that's pretty much all I am asking for.
As I am not a big fan of huge crowds anyway, I think I will just stay away from bike weeks from now on, it was not what I was looking for. Although I had atleast one very interesting encounter with a guy who came from Florida, on a 55 straightleg with a shovelmotor. He was in his mid 60s, Respect from me, buddy.
Any good tips for SMALL parties with BIKERS would be welcome. Bonfire, a band, some beer and good people, that's pretty much all I am asking for.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 933
Likes: 4
I live very close to Laconia, and each year I go less. You are right, it never seems to change, and it is a giant tee shirt stand. To be honest, the last few times I went to the Americade, I had more fun, maybe because its is not close to where I live and seemed like there was more to do there, and some of the vendors were better. Even though the Weirs is a beautiful place, it is a bottle neck for traffic and takes the fun out of the event. They have toyed with moving it to a new location, but it would hurt the local economy. The local hawg chapter set up a smaller rally (this week) in North Conway that gives guided tours, live music etc and there are no crowds if you like a quiet type of rally. I am getting to the point I like small trips to ride the bike instead of hanging out in the streets at these rallies watching stupid people act even more stupid. 
Last edited by nhbiker1961; Jun 18, 2009 at 05:46 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,230
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From: Oak Park, IL
Frenchmen, the big rallies have become nothing more then a sales event and a spot for newbies to try and earn some cred. The best runs I have ever made were when I lived in the southwest. Many of the bands would buy a few kegs, get a generator, hang flyers at the biker bars, and set-up out in the desert. You would get a group together, spend the day riding, and then spend the night under the stars listening to good music and telling lies to the pretty girls.
Those were serious parties, really good people, really good times, unfortunately that was a lot of years ago, the world has changed a lot since then and I don't even know if you could get away with doing this anymore.
Those were serious parties, really good people, really good times, unfortunately that was a lot of years ago, the world has changed a lot since then and I don't even know if you could get away with doing this anymore.
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Elite HDF Member
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From: Massachusetts
Frenchmen, the big rallies have become nothing more then a sales event and a spot for newbies to try and earn some cred. The best runs I have ever made were when I lived in the southwest. Many of the bands would buy a few kegs, get a generator, hang flyers at the biker bars, and set-up out in the desert. You would get a group together, spend the day riding, and then spend the night under the stars listening to good music and telling lies to the pretty girls.
Those were serious parties, really good people, really good times, unfortunately that was a lot of years ago, the world has changed a lot since then and I don't even know if you could get away with doing this anymore.
Those were serious parties, really good people, really good times, unfortunately that was a lot of years ago, the world has changed a lot since then and I don't even know if you could get away with doing this anymore.
Well, unless I find places like that, I'll rather be on the open road than stuck in traffic with all those badazz weekend warriors.
Let's set up a meet and greet for the forum members in new england, somewhere. No kids, no clowns, just a few good stories and some food and drinks. I don't even need a live band, just NORMAL bikers who like to spend their time on the road rather than to parade on main street. Let's get back to old school, guys. Leave the gigantic events to the others.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 774
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From: here
I agree. I went up to Laconia just to see the Mustang Seats vendor. I tried some of their seats and watched the "World Burnout Tour" guy pop his tire and left the area to ride.
I'd be all for a New England HDFORUMS get-together!
I'd be all for a New England HDFORUMS get-together!
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Lowell MA
Laconia Bike Week 2009
Frenchman I hear ya some of the rally was luke warm. Although we got lucky for the most part. We rode up from MA(Boston Area) on Monday morning in the pouring rain but the rest of the trip was awesome. We had a great time... we met a bunch of bikers from all over - ME, CT, CA, OH, FL NC that were staying at our motel. All these guys/gals rode to the gig. Right from the introductions we were drinking and making friends with all these folks. Everyone hungout in the grass area of the motel and nobody shut their doors. The booze and beer was flowing and there was lots of grilled food and I never had to touch a spatula...even eggs in the morning. As far as rides we rode hardcore in the rain on Monday and hit every bar(Broken Spoke Saloon, Looney Bin, The Tent, the Paradise) and even the Harley Davidson Tent which had a great band and the burnout guy. On Tuesday we rode up to the White Mountains, and swung back around to ride around the whole lake. We met some more friends who join us for the ride to the Hogs Pen then on to the Upper Deck and back around to the Harley Davidson Tent, Broken Spoke, Looney Bin, Weir Beach and back to the motel....we logged a couple hunderd miles that day. On Wednesday we headed to the Maine Coast with all the people we met and then my group headed back to MA.
Not sure where you stayed but the crowd you meet could make or break the trip. I've already booked my motel room for next year knowing that the same group will be there in 2010. Hey nothing to do with riding but there had to have been a dozen of very attractive single girls that were hanging in that group as well....and at times not much clothes on either. This for sure made the trip that much more enjoyable.
With that said I'm going back for sure.
KH
Not sure where you stayed but the crowd you meet could make or break the trip. I've already booked my motel room for next year knowing that the same group will be there in 2010. Hey nothing to do with riding but there had to have been a dozen of very attractive single girls that were hanging in that group as well....and at times not much clothes on either. This for sure made the trip that much more enjoyable.
With that said I'm going back for sure.
KH
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Road Warrior
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Smokeout... but you better hurry as it's becoming more commercialized each year.
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Seems the weather turned out to be better than expected, eh?. Heard it was going to be a mudpit, couple guys I know said they weren't even going because their campsite was on a hillside.
Wife and I had a great time at Americade. Had some great food, met some great people, great riding. Really enjoyed the people/bike watching. Gotta take the good with the bad though. Tolerated the crowds, noise, and traffic.
Buddy of mine who goes to both said the major difference between the two events besides the more lively crowd at Laconia is that Americade has leadership and organization with events going on all the time. Laconia on the other hand, is unstructured and you're pretty much on your own. Never been so can't say how true that is.
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Wife and I had a great time at Americade. Had some great food, met some great people, great riding. Really enjoyed the people/bike watching. Gotta take the good with the bad though. Tolerated the crowds, noise, and traffic.
Buddy of mine who goes to both said the major difference between the two events besides the more lively crowd at Laconia is that Americade has leadership and organization with events going on all the time. Laconia on the other hand, is unstructured and you're pretty much on your own. Never been so can't say how true that is.
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2008 Heritage Classic: His
2008 Deluxe: Hers