Motorcycle Rallies I've Attended
(& what makes a great motorcycle rally)

It takes a lot for me to want to attend a motorcycle rally. The reality is that I love riding my motorcycle more than I like talking about it, or listening to others talk about it.

That said, a rally can be great for attending a class that helps improve my riding, learning of a great place to visit, or to just make friends. I do love socializing, and I love learning anything that will make me a better rider and that will increase my enjoyment of just riding, or motorcycle travel.

What makes a worthwhile motorcycle rally for me? Information that is of real value to me and applicable to how I ride, or want to ride. That could be any of the following:

• Test rides of at least a couple of motorcycle brands. Especially if there is at least one motorcycle that a short person like me, at 5'4", could ride.
  
• Presentations, panel discussions or vendor displays that have anything to do with great places to travel, tips for international travel or motorcycle rider safety. 
  
• Workshops on riding in certain riding conditions (in the rain, on snow, on gravel, on dirt).
• Workshops on how to do something while on the road, far from a phone, like change a tire.
  
• Workshops or vendor displays regarding first aid.
• Presentations, panel discussions or vendor displays about motorcycle travel gear and travel tech (what's so great about mesh jackets and pants? Or special socks? Or the Spot tracker?).
• Vendors.
• Riding tips and demos for short riders.
  
• A presentation by a woman or women who travel internationally (and even better - if men attend to, so they understand how to be great travel buddies for women on the road).
• Presentations about budgeting to travel long-term.
• Presentations, panel discussions or vendor displays regarding options to keep your motorcycle from getting stolen.
• Presentations or displays emphasizing how to travel with respect.
• Route maps and tourist information for the area where the rally is being held. Maybe I want to come back when there is no rally going on. Maybe I want to stay an extra day and explore. And if that info includes some really special road I might never have known about otherwise, all the better!
  
• Swag: stickers, pens, keychains, coupons, magazines, etc.
• SHADE. Lots and lots of shade.
• Readily available drinking water.
• Food for sale in the rally or nearby, or clearly-noted info that we need to bring our own food and cooking equipment.
• A detailed web site that provides complete details on what attendees should bring, and not bring, parking, programs/workshops, etc. 
  
• Safe motorcycle parking. That may mean being able to park my bike right next to my tent, or in a locked facility. I should never have to walk a long way to get to my bike.
  
• Camping and parking in an area that is not easily accessible to passersby; locals shouldn't be walking through where people are camping or parking.
• Constant "welcome" moments. Every day should start with a welcome activity by rally organizers. Every evening or shared meal should start with a welcome by rally organizers. 
  
• Clean bathroom facilities, enough for all attendees to not have to form long lines every day. These should be cleaned and stocked daily (twice daily if they will be in heavy use).
  
• Lots of picnic tables (or plenty of notice that there won't be any).
• Places for people to gather in case it rains, or gets too hot.
  
• A big bulletin board where any attendee can post information or messages.
• Lots of opportunities for riders to meet and talk together.
• A survey to ask attendees how they liked the event.

• Raffles and silent auctions, particularly when the funds go to a credible, reputable, non-religious charity.
• T-shirts.
• One free meal, or one free drink ticket.
  
• A bonfire.
• Games.
• A restaurant or pub, or even just a convenience store, within walking distance.
  
• A quick followup on the web site about the event after the event, with photos, attendance numbers, etc.

• Presentations that are just about "and then I went here, and then I went here." How did you choose the route? Did you ever pay a bribe? How did you choose where to eat? Where to stay? What insurance did you use?
• Unfriendly, non-sociable motorcycle riders who think there is only one way to travel by motorcycle - their way.
• Presentations or workshops that assume all motorcycle riders want to go as fast as possible, or want to go the most difficult route possible.
• Workshops that assume all riders are 5'7" or taller.
• Workshops about personal motivation - anything with "cave man" or "run with wolves" in the title.
• Workshops that assume everyone has been riding since we were children.
• Camping that is never quiet - that's impossible for anyone to get enough sleep.
• No opportunity for late night gatherings that won't disturb other campers.
  
• Organizers that spend most of their time talking to each other, rather than talking to rally attendees. 
• Organizers not making sure that any people coming onto the grounds are a part of the rally. 
• Prohibitions on bringing in food or drinks. 
• Constant changes in programming, lots of cancellations, etc.
• A high price that doesn't fit what I'm going to get as a result of attending.
• Sexist activities or imagery; stripper poles, wet t-shirt contests, clothing or gear with sexist comments or images on such, bikini bike washes, etc. 
• Activities that assume everyone is a Christian.

I've been to these seven motorcycle rallies, BTW (links go to my reviews):

• Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, Redmond, Oregon, 2022
   
  
• Tynda Burning Moto Man, for international motorcycle travelers, near Eugene, Oregon, June 2010 and June 2011, hosted by the legendary motorcycle travelers Eric Haws and his wife Gail. Eric held a Guinness Book of World Records certificate for being the first person to cross Russia on a motorcycle (two up with Gail) and he had a motorcycle on every continent. Eric and Gail were on the road so much that we were shocked when we met a RTW motorcycle traveler that had NOT met them.
   
  
• Sound RIDER! Rally in The Gorge, August 1-5, 2012, in Stevenson, Washington (Columbia Gorge)
   
  
• Horizons Unlimited 2010 California meeting, From Oregon to the "Lost Coast" of Northern California, August 2010
   
  
• Freunde der Africa Twin Rally, Germany, June 2008
   
  
• Moto-FERNREISE-Treffen by the famous (infamous?) Bernd Tesch, Belgium & Germany, April 2006

Tips for Women: Getting Started as a Motorcycle Rider (just to ride, not necessarily to travel as well)

For Women Who Travel By Motorcycle (or want to)

Advice for Women Motorcycle Travelers: Transportation and Accommodations Choices

Advice for Women Motorcycle Travelers: Suggested Books and Web Sites

general information and advice for novice traveling women from the USA

health & safety considerations especially for women novice travelers.

transire benefaciendo: "to travel along while doing good." advice for those wanting to make their travel more than sight-seeing and shopping.

my page of helpful hints for camping with your dogs in the USA.

return to the broads abroad home page

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