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Have you ever attended a motorcycle event?
Races, rallies, campouts, festivals, group rides, shows… There are as many types of events as there are genres of motorcycling. If your riding experience has been purely solo, give a listen to the latest podcast and consider trying something new. Zack and Spurgeon are joined by Patrick Garvin of J&P Cycles, who brings his experiences with V-twin rallies, dirt events, racing, custom shows and more to the table. The guys cover the perks and pitfalls of the major event types and attendees, with plenty of tips along the way to make sure you have a good time.
The best advice I've heard, which is echoed in this podcast, is to know before you go whenever trying a new event. Send any questions or concerns to the event coordinators instead of winging it, and you’ll have a much better time. Barring that, it always helps to know people who attended previous or similar events. They’ll have suggestions to improve your time on two wheels, and they’ll also have a good idea of the event’s vibe. Do fans get crazy at this race? Does the custom show attract builds you’d like?
Finally, you can attend a new event with another first-timer. If a group ride gets too reckless for your tastes, or you just want a campground neighbor who won’t be warming up their dirt bike at 6 a.m., a good riding pal is worth bringing. Enjoying motorcycling together is the point of these events, anyway. Most folks are welcoming and glad to have you along, even if you don’t quite fit in. I once took a stock Africa Twin to a chopper rally and loved every minute of it. All I had to do was ask before I went.
For you lone wolves out there who never attend events, do whatever makes you happy. Riding your own ride is admirable and undervalued. Just don't let one bad experience turn you off to fun somewhere else.
How to listen to Highside/Lowside
As usual, the podcast version of Spurgeon, Zack, and Patrick's discussion is available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and LibSyn for those with accounts.
