This year’s 34th annual Americade, the country’s largest touring motorcycle rally, has a new twist.
A separate, but parallel event called DirtDaze, based at Painted Pony Ranch in Lake Luzerne, is scheduled for the fast-growing world of adventure bike enthusiasts who like to ride on highways and rugged dirt roads, which are found throughout the Adirondacks.
Jimmy Lewis, an American racer and founder of the Off-Road Riding School, will be on hand and Honda will unveil the latest factory models of its much-anticipated Africa Twin bike, both major coups for a first-year activity.
“I’m not that busy during Americade, so I figured why not start another sister event?” joked Christian Dutcher, Americade director.
His parents, Bill and Virginia, founded Americade 33 years ago. They’re still involved, but have turned it over to his leadership.
Christian Dutcher said the premise behind DirtDaze is simple.
“Americade, in so many ways, is the best of motorcycling,” he said. “It has the best bikes, the best educational seminars, the best vendors. But there was an absence of things for adventure bikers, one of the fastest-growing motorcycling demographics. I just felt with a little bit of effort we could grow the Americade family. It seemed like a natural fit.”
Americade brings more than 40,000 people to Lake George each year and has a roughly $50 million regional economic impact for money spent on lodging, meals, fuel, supplies and entertainment.
Adventure bike riding is more specialized and difficult, so DirtDaze will likely have only a few hundred registrants. But Christian Dutcher expects that number to grow as word catches on.
Most adventure bikers typically stay in campers, which Painted Pony has plenty of room for, while Americaders fill hotel rooms.
DirtDaze attendees may take part in all special Americade entertainment and activities, and vice versa.
Both week-long events begin next week.
On Monday, Rider Magazine will host an Americade opening celebration at 6:30 p.m. in the big top tent overlooking the lake. Also, daredevil performers will put on Busted Knuckles Stunt Shows at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Fort William Henry demonstration area. Riders do wheelies, acrobatics, burnouts, jumps and pyrotechnic stunts.
DirtDaze kicks off on Tuesday.
An endless variety of activities are planned all week including concerts, day trips, demonstration rides and TourExpo, a massive trade show that begins Tuesday with more than 200 vendors offering every type of motorcycle accessory imaginable.
Americade also gives visitors a full lineup of entertainment to choose from such as hot air balloon rides, rodeos, cruise boat trips, ghost tours and comedy shows.
The highlight on Thursday, June 9 is a Festival of Lights parade at 9:30 p.m. when colorful bikes ride through the village, beginning and ending at Fort William Henry. This includes two contests — functional lighting judging better known as “Battle of the Bulbs” and decorative lighting for the most colorful bike.
Fireworks are planned Friday night (June 10).
One of the week’s main events is the Saturday (June 11) parade at 10 a.m. when riders in zany costumes go through the village. Streets are lined with thousands of spectators.
During the week, a dozen manufacturers from Honda to Harley-Davidson give guests a chance to try out their latest model machines with demonstration rides, starting at Fort William Henry. People can also talk to company representatives to learn about each motorcycle’s key features.
In addition, people can become a “Roads Scholar” by attending one of the dozens of seminar speakers lined up for Americade University, which brings in top industry leaders who talk about different topics. The list includes “Adventure Touring: Mastering the Mountains,” with Bret Tkac of TourUSA Motorcycle Rentals and Tours; “Confidence Building With the Solo Female Rider,” with Tonya Forcier, Women’s Motorcycle Network of New England president; and “Notes From the Road” with comedian Alonzo Bodden.
Bodden will host one of the week’s many day trips called “Adirondack Gateway,” a 170-mile ride including lunch at one of New York state’s oldest restaurants.
The region’s network of well-maintained highways and beautiful scenery is one of Americade’s greatest drawing points.
Other trips will go to the top of Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks, Mount Equinox in Vermont, across Vermont covered bridges and through Amish farm country in the Mohawk Valley.
Americade guests can also take part in a riding skills challenge
The concert series, held inside a 2,000-seat tent at the Charles R. Wood Park festival space, will have nationally-known acts such as Craig Moran, Brandon Ray and Big Sky Country along with popular area groups, the Audio Stars and Stony Creek Band.
For more information about both rallies and full schedules go to: tourexpo.com and dirtdazerally.com.
