Transcript

Motorcyclists from around New England and beyond stormed Weirs Beach as Lakeside Avenue and the Lobster Pound became the center of the cruiser motorcycle universe during the 89th Laconia Motorcycle Week in New Hampshire. This year’s rally was blessed with unseasonably nice weather, the rain gods held at bay for all but one overnight dousing. This worked to the benefit of the pro hillclimbers that were in town for the first time as the annual event moved to a new location in Canaan to entice the pros to attend. Thanks to the light rain, traction was solid up the steep slope as riders took turns barreling up the intense grade, spitting up big roosts in their wake. A day of dirt slingin’ fun was had by all in what is always one of the biggest draws of the rally. Under the white canopy of the Lobster Pound tent, five custom motorcycle shops competed in the biker build-off with the task of completing a ground up build in one week. There was an awesome amount of hand-craftsmanship on display, from the sporting ride the crew at White Knuckle Kustoms created to the 1946 Harley WL Northeast Chop Shop resurrected. In the end, though, the sentimental favorite, FTF Cycles out of Randolph, Mass., won one for “Crispy.” We scored a spritely little Single to roll around on all week, a 2012 Royal Enfield Classic Chrome. It was a big hit with the predominantly Harley crowd with its time-honored styling and shiny polished tank. We took a road trip over to the coast of Maine through quaint, touristy towns like Kennebunkport on a quest for the best Maine Lobster. Much of our time was spent at the Naswa Resort whose lakeside bar was always hopping, be it live bands belting out tunes to the second annual NAZkini contest. We also caught up with land speed record holder Jody Perewitz at the NAZ as she helped host the resort’s popular bikini contest. Even though the year before a big anniversary year is generally slow, this wasn’t the case at this year’s Laconia Motorcycle Rally. The weather gods smiled upon us almost all week long. Let’s hope they’re still smiling at next year’s big 90th anniversary celebration. ...View Transcript

Hide...