Sturgis Motorcycle Rally attendees gather en masse

Motoring

The most hardcore motorcycle rallies in the world

Looking for an adventure on two wheels like no other? Read on.

By Lluís Llurba and Pablo Bueno

5 min readPublished on 06/09/2017 · 8:26 AM UTC

From city centres to extreme reaches of the earth's more inhospitable spots, these rallies all have one thing in common: that they bring together passionate motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life.

They're the perfect excuse to jump on the bike, meet old friends and make new ones, and all in some of the world's most impressive places.

These are some of the most incredible gatherings there are on two wheels...

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Every year in Sturgis (South Dakota, USA) more than half a million motorcyclists roll up and kick back.

First organised and held in 1938, what was originally set up as a small meet of fans soon became something much bigger, growing rapidly and now welcoming swathes of two-wheeled aficionados. It's unofficial highest attendance – in 2015 – swung north of 700,000 attendees.

During the week of Sturgis, this small town (which at the last count had a population of just 6,500 inhabitants) is overwhelmed with bikes. Harleys, stunt riders, you name it, Sturgis attracts it. All types of motorcycles and riders turn up to enjoy the event, which takes place right next to Mount Rushmore.

Elefantentreffen

The Elefantentreffen (translation: Elephant Rally) takes place in the last week of January, or the first week of February, each year, in a valley in the Bavarian Forest in Germany.

Snow is pretty much a given, and anywhere between 5,000 and 10,000 brave souls from across Europe venture out for the event.

It's founding year was 1956, when German journalist and ex-military man Ernst Leverkus organised an event exclusively for Zündapp KS 601 sidecars, close to Nürburgring. The model, affectionately known as the "Green Elephant", gave its name to the gathering, and the rest is history.

Daytona Bike Week

Motorcycle fans gather on the streets of Daytona Beach — Beach, NASCAR and half a million bikes in Florida
© Officialbikeweek.com

In sunny Florida, Daytona Bike Week is one of the most famous rallies on two wheels. Since 1937 motorcyclists have been coming together for a week of activities, and attendance is now close to half a million. Customised Harleys, trikes, tuned sports bikes, you name it, Daytona Bike Week has it.

Thousands of bikes flood the iconic Daytona Beach area, while the famous Daytona Circuit (with its 170,000 capacity) hosts all manner of races, making this one of the most spectacular events on the motorcycling calendar.

Pingüinos

This one was named a festival of regional touristic importance in 2011, and is a perfect example of a fantastic atmosphere, deep passion and camaraderie combining at a motorcycle rally. It’s the product of years of repeat visits by a dedicated group of devotees.

Pingüinos has been held since 1982, and takes place on the second weekend of January (it lasts four days – who said the weekend should just be two?) in Valladolid, Spain, where 35,000 attendees from around the globe rock up.

Laconia Motorcycle Week

Laconia Motorcycle Week takes place on the famous Weirs beach, on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Aside from all the motorcycle goodness that it hosts, a poker tournament is also a highlight. It has history and pedigree too, having been celebrated since 1916.

In 1965 there was serious unrest, which resulted in the event being seen as troublesome by the authorities. Ever since, a strong security operation has been enforced to ensure peace is maintained, and the event now lasts three days.

Faro Motorcycle Rally

In the 1970s a group of friends formed the Faro Moto Club, unaware that in the future it would evolve into one of the grandest events in Europe.

The first official gathering happened in 1982 on the Algarve, with 200 motorcyclists present. Year-upon-year it’s grown, and for a weekend in July every year those who attend enjoy a range of shows, exhibitions and concerts.

Black Bike Week

Anywhere between 300,00 to 400,000 people gather for Black BikeWeek every year, with parties, demos and customised motorcycles all part of the fun.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is the setting and it’s a real show to behold as tuned bikes and proud owners are shown off.

Stella Alpina

The Stella Alpina Motociclistica Internazionale began as a bet among friends, who’d been meeting up every year since 1966 in Bardonecchia, in the Italian Alps.

The event’s been held year-after-year for the past 50 years, and has grown in popularity and attendance each time. It’s now one of the best attended and well-known gatherings in Europe, and has an atmosphere that fosters a genuine companionship amongst those who show up.

Thundersprint

An iconic event that moved around the UK and became well known for its classic motorcycle races, with the likes of legends such as Giacomo Agostini, Sammy Miller, Jim Redman and modern-day stars such as James Toseland, Cal Crutchlow, Ryuichi Kiyonari and Chris Walker all in attendance.

150,000 people turn up every year to partake in a typically British weekend of motorcycles, food and drink.

RO Texas Biker Rally

The Texas Biker Rally may not have the lengthy history of some of the aforementioned events, but it certainly has the growth rate.

The main event is the Friday evening, when some 200,000 bikers gather on Congress Avenue for a true biker party. In addition to the usual motorcycle exhibitions, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker and Jerry Lee Lewis have all been there.

Kristal Rally

Those who’ve had the courage to venture to the KristalRally note the similarities with the Elefantentreffen, for both the weather and road conditions. For many years attendance figures hovered around the 50 mark, but in recent years 200 has been a regular figure.

Kristal Rally was first held in 1970 when its founder, Norwegian Morten Mager, wanted to hold something along the lines of Elefantentreffen in his homeland. Created to welcome all types of motrorcyles, the harsh terrain its held on mean sidecars are a main protagonist.

Motoring