Tall Motorcycle Adventure Tales - The Rally In The Gorge, August 24-28, 2016
 

Scenic and wild motorcycling, adventure and four days of motorized two and three wheel fun will bring motorcyclists from afar to “The Rally In The Gorge” in Hood River, Oregon. The schedule and registration information can be found at www.soundrider.com/rally/

I will be offering a one-hour multimedia seminar August 27 evening, covering 103 years of long distance motorcycling:

“The longest, most difficult motorcycle journey ever attempted” (1912)

“The First ‘Coast-To-Coast’ Trip By A Motorcycle And Sidecar – A True Adventure” (1913)

“Woman rider begins around-the-world trip with Harley-Davidson” (1914)

“American mother and daughter lose their motorcycle with sidecar on European journey” (1914)

“The Greatest Ever ‘Round-The-World Motorbike Adventure” (2012-2013)

“Five Times Around The Globe By Motorcycle” (1980-2014)

The seminar, LONG DISTANCE RIDING ADVENTURES – 103 YEARS,dispels some of the myths and tales about the first motorcycle adventure riders while sharing numerous secrets and exposing naked truths of some modern day adventure travel claims.

For over 100 years motorcyclists have been riding around the world on a wide variety of motorcycles ranging from Harley-Davidson to Vespa. The first person to solo around the world did so in 1912-1913 on a one speed, 7 horsepower Henderson motorcycle. The fastest person to circle the globe on a motorcycle did it in 19 days and 4 hours. The first couple to ride across the United States made their incredible journey in 1913 on a Henderson motorcycle equipped with a self-made sidecar. During their ride, having left Long Beach, California on May 24, 1913, they marked the trail for later motorcyclists like Cannonball Baker to follow. The newly married adventuresome couple arrived in New York City on September 6, 1913.

While attending the rally I will be researching historical and tall motorcycle adventure tales, inviting contributors to bring their stories and images. As fellow moto-journalist Fred Rau likes to borrow from Samuel Clemens, “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story, unless you can’t think of anything better.”

Dr. Gregory Frazier
Chief, World Adventure Affairs Desk, CITY BIKE Magazine