I am just now getting around to writing about our trip to the 2021 International Motorcycle Show. Life and work have been pushing against riding and writing for a couple months now thus the reason for fewer posts. I hope that is changing for the better, fingers crossed.
For us this year’s show was held at the Carlisle, Pennsylvania Fairgrounds, which is about a two-hour trip for us. That was not much more than the trip into Washington, DC. The trip into the city, while 100 miles closer, could often take hours as well.
The fairground was mostly flat with only a small hill to get to the Kawasaki display I had no issues with the choice of the venue. It was easy to get to food and product vendors as you walk around taking in the sights. Parking was ample with separate areas and entry points for car and motorcycles.
The fact that the International Motorcycle Show was outdoors, was a surprise. While there I meet a member of the show team and spoke to her about why they moved outdoors. I will write a separate post on her response to that question, it was interesting.
As far as the show and motorcycles went it was pretty much on par with the indoor show with one major exception, there were a lot of test rides available. Every major manufacture had something on hand for a test ride! This was not the case with the indoor DC show typically held in January. DC in January is not an opportune time to test ride a motorcycle.
This year, as I noted in earlier post, the motorcycle show folks had the Direction Wide Open team there to talk about traveling the RV/Caravan lifestyle with motorcycles. Lucinda and Will Belden provided an interesting and lively discussion on how you can take your motorcycling in a different direction with the use of an RV. It was quite fun listening to their stories and answers to the attendees’ questions.
J&P Cycle was again sponsoring the custom motorcycle show and contest next to the tent holding the vintage bikers’ rides. Walking between the two was like a time travel event! But, in each tent there were fabulous motorcycles that made me want to hit the lottery so I could have my own set of tents.
So, all in all I would deem the Outdoor International Motorcycle Show a hit. Would I go if it were raining? Well, if you have read this blog for very long you know the answer to that question, of course I would. But would the attendance be as great, of that I am not sure.
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 