Riding your motorcycle is an individual activity, but that doesn't mean you need to enjoy it alone. Motorcyclist are fun-loving people and bike nights are great places to meet other motorcyclists.
Bike nights are regular gatherings of motorcyclist to meet, hang-out and have a few laughs. They usually take place on a weeknight in the early evening, at a restaurant or bar. Riders get food, talk bikes and enjoy the company of other riders.
Vermont has three bike night options: Vermont Bike Night in Winooski, Essex Bike Nite in Essex Junction and Bike Night at Mulligans Irish Pub in Barre.
Vermont Bike Night
Every Tuesday Night
Donny's Pizza in Winooski
UPDATE: June 23rd: There are now two bike nights on Tuesday night. Burlington Bike Night is in Winooski at Donny's Pizza; Vermont Bike Night is at Rocky's Pizza in Essex Junction.
Handing out prizes at the 2010 Super Cycle Showcase
In 2006, Michael Lemire of Burlington started Vermont Bike Night as a way to for sport riders to connect with other sport riders. With the help of Bill Russell of Monkton, they recruited other like-minded riders and arranged with Kosta and Johnny of Donny's Pizza in Winooski to host the weekly event.
The crowd at Vermont Bike Night tends to be younger and sport bike oriented. The emphasis is on riding well and riding safely. It's a great group to learn about track days, racing and gear. The group is open and welcoming, and riders of all types of bikes come out. Last season they had as many as 60 bikes attending.
Vermont Bike Night is every Tuesday night - year round -- from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Donny's Pizza in Winooski. Riders get free soda and can buy great pizza by the slice. The baklava at Donny's is out-of-this-world! Vermont Bike Night sponsors other events throughout the year, including the Super Cycle Showcase, a bike show featuring sport-oriented motorcycles.
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Essex Bike Nite
Last Thursday of Every Month
The On Tap in Essex Junction
Essex Bike Nite -- in its third season this year - emphasizes fun and games! The event is 6 to 9 p.m. , the last Thursday of every month at the On Tap at the Five Corners in Essex Junction, starting in April and running through September.
Green Mountain Harley Davidson of Essex Junction organizes the event, which includes a slow ride contest and a Big Wheel race (if you've never seen a grown man riding a Big Wheel, this alone is reason to attend). The Bud Girls hand out prizes and pose for pictures with the winners. There is a beer garden overlooking the "race course" so you can sip your suds and still see the action.
The Bud Girls with a prize winner st Essex Bike Nite
Naturally, you'll find plenty of Harley riders at the event, but riders of every type of motorcycle attend.
At the May26th Bike Nite, Green Mountain is giving away tickets to see Willie Nelson at the Champlain Valley Expo on May 29th.
Starting in May, GMHD is also running Two Wheel Tuesday the 2nd Tuesday of each month, a back roads ride leaving at 5:30 from their shop. See this posting for more
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Bike Night at Mulligan's Pub
Every Wednesday night; Wilkins HD Last Wednesday of the Month
Mulligan's Pub in Barre
Cory Laferrier, Manager of Mulligan's Pub in Barre and a Harley rider started Bike Night at Mulligan's Pub three years ago as way for riders to meet and see the beautiful bikes that came in each week.
Shortly after Mulligan's Bike Night began, Wilkins Harley Davidson joined with Mulligan's Pub to create a monthly event with games, prizes and live music.
Bike Night at Mulligan's Pub is every Wednesday night during the riding season. There are food specials, like buy-one, get-one free appetizers, live music and specials on Miller Drafts.
The last Wednesday of each month Wilkins Harley Davidson attends Bike Night and there are giveaways, biker games and Harley trivia. The Miller Girls hand out prizes to game winners and people who answer trivia questions.
This season Wilkins is expanding Bike Night. There will be an outside BBQ, a designated motorcycles-only parking area and a place for watching the biker games. At the May 25th Bike Night, Tim Brick will play, Wilkins will be conducting free pre-season motorcycle safety checks and there will be a 50/50 raffle for the Food Bank.
Get Out And Meet Some Riders
Whichever bike night suits you, get out and meet your fellow riders. Attend a bike night and you are bound to make some new friends and have some fun. Why ride alone, when you can discover the fun of a passion shared?
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