June is big rally month here in the Northeast with Americade scheduled for June 1 through 6 and Laconia Bike Week June 13 through 21. While technically speaking the big bike events aren't in our state, they are on either side of it. And this year's, Bennington Bash, May 29 through 31 in Bennington VT, may be the best event of them all.
If you live in Vermont and have never been to Americade, I highly suggest you take a day off and ride over. Americade is held in Lake George and is only two hours from the Burlington area and less than that from many parts of the state. There is nothing like the feeling of riding into a town with literally thousands of motorcycles. The atmosphere of Americade is friendly, low-key and welcoming. It's a great way to see what's new and to see a ton of bikes.
Laconia Bike Week, held in Laconia NH, may be part of the reason I ride today. My grandparents used to live in NH and we would visit them every Fathers Day - the traditional start of bike week. As a kid, I would sit in the back of the station wagon and gawk at bikes, wishing I was on one.
While bike week actually ends on Father's Day this year, it's still a good place for Dads (and Moms) to go. Laconia has a rough-and-tough reputation, but the event is open to all and really isn't something to avoid on reputation. It draws a large number of riders and you'll see every type of bike there. It is definitely a celebration of two-wheels and I've heard mention that they even have motorcycle-races someplace near-by!
The secret sleeper in the bunch though, is the event that starts them all off: the Bennington Bash May 29 through 31. The Bennington Bash is a grass roots gathering of Triumph riders. The focus of this event is riding and is what motorcycle events should be about.
For other gatherings and rides during June, please see the Events page. Our discussion forums are open and can be used to plan your ride or seek out others who may be riding to these events.
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