Laconia Motorcycle Week, famously known as Bike Week, is one of the oldest and largest motorcycle rallies in the United States. It’s a beloved tradition in the heart of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region that attracts hundreds of thousands of bike enthusiasts annually.

On this 100th anniversary, let’s take a ride down memory lane and explore the history of this iconic event.

1920s-1930s: Humble Beginnings

The roots of Laconia Motorcycle Week trace back to the year 1923, making it one of the oldest motorcycle rallies in the country, preceded only by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company’s 1903 founding celebration. The inaugural event was an intimate gathering organized by the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) as a “Gypsy Tour” – an outing where motorcyclists from various locations converged to share in their love for biking, racing, and fellowship.

The event’s centerpiece was a motorcycle race called “The Loudon Classic,” held on a dirt track route near the Belknap Recreation Area in Laconia. Over the years, the event started gaining traction, attracting more bikers from New England and beyond.

1940s-1950s: Growth and Turbulence

The 1940s saw Bike Week steadily growing and evolving. However, in 1949, the event hit a significant roadblock. The “Riot of 47” saw unruly behavior from some participants leading to a suspension of the event by AMA in 1949. The incident resulted from a combination of alcohol, the large crowd, and a lack of law enforcement presence. This moment in history remains a dark chapter in Bike Week’s otherwise storied legacy.

The event did not occur in 1950 and 1951 due to the suspension. However, due to popular demand, Bike Week returned in 1952, marking the beginning of a new era characterized by better organization, increased law enforcement, and the participants’ shared commitment to respect the host community.

1960s-1980s: Expansion and Evolution

The ’60s saw Bike Week blossoming as a significant cultural event for motorcycle enthusiasts. The Loudon Classic moved to a new location – the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, providing a more organized and controlled environment for the race. This era also saw a broader range of activities included in the event schedule, including hill climbs and short track races.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Bike Week truly became a cultural phenomenon, marked by the growing diversity of its participants and the expansion of event-related activities. Concerts, bike shows, swap meets, and guided rides around the Lakes Region became standard features of the week-long event.

1990s-Present: Tradition and Transformation

The ’90s and early 2000s saw Bike Week continue to evolve and grow, solidifying its place as a significant event on the national motorcycle calendar. In 1998, Laconia Motorcycle Week celebrated its 75th anniversary, drawing record crowds and offering an array of events and attractions.

In recent years, Laconia Motorcycle Week has attracted as many as 400,000 attendees, coming from all over the world. The event has held onto its rich traditions while continuing to evolve, embracing a more inclusive demographic of motorcycle enthusiasts, and expanding its program to cater to a wide range of interests.

The 100th anniversary in 2023 is a testament to Bike Week’s resilience and continuing appeal. The centennial celebration represents a milestone that few events of its kind have achieved. It’s a testament to the passion of the motorcycle community and the enduring allure of the open road.

Impact of COVID-19

Even amid the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the spirit of Bike Week did not waver. While many large-scale events were cancelled worldwide, Laconia Motorcycle Week demonstrated resilience. Organizers postponed the event from its traditional June dates to August to provide additional time for pandemic conditions to improve. Though the crowd size was smaller, the event’s spirit remained undiminished.

The Spirit of Bike Week

Through the decades, Laconia’s Bike Week has held onto its essence – the freedom, camaraderie, and passion inherent to the world of motorcycling. It has weathered challenges and societal changes while honoring the spirit that first brought bikers to the Laconia region back in 1923.

Beyond the thrill of the Loudon Classic and other motorcycle races, Bike Week has become a celebration of all things motorcycle. The event offers numerous activities like hill climbs, vintage rallies, swap meets, custom bike shows, concerts, charity rides, and much more. It’s an opportunity for bike enthusiasts to come together, share their passion, and make lasting memories.

Laconia’s Bike Week has woven itself into the fabric of American motorcycle culture, remaining a steadfast symbol of the freedom, adventure, and unity that biking embodies. From humble beginnings in the early 1920s to a globally recognized event, Laconia Motorcycle Week is an integral part of New Hampshire’s history and identity. As the sound of roaring engines fills the air each summer, bikers and spectators alike are reminded of the event’s rich history, marking their calendars for another year of celebration and camaraderie.

As we look ahead, there’s no doubt that Laconia Motorcycle Week will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of riders and spectators alike, each year writing a new chapter in its long and storied history. Here’s to the open road and the adventures that lie ahead. Ride on!