Who Doesn’t Like a Good Rally?

For bikers living in Canada, we’re actually pretty well situated here in southern Ontario. We have, at least when compared to fellow riders, a reasonably long riding season; we also live in a part of the country that is home to many different motorcycle events. In addition to these organized events, there are many “meet up” nights that started out as little more than a few friends meeting each week for a coffee that, over time, just continued to morph into something much bigger. The Thursday night “Leslie and Lakeshore" – or simply "L&L" for short – in east Toronto is probably the biggest example of how a simple little gathering turned into a weekly event that now draws hundreds of bikes of various makes and vintages.
 
We can’t possibly hope to cover all the events that take place during the summer riding season, but we’ll point out a few or our favourites and some of the ones we are particularly interested in attending this year. But first, let’s look at a couple of recurring events that we want to bring to your attention.
 
Moto Social Toronto
If you’re in the Toronto area, you need to check out the Moto Social Toronto meet ups. Scheduled for the first Wednesday evening of each month from May to October, the Moto Socials have become a worldwide movement in the span of just a couple of years. In Canada, Moto Socials now exist in Montreal and Ottawa and are spreading overseas.
 
Bikes and bikers of all ages and styles are welcome to these unique urban events. You can learn more on the Moto Social website and check out this video of the first event of this year.
 
Vintage Road Racing Association (VRRA)
The VRRA hosts a 4-stop racing series that features many classes of racing bikes and talent levels that run from the novice, to former professional racers. In addition to some great action on the racetrack, you can set up camp for the weekend and join in the pit parties and other festivities. This year, races are scheduled for Shannonville, two races at Calabogie, and our favourite stop at MOSPORT. Check out the VRRA website for the full schedule details.
 
May 27 – Barrie-Huronia Swap Meet
This chapter of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Association has been running this annual swap meet for many years. Set up in a large field in a picturesque setting a little north of Wasaga Beach, you can find all kinds of parts for your restoration project. The members also put on an impressive display of their vintage machines not to mention that it’s a lovely ride through some very pretty country. Read more here.
 
June 03 – Highway of Heroes Ride
Retracing the route of fallen Canadian soldiers returning from Afghanistan, the Highway of Heroes Ride is now celebrating 9 years. The ride departs from CFB Trenton by the RCAF Air Force Museum and this year, makes its way to the town of Port Hope where live music, refreshments, and vendors await those making the trek.
 
Speaking as someone who has done this ride several times, riding in a pack of thousands of bikes with all westbound lanes of the 401 reserved for ride participants, is an unforgettable experience. As, quite frankly, is the noise of thousands of bikes staring up and pulling out once the Ride Marshall gives the signal to move out!
 
This year, the Highway of Heroes organizers have partnered with the Birth of a Nation ride celebrating Canada’s 150 birthday. On Sunday, June 04 just one day later, riders will be meeting at Old Fort Henry in Kingston to ride to the Nation’s capital, past the Parliament buildings, and ending with a special ceremony at Beechwood Cemetery. More info is available here.
 
 

June 23 – 25 – Mad Bastard Scooter Rally
Publically, this rally is intended to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, but dig a little deeper and you’ll see it is little more than an excuse to participate in an endurance race riding silly little scooters while wearing even sillier costumes.
This is right up our ally and Old Vintage Cranks will be fielding its own team in this year’s edition.

If you'd like to donate to the oVc team raising money for this wonderful charity, you can do so on our donation page.
 
08 July –  Chrome on the Canal – Campbellford
Dating back to the 1950s when it was known as “Indian Days” and hosted by the local Indian motorcycle dealer, this event is still going strong. Here you will find a fascinating display of classic cars and motorcycles lined up along the canal running through the heart of this pretty little town. Check here for details.
 
08 July – Baconfest – Lucan
Did someone say bacon? Billed as everything to do with bikes and bacon, it’s hard to find a reason not to attend this annual event. This  is another new gathering that has grown considerably and provides more ways than you can imagine, to enjoy bacon.
 
For the history buffs out there, Lucan is also the area where several members of the infamous “Black Donnellys” came to a rather gruesome end at the hands of a mob of really angry citizens. Here’s a link to the Donnelly massacre as well as more info on Baconfest.
 
14 – 16 July – Wasaga Beach Rally
This event has grown dramatically in the 3 years it has been in existence and the Town of Wasaga Beach goes out of its way to make bikers feel welcome. Last year, the entire length of the main drag was lined up three deep with gleaming motorcycles as riders strolled the beach, wandered through the vendor area, or took advantage of the refreshments available from the many establishments along the beach.
 
Take a lesson from yours truly, however, and if you do park along the Beach Street, don’t plan to leave early! You will likely be blocked in until things slow down a bit later in the day. Here is the rally’s website.
 
12 Aug – Bikes on Bond Street (Oshawa)
To be honest, we’ve not been to this before  but it sounds like it could be interesting and is yet another example of how the tourist industry is doing more to cater to riders. Here are more details if you are interested in checking this out later this summer.
 

12 – 13 Aug – Brits on the Lake (port Perry)
Primarily a show featuring vintage British car marques, there will most certainly be some old familiar two wheelers in attendance. Hosted in the little town of Port Perry nestled on the southern shores of Lake Scugogg, Port Perry is less than two hours north of Toronto. You can choose from several scenic routes to get to Port Perry and we are definitely looking forward to this stop in mid-August.
 
19 – 20 Aug – Mods and Rockers
Thankfully, our local Mods and Rockers have set aside their past differences and now we’re all one big, happy family! Well, for the most part at least. Toronto’s annual celebration of the Rocker and Mod lifestyles gets underway Aug 19th with a big bash at Friday night followed by the famous Don Valley ride the following Saturday morning. Read more about this annual event here.
 
29 – 30 Sep – Toronto Motorcycle Film Festival
This new event boasts a full weekend of motorcycle-themed movies from classics like Easy Rider to new documentaries featuring oVc’s good friend Oliver Solaro who likes nothing better than riding bikes on Canada’s notorious ice roads… where temperatures reach -40… while wearing a kilt.

Check out the full line up for the film fest here.
 
13 Oct – Friday the 13th – Port Dover
Here it is; the ultimate little biker party that got out of hand, it’s another Friday the 13th in Port Dover. This year, both 2017 Friday 13ths occur during colder months but we’re hoping the weather cooperates for another ride to Dover.

Click here to learn all about the Friday the 13th Port Dover shenanigans.
 

Customer Corner

Congratulations to Michael on picking up his beautiful Royal Enfield Continental GT Cafe Racer.