Motorcycle Weather is Here: Take a Ride to these Attractions this Spring

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For motorcyclists, now is the time to enjoy the beautiful warm and sunny weather and hit the open road. If you’re looking for a destination along your next road trip, try the events and attractions below that specifically cater to bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts.

The open road in Tennessee by Nathan Kosmak – Unsplash

Rev ’em up! Get ready to rock and ride at Tennessee’s one-of-a-kind “Moto & Music” event. The seventh annual Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival (TMMR) will be held May 16-19, 2024, at the 3,500-acre Loretta Lynn Ranch at Hurricane Mills. This popular, four-day festival, presented by Harley-Davidson Motor Co. ®, is a motorcycle enthusiast’s playground and a music lover’s paradise. Tennessee’s largest motorcycle gathering will feature a stellar selection of artists across multiple genres and a huge variety of two-wheeled events. Tickets are on sale now, exclusively at www.motorcyclesandmusic.com.

The two-wheeled playground offers something for everyone who enjoys motorcycles of nearly any kind. Included are Harley-Davidson demo rides, motorcycle racing, ADV trail riding, a hill climb, V-Twin Visionary performance bike show, an all-class bike show, biker games, group motorcycle rides, minibike races, stunt riders and an extraordinary showcase of hand-crafted custom motorcycles from across the country in the BC Moto Invitational.

Artists and bands, including recording artists Elvie Shane, Whey Jennings and Whitey Morgan, are specially curated primarily from the region and the booming talent coming out of Music City (see full lineup here). Genres include outlaw country, southern rock, country, bluegrass and rock. Promoters from around the country make their way to the festival every year to choose bands from the extraordinary plethora of talent—it’s a musical showcase of sorts. In addition to the three main stages, TMMR features live music at the Speed Shack, aptly situated next to the racetrack, and the Waterin’ Hole, alongside Hurricane Creek.

TMMR is committed to supporting U.S. military veterans and will be working with Special Ops Xcursions to provide complimentary tickets and camping to members of U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF). Additionally, Helmets for Heroes will showcase a variety of custom-painted ICON Motorsport helmets available by auction, with funds going to the military nonprofit.

In terms of accommodations, a wide range of options are available in three unique campgrounds, including RVs, glamping, tent camping and vehicle camping. Nearby hotels and Airbnbs are also available.

“It takes a lot of hard work all year long,” says singer-songwriter Tayla Lynn, granddaughter of Loretta Lynn, family ambassador for the event and co-emcee, along with motorcycling legend and salt flats land speed record holder, Jay Allen.

Tennessee Motorcycles & Music Revival is generously supported by Harley-Davidson Motor Co., Progressive Insurance, Appleton Harley-Davidson, Bumpus Harley-Davidson, White Lightning Harley-Davidson, Frontier Coffee, Icon MotoSports, Crowe Security, Jack Daniel’s and more. For more information, visit the TMMR website, motorcyclesandmusic.com, and check out the group’s social media sites Instagram @TNMotorcycleRevival, Facebook @TnMotorcycleRevival and YouTube @TnMotorcycleRevival. Subscribe to the email list HERE or text “TMMR” to (888) 306-6093 for updates. Loretta Lynn’s ranch is located at 8000 Highway 13 South in Hurricane Mills. Guests can also tour the museums and shops in the ranch’s Western Town.

Bikes in St. Augustine, Florida – courtesy of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors and Convention Bureau

Motorcycles are more than a mode of transportation on Florida’s Historic Coast – they’re a way of life. The smooth roads that hug the ocean and the fresh breezes make it the perfect place to explore on two wheels. The Riding into History™ antique motorcycle event embraces this joie de vivre by featuring the most stunning bikes of yesteryear. Now in its 24th year, Riding into History™ is on Friday, April 19th and Saturday, April 20th, with Saturday’s Concours d’Elegance at its new home – the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 Dixie Highway South. The theme of this year’s event is Chasing the Rising Sun featuring Japanese motorcycles.

The Riding into History™ event kicks off on Friday, April 19th, with the Grand Marshal Tour and Banquet featuring the 2024 Grand Marshal, Henry DeGouw. Born in Gainesville, DeGouw had a long and successful career as a motorcycle road racer, race team manager, and promotor, beginning in 1964. He raced in the AMA Expert Formula 1 National Championship Series on the Yamaha TZ750, scoring several top-ten finishes and securing several championship wins. He promoted races throughout Florida and managed race teams competing in international championships. He was inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame, and his beloved 1977 Yamaha TZ750D is on display at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Alabama. He has also been honored with a plaque at the Daytona 200 Monument.

The Grand Marshal Tour is for Concours entrants only, and they must ride antique motorbikes. They can ride with the Grand Marshal through the historic backroads of Florida’s Historic Coast. This is followed by the Grand Marshal Banquet, where visitors can hear Henry DeGouw speak about this epic history of racing. The Banquet takes place at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort and features a catered banquet meal and a silent auction. Tickets for the banquet may be purchased here.

Never has a machine embodied the essence of cool like vintage bikes do. The sleek lines of a classic motorcycle entices everyone from experienced riders to young children. Visitors can get up close and personal with over 300 antique and vintage motorbikes at the Riding into History™ Motorcycle Concours on Saturday, April 20th, from 10am to 4pm at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine. All bikes must be at least 35 years old to be shown, with exceptions being made for significant or limited edition later-year models and those with historical interest. The event will also feature exhibitors, dealers, food, entertainment, and curated exhibitions. Spectator tickets are $15 each at the door, or two tickets for $25 online.

The Grand Marshal will present awards in multiple classes at 3pm. Chief Judge Harris Turner will oversee judging, joined by some special guests! Children ages 8 to 16 can explore their love of motorcycles by signing up for the Motorcycle Youth Judging Program. Young motorcycle enthusiasts will receive entrance to the Concours d’Elegance, easy-to-understand training, and a goodie bag. Parents can expect judging to take approximately one hour. The program is free; kids can register to be a youth judge here.

With its new location at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, the Riding into History™ Concours d’Elegance is closer to the heart of historic downtown St. Augustine. The Classic Car Museum is a 30,000-square-foot special events space, museum, and classic car storage facility. Its museum showroom is packed with everything from classic cars dating back to the 1800s to modern-day supercars.

Proceeds from the Riding into History™ Concours d’Elegance benefit their longtime charity partner, K9s for Warriors. Determined to end veteran suicide, K9s For Warriors provides highly-trained Service Dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma. With the majority of dogs coming from high-kill rescue shelters, this innovative program allows the K9/Warrior team to build an unwavering bond that facilitates their collective healing and recovery.

Whether you’re a biker with thousands of miles under your belt, a dreamer, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of design, Riding into History™ is a can’t-miss event! Once you’re here, there are plenty of backroads, beaches, and historic landscapes to explore. Use our trip planner to craft the perfect visit to St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and The Beaches.

The Harley-Davidson logo by Austin Neill – Unsplash

The collection within the halls of the H-D Museum brings to life the story of an American icon that is renowned the world over. And with Earth Day just around the corner, it’s time to Rock the Green! The 13th annual free, zero-waste Earth Day Celebration arrives on campus Saturday, April 20 and is presented by the City of Milwaukee’s Environmental Collaboration Office and Milwaukee Riverkeepers. After helping clean up Mother Earth, join the fun outside the H-D Museum for some refreshments and a live concert with Urban Empress & The Urbanites, Sarah Fierek & The Widlflowers and Jonah Denae performing on a pedal-powered stage. Plus, learn more about eco-education from community nonprofits & partners and hear Earth Day Remarks. Rain or shine with free parking and pets are allowed outside on H-D Museum™ grounds.

If you can’t make it for Earth Day, try this summer: tickets are moving fast for this summer’s Harley-Davidson Homecoming™ Festival. Visit HDHomecoming.com to secure your two-day general admission tickets for headliners like Jelly Roll and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in July. Join the fun in Milwaukee for the annual four-day celebration of music, motorcycles, and H-D’s hometown. The H-D Museum campus will be one of the places to be from July 25 – 28. This year, we’ll be celebrating legendary biker, builder, and former H-D Chief of Styling, Willie G. Davidson. Powered by Rockford Fosgate®, Dunlop® Motorcycle Tires, H-D Insurance, Twisted Tea®, Wisconsin Lottery®, Official Harley-Davidson™ Trucks and Death Wish Coffee Co.®

In addition to these fun events, there are plenty of things to see and do at the museum. Current and upcoming exhibits include“Mama Tried: Bringing it Together”, J. Shia’s unconventional 1972 350cc Sprint (inspired by Tchaikovsky’s famous ballet “Swan Lake”), and “Creating a Legend: Art & Engineering at Harley-Davidson” (opening May 25). At the H-D Museum entrance, a new case featuring two long-time Wisconsin riders is on display. Lee and Pearl Christopherson have been together since meeting on a motorcycle in 1958. Lee was a member of the Blue Knights, a group of active or retired law enforcement officers. While Lee can’t begin to guess how many miles he’s ridden over 76 years, Pearl has kept track of her time in the saddle and surpassed 175,000 miles in the summer of 2023. The display features Pearl’s Motor Maids shirt and vest along with a Blue Knights Club vest from Lee, and the couple’s H.O.G.® patch and pin collection.

The recently revealed 2024 Hydra-Glide Revival model, the fourth installment in the Harley-Davidson® Icons Motorcycle Collection, celebrates the 75th anniversary of that 1949 landmark bike, a champion of the Panhead era. And the new bike could be yours. Visit the H-D Museum to check out the original 1949 model in the H-D Museum’s Motorcycle Gallery. Then throw a leg over the 2024 Icon in the Experience Gallery and learn how you could be riding home on one of these limited-edition bikes.

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