Eight OEMs showed up with truckloads of demo bikes.

I have been to and participated in more than a few DirtDaze events. During those times, Kim and I have represented ADVRider and have given presentations about riding in various parts of the world.  It has been a lot of fun. As a result, we’ve had the opportunity to meet Bill and Christian Dutcher. Bill has a long career in the motorcycle industry and is a past Director of Marketing for Bultaco and Director of PR at Harley-Davidson.  But he says his most significant achievement is being the founder of the Americade Rally.  If you are unfamiliar, Americade is a non-brand-specific rally held yearly in Lake George, NY.  Although COVID prevented the event from happening in the past couple of years, it is back in 2022.

I had never been to an Americade Rally, so when I was asked to participate in an Americade event, I gladly accepted.  So Kim and I decided to stop by and check it out.  And I have to say that it has plenty to offer.  With the event being non-brand specific, there’s a little of everything to see and do for all types of motorcyclists.  There are also several non-motorcycle-related activities that keep things interesting when you are through riding for the day.

Yamaha showed up with plenty of bikes, including the Tenere’ 700.  Photo: Mike Botan

Christian told me that Americade would have the largest selection of OEMs offering demos of any motorcycling event in the US.  At a time when many of the OEMs are pulling out of attending in person in favor of digital rollouts, Americade still attracted an extensive list of OEMs with tractor-trailer loads of demo motorcycles, and the list is impressive. These OEMs decided the Americade Rally and its rally participants are worth investing in. At the event, the following OEMs are in attendance (in alphabetical order), offering demo rides:

Yup, big orange was there with a TT full of bikes.  Photo: Mike Botan

And the selection of demo bikes is huge, surprisingly huge. Each manufacturer brought a lot of different models across their product line ranges. You can test ADV, cruiser, naked, and standard bikes from different manufacturers. It’s nice to have choices and find out what each OEM offers, and you can do so to your heart’s content.

Speaking of riding, the area has some great twisties close by, and there is beautiful scenery to check out.  If you are so inclined, REVER is in attendance, and they are giving out some hand-picked routes of the area.  You can find them in one of the two large separate vendor areas giving out free routes. Vendor areas

As for the two separate vendor areas, there is plenty of kit to check out and buy. Again, since the event is non-brand specific, you’ll find tents hawking all sorts of motorcycling paraphernalia from riding gear, farkles of all kinds, and lots of stuff you probably don’t need but know you want. If you are into guided rides, they are available as well. Lots of bikes parked everywhere.  On the grass, on the streets… Photo: Mike Botan

Lots of bikes parked everywhere.  On the grass, on the streets… Photo: Mike Botan

You will also find a demonstration area in one of the vendor areas. While we were visiting, a duo of trials riders on trials bikes put on quite a show in an area no larger than 60 feet square. In that little area, the tricks and stunts they can pull off are pretty amazing. One of those tricks was a back flip. These days, backflips are not the news they once were, but these backflips were different. A small portion of one vendor area in front of Lake George.  Photo: Kim Botan

A small portion of one vendor area in front of Lake George.  Photo: Kim Botan

Using a ramp only 24 inches tall, the riders can perform their backflips in an area of about 5 feet. It is a great stunt, especially when you see it in person. I can’t imagine blowing the flip while upside down with the ground only a couple of feet below and the bike directly above you. It’s a serious feat in my book. Pulling a back flip using a 24-inch ramp; the one on the right, not the one on the left.  Photo: Kim Botan

Pulling a back flip using a 24-inch ramp; the one on the right, not the one on the left.  Photo: Kim Botan

There’s also an extensive food and drink area in one of the vendor sections. You’ll find all the traditional stuff and perhaps some gastronomical treats you do not usually have a chance to try out. If you are so inclined, there is also liquor for purchase, not just beer. Other stuff

When you are done riding for the day, there are also plenty of events to attend, including presentations, lake cruises, and comedy. Of course, all that Lake George area offers is open to you. The “Knights of the Round Table.  (L-R) Liza Miller, Bill Dutcher, Tom Medema, Jordi Trey, Mike Lafferty, and yours truly.) In the foreground is Christian Dutcher, probably wondering why he invited me.  But, anyway, where’s the round table? Photo: Kim Botan Knights of the Round Table

The “Knights of the Round Table.  (L-R) Liza Miller, Bill Dutcher, Tom Medema, Jordi Trey, Mike Lafferty, and yours truly.) In the foreground is Christian Dutcher, probably wondering why he invited me.  But, anyway, where’s the round table? Photo: Kim Botan

And on Tuesday evening, there was an event called “Knights of the Round Table.”.  In it, five motorcycling luminaries and one motorcycling writer got on stage and talked about all sorts of things motorcycling and even not so motorcycling.  On the stage were (Left to right): Liza Miller – Founder and host of the critically acclaimed Motorcycle & Misfits podcast.  She is also the founder of Recycle Garage and the MC for the roundtable. Bill Dutcher – Founder of Americade, former Director of PR for Harley-Davidson, and professional racer. Tom Medema – Co-founder of “Rally For Rangers,” who protect the world’s special places by empowering rangers around the world with new motorcycles and equipment. Jordi Trey – Professional trials rider, a stunt rider for film/tv, and founder of Moto Motion Entertainment. Mike Lafferty – 8 times National Enduro Champ, winner of 69 national competitions, and KTM ambassador. Mike Botan – ADVRider Senior Writer and product tester

Why Bill and Christian chose me to be up on stage is beyond me. But let’s just say we all had fun. ADVRider SWAG

And to make things even “better,” we dropped off four large boxes of free ADVRider swag. We have ADVRider t-shirts, hats, neck gaiters, and other things. As long as it lasts, you can find ADVRider swag at the various events around Americade and with some OEMs. If you are at Americade, look out for our free stuff.

In the end, the event was great fun with good people and worth visiting.  Americade is on through the end of the week.