Actually, this event takes place in Austria in the Faak am See region which is a giant lake surrounded by beautiful countryside and riding to match. This past September over 110,000 people attended the free event doing all the things we Americans pride ourselves on. Probably why our talented photographer Sedrick “Mitch” Mitchell who was stationed overseas for years always made it a point to go and threatens to make me go with him every year. If there was ever a slice of needed Americana in Europe for a homesick lad, this event has to be it so I can understand what Mitch was up to.

The basic ingredients of any successful rally are firmly in place with 27 live bands working their fingers to the bone topped off by a ‘70s band I frankly forgot about, 10cc, famous for songs I tried to forget like I’m Not in Love and The Things We Do for Love. There was also an important custom show with two winning contestants getting a free trip and eligibility for the 2013 AMD World Championship that will be held in Essen, Germany, instead of its former Sturgis address. There was also the proper allotment of rally-mandatory booze, babes, and bikes stretching all around the almost 40-square-mile lake. Kinda sounds like Laconia with a bunch of different accents replacing the regional ones of New England.

Be sure to check out all the photos and if you’re interested in attending next year’s 16th annual event on September 3-8, start planning now. Shipping a bike to Europe might not be on your short list of things to do, but if you want to ride, you can rent a Harley here and here. Hey, maybe you can hook up with Mitch while you’re there and get him off my back about going.