Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance Part I – The Bikes

Story and Photos by Rodent

Last year, America’s newspaper of record, the New York Times, called the “Legends of the Motorcycle” show at the Ritz-Carlton at Half-Moon Bay, California the “Pebble Beach” of motorcycle shows. In 2009, the Legends show was not held due to the economic situation. Soooo, the committee that runs the most exclusive automobile event on the planet, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance at the Pebble Beach Country Club in Monterey, California added a motorcycle division. I was lucky enough to snag media credentials so I could hob-knob with the likes of Leno, Sir Stirling Moss, and the like to report the event to you, our readers. Ah, what we photo-journalists go through to get the story.

On the Wednesday before the show I rode down to Pebble Beach with Mike Corbin in his twin-turbo Porsche. It had the acceleration of a jet racing down the runway for takeoff. At 140 mph, Mike demonstrated the fabulous braking power of this 190+ mph four wheel drive car. It stopped as quickly as it accelerated.

With minimal hassle, the media check in was completed and we wandered around during the set up of this world class event. We visited the motorcycle auction tent where Broughs, Indians (Springfield), Triumphs, BSAs, Flying Merkels, Harleys, and more were being prepared for the auctioneer’s hammer. (A virtual hammer as this is an electronic auction where attendees bid online against people all over the world).

This is by far the finest auto/cycle event I have ever had the pleasure of attending. Everything was superb. Better than the Guggenheim, Legends, or any other. The greens at the Pebble Beach Country Club were the most magnificent setting for an event of this caliber. For the first time in 59 years motorcycles were invited to attend. We can only hope that the bikes will be continued.