2010 Rallies & Events
Thousand Islands River Run 2010 Part 1
Story by Sedrick “Mitch” Mitchell
Photos by Mitch and Mr. JW
If you are one of those bikers who’ve been in the saddle for a while and enjoy the company of others who ride, you’ve probably attended at least one of America’s mega-motorcycle events. And if you’ve hung out at one of these mega events for a few consecutive days, I’m sure you’ve said, or heard some fellow biker say, “Let’s skip the rally scene today and ride down the coast or ride into the hills, because there are just too many bikes here and it takes hours just to ride a few hundred feet, and I don’t feel like being roasted by the heat from my engine today.” Many consider these events to be too big, but a lot of bikers like them.
And if you’ve been riding for a few decades, you’ve probably attended a couple of motorcycle events that made you say, “When is the crowd gonna get here?” These events were too small, and are normally discontinued after their first rally.
Finding a motorcycle event that’s just the right size can sometimes be challenging, but there are such events. In the real estate business, folks say success is based on location, location, location, and it’s the key to buying and selling the right homes and properties. The same theory can sometimes be applied when it comes to establishing a great motorcycle event.
About five years ago, Mary Compeau, an avid Harley rider, the Alexander Bay, New York, Chamber of Commerce, and a few motorcycle enthusiasts got together and decided to start a motorcycle event to generate some charitable income to support the Children’s Miracle Network. They considered several locations throughout New York’s Thousand Islands region to hold the event and the overwhelming majority settled on Alexandria Bay, also known by the locals as Alex Bay, or A-Bay, or just The Bay.
Four years ago, Alexandria Bay hosted its first Thousand Islands River Run (TIRR) motorcycle rally and the event was a hit from the start. They brought in big name bike builders, who displayed some of their latest custom motorcycle creations. They also invited and had a full line of motorcycle and motor clothing vendors, who provided on the spot custom motorcycle parts, motor clothes, and helmets to fit everyone’s needs. This trend has continued through all four events, and the TIRR is a motorcycle event that will get better and better each year. Since inception of the TIRR event, the number of bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts has constantly increased.
For the 2010 TIRR motorcycle event, nationally and internationally known custom bike builders converged on the area. They included Pat Briggs of County Line Choppers, Stupid Choppers and crew, Vinnie, Cody, and crew of V-Force Customs, Shane Gatto Customs, Bob Zalewski, A.K.A., Bob Z of New England Choppers, Merlon Rogers of B&M Performance Customs, Larry and Buck of Crossroads Chopper, the Thunderin’ Cycle Customs crew, S&M Motorsports, and Vince Doll, A.K.A., Nobody of Redneck Engineering. Many of the builders entered their custom machines in the bike show. Many northern New Yorkers had only seen such machines on TV. “It’s great to see so many nice custom motorcycles in person. I’ve never been to a custom motorcycle show, and it’s really exciting to see these type bikes up close,” said Roger of nearby Watertown, New York.. (to be continued Thursday, Sept 16)