Rally in the Rockies 2.0

BY PATRICK LAMBIE PHOTOS BY PATRICK LAMBIE AND F.J. MONTES

The team from CHD Customs used the Rally in the Rockies as the opportunity to unveil their latest creation “HELLRAZOR” as Pro racer Ethan Barkley hit the dragstrip for a series of initial test runs.

The Harley-Davidson shop in Banff was just one of the passport destinations.

Motorcycles have the undisputed ability to form an immediate bond between those who ride them. Regardless of what they ride, put two motorcyclists on opposite sides of a crowded room and before you can say “kickstands up,” they will have automatically gravitated towards each other and the sharing of stories of favourite bikes, rides and destinations will have commenced and continue long past the time that the non-riders in attendance deem as being normal. Given this obvious source of camaraderie, it was only natural that the invention of the motorcycle was quickly followed by the introduction of the motorcycle rally.

Referred to by many as “the original social network,” motorcycle rallies have grown in number, size and popularity, with events like Sturgis, Daytona Bike Week and Laconia achieving a position on the bucket lists of motorcyclists from around the world.

The vendor midway was a great gathering spot for old and new friends alike.

Master of ceremonies, Phoenix Phillips, interviews contestants prior to the start of motorcycle games’ slowest race competition.

No time for a haircut? No problem at the Rally in the Rockies.

Defying gravity.

Launched in 2020 the Rally in the Rockies reflected the vision of Calgary Harley-Davidson General Manager Eric Sum, who recognized it as an opportunity to introduce other riders to the wonders of the Rocky Mountains and their world-class roads with group rides scheduled throughout a week-long affair. Following two successful years in this original format, 2022 saw big changes in the rally, as Harley-Davidson Canada assumed operation of the event in conjunction with their local dealer partners in Alberta.

Reimagined as a two-day event, the 2022 edition saw focus shifted to the venues; opening on Friday, July 22 at Blackjacks Roadhouse south of Edmonton in Leduc, AB before moving to the Airdrie Air Park on the north side of Calgary the following day. Where the previous Rally in the Rockies events were required to work within the confines of public health restrictions, the 2022 edition was the first to be held since these were lifted, which opened the door for more in-person activities. Each location featured vendor displays, food trucks, live music, show and shine contests, stunt riding performances and of course a large semi-truck full of the latest Harley-Davidson models for test rides. The larger Airdrie location accommodated the addition of drag racing, an aerial stunt show and motorcycle games contest.

Of course, motorcycles are made to be ridden and the organizers included a passport contest, which challenged riders to visit multiple Harley-Davidson dealerships and other points of

The Harley-Davidson demo rig was on hand offering riders the chance to sample the latest motorcycles from the Milwaukee Motor Co.

interest along defined routes. Riders completing their passports were entered into a draw for multiple chances to win $1,000 Harley-Davidson gift cards as well as a grand prize of an all-expense-paid trip to return for the 2023 Rally in the Rockies.

Focused on their goal of connecting riders with an interactive and entertaining experience, regardless of what brand of motorcycle they ride, the team at Harley-Davidson Canada is already hard at work assessing the learnings from the 2022 rally and making plans for 2023 to be the best Rally in the Rockies as it continues its own bucket-list journey. IM

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