77th LACONIA BIKER RALLY
Copyrighted 2000 by Miss BB

Billy Gordon and I took to the skies this trip making our way to New Hampshire for the 77th Laconia Rally.

It seemed that we had been packed for days as we impatiently waited for the SuperShuttle that would take us to the Los Angeles International Airport.

Like clockwork Kenneth West, our SuperShuttle driver pulled up, loaded our stuff and put us in the van. Wanting to be of help to Kenneth. Billy decided to give him helpful directions to his next pick up. After Billy's directions totally took us off course I told Kenneth, "Let this be a lesson to you, Kenneth, never listen to the customer."

Afterr one stop over in Chicago, we finallyy landed in Manchester, New Hampshire around 1 a.m. We soon realized the travel agent had booked us into a place that was two hours away from the Laconia Rally. Oh crap! Tired, grumpy and wet (yeah it was raining) we figured we'd find something closer to the rally in the morning - if there were any room available at all that is.

The following morning we discovered that there were numerous hotels and cabins that still had rooms available. We settled on Suisse Chalet Hotel, located on Rte. 3 box 4, Plymouth, NH 03264 (Reservation line 1-800-524-2538) owned by Tony Johnson. This was only thirty minutes from the Rally site. What really amazed me was how CHEAP all their prices were. Other hotel, casino's, campgrounds, resort's that I've stayed at attending other big biker rallies on the West Coast all seem to increase their rates by 100% during any biker rally. They should be ashamed of themselves!

The hotel/cabin accommodation provided for entire week was only fifty-two dollars a night! There was a large bedroom area with two king-size beds, full bathroom, television, telephone, sleeper sofa, dressers, table and chairs. Holy smokes Batman, this is unreal! Not only are the housing/campground facilities real affordable but the gas, food, and event prices were surprisingly low!

With these reasonable prices we could get advance air fare (cheap), rent a bike and pay the cost of the lodging cheaper than we could attend a West Coast rally two states away! I thought I had stepped into the Twilight Zone.

The view from our cabin was of the most beautiful green forest I had ever seen. The wild, untamed woods were just outside, they dazzled me with the various shades of emerald greens dancing and shimmering among the trees. The forest ground surrounded the gentle giants with luminous array of orange, red and yellow pine needles blanketing Mother Earth as the rain sprinkled the thick vegetation with a shower of gold. The pine scent that filled my lungs was a gift from Mother Nature herself. Peaceful warmth accompanied with a comfortable safe feeling engulfed my entire being. Night after night I was kept awake by the forest, gazing at its beauty, listening to it's slumbering whisper as the wind filled the forest branches shifting though each leaf with a cleansing breath of cool fresh air outside my window. Careful to take in full site of the forest not wanting to miss anything even what lay upon the ground I stumbled upon what I swore was wild Marijuana growing among the forest pine floor! The leaves bared the jagged edges of the five star leaf and what appeared to be a bud was growing out the top of the plant. "Marijuana surely grows wild in some places, right? Are my eyes playing tricks on me, could I really have found what I thought?" Snipping a plant leaf off with a bud I smelled it and took my find inside to show Billy. He too looked closely at it and took a whiff of the bud. Doesn't smell like pot perhaps this is a wild native cousin to our hometown party plant. I would learn later it is NOT Marijuana and you couldn't get even fake a high off it.

Billy and I headed for Main Street, Laconia so I could check in with Rally Headquarters for my event pass and get a feel for what this biker rally promised to all the brothers and sisters.

Twisting, turning through green lush mountain roads, the clouds high above grew gray and cold and promised to bring rain to pour down on our heads.

Did that seem to stop these hard core ruff and rugged warriors from riding in, HELL NO! By mid-week around two hundred thousand bikers had ridden in (didn't spot too many trailers) and by Saturday the numbers had grown to a whopping four hundred thousand bikers partyin' in one small town of Laconia.

I was making my way through vendor shop row snapping photo's here and there when a young male voice called out, "Hey, take my picture!" Turning around I faced a young man who looked to be about twenty years old with sandy long hair pulled back in a ponytail and a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. I said, "Sure, if you turn around and show me your buns." Hesitating just slightly he turned sticking his brown Levi covered butt out. Shaking my head and laughing lightly I said, "No, no drop'em!" With no second thought from this daring young man he did as he was told and bared his baby smooth cheeks, hands on hips proud as proud could be. Everyone laughed and smiled as I heard them say, "Did you see that guy? He dropped his pants and showed his ass to get photographed!" Thankfully the Piggy Patrol wasn't around to witness our little show. The word was out; "fifty bucks fine to those who promote nudity of any sort and three hundred dollars and a night in jail for baring any parts that a bra or pants normally cover. This 'new' law came into force in 1998 after the election of Laconia's new Chief of Police who wants to clean up the Laconia Biker Rally Event. Well, all I have to say to that is "Boooooo, hissssss, booooooo!"

Billy and I met up with John Settle founder and President of Cycle Promotions, USA that coordinates, promotes and sponsors some of the biggest East Coast Biker Events. Cyclepro has their own vendor products such as high quality, fine leather goods and other merchandise and services. John has got to be the biggest, friendliest tattooed guy I've met in a long time. It was great meeting him and his whole family.

While waiting for Billy I pointed my camera lens at the packed streets of Laconia and snapped a few memories that would be captured forever for my readers. Bikers filled black top roads, riders side by side stretching as far as the eye could see. They blew kisses to my lens, flipped me a friendly bird as they paraded apparel designed to weather a storm or just to look great in. One couple I photographed was dressed in "his and hers" red, white and blue American Flag leather jackets. Their jackets drew my attention first but then the tall, beautiful dark haired, well-endowed lady at his side caught my interest instead. She seemed eager to please and I soon learned she was a pro in front of the camera. Her black "BITCH Xena" cutoff T-shirt was barely able to keep her from popping out. I discovered that she has her very own X-rated web site.

Wednesday night Billy jammed with Blue Collar Blues, a very talented local R&B band. The sounds of bands ran from noon until Midnight at the Marketplace, located smack dab in the middle of Laconia, Weirs Beach area. Two stages (both outside) one on the North side and one on the South side with comfortable tables and chairs to enjoy your meal and/or forty-one different favors of home made ice cream. You can wash it all down with a cool beer or soda while your heart beats to the tune of the band performing for your pleasure.

Billy Gordon and I are true blue, devoted Laker fans. Having missed zero games Billy was on the look out for a bar that would be airing Lakers Playoff game. Bikers on a mission don't give up and they never say, "Die" Luck was smiling down on us and we found a homey, tiny biker sports bar just across the street from the Marketplace. Only one problem, this biker bar is sooooooooooo tiny it was leather-to-leather sardine packed. One person would only be allowed to come in at a time, if someone else left that is. A glass window covered the front of this bar where if you were lucky (and tall) ya might get a glimpse of the television set from outside. "No room at the inn" the innkeeper said. So we stood in front of the looking glass hoping the biker gods would take pity upon our quest to watch part of the Lakers Playoff game.

A very tall, weatherbeaten scooter trash tapped on the window from inside where he stood trying to get our attention. Pointing his finger at me and mouthing the words, "You, I can get in! Go around to the front door" then pointing to Billy and mouthing the words, "I'll get you inside, too, in about one minute." Looking confused at Billy I thought to myself, "Did we meet this biker earlier?" Walking to the front door again there stood the friendly smiling tall scooter trash hand held out and taking my hand in his he said to Billy as I disappeared deep inside. "Don't worry man I'll take care of her. I'll come back for you in about five minutes." Before I knew it I was tucked safely away in the corner with HillBilly (my newfound scooter trash man) and two of his best friends.

Looking out onto the sidewalk I spotted Billy looking though the window outside the bar. Gin and Tonic fresh in my hands bought for me by HillBilly I pointed out to our little family group in the corner. "You see that guy right there walking back and forth trying to see inside the bar?" "Yeah." "He's my friend and I'm inside and he's not." Everyone busted up laughing. Billy soon found his own way in without HillBilly's help but was content just to be watching some of the Lakers game.

The next morning Billy rented a 1999 blue Heritage Harley-Davidson from Street Eagle Harley Rentals, it was a nice bike that ran smooth and was very comfortable for both rider and passenger - and we got it at unbelievably low rates. I was able to shoot from the back of the bike and my photo's came out clear.

Performing at the Marketplace again with the band Blue Collar Blues Billy rode and parked the Heritage in front of the stage. Using the Harley rental Billy performed his version of Jimi Hendrix's Star Spangle Banner (motorcycle engine run as an instrument through the effects of his guitar amplifier and inducted into the music) while standing on top of the Harley seat playing his guitar behind his back, in-between his legs and with his teeth. Big Sky Video caught up with me at the Marketplace and filmed some of the Blue Collar Blues performance.

Big Sky talked Billy Gordon into doing an interview with Blue Collar Blues and Robert E. Ames, owner of the Marketplace.

Our last night in Laconia took Billy and I from the main rally into Somersworth, New Hampshire to a biker bar called Loud Pipes Saloon.

I've been in many so-called biker bars around the US but there is only a handful I would call real biker bars, Loud Pipes Saloon is one. It is owned by old time scooter trash, Mark Ganthier. Outlaw clubs, 1% er's, patch holders and all their brothers are welcome to park their bikes in front of his bar (no car's allowed to park) and enjoy a cool one while they listen to live music.

Mark is known for supporting runs and even leading many with his Loud Pipes Saloon Limo.

Performing solo Billy set up his gear in the little bar and gave his heart felt soul to the biker crowd of Loud Pipes Saloon. Kicking ass with his guitar and with the courtesy of the bar photographer he hooked up his amplifier to the Harley engine and blew the bar away with the Star Spangled Banner tunes.

We were all deaf after that, but who cares they all loved him. I felt right at home in Loud Pipes Saloon, talking, drinking, dancing and flashing my extended biker family. Soon the night hour ended but not before my brother Smokey (of Smokey's American Thunder, a website by a biker for bikers) rode to Loud Pipes Saloon to see me.

Smokey lives in New York and I in California so we had never been able to see each other until now. It felt good and right to finally meet face-to-face in a place like Loud Pipes Saloon.

We didn't have a place to sleep, so Squeak (Rick) invited Billy, Smokey and I to crash at his place that was only a walking distance away from the bar. Squeak's place made me smile, filled with life long memorabilia stored in boxes on shelves or hung on the wall. We sat up for a while partying and sharing personal life stories. Squeak gave me his bedroom to sleep in while the guys took up the livingroom floor, couch and chairs, Squeak politely made up his bed (a mattress on the floor) with semi-unused sheets and a pillow and thoughtfully removed his loaded gun from beneath the blankets. I slept like a baby.

I want to thank Gene & Donna Flores, Lyle Kusler and Gordon Persons of Street Eagle Motorcycles, John Settle of Cycle Promotions USA, Paul FritzGerald of Big Sky Video. Robert E. Ames owner of Marketplace, Dave Beaudry of Presidential Computers, Daddy Roger and Squeak of the Loud Pipes Saloon biker family, Laconia Headquarters and Smokey, my biker soul brother. Keep on ridin' pointin' and shootin' you'll make it there yet brother, you'll make it there I promise.

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