Good afternoon, bikers, patriots and gun enthusiasts! It is the second Monday in April, and spring is in the air – literally (the pollen is floating everywhere)! It is also the time of the year when Racy Sicilian™, and the Grey Beard Biker™, are beginning to lock in the events that we are planning on attending over the coming months.
Tennessee Motorcycles & Music Revival
The Tennessee Motorcycles & Music Revival rally has quickly become one of the most popular, and well attended, rallies in the South. This year, with the COVID-19 mask restrictions having been lifted in Tennessee, it promises to be the biggest TMMR ever! Held at Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, in Hurricane Mills, TN, it will take place from Thursday, May 20 through Sunday, May 23.
Besides having many vendors, you will get to enjoy some of the best bands you will see anywhere. Here is this year’s list of bands:
- Billy F. Gibbons and the BFG’s (Billy is one of the ZZTop trio)
- Tim Montana
- Rob Leines
- Georgia Thunderbolts
- Sweet Tea Trio
- Stone Senate
- Tyler Jay
- True Villains
- Flying Buffaloes
The Loretta Lynn Ranch offers tent camping and RV hookups. Tickets are required for the Tennessee Motorcycles & Music Revival and can be purchased as daily passes or full event passes. Hotels/motels are in available in the area, with Clarksville (45 minutes) being the closest large city.
Boone Bike Rally
This will be the first year that Racy and the GBB plan on attending the Boone Bike Rally. Located in Boone, North Carolina, the rally runs from Thursday, June 3, through Saturday, June 5. There will be plenty of vendors and bands at this event. Some of the bands currently scheduled are:
- Southern Thunder
- Problem Child
- SmasHat
- Preston Benfield
- Bad Romeo
- Throwdown Jones
The Springfield Mile
The Springfield Mile is one of the American Flat Track Racing organization’s premier events. It is held each Labor Day Weekend at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on the north side of Springfield, Illinois. This year’s races will take place Saturday, September 4 and Sunday, September 5. Tickets are required.
Bikes, Blues & BBQ
While Racy and I absolutely love riding in the Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains (our home turf), there roads nearly as challenging elsewhere. One area that I have ridden often is the Ozarks, of Missouri and Arkansas. In my humble opinion, for sheer beauty and technical roads, you cannot beat the southern Ozarks of Arkansas – and it just so happens that one of the largest rallies west of the Mississippi River is held there: Bikes, Blues & BBQ. As with all rallies, there are tons of vendors, great music – and of course, in this case, fantastic BBQ! The rally is held in Fayetteville, Arkansas and will be running from Wednesday, September 22 through Saturday, September 25. While none of their bands have been announced yet, you can bet they will be worth the price of admission. And while attending Bikes, Blues & BBQ, do not miss some of the great touring roads in the area:
- The Pig Trail
- Alpena Ride
- The War Eagle/Eureka Springs
- Roaring River Ride
- The Buffalo River Ride
There is plenty of lodging in Fayetteville and Springdale – and camping is offered in several local campgrounds including Rock Village Court, Rockin S Ranch, Gypsy Camp & Canoe, Elk River Floats and Resort and Hog Valley RV.
After the slew of canceled events in 2020, Racy and The Grey Beard Biker are looking forward to enjoying 2021! Hopefully we will see you at one of these events! Until then, ride often, shoot straight and keep the shiny side up.
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ,
The Grey Beard Biker™ and Racy Sicilian™
gbb@TheGreyBeardBiker.com
@Bike4Life on Gab
@RacySicilian on Gab
