New Hampshire events
New Hampshire motorcycle events: Laconia Motorcycle Week and beyond
New Hampshire motorcycle events start with Laconia Motorcycle Week, usually in June around Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee and one of the oldest rallies in the country. The Loudon Classic traditionally races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway during the week, and the rest of the season fills with bike nights, charity rides and foliage runs. Here's the calendar, how to ride Laconia week well and how to find events near you.
- Big rally
- Laconia Motorcycle Week, June
- Race to watch
- Loudon Classic
- Peak season
- June to October
- Post your own
- Free
The big one
Laconia Motorcycle Week: what to know
Laconia Motorcycle Week usually runs for about a week in mid-June, centered on Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. Its roots go back to a motorcycle gathering in 1916, which makes it one of the oldest rallies in the country. Lakeside Avenue at the Weirs fills with bikes, vendors and people watching, and riders spread out across the Lakes Region and the White Mountains during the day.
Expect traffic around the lake, a big police presence on every road, and hotels and campgrounds booked far ahead. The rally is run by the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association, and dates change year to year, so check the organizer before you plan.
Ride the week
Rides to do during Motorcycle Week
The rally is the base camp. The riding is all around it. Our guide to the best motorcycle roads in New Hampshire has the full list.
- The lake loopCircle Lake Winnipesaukee through Alton Bay, Wolfeboro and Meredith. Ride it early in the morning, before rally traffic builds.
- The KancamagusAbout an hour north of the Weirs. Leave early, fill up in Lincoln or Conway, and expect plenty of other rally riders.
- The notchesCrawford, Franconia and Pinkham notches make a full day from the Lakes Region, with Mount Washington in view most of the way.
- The Auto RoadRally week brings a lot of bikes to the Mount Washington Auto Road. Check the summit forecast and the road's status before you commit.
Racing
The Loudon Classic and racing during the week
The Loudon Classic is a motorcycle road race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, traditionally held during Motorcycle Week. It dates back to the 1930s and is often called the longest-running motorcycle race in the country. Hillclimbs at Gunstock Mountain have also been part of the week in many years. Schedules change, so check the speedway and the rally organizer for the current year.
Racing belongs on the track. With thousands of bikes and a lot of police on the roads around the lake, ride to the races and back at a pace that keeps the week fun.
On the map
Upcoming New Hampshire motorcycle events in Rippin'
These are the upcoming New Hampshire events on the Rippin' events map right now, from rally week to bike nights and charity rides. Organizers and riders post them, and details can change, so confirm with the organizer before you ride out. If your regular meet isn't listed, post it.
Live from the app
New Hampshire on Rippin' right now.
3 upcoming events and 1 rider-added road in New Hampshire on the map today. This list updates whenever the site is rebuilt; the app always has the latest.
The calendar
New Hampshire's motorcycle calendar, season by season
Spring (April and May): Blessing of the bikes events and the first group rides, mostly in the south while the mountains thaw. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride runs worldwide each May.
June: Laconia Motorcycle Week and the Loudon Classic. The busiest riding month in the state.
Summer (July and August): Weekly bike nights, charity rides and long weekends in the White Mountains and the North Country.
Fall (September and October): Foliage rides and fall charity runs, then toy runs as the season winds down. For the weather behind all of it, see the best time to ride in New Hampshire.
Every week
Finding bike nights and meets in New Hampshire
Outside rally week, the scene is bike nights. Dealers, shops, bars and restaurants host them through the warm months, from Nashua, Manchester and Concord to the Seacoast, the Lakes Region and the mountain towns. They're the best way to find people to ride with and to hear which roads are clean this week.
In Rippin', open Meets, set your area, and the nearest bike nights, meets and rides show first. RSVP so the host can plan. Riding in with a crew? Start a group ride so everyone is on one live map, which helps in the notches, where cell service comes and goes.
Add yours
Post your New Hampshire motorcycle event
Any rider can post an event for free. Shops, clubs and organizers who host a lot can use Organizer Pro ($8.99/mo) for unlimited and recurring meets, official events on the calendar and recurring ride plans. A shop or diner on a good riding road can become a poker stop, so every rider who stops in gets dealt a card. More on motorcycle events in Rippin', and the New Hampshire motorcycle rides hub covers roads, laws and regions.
- 1
Create it
Add the name, time, place and a note on what to expect.
- 2
Make it repeat
Weekly bike nights and monthly rides can repeat, so you post them once.
- 3
Share it
Send it to your squad and the feed, and riders RSVP from the app.
Before you go
Before you ride to Laconia
- Book lodging early. Rooms and campsites around the Lakes Region fill well ahead of the week.
- Bring your helmet. New Hampshire has no general helmet law for adults, but Vermont and Massachusetts require one for every rider, and Maine for some.
- Carry E-ZPass. Some New Hampshire highways have tolls.
- Check the mountain weather before any White Mountains day, especially the Auto Road.
- Share a ride plan with your crew so everyone knows the departure time, route and stops.
- Ride home in daylight. Moose, deer and tired rally traffic all get harder to handle after dark.
FAQ
Questions riders ask.
When is Laconia Motorcycle Week?
It usually runs for about a week in mid-June around Weirs Beach on Lake Winnipesaukee. Dates change year to year, so check the Laconia Motorcycle Week Association.
Where is Laconia Motorcycle Week held?
In New Hampshire's Lakes Region, centered on Weirs Beach in Laconia, with rides and events spread across the region and into the White Mountains.
What is the Loudon Classic?
A motorcycle road race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, traditionally held during Laconia Motorcycle Week and often called the longest-running motorcycle race in the country.
Do I need a helmet at Laconia?
New Hampshire has no general helmet law for adult riders, but neighboring Vermont and Massachusetts require helmets for everyone. Bring yours, and wear it.
What motorcycle events are in New Hampshire besides Laconia?
Bike nights, spring blessings of the bikes, charity rides, the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in May and fall foliage rides. Check the events list on this page or open Meets in Rippin'.
Can I post a motorcycle event in Rippin'?
Yes, any rider can post a meet or event for free. Organizer Pro adds unlimited and recurring meets and official events for shops and clubs.
See what's on around the lake.
Download Rippin' free, find New Hampshire events and bike nights on the map, and post the ones we're missing.
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