European Riders Rally Round Us Again
Several Triumph motorcycles, a Harley Davidson Pan America, Honda Gold Wing, and other varieties can be seen joining the many varieties of BMW in the European Motorcycle Riders Rally as they circle the square Saturday morning. PHOTO | Greg Wells
By Greg Wells
CCN—Editor
Keith Hargis is the new organizer of the European Motorcycle Riders’ Rally put on every May in Cumberland County by the BMW Motorcycle Club of Nashville, and he said he and his crew had a good time this year. “We had several good rides, Yahoo Falls, Standing Stone State Park, the Corvette Museum — we couldn’t have asked for better weather this year.”
He said because of the time of year they have the event there is always the threat of rain, and last year there was even the threat of a tornado, and that sort of thing tends to make riders have a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to pre-registering.
There were 270 people registered this year, and he said the final total was over 290 riders at the rally.
He said there were people who came down from Canada, and some up from Florida, with most from adjoining states. “Naturally there are a number from Kentucky,” he said. “We had a group come in from Memphis. There were a number of people from Illinois and Indiana.”
A ride-leader gives a friendly wave as a group departs for one of the guided trips from Burkesville to places of interest in the area Saturday morning. PHOTO | Greg Wells
Hargis said that what got them started riding here were the good roads and the scenery, but what kept them coming back these 27 years has been the people.
“We always work well with the people here,” he said. “The tourism board, people like John Kyle at the Alpine and David Mac at the city.”
He added that another key to their success is the great sponsors that have been participating in the rally. The sponsors donated close to $10,000 in premiums for the evening programs they have for those who attend. “Dunlop is always a big sponsor for us.”
Having the Mullinex Building and the Pavilion right by the park where their riders can camp, and the Eastern Star Lodge providing a pancake breakfast on Saturday, then the churches with a full country breakfast Sunday is magnificent, he said. Plus, the evening meals top everything off very nicely.
They are expected again next May, for year 28, in 2027.
