Harleys, good weather, it must be time for the Laughlin River Run. With the arrival of spring comes
another season of motorcycle
riding. During the month of April, "The Forty," as known by
travelers, provides an unforgiving and lonely route for thousands of motorcycle
riders.
The consequence of high speeds on hard pavement does not scare this bunch. Make it all the way and you have become a merited rider, where the reward overrides the risk. The end of this road is Laughlin, Nev, a town with a population of less than 8,000, is the home to one of the largest and highly recognized motorcycle rallies on the West Coast. This year marks the 30th anniversary which can only mean nicer bikes and bigger entertainment.
The buzz from the blinding casino lights on the drive in unleashes that little bit of bad inside us all. As night approaches the crowds make their way onto Casino Drive to partake in the festivities. The small gambling resort town that sits along the Colorado River is filled with visitors from all over. You have the motorcycle enthusiasts, the weekend warriors, and the rowdy locals.
"I rode with guys from Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside County, even guys from Canada and Washington D.C.," said Mike Villagran, an 18 year veteran of the run. Villagran from neighboring city known as Bullhead City, Ariz. He planned and hosted a benefit ride for a cancer patient.
The Laughlin River Run is an event that locals in this area are aware of. For five days straight the rumble of motorcycle pipes traveling down the only four-lane highway in town is endless. Once you cross the river onto the Nevada side, every parking lot is filled with Harleys, choppers, and street bikes. The vendors offer event memorabilia, brand-new bike accessories, and an unforgettable selection of women's clothing. Outdoor saloons greet you at every corner with women dancing on top of the bar.
"This reminds me of something straight out of Coyote Ugly," Anthony Isaacson commented while enjoying his first brew. "This weekend everyone just lets their hair down."
Laughlin is not the only city hosting events during the wild weekend.
If you feel like exploring the Wild West terrain of Arizona, you can ride up to the legendary gold mine town of Oatman, Arizona. Oatman has donkeys on the loose and gun shows that scare even a Hells Angel. If that is too western, then you can make your way south through the scorching desert to a secret oasis in Park Moabi, Calif. Settled into a little cove is The Naked Pirate Beach Bar. This place has become a real treasure along the Colorado River, known for its pirate-clad waitresses serving up buckets filled with secret concoctions.
"This place is awesome, totally unexpected and the weather is amazing," said Marisela Gutierrez, resident of Carson, Calif. "This isn't my first time in Laughlin but I'm glad I was invited to come this weekend."
As the beautiful sun sets on the mountains, those looking for a last hurrah make their way back to Laughlin. The level of comradeship is high at these kinds of events, maybe more this year because of the anniversary. The music on the final night brought everyone together. Ted Nugent, '70s rocker, headlined the weekend while bands outside were rocking loud. You can get your Zepp, Van Halen and Sublime fix all in one night.
One only hopes to sleep before Sunday morning comes. The sun wakes the sleeping beasts earlier than they wanted. Those braver ones wash their sins off with a sobering dive into the cold crisp river. The ride home is long, just like the longing feeling that Laughlin leaves in you.
The consequence of high speeds on hard pavement does not scare this bunch. Make it all the way and you have become a merited rider, where the reward overrides the risk. The end of this road is Laughlin, Nev, a town with a population of less than 8,000, is the home to one of the largest and highly recognized motorcycle rallies on the West Coast. This year marks the 30th anniversary which can only mean nicer bikes and bigger entertainment.
The buzz from the blinding casino lights on the drive in unleashes that little bit of bad inside us all. As night approaches the crowds make their way onto Casino Drive to partake in the festivities. The small gambling resort town that sits along the Colorado River is filled with visitors from all over. You have the motorcycle enthusiasts, the weekend warriors, and the rowdy locals.
"I rode with guys from Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside County, even guys from Canada and Washington D.C.," said Mike Villagran, an 18 year veteran of the run. Villagran from neighboring city known as Bullhead City, Ariz. He planned and hosted a benefit ride for a cancer patient.
The Laughlin River Run is an event that locals in this area are aware of. For five days straight the rumble of motorcycle pipes traveling down the only four-lane highway in town is endless. Once you cross the river onto the Nevada side, every parking lot is filled with Harleys, choppers, and street bikes. The vendors offer event memorabilia, brand-new bike accessories, and an unforgettable selection of women's clothing. Outdoor saloons greet you at every corner with women dancing on top of the bar.
"This reminds me of something straight out of Coyote Ugly," Anthony Isaacson commented while enjoying his first brew. "This weekend everyone just lets their hair down."
Laughlin is not the only city hosting events during the wild weekend.
If you feel like exploring the Wild West terrain of Arizona, you can ride up to the legendary gold mine town of Oatman, Arizona. Oatman has donkeys on the loose and gun shows that scare even a Hells Angel. If that is too western, then you can make your way south through the scorching desert to a secret oasis in Park Moabi, Calif. Settled into a little cove is The Naked Pirate Beach Bar. This place has become a real treasure along the Colorado River, known for its pirate-clad waitresses serving up buckets filled with secret concoctions.
"This place is awesome, totally unexpected and the weather is amazing," said Marisela Gutierrez, resident of Carson, Calif. "This isn't my first time in Laughlin but I'm glad I was invited to come this weekend."
As the beautiful sun sets on the mountains, those looking for a last hurrah make their way back to Laughlin. The level of comradeship is high at these kinds of events, maybe more this year because of the anniversary. The music on the final night brought everyone together. Ted Nugent, '70s rocker, headlined the weekend while bands outside were rocking loud. You can get your Zepp, Van Halen and Sublime fix all in one night.
One only hopes to sleep before Sunday morning comes. The sun wakes the sleeping beasts earlier than they wanted. Those braver ones wash their sins off with a sobering dive into the cold crisp river. The ride home is long, just like the longing feeling that Laughlin leaves in you.
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