The Port Dover Friday the 13th bash draws people from all over the country. This year, the dates are Sept. 13 and Dec. 13.
It's time to hit the road. Here are some events you can ride to:
The Durham Ride For Dad gets off to an early start on June 8, at the Scugog Community Rec Centre, in Port Perry, Ont. Registration is between 7 and 9:15 a.m. and the ride, say organizers, hits the road at 9:30 sharp. This is one of many such rides throughout Ontario and the idea is to raise funds – and awareness – for prostate cancer. For more info, e-mail: durham@ridefordad.ca. There is also a Ride For Dad on the same day that leaves the CAW. Hall on North Service Road in Oakville, Ont., at 10 a.m. For more info, go to RideForDad.ca and follow the links.
The next weekend – June 14 – sees the kick-off of the annual Ride For Sight party/fundraiser. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, this event will leave Silver City in Richmond Hill, Ont., at 10 a.m. and winds up in Orillia, Ont., at Tudhope Park. The ride is approximately 90 minutes and there will be a police escort. Phone 416-360-4200 or e-mail info@rideforsight.com for more information.
June 23 is the annual Kingston Show N Shine, downtown at Kingston City Hall. It goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a poker run right after that. A wrap-up party at Princess Auto will include live entertainment, a barbecue, prizes and goodies.
The New Liskeard Bikers Reunion, now in its 14th year, takes place on June 28. This one leaves the Toronto waterfront, goes up Yonge Street, and five hours later, it's party time. There's live music, prizes, a silent auction, vendors, and so on. It's also a fund-raising event for cancer research. For more information go to bikersreunion.ca.
On July 6, the annual Chrome On The Canal motorcycle and custom car show takes place in Campbellford, Ont. It begins at 9 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. All the cars and bikes will be lined up along the Trent-Severn Waterway and organizers are still looking for more vintage/custom cars to put on display. For more info, call John at 705-653-4523.
From July 12-14, is the Georgian Bay Thunder weekend, in Midland, Ont. There will be a couple of live bands, go-kart rides, a fund-raising ride around the Georgian Bay countryside, a refreshment tent and vendors. You can also get breakfast courtesy of the Lions Club; more information is available at communityreach.ca/thunder.
The Cargill Bike Bash takes place on July 20 – and this one is old school all the way. Among other things, there will be a burnout pit, a trials event, bike rodeo, show and shine, and a dance at the Cargill Community Centre. Live music will be provided by the Breakwater Blues Band and it costs $10 to get in. More info: cargillbikebash.com.
July 25-27 sees the Northern Stars annual The Happening rally in Orillia, Ont. This group is made up primarily of Yamaha owners, although everyone is welcome. Events include a silent auction, 50/50 draw, boat rides, demo rides, and gambling at Casino Rama. There will also be live entertainment courtesy of the 11 North Band. More info: rally.northernstarsrider.ca.
Also on July 27, is the Sarnia-Lambton Show And Shine in downtown Zurich, Ont. It gets rolling around noon and there will be 10 different classes of motorcycles on display. For more info you can go to the Facebook page of the Sarnia-Lambton Bikers' Rights Organization.
A little further down the road, the Cape Breton BikeFest is happening Aug. 2-5. As well as riding the beautiful Cabot Trail, you can indulge in a street dance, eat fresh crab, go on a mining tour, watch drag racing and tour a distillery. More information: capebretonbikefest.com. Oh, and they're looking for volunteers.
Aug. 11 is the Lindsay toy ride. This fund-raising event is in its 22nd year and gets started with coffee and doughnuts at 10 a.m., with the ride beginning an hour later. Meet at the Riverside Trailer Park and proceeds go to the Victoria And Amy's emergency shelter for children. Information: lindsaytoyride.ca.
On Aug. 24, it's the Law Enforcement Torch Ride for Southwestern Ontario to raise funds for the Special Olympics. This is the third event of its kind this summer, with the first July 13 in Ottawa and one Aug. 9-12 in Timmins, Ont. More information: torchrideontario.com
And let's not forget the Granddaddy of them all, the Port Dover Friday the 13th bash, which this year happens on Sept. 13 and Dec. 13. This is a huge event – Ontario's version of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota – and draws people from all over the country. Info: pd13.com.