Sport bikers are flocking to Oliver for Sportbike West
Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 4:17 am
Sport bikers are flocking to Oliver for Sportbike West
Dozens of events scheduled for the weekend
By Corrie Miller - The Vancouver Province - August 26, 2005 - canada.com
Hundreds of leather-clad sport bikers are, at this very moment, descending on Oliver to take part in the 10th annual Sport Bike West Festival, starting today and running through Sunday.
It promises to be a not-to-be-missed event.
Running the show is Owen Lloyd, who started up Sport Bike West in 1995 to promote the motorcycle industry specifically for those with an affinity for the "crotch rocket" variety of two-wheeler.
"Initially, it was supposed to be a Cycle Canada Event, but that fell through. So, I was left with the decision to go through with it or not. So, I did. That was 10 years ago now and it's been a great success. I modelled the event after what I considered my typical sport-bike weekend away," said Lloyd.
Ninety bikes showed up that inaugural year. Since then, the event has grown by leaps and bounds.
This year the event is presented by Kawasaki Canada and now accommodates over 500 motorcyclists, as well as campers and motorcycle enthusiasts from all over B.C., Alberta, and the U.S.
"Sport Bike West is primarily about the riding and the motor-cycle scene -- relaxing and having a good time with no set schedule," said Lloyd.
"Think about that perfect road trip, a 'go-where-the-road-takes-you' kind of feeling. I provide numerous activities, recommend favourite self-guided loop rides, and people are free to basically pick and choose what they want to do. Last year we had 550 riders attend plus numerous locals on site. We host a freestyle motocross show,
trials demo, Canadian Chaos Street Stunt Team demo, and full dyno shootout, plus tons of on-site vendor displays, beer gardens, pool, hot tub, pub, restaurant, and on-site camping."
And that's not all. There will be test rides available, put on by BMW, and a "Thunder Ride Sportbike Parade, presented by Buell. After a day's ride, slide out of those leathers and wander over poolside to take advantage of the acupressure massage tent. There seems to be something for everyone, and, from what I hear through the grapevine, once you attend your very first Sport Bike West, you'll be back year after year.
"Maybe it has something to do with the camaraderie of getting together with 500 other like-minded riders from all corners of the province for some great riding (the twisties around these parts are second to none) great chats, a few bevies apres ride, and camping under the gorgeous Okanagan night sky.
"Basically the premise is, if you ride it . . . bring it. It's a great time." said Lloyd.
The only proviso: All bikes must be street worthy as this is primarily a street-bike event.
Sound like a blast? Well there is still time to get in on the action. Registration begins today at 1 p.m. at the Southwind Inn in Oliver.
Tickets are available, cash only, at the gate and are $50.
Price includes souvenir rally T-shirt, prize-draw tickets, tomorrow's breakfast and dinner.
Camping is $15 per night.
You can contact Corrie at corriemiller@gmail.com and listen to her on weekday mornings on the Bro Jake Morning Show, Classic Rock 101.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Today
1 p.m. -- Registration opens, Rally Dyno shootout starts.
2 p.m. -- BMW test-rides.
3 p.m. -- BMW test-rides.
4 p.m. -- BMW test-rides.
6 p.m. -- Trials demo.
6:30 p.m. -- Freestyle motocross show.
7 p.m. -- Canadian Chaos Street Stunt Team show.
Saturday
7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Triumph Canada's rally breakfast.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- BMW test-rides.
9:30 a.m. -- Self-guided rides depart Southwind Inn rally site.
Noon -- Dyno continues through the day.
1 and 4 p.m. -- Trials demo.
1:30 and 4:30 p.m. -- Freestyle motocross show.
2 and 5 p.m. -- Canadian Chaos Street Stunt Team show.
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. -- Kawasaki Canada's dinner.
9:30 p.m. -- "Feel the Thunder," Buell's Thunder Ride sportbike parade.
Sunday
8 a.m. -- Cash breakfast.
8 a.m. -- Door prize draws and parting comments.
Dozens of events scheduled for the weekend
By Corrie Miller - The Vancouver Province - August 26, 2005 - canada.com
Hundreds of leather-clad sport bikers are, at this very moment, descending on Oliver to take part in the 10th annual Sport Bike West Festival, starting today and running through Sunday.
It promises to be a not-to-be-missed event.
Running the show is Owen Lloyd, who started up Sport Bike West in 1995 to promote the motorcycle industry specifically for those with an affinity for the "crotch rocket" variety of two-wheeler.
"Initially, it was supposed to be a Cycle Canada Event, but that fell through. So, I was left with the decision to go through with it or not. So, I did. That was 10 years ago now and it's been a great success. I modelled the event after what I considered my typical sport-bike weekend away," said Lloyd.
Ninety bikes showed up that inaugural year. Since then, the event has grown by leaps and bounds.
This year the event is presented by Kawasaki Canada and now accommodates over 500 motorcyclists, as well as campers and motorcycle enthusiasts from all over B.C., Alberta, and the U.S.
"Sport Bike West is primarily about the riding and the motor-cycle scene -- relaxing and having a good time with no set schedule," said Lloyd.
"Think about that perfect road trip, a 'go-where-the-road-takes-you' kind of feeling. I provide numerous activities, recommend favourite self-guided loop rides, and people are free to basically pick and choose what they want to do. Last year we had 550 riders attend plus numerous locals on site. We host a freestyle motocross show,
trials demo, Canadian Chaos Street Stunt Team demo, and full dyno shootout, plus tons of on-site vendor displays, beer gardens, pool, hot tub, pub, restaurant, and on-site camping."
And that's not all. There will be test rides available, put on by BMW, and a "Thunder Ride Sportbike Parade, presented by Buell. After a day's ride, slide out of those leathers and wander over poolside to take advantage of the acupressure massage tent. There seems to be something for everyone, and, from what I hear through the grapevine, once you attend your very first Sport Bike West, you'll be back year after year.
"Maybe it has something to do with the camaraderie of getting together with 500 other like-minded riders from all corners of the province for some great riding (the twisties around these parts are second to none) great chats, a few bevies apres ride, and camping under the gorgeous Okanagan night sky.
"Basically the premise is, if you ride it . . . bring it. It's a great time." said Lloyd.
The only proviso: All bikes must be street worthy as this is primarily a street-bike event.
Sound like a blast? Well there is still time to get in on the action. Registration begins today at 1 p.m. at the Southwind Inn in Oliver.
Tickets are available, cash only, at the gate and are $50.
Price includes souvenir rally T-shirt, prize-draw tickets, tomorrow's breakfast and dinner.
Camping is $15 per night.
You can contact Corrie at corriemiller@gmail.com and listen to her on weekday mornings on the Bro Jake Morning Show, Classic Rock 101.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Today
1 p.m. -- Registration opens, Rally Dyno shootout starts.
2 p.m. -- BMW test-rides.
3 p.m. -- BMW test-rides.
4 p.m. -- BMW test-rides.
6 p.m. -- Trials demo.
6:30 p.m. -- Freestyle motocross show.
7 p.m. -- Canadian Chaos Street Stunt Team show.
Saturday
7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Triumph Canada's rally breakfast.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- BMW test-rides.
9:30 a.m. -- Self-guided rides depart Southwind Inn rally site.
Noon -- Dyno continues through the day.
1 and 4 p.m. -- Trials demo.
1:30 and 4:30 p.m. -- Freestyle motocross show.
2 and 5 p.m. -- Canadian Chaos Street Stunt Team show.
5:30 to 7:30 p.m. -- Kawasaki Canada's dinner.
9:30 p.m. -- "Feel the Thunder," Buell's Thunder Ride sportbike parade.
Sunday
8 a.m. -- Cash breakfast.
8 a.m. -- Door prize draws and parting comments.