THE BRITISH ARE COMING!

By PAM GUENTHER

The British are coming – well, the British motorcycles that is!

Being a motorcycle enthusiast myself I recently took advantage of attending my first British motorcycle rally, the 37th British in the Blue Ridge Rally.

Held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee at its campsite area, the two-day rally attracted approximately 300 people.

Fortunately, the day was cloudy but dry, and we had the opportunity to visit and talk with many of the riders who attended. The fee for the whole two-day event – hosted by the Greater Atlanta British Motorcycle Association or GABMA – was just $30.

Kudos to the organizers of the event and Greater Atlanta British Motorcycle Association members, including (from left) Jeff, Steve, Nathan and Ken. (Photo by Pam Guenther).

The people who attended were mostly local and I found there were even a few people I knew from Florida attending the event. Some of the activities on the day I attended were a bike show, scenic mountain ride, poker run and even some post-bike show games that dozens of riders participated in.

On your mark, get set, go! Waiting for the bike games and the “slow ride.” (Photo by Pam Guenther).

While there we had the opportunity to meet and greet with some new fellow bike riders and check out all the many Triumph motorcycles there.

This couple traveled from South Georgia on their two Triumph motorcycles to participate in the annual event. (Photo by Pam Guenther)

The bike show included about 50 bikes participating with awards in 16 categories, including Best of Show chosen by the president of the association. Cycle Fever TV was on hand to interview some of the participants of the show including my own talented hubby of Gladiator Custom MC Parts even though his bike is a Victory.

GABMA Treasurer Richard Lyles holds one of the awards for the many classes in the bike show. (Photo by Pam Guenther).

Of course there was no discrimination of makes and models of motorcycles including an “American” division in the bike show.

The two-day event included a free hot dog dinner on Friday evening, camping at the fairgrounds, the bike show, bike games, poker run with prizes, vendors and of course all those beautiful mountain roads to ride on.
The ultimate highlight of the event was to purchase the winning ticket for the ultimate motorcycle, a beautifully restored 1970 Triumph TR6!

As usual most bike events can expect the CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association) to be on hand to assist in any way they can, as participants Dennis and Bill will agree! (Photo by Pam Guenther).

The riding club GABMA boasts its 37th year of hosting the event and plans to hold many more in the future. The current president of the club is Steve Griffith, and he replaces John Underwood who previously served for many years.

FUN, FAIRS, & FESTIVALS

GABMA was formed almost 40 years ago along with its sister club, Greater Atlanta Norton Owners Association, which is still going strong, too.

Boasting that “Our motorcycles are not museum pieces. We ride them!” GABMA also networks with many other British motorcycle enthusiasts to help maintain and restore the bikes. If you would like to join the club or receive their newsletters you can contact them online at www.GABMA.us.

No one is excluded from the bike games including this youngster on his mini Indian motorcycle. (Photo by Pam Guenther).

The British founded the Triumph manufacturing firm in 1887, first making bicycles in Coventry in the UK. From there it began to focus on the motorcycles in 1902 and since then has produced more than 100 different styles of the original Triumph.

Two Triumph bikes entered into one of the categories of the many divisions of the bike show. (Photo by Pam Guenther).

The original Triumph brand was launched in 1959 with Bonneville, and since then the company, now located in Hinckley, England, has produced several models such as Bonneville T100, T120, Thruxton RS, Scrambler, Street Twin, Street Scrambler, Speed Twin and Bobber.