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blog European Motorcycle Show Culture
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If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast, you’ve probably been to a couple of meetups or events in your area. Typically, just like people and terrain that are specific to each country, the motorcycle scene across the world has its own unique features that differ according to their demographic. We all know about the thundering Harley’s that cruise down highways in the U.S, and have heard tales about the daredevils down under that attempt record-breaking jumps on their dirt bikes. But what about Europe?

Image via breitling.com

With many of its countries sharing borders, Europe has become a sacred place for bikers across the world. The ability for different motorcycle cultures to come together make European events some of the most unique and diverse displays of motorcycle craftsmanship anywhere in the world, but one specific style will always stand out when you’re on this side of the world: the vintage. Be it the glistening chrome accents of a Triumph Bonneville from the early 60s or the many stories of Tritons that zipped through the city from one café to another, inventing the globally recognized Café Racer culture, Europe has a lot to offer to the history of motorcycles, and enthusiasts from around the world gather at specific events every year to celebrate this.

Image via goodwood.com

 

2022 is an eventful year in Europe for those who like to indulge in motorcycle-based activities. With the acceptance of the winter-based Elephant rally in Germany, Bike season usually takes place between February and July, with many of them drawing in crowds in the hundreds of thousands. This year, some of the largest motorcycle-based events in Europe have made a glorious comeback after the pandemic, all of them attracting some of the most celebrated vintage motorcycles of all time.

Image via wheels-and-waves.com

For those planning to visit the Emerald Isle, you’ll be happy to know that Ireland Bikefest will be taking place in Killarney on the 3rd of June. The three-day event is guaranteed to be its best yet after being postponed in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and will celebrate its 14th year. Three weeks later, Wheels and Waves in France will kick off their 11th year. The event is set to take place in Biarritz, France, from the 29th of June to the 3rd of July. This Festival is unique, combining music and art as well as other recreational activities like surfing as a part of its attraction. For vintage bike owners, Wheels and Waves is a haven of like-minded individuals who have fallen in love with two-wheelers of the past. In the UK, the globally recognized Goodwood Festival of Speed will take place between the 23rd and 26th of June. While this specific event isn’t dedicated to motorcycles alone, you are guaranteed to see an extensive number of classic British motorcycles make their way out of temperature-controlled garages to be flaunted at the show. Unlike most of the other shows. Goodwood has numerous car and motorcycle races and exhibitions that are sure to hold your attention. Finally, the biggest one of them all. European bike week. An occurrence that has been taking place at lake Faak since 1998, European bike week is the single largest rally in the continent and the third-largest in the world. In fact, the event in 2018 attracted an attendance of over 200,000 people and is said to be bigger than ever this year. With nearly 100,000 bikes expected to be present at the rally, there’s no doubt that this is the holy grail of motorcycles.

Well, there it is, a quick recap of some of the most iconic motorcycle festivals that making their way back in 2022. Get your gear ready and fire up the engine, you’re about to soak up an abundance of European rich motorcycle history and culture. If you aren’t headed to Europe make sure you check out our events here at Throttlestop in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin!

 

*Images via Breitling.com, Goodwood.com, Wheels-and-waves.com

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