If over 400,000 bikes rolled into your town, a few eyebrows may be raised. But not in Laconia, New Hampshire. The residents of this rolling hills area welcome the bikers back year after year after year - for 81 years! The week just keeps getting bigger, but the town still loves the excitement.

One of P&OM's readers, Rich Meyer, had the chance to travel to Laconia for the Motorcycle Rally June 13-20, and took the pictures that you see on the next few pages - thanks Rich! We sure are sorry that we weren't able to make it in person, but will be making it a goal for next year.

The first weekend the fun began with Laconia Vintage Races, traveling right through the downtown area where non-riders could watch safely from the sidewalks while shopping in the quaint local stores. Throughout the week, there were the Gypsy Tours that left Rally Headquarters each day that took cyclists through covered bridges, by the rolling seas of the Atlantic, and everywhere in between. Mt. Washington AutoRoad was closed to autos on Thursday so that it could be bike only day for the trek from Laconia to the Mountain - a once in a lifetime adventure.

This year was also host to the first City of Laconia Bike Show on Friday, which helped to raise money for the city to continue to support this landmark motorcycle week. With the 20 motorcycles that entered, the Best of Show Award was presented to Steve Schuller of Markham, Ontario. Steve crafted his masterpiece over six months, and this was its first time being shown.

At the Weirs Drive-In, the Rhett 'Rotten' Wall of Death Show performed and awed fans while Rhett traveled around inside a mostly-wood cylinder with an open top that was built in 1941. His wife, Kimberly, played DJ and kept the crowd enthused while her husband risked his life multiple times each day riding in circles on a 1927 Indian Scout, a go-cart, and a 1957 Harley-Davidson Hummer that is powered with a dirt bike engine.

All in all, there are too many stories to tell, articles to read, and pictures to look at from Laconia. The only way to experience it is to be there in person. The 82nd year takes place from June 11-19, 2005 - make sure to plan early by visiting www.laconiamcweek.com. And in the words of Charlie St. Clair, Exec. Director of the show, "Ride safe and keep away from that centerline!"