Visit Rally in the Gorge for a dream motorcycle event

The Rally in the Gorge in Hood River, Oregon, is a 2017 AMA Gypsy Tour Event hosted by Sound Rider! magazine. Starting as an online magazine in 1999, Sound Rider! wanted to connect with its readers by hosting riding events, rallies, and competitions. The Rally in the Gorge owes its origin to the Sportbike Northwest Rally, which started in 2003. Since then, the event has grown to become, in essence, three rallies in one.

Three-for-one

Rally in the Gorge is a riding rally that combines the camaraderie and evening social life of a Gypsy Tour, with specially focused rides for different styles of riders. You’ll find morning seminars and clinics geared toward advancing the skills for your type of riding. Then enjoy a day full of riding adventures, returning to the rally headquarters for a gathering of all riders. The three unique aspects of the rally are defined as:

• Sportbike Northwest
• Dualsport Northwest
• Sport Touring Northwest

All three types of riders will find some great riding adventures in this region, which centers on the Columbia River Gorge.

Columbia River Gorge

The gorge is more than 80 miles long, running from east to west, and serves as the line between Washington and Oregon. It’s the only navigable waterway through the Cascade Mountains between the Pacific Ocean and the Columbia River Plateau. It was designated as a National Scenic Area in 1986, making it the second place to receive that status. (The Mono Basin in California is the other.) This region is home to hundreds of miles of scenic roads, making it a motorcyclist paradise.

Ride the Maryhill Loops Road

A special treat at the rally is the rare chance to ride the Maryhill Loops Road. Built in 1911 by Samuel Hill as an experimental road during the Good Roads Movement, it was the first asphalt road built in Washington.

The road was bypassed by U.S. Route 97 and is now owned by the Maryhill Museum of Art. It is closed to public traffic and used by bicyclists and pedestrians. The road is rented for vehicular use on special occasions.

Rally in the Gorge event details

Where: Hood River County Fairgrounds

3020 Wyeast Rd.

Hood River, OR 97031

When: August 23–27

Promoter: Sound Rider!

10115 Greenwood Ave. N. #123

Seattle, WA 98115

Website: www.soundrider.com

Email: rally@soundrider.com

Phone: 206-650-9102

Whatever your flavor of motorcycling, this is definitely a rally to add to your bucket list. Riding adventures in the grandeur of majestic mountains along a mighty river will make a Gypsy Tourist out of any rider.

Till next time, ride safe!

Related links:

If you are looking for more events-related coverage, check out our Events section

Are you traveling with a rider group to an event? We offer a rider group discount!

Meet your coverage needs for the trip you’re taking. Interested in Roadside Assistance or Trip Interruption coverage?