Antique Motorcycle Club of America members put their iron on display in the Elkins Town Square Monday night. While the cycle riders socialized and talked shop, area residents walked among the vintage motorcycles asking questions, taking pictures and, for some, dreaming of cruising along a country road astraddle an Indian or Harley.
ELKINS, W.Va. — Antique motorcycle owners from across the country are in Elkins this week for a road run sponsored by the Allegheny Mountain Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. On Monday evening, the group gathered on the plaza at Town Square to show off their cycles to the public.
Town Square was packed with nearly 100 unique and, in some cases, rare motorcycles. All of the cycles were at least 35 years old and many had surpassed the 50-year mark. While walking among the motorcycles on display, the riders and area residents were treated to a performance by local bluegrass band Flatt Wound.
The three-day event will feature riding tours of the area.
Richard Spagnolli, president of the chapter, said, “Our chapter is from Western Pennsylvania, but many of us have been down here to ride before. We thought it was the perfect area for a national event.”
Riders from across the country converged on Elkins this week. California, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and New York were some of the states represented at Monday’s bike show.
“We have 139 riders registered,” said Spagnolli. “Today, we rode about 221 miles. We went over through Webster Springs and Richwood. We rode along the Highland Scenic Highway but it was foggy so we couldn’t see anything at the overlooks. Our riders saw a bear with two cubs and a lot of deer today.”
“This has been fantastic. Everyone has been so accommodating and welcoming. We almost feel like we’re home,” Spagnolli said. “The West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program provided the chase car for us and the Division of Tourism paid for the great cookout tonight. Elkins and everyone here has gone out of their way to help us. Its a great area.”
Today, the group will be on the road again, traveling the scenic roads in and around Blackwater Falls and Caanan Valley. On Wednesday, the destination will be Barbour County.
