The curving roads and concessions which wind their way over hills and through rock-cuts in the area are attracting a specific kind of tourist. Sportbikers, who prefer aggressive weaving routes – over the straight roads coveted by more relaxed cruiser-bikers – have made trips to the Parry Sound area for decades now, to attend a motorcycle event unique in North America.
Brian Downing, president of the Parry Sound Motorcyle Association, says Parry Sound’s first Sportbike Rally was held in the 1980s, and the event has steadily grown since then.
“It’s unique in the sense that it caters to the sportbike rider,” he says. “In the early years it was always billed as European and cafe style motorcycles.”
In those days, he says, when European and Asian motorcycle companies were paring down their bikes to be leaner, and more aggressive, North American bikers weren’t interested - since they preferred big Harley Davidson style cruisers. He said while sportbikes have gained popularity on this continent, events geared toward their riders don’t exist, except in Parry Sound.
“It caters to that kind of motorcycle and rider, and continues to be the only one today,” he says. “And that’s the beauty of it.”
Aubrey Bailey, 16, is one Parry Sounder who gets more and more excited about the rally with each passing year. Last year, he rode his bike at the head of the Thunder Run, a parade of sportbikers that snakes its way through town.
He said it’s the adrenaline rush, and the freedom of being on a bike which keeps him captivated, and he’s looking forward to next year when he’ll be able to legally drive on the road.
“When you’re on the bike all your thoughts go away,” he said. “It’s just you and the bike.”
He said he prefers sportbikes to all other mounts, since they can do things the others can’t.
“You can have the most fun on a sportbike,” he says. “You can go and do a corner as hard as you want.”
He said while his parents warn him to drive defensively, they support his hobby. And his father, Darcy Bailey, 50, wouldn’t have much of an argument otherwise, since he’s also into motorcycling and has been attending the rally since its inception.
Last year, after being threatened with cancellation, the Parry Sound Motorcycle Association was quickly formed and approved as the non-profit organiser of the event. Downing said it had to be done to keep the unique event going. He said while it is certainly a niche event, all types of motorcycles are welcome. There was a time when ‘Harley people’ would have frowned on sportbikers, but he says the attitude at the rally is not competitive.
“Any kind of competition is in a humorous way,” he says. “There is no real competition we’re not out racing each other, it’s the camaraderie of the style of bike that you ride and you’re hanging out with like-minded people.”
He says the beauty of motorcycling is all about curves, and that’s why people keep coming to Parry Sound to ride.
“You can get out on these windy roads, whereas in southern Ontario it’s more flat and straight, which caters to more of a cruiser style bike,” he said. “This area is perfect for a sportbike rally because of the roads.”
Akos Tozer, 43, has been attending the rally since 1998, and says the rally provides an “out” for sportbikers.
He says a lot of folks plan their holidays around the event, and while it’s always fun to get out on the districts roads, people keep coming back because they want to see old friends.
“Sportbike guys usually just hang out in groups, or go to track days,” he says. “There isn’t really a big gathering of sportbikes.”
He said although sportbikers tend to be after a more hair-raising ride, the sport appeals to a surprisingly wide cross section of people.
“The first time I came up to the sportbike rally, I borrowed my friend’s BMW,” he says. “And this Ducati passed me going pretty quick.”
He said he pulled over at the next gas station and found the sportbike that had overtaken him.
“He gets off his bike and he’s like 78,” he says. “It doesn’t matter age-wise, if it’s the sport that you love. You put on the helmet and you’re 18 again.”
For the love of sportsbikes
Date: Mar 09, 2010
The Thunder Run makes it's way through Parry Sound.
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